Brisbane Broncos veteran Tonie Carroll will start at halfback in place of utility Alex Glenn for tonight's NRL preliminary final against Melbourne Storm at Etihad Stadium.

Jarryd Hayne has inspired Parramatta's magic run to the NRL grand final, but the Eels fullback faces a nervous wait to see if he'll be able to help finish the job.

From the moment Hazem El Masri announced mid-season that he would retire at the end of the season, he was adamant no fairytale farewell was necessary to cap his career.

Just hours before the biggest game of his life, Parramatta hooker Kevin Kingston was told he didn't have a place at the Eels next year.

Up to four men will be entrusted with perhaps the most demanding job in the NRL on Saturday night, sharing Brisbane Broncos' halfback duties against Melbourne Storm.

Parramatta have defeated the Bulldogs 22-12 in the first NRL preliminary final, but Jarryd Hayne may miss the grand final after being placed on report for dangerous contact.

Parramatta captain Nathan Cayless is refusing to concede his premiership dream is over but Eels coach Daniel Anderson is resigned to losing his inspirational prop.

Penrith's forwards signing spree has continued with veteran Frank Puletua recommitting to the NRL club.

Just like a gripping reality TV show, the NRL is down to the final four. Who is the prettiest? Who will hit the right notes? The Adjudicator knows who will cook up a storm this weekend!

Foxsports.com.au brings you everything you need to know - and a few things you don't - about Saturday's second preliminary final between Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos.

Newcastle Knights coach Brian Smith will quit the NRL club and take over the reins at the troubled Sydney Roosters next season.

A Melbourne Storm assistant coach is considered one of the front-runners to take over from Brian Smith at Newcastle Knights next season - but it's not Stephen Kearney.

Lote Tuqiri's hopes of a comeback to top-level rugby league have been dealt a blow, with leading NRL clubs withdrawing interest in the sacked Wallabies winger.

Despite the reservations of coach Wayne Bennett, St George Illawarra winger Wendell Sailor says he wants to play on next season.

Manly have kept alive their hopes of retaining their NRL premiership crown with a 32-26 victory over a battling Cronulla in an entertaining clash at Toyota Stadium.

Canberra coach David Furner says he was left confused by some of the referees' decisions after his team's 27-14 NRL loss to Penrith.

Less than a week into the job, new Parramatta CEO Paul Osborne has already moved to make superstar Jarryd Hayne an Eel for life.

Penrith coach Matt Elliott says a continuation of his team's defensive woes against Canberra on Saturday will prove costly for the NRL club.

Brett Kimmorley once again had the last laugh as the Bulldogs held out Gold Coast Titans 23-16 in their NRL fixture at Suncorp Stadium.

Brisbane's premiership hopes took a serious battering at the hands of South Sydney on Friday night with coach Ivan Henjak admitting the six time premiers were "struggling".