This week, Foxsports.com.au brings you a special Sunday Night Soapbox that takes on a distinct finals angle, with special emphasis on minor premiers St George Illawarra and defending premiers Manly.

St George Illawarra Wayne Bennett has called for an overhaul of the finals system, declaring it outdated and offering little reward to the top four teams.

Manly relaunched their premiership defence with an emphatic 38-4 win over the Gold Coast Titans that left the Queensland side with a nightmare injury toll heading into the finals.

South Sydney five-eighth John Sutton has masterminded a thrilling 26-24 win over Cronulla on Saturday night which leaves the Sharks still in danger of collecting the NRL wooden spoon.

Melbourne Storm have powered their way to a home semi-final, thrashing the Warriors 30-0 at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday night.

North Queensland Cowboys have signed fullback Shannon Gallant for the next two NRL seasons after he was granted a release by Wests Tigers.

They're the damning statistics that will leave even the most ardent St George Illawarra fan happy to stay locked out of Kogarah Oval.

The Bulldogs' title aspirations are in disarray after a 34-12 defeat to Wests Tigers cost them the minor premiership and may result in suspension to stars Luke Patten and Josh Morris.

St George Illawarra have made a remarkable return to form snapping Parramatta's seven-game winning streak with a 37-0 thrashing at OKI Jubilee Stadium.