NRL finals 2019: When and where each game Week One finals game will be played
The top eight is locked in and it’s time to start thinking about the semi-finals. FIND OUT WHEN AND WHERE EACH GAME OF THE 2019 NRL FINALS WILL BE PLAYED.
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HEALTH: Full finals casualty ward
The fiercest rivalry in the NRL will launch the finals series in an SCG blockbuster that returns to the hallowed turf of the SCG for the first time in 32 years.
Staunch rivals the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney will clash next Friday night for the second time in eight days.
Welcome to the first week of the NRL finals.
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The NRL held meetings with broadcasters Fox Sports and Nine determining who plays who — and where, and it can be confirmed that:
* Premiership-favourites the Roosters will host the Rabbitohs on Friday night — the first finals match at the SCG since 1987.
* The Raiders’ shock loss to the Warriors on Saturday was massive, leaving them to face a trip south to tackle minor premiers Melbourne at AAMI Park on Saturday.
* A bruised and battered Manly are set to host the Sharks on Saturday night at Brookvale’s Lottoland, but the venue is in question after the discovery of traces of asbestos on the hill.
* Brisbane will play Parramatta in a historic first semi-final in front of a sold-out 30,000 crowd at the newly built Bankwest Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
* The NRL will return finals footy to suburban grounds due to the unavailability of Allianz Stadium.
WEEK ONE NRL FINALS DRAW:
Friday, September 13th
Sydney Roosters (2) vs South Sydney (3) at the SCG. Kickoff at 7:50pm
Saturday, September 14th
Melbourne Storm (1) vs Canberra Raiders (4) at AAMI Park. Kickoff at 5:40pm
Manly Sea Eagles (6) vs Cronulla Sharks (7) at Lottoland. Kickoff at 7:50pm
Sunday, September 15th
Parramatta Eels (5) vs Brisbane Broncos (8) at Bankwest stadium. Kickoff at 4:05pm
Despite their defeat, the Green Machine will travel to Melbourne with confidence, having beaten the Storm at AAMI Park only four weeks ago.
On a famous night for the club, Canberra rallied from behind on the scoreboard to beat Melbourne on their home turf, 22-18.
However, coach Ricky Stuart faces a nervous wait to learn if young gun forward Hudson Young to face the NRL judiciary after making contact with Adam Pompey’s eye during the match on Saturday.
Young has already served a five-game suspension for eye-gouging earlier this year.
In the wake of Melbourne’s professional final-round win over North Queensland on Friday night, Bellamy said the Storm would need to be better — particularly his plethora of talent who are untested in finals footy.
“I think we’re going to have four or five guys that haven’t played semi-final footy playing next week, so that’s a really exciting time for those guys,’’ Bellamy said.
“Hopefully they can continue on with what they’ve done this year.’’
The NRL will meet again Sunday to confirm the make-up of the week one finals.
Tickets for members go on sale Monday, with the general public getting their chance to purchase tickets for as little as $25 on Tuesday.