The opening weekend of the NRL finals series can be summed up as brutal.

A number of key players from almost every team suffered injuries.

Samantha Kolb reports.

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The Melbourne Storm decimated the South Sydney Rabbitohs twenty-four to six.

The Storm played an intense game and focused on their defence with the Rabbitohs only able to score with eight minutes left of the match.

Key Cronulla Sharks playmaker Todd Carney was forced off the field after eight minutes into the second half with a suspected torn Achilles.

His injury left the Sharks open for attack and the Raiders took advantage with the end result being thirty-four to sixteen in favour to the Canberra Raiders.

And the Sea Eagles co-captain Jamie Lyon limped off with a calf strain twenty-five minutes into Friday night’s sixteen to ten qualifying loss to the Bulldogs.

The Eagles will be thrown into further chaos with their centre Steve Matai facing suspension over a high tackle on Sam Perrett.

The Bulldogs’ win marks their first victory over the Eagles since 2010.

And it wasn’t the outcome that retiring Broncos veteran Petero Civoniceva wanted after Brisbane suffered a defeat to the Cowboys.

The Cowboys conquered their Queensland counterparts thirty-three to sixteen and are expected to take on rivals Manly next week.

Samantha Kolb, QUT News.