Can the South Sydney Rabbitohs be NRL Champions?

It has taken a while but the Bunnies are back to being amongst the NRL's powerhouses.

Thanks to Russell Crowe's investment in the last few years, bringing in league stars like Greg Inglis, Roy Asotasi, the Burgess brothers, South Sydney Rabbitohs are again the team to beat and fans from Redfern and south of Kings Cross can wave their red and green flags at a winner.

Burgess brothers

The Bunnies' best chance of ending their long, long Premiership drought has finally arrived and only the experienced Manly stands in their way of reaching their first Grand Final since 1971. Indeed, they haven't won the title since that Final even if they remain the most illustrious club in Australian rugby league with 20 titles.

Manly will be a tough challenge given that they were champions only two seasons ago and have a formidable team with world class players like Brett and Glenn Stewart, Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai. They also have plenty of experience at this time of the season. However, Souths could yet be their toughest challenge given the talent and defence of the green and reds.

SBW could be key for the Roosters

Another tantalizing prize to look forward to is a dream Grand Final with their most hated rivals, the Sydney Roosters, another once great team that has made a renaissance this year on the back of All Black Sonny Bill Williams and former Warrior, James Maloney.

The Roosters face an in-form Newcastle who upset Melbourne in Melbourne last week and with Wayne Bennett at the helm, will be a massive minefield to overcome. Akuila Uate has shown to be the best winger in the post season and his pace and power were key in the Knights' win over the Storm on Saturday night.

However, the Roosters have shown that they have plenty of fight and mettle in them particularly in that 4-0 win over Manly two weeks ago. Their defence is strong and they have plenty of quality in attack with Anthony Minichello and Mitchell Pearce.

The Roosters won 24-12 last time these two met

Tips? Souths to beat Manly and Roosters to beat Knights to set up a very traditional Grand Final on Sunday week.