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IT COULD be the greatest weekend of footy in the history of the NRL. It's Destiny Round - and it couldn't have a more fitting name.

With the Broncos and Wests Tigers both having big wins yesterday, the playoff picture has become even more intriguing.

No less than 12 sides will put their finals aspirations on the line in a series of blockbusters this weekend, with seven games having a bearing on the top eight.

It all starts with a massive double-header on Friday night when Wests Tigers put their six-match winning streak up against Parramatta's five-match winning streak at the Sydney Football Stadium.

"I'd be disappointed if there was less than 30,000 people there on Friday night," said Parramatta forward Nathan Hindmarsh.

"I can't see why it wouldn't be a sell-out. You've got two western Sydney teams, the Tigers have won six in a row, we've won five in a row. It's an important part of the season and it's a crucial game for both clubs."

And front-runners St George Illawarra meet Brisbane - Wayne Bennett against his old side - in what should be a 22,000 sell-out at Wollongong's WIN Stadium.

Then there is the Grand Final rematch between Melbourne and Manly at Olympic Park on Sunday in what is a monumental game for the Sea Eagles.

Throw in the Newcastle-North Queensland match, Gold Coast Titans pushing for a top-two spot against the Sharks, the Bulldogs chasing the minor premiership against the Roosters and South Sydney facing Penrith in a do-or-die encounter, and it's a feast of football.

"If you're a league fan, this round is as good as it gets," former Test forward Gorden Tallis said last night.

"In fact, I can't remember a better competition. Everywhere you go, people stop you to talk about the footy.

"I remember now why they call it the Greatest Game of All."

Former Test skipper Laurie Daley rated it one of the "most important rounds of football for years and years".

"All bar one game has a big impact on whether teams make the finals or where they finish in the top eight," Daley said.

"It will be a fascinating and a blockbusting few days of footy."

Brisbane sent a timely reminder that they weren't dead yet with a 58-24 thumping of Penrith at Suncorp Stadium.

They won the second half 40-0 and the message was clear: "Don't forget us."

With Darren Lockyer fit, Brisbane are in this competition up to their necks, but the skipper admitted this Friday will be tough.

But they will head there with momentum.

"Certainly we have got some momentum out of this game," coach Ivan Henjak said.

"We scored a lot of points today, but it will be a lot harder down there in Wollongong.

"We have to keep building on what we have done in the past two weeks.

"The most pleasing thing was in the second half they didn't score a point. The win put some enjoyment back into their footy. Over the past two-and-a-half months, there hasn't been a great deal of joy."

Broncos lock Corey Parker said his team was excited to be playing the Dragons. - and Bennett.

"It will be good playing the competition leaders," Parker said.

"It will give us a gauge of how we are going. But the Dragons are a class outfit. They have led the competition for most of the year."



between Melbourne and Manly at Olympic Park on Sunday in what is a monumental game for the Sea Eagles.





Throw in the Newcastle-North Queensland match, Gold Coast Titans pushing for a top-two spot against the Sharks, the Bulldogs chasing the minor premiership against the Roosters and South Sydney facing Penrith in a do-or-die encounter, and it's a feast of football.





"If you're a league fan, this round is as good as it gets," former Test forward Gorden Tallis told The Daily Telegraph last night.





"In fact, I can't remember a better competition. Everywhere you go, people stop you to talk about the footy.





"I remember now why they call it the Greatest Game of All."





Former Test skipper Laurie Daley rated it one of the "most important rounds of football for years and years".





"All bar one game has a big impact on whether teams make the finals or where they finish in the top eight," Daley said.





"It will be a fascinating and a blockbusting few days of footy."





Brisbane sent a timely reminder they weren't dead yet with a 58-24 thumping of Penrith at Suncorp Stadium. They won the second half 40-0 and the message was clear - "Don't forget us" - as they head to a much-anticipated clash with the Dragons.





With Darren Lockyer fit, Brisbane are in this competition up to their necks, but the skipper admitted this Friday will be tough.





But they will head there with momentum.





"Certainly we have got some momentum out of this game," coach Ivan Henjak said.





"We scored a lot of points today, but it will be a lot harder down there in Wollongong.





"We have to keep building on what we have done in the past two weeks. The most pleasing thing was in the second half they didn't score a point. The win put some enjoyment back into their footy.





"Over the past two-and-a-half months, there hasn't been a great deal of joy."





Broncos lock Corey Parker said his team was excited to be playing the Dragons.





"It will be good playing the competition leaders," Parker said.





"It will give us a gauge of how we are going. But the Dragons are a class outfit.





"They have led the competition for most of the year."


http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,27074,25939236-14823,00.html