It’s no secret in rugby league that gaining a week off in the finals plays a key role in a team’s championship hopes.

Since the current finals format was introduced in 2012, ten of the twelve championship winners have taken advantage of this opportunity.

Only the Cowboys in 2015 and the Panthers in 2021 have played in four Finals and won a championship.

Even if we go back to the introduction of the McIntyre System in 1999, 18 of the 25 grand finals have been won by teams that had a week off.

At this time of year, when players are fatigued and struggling with injuries, an extra week off is a godsend.

While it is not impossible for a team to bounce back from losing in a qualifying final to win the title, it is becoming an increasingly rare feat.

For two teams in 2024, their championship hopes depend almost entirely on a week off to rest and recuperate.

The Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters both have incredibly talented players but both teams need a week off to finish their title fight.

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The Panthers, who have been on top for so long, are losing steam. After three consecutive championships and five consecutive top-two finishes, the Panthers have a weakness in them for the first time in a long time.

Many of their performances in the second half of 2024 have been different to what the rugby league public has come to expect from them, with wins over the Broncos, Dolphins and Knights all far from impressive.

Their 36-34 win over Parramatta was almost undeserved as they scored three goals in four minutes to secure victory.

Defeat to Melbourne showed they are a step behind the competition leaders, while defeats to the Cowboys and Raiders were also tough.

Even their last two wins, against South Sydney and Gold Coast, left much to be desired. Although they won, they were not impressive and could have lost had they not played against teams in the bottom four.

Dylan Edwards. (Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Nathan Cleary’s return from injury will boost their chances, but there are still many question marks over his fitness, with other key players such as Dylan Edwards and Scott Sorensen also struggling with injuries.

The extra week of rest and recovery that a victory on Friday night would provide could be the difference between the Panthers winning a fourth straight championship and being eliminated from the finals a week or two before the grand finale.

After several years of dissatisfaction with results, the Roosters club began to enjoy success.

With a top-two finish and a home qualifying match secured with two weeks to go, they were in form and looked set to challenge for the club’s first league title since 2019.

The last home game against Canberra was a disaster, with Brandon Smith and Sam Walker suffering season-ending ACL injuries and Victor Radley breaking his scapula.

The Roosters celebrate a try against the Dolphins. (Photo: James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Fortunately for the Roosters, they have a solid base, with New South Wales all-rounder Connor Watson able to field the scrum-half position and in-waiting forward Sandon Smith.

The new pairs started the campaign with a win in the last round against South Sydney, but will face a much tougher challenge when they face the Panthers.

An extra week to work on new combinations would be invaluable to the Roosters’ championship chances.

An extra week off to give players like Joseph Sua’ali’i and Dom Young a chance would also be a huge boost for the Roosters.

There is no doubt that the Roosters still have memories of 2020 fresh in their minds, when injuries and fatigue after years at the top finally caught up with them in the final.

Narrow defeats to Penrith and Canberra in the first two weeks of the finals series put an end to any questions about a third successive championship.

The Panthers will likely see similarities between their current season and the Roosters’ 2020 campaign. Strong start, slowly declining results, injuries and fatigue.

The rugby league season is long and it’s a time when teams have to push themselves harder.

Those who can’t will be left behind. A win would put the Panthers or Roosters on track for premiership glory.

Defeat will put an end to these hopes.