The debate around whether having a week off in the NRL Telstra Premiership finals is a benefit or a momentum-stopper comes with mixed responses amongst players each year.
Two weeks ago Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner welcomed his team's week off ahead of this week's preliminary clash with South Sydney.
However on the same night following Cronulla's loss to the Roosters in week one of the finals, Sharks veteran Luke Lewis welcomed the chance to play another week.
So how beneficial is earning a bye week during the finals?
According to NRL Stats, a week off can do just as much harm as good for a side leading into the preliminary finals.
The Roosters and Storm may be favourites this week after sitting out last weekend's matches, but only twice in the past decade have both NRL clubs with the bye during the finals gone on to reach the grand final.
Cronulla was a part of that success rate in 2016 where they faced Melbourne after both clubs earned a week off during the finals.
The other occasion was in 2012 when Canterbury and Melbourne, who finished first and second on the Telstra Premiership ladder respectively, battled it out in the grand final following a week off.
For the remaining eight years, at least one club coming off a freshen-up has dropped the preliminary game, and ultimately their season.
In that time the team that did win through to the grand final after a week off finished the year as premiers on seven of eight occasions.
The biggest test this year appears to be facing minor premiers the Roosters, who have struggled to clear the grand final qualifier hurdle recently with three preliminary finals exits in five years.
Their latest loss was in last year's preliminary finals loss to the Cowboys after a week off, while Melbourne advanced through in dominant fashion to lift the trophy.
South Sydney's successful 2014 campaign also included a week off.
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