I'm sure they'll be hoping that last Friday's senior referee Ben Cummins has officiated in his last Roosters match of the season. Since winning the 2013 premiership, the Roosters have a winning percentage of 75.55 per cent under referees other than Cummins, but it drops to just 14.28 per cent when Cummins shares the field with them. They have lost every penalty count under him in this period and concede 73.52 per cent more penalties than they receive when he is one of the on-field officials. Bemused: Roosters captain Jake Friend speaks to the referee during the NRL qualifying final against Melbourne. Credit:Getty Images Dragons fans should feel proud of their team Take heat, Dragons fans: St George Illawarra supporters have plenty to be proud of. Credit:Brett Hemmings Whilst the Dragons departed the premiership race at the first hurdle of this year's finals series, this was a very dignified exit and completes a season of which their fans and stakeholders can be very proud. Most pundits looked at the Dragons in the pre-season and confidently predicted a bottom four finish. By half-time of their round three clash with the Raiders those predictions seemed spot on but at the end of round 12 they were competition leaders, having won eight of nine after losing their first two games. They built their success (and this was a successful season for them) on defence, conceding an average of just 16.76 points per game through 25 games. Only the Roosters, Melbourne and Brisbane conceded less points in 2015. After losing every match they played in June and July, and dropping to tenth on the ladder after 20 rounds, the Dragons' season could easily have continued to plummet through the final six rounds but the resilience that the Dragons showed in April and May returned for those later rounds and in particular in their elimination final against the Bulldogs last weekend.

Why referees need to make a call much earlier Why?: Luke Keary of the Rabbitohs ran 110 metres to score a try when the official knew all along the four-pointer would not stand. Credit:Getty Images The NRL really do need to look at the situation on the weekend where Souths five-eighth Luke Keary was allowed to sprint 110 metres down the middle of the field to score a try, despite the fact the referees knew all along he had benefited from an illegal obstruction that warranted a penalty to the Sharks way back on his own try line. If the referees saw an obstruction they should've blown the whistle immediately. Firstly, it takes a lot out of players making a full tilt 100m sprint down the ground as the chasers pursue the ball carrier. Secondly, if they caught Keary 80m downfield and prevented him from scoring, then the opportunity to review the play is lost. The Rabbitohs could've scored on the next play and nothing could be done about it. It's not the first time such situations have occurred. If referees see a breach they should blow the penalty straight away. Why wait to see if a try is scored so they can go to the video referees to have them make the call? The process is wrong. Mind you it's not the only process that's wrong and it's not the only rule that needs changing. Roosters v Bulldogs Bundled up: Roosters lock Sio Siua Taukeiaho is tackled by Storm defence. Credit:Brendon Thorne

I like the Roosters here. They were well below their best in losing to the Storm last Friday night. I expect them to bounce back to their best in this one. Normally their ball control is first class and they make very few errors when in possession. On Friday night they looked out of sorts for most of the contest. Their attacking game surprisingly lacked direction and rhythm. The Melbourne Storm were able to nullify the Rooster's normally aggressive yardage game. I'm not so sure the Bulldogs forward pack can be so effective. The Bulldogs squeaked out a golden point victory over a gallant Dragons team last Saturday evening, however, they were far from impressive in a game of mediocre quality. The Bulldogs are an unpredictable team and quite capable of suddenly producing a season best performance. Or maybe we've already seen the best of the Dogs and we have been over-rating them all this time. There is always plenty of feeling when these two heavyweight clubs go head-to-head, especially at finals time. On exposed form though, it's hard to see anything but a Rooster victory. Easts by 10. Sharks won't be afraid to win hearts and minds They're a chance: Jack Bird and the Sharks are without hope. Credit:Getty Images

The North Queensland Cowboys get an enormous advantage in being able to play this week's finals match on their home ground in Townsville. However, if there is one team capable of succeeding in such a hostile environment it's the Cronulla Sharks. The experienced Sharks forwards have seen it all before and will not be intimidated. I can remember this team walking into a packed Belmore Oval earlier this season to take on a Bulldogs team that was being supported by such a huge crowd. History shows the Sharks beat the Dogs, and their supporters for good measure. These guys are big match players who thrive on the energy created by big crowds. They won't be afraid to win. Having said that, the Cowboys are certainly due for a change of luck after having so many rough calls go against them in big finals matches over the past few years. They were outstanding last Saturday night in there narrow loss to the Broncos. Provided they haven't been physically and emotionally drained after such a big effort against the Broncos last weekend I expect the Cowboys to win and take their place in the final four left standing. It won't be easy though. Cowboys by 4. The rest is the best At this point of every season we hear people discussing the pros and cons of a team enjoying a weekend off before the preliminary finals, or the alternative of having to play again and win your way into being amongst the last four standing. It's an age old argument. Some suggest the continuity of playing is a benefit to a team looking to maintain momentum, as against a perceived loss of touch and rhythm that may be caused by having a week off. From my experience I can say I have always valued the spare weekend without the risk of injury. The Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm are in the box seats at the moment with the perfect preparations. If they lose their preliminary finals matches they will not be able to blame the week off for their demise. Phil Gould is the executive general manager of the Penrith Panthers.