The NRL opted for a last-minute change of plans on their finals schedule, transferring Canterbury and Manly to Sunday in a bid to keep away from a conflict with the AFL at Homebush.
League bosses confirmed particulars of their schedule on Sunday night, with Penrith internet hosting the Sydney Roosters to open the collection on Friday night time.
Melbourne will then play at residence to Cronulla on Saturday afternoon, earlier than North Queensland face Newcastle in Townsville that night time, with Manly to play the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
The NRL had initially deliberate on the Manly-Bulldogs conflict being on Saturday night time, with even Bulldogs GM Phil Gould publishing particulars forward of time.
However Manly’s 40-20 loss to Cronulla prompted a change of plans, because it meant the Sea Eagles misplaced the appropriate to host their closing in opposition to Canterbury, with the Bulldogs as an alternative being the house workforce at Accor.
>> How the NRL finals system works
With AFL aspect GWS already locked in to host a Saturday night time AFL closing in opposition to Brisbane at Giants Stadium – additionally at Homebush – that might have created a logistical nightmare at Olympic Park, with greater than 50,000 folks anticipated for Canterbury’s first closing in eight years.
Transferring that match to Sunday has additionally allowed the NRL to keep away from the Cowboys internet hosting Newcastle within the daytime Townsville warmth, as was initially deliberate.
However it can make for challenges additional down the road within the finals collection for head workplace.
The Bulldogs sealed sixth on the NRL ladder to get a house sport in week one of many finals with the Sea Eagles blowing the prospect to leapfrog them on Sunday.
The winner of the Canterbury-Manly match will now face solely a six-day turnaround into the second week of the finals, in opposition to a far more energizing loser of the Penrith and Roosters match.
Nonetheless, the scheduling does imply the NRL will keep away from having a preliminary closing being performed at Melbourne’s AAMI Park, close by the MCG, simply hours after the AFL grand closing finishes at that stadium.
Below the anticipated week-two and week-three schedule, the Storm will host a preliminary closing on the night time earlier than the AFL grand closing in the event that they beat Melbourne subsequent week.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo indicated the late reshuffle was attributable to the tightness of the competitors.
“After 27 rounds the ultimate place within the high eight got here right down to the final match,” Abdo mentioned, referring to Newcastle’s win over the Dolphins.
“In 2024 now we have seen spectacular soccer, essentially the most tries since 1998, 10 Golden Level video games and nearly a 3rd of the matches determined by six factors or much less.”
North Queensland can even nonetheless really feel they carry a home-ground benefit subsequent week.
Whereas temperatures will seemingly drop under the forecast excessive of of 28 levels by the point of a 7:50pm kick off, the Cowboys are 7-5 at residence this yr.
“We now have a bit of little bit of a bonus (in these situations) as a result of now we have some expertise in it. However that received’t matter should you flip the ball over,” coach Todd Payten mentioned.
“We’re a greater workforce in Townsville, there isn’t a doubt. I’m actually excited and searching ahead to it.”
Reuben Cotter celebrates with teammates. (Picture by Mark Nolan/Getty Photographs)
The Cowboys booked a $60,000 chartered flight out of Sydney on Saturday night time following their win over the Bulldogs, giving them an additional day of preparation.
“It comes at a good expense, nevertheless it provides us an additional day at residence with the households,” Payten mentioned.
“We don’t waste a full day with journey. We might have gotten residence at 4.30pm or 5pm (Sunday) if issues have been on time.
“(As a substitute) it (gave) the coaches an opportunity to get the evaluation accomplished on Saturday night time.
“The gamers have a relaxation day Sunday and are available in on Monday. All of it counts.”
Tickets will probably be on sale for all matches to the competing golf equipment’ ticketed members at 10am on Monday adopted by competing golf equipment’ non-ticketed members at 1pm on Monday and NRL Account Holders at 4pm on Monday.
Finals collection tickets will probably be on sale to Normal Public at 10am on Tuesday at www.nrl.com/tickets.
Tickets can be found from $25 for adults and $79 for households throughout all finals venues.
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Week 1 finals draw
Qualifying Remaining: Friday, September 13, 7.50pm (EST), BlueBet Stadium
Penrith Panthers (2) v Sydney Roosters (3)
Qualifying Remaining: Saturday, September 14, 4.05pm (EST), AAMI Park
Melbourne Storm (1) v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (4)
Elimination Remaining: Saturday, September 14, 7.50pm (EST), Qld Nation Financial institution Stadium
North Queensland Cowboys (5) v Newcastle Knights (8)
Elimination Remaining: Sunday, September 15, 4.05pm (EST), Accor Stadium
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (6) v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (7)
with AAP
