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THE key battles to watch as the Melbourne Storm take on the Newcastle Knights in Saturday night's semi-final.
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GARETH WIDDOP v JARROD MULLEN
Gareth Widdop was well under-done against South Sydney last week - something that was to be expected considering the man spent three months on the sidelines with a dislocated hip.
It's a miracle he is even playing. But he will be better this week. His match fitness will have improved significantly, his timing will more appropriate and his confidence will be on the rise with each touch he manages.
At his best, he is close to one of the best five-eighths in the competition, and more than a worthy adversary to Jarrod Mullen.
Right now, however, the Knights No. 6 has it all over him. Last week, Mullen provided a try assist, an offload and 16 kicks that won Newcastle valuable field position, and eventually the game against the Bulldogs.
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BILLY SLATER v DARIUS BOYD
They were equally damaging at the back for Queensland in this year's Origin series, but now Billy Slater and Darius Boyd will be trying to inflict the same angst they have caused NSW in recent years... on each other.
Boyd will be out to show he can be just as damaging and elusive as the man many regard as the greatest fullback of all time.
Boyd was terrific in the Knights' sudden-death victory over the Bulldogs last week, providing a try, 128m of go-forward and 10 tackles from the back - a few of which were try-savers.
But statistically, Boyd is still far behind the Melbourne wizard, who leads in every key statistical comparison between the two.
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WILL CHAMBERS v JOEY LEILUA
Will Chambers was the best in a beaten side last Friday night against South Sydney.
The Melbourne three-quarter scored a try, carried the ball for a staggering 197m, threw two offloads and forced a drop-out.
If he maintains such impressive form, he will be in terrific stead to inherit the Queensland No. 4 jersey from Justin Hodges in coming years.
But, firstly, he has to outplay Joey Leilua, the 18th man for NSW last year before off-field indiscretions derailed his career.
This promises to be one of the most exciting battles of the game. The big, barrelling Leilua will no doubt looking to exploit Chambers' propensity to miss over three tackles a game.
The Melbourne centre will rely on his service players to get him outside Leilua, where he will back himself with pace.
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RYAN HOFFMAN v BEAU SCOTT
Beau Scott was awarded man of the match last week for his steely defence, which repelled a rampant Bulldogs side close to the Newcastle line.
Without doing anything statistically brilliant, he was the corner stone of their victory and he will need to repeat this effort this weekend if he is any hope of holding out on one of the game's best attacking back-rowers.
Ryan Hoffman has scored four tries this year, made eight line-breaks, busted 32 tackles and provided eight try assists down that lethal left-hand side. He will no doubt be peppering the Novocastrian all game long.
On the other hand, the Storm hard man will have his work cut out for him in defence as well, with Beau Scott likely to take up a personal vendetta against the man who ultimately replaced him in the NSW side this year.
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BRYAN NORRIE v WILLIE MASON
Generally, veterans don't go to battle. In fact, the title of "veteran" is given to a soldier once their days of fighting are all but over - but not these two troopers.
Despite having an aggregate age of almost 63 years, Willie Mason and Bryan Norrie will go toe-to-toe this weekend in a front-row battle capable of deciding this sudden death semi-final.
In what will no doubt be a low scoring, grinding game, the battle for the advantage line and the notion of controlling the ruck will be crucial.
Both men will call on their years of experience to muster their packs and attempt to secure a place in a preliminary final against the Roosters.
But it all starts with their ability to lead by example.
So, individually, how do they stack up?
They both average around the same amount of carries and subsequent metres per week, but Willie Mason has thrown six more offloads than Norrie this season.
This is probably why he has accrued 12 or so more errors.
No doubt, Wayne Bennett will be telling him to just tuck the Steeden under his wing and charge forward this weekend in what will be his 250th match.
Everyone knows if you invite Melbourne in to your half with stupid penalties and errors, they will hurt you.
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