Record six Sydney sides set for finals as NRL looks to cash in on Sydney Swans double at Allianz

WHO said there’s too many NRL teams in Sydney? The harbour city is set to be rocked with a record six Sydney teams on the verge of playoff berths.

The Sharks and Roosters will both be part of the Sydney domination. (Matt King/Getty Images)

WHO said there’s too many NRL teams in Sydney?

The harbour city is set to be rocked by finals fever like never before with a record six Sydney teams on the verge of making this year’s NRL finals.

And the NRL has also scrapped talk of a week-one double-header by instead using the AFL and Sydney Swans as a vehicle to lure more fans into Allianz Stadium.

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Roosters veteran Michael Gordon is tackled during the crucial win over Cronulla last Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

With the Roosters, Eels and Sharks assured of playoff berths and the Panthers, Sea Eagles and St George Illawarra set to confirm their top-eight positions this weekend, the opening week of the finals will feature the most Sydney teams during the NRL era.

The depleted Cowboys could throw a spanner in the works if they upset Brisbane on Thursday night.

Not surprisingly, NRL officials spent Tuesday trying to pencil in dates and booking stadiums for the harbour city logjam in the opening week of the finals, while also eliminating the prospect of a Sydney double-header.

Paul Gallen’s Sharks slipped to fifth after their loss to the Sydney Roosters at Southern Cross Group. Picture: AAP

While still a long way from being set in stone given the machinations that could emerge from this weekend’s results, The Daily Telegraph can reveal the NRL is leaning towards launching the finals series with the Sydney Roosters in a second against third battle against Brisbane at Allianz Stadium on September 8.

The NRL has slated minor premiers Melbourne to play at AAMI Park against their fourth-placed opponents, at this stage Parramatta, in the first of two Saturday fixtures next weekend.

Dragons rookie Matt Dufty scores a try during the round 25 victory over the Penrith Panthers. Picture: Getty Images

The placement of the Storm on Saturday, as opposed to Friday night, is designed to avoid competing with an AFL blockbuster between Geelong and Richmond at the MCG.

However, the NRL won’t be avoiding the AFL in Sydney, it is hoping to befriend them.

In a deliberate tactic to lure AFL fans who will already be present within the Moore Park precinct after watching the Sydney Swans’ elimination final against Essendon at 4.40pm at the SCG, neighbouring Allianz Stadium is set to fill the NRL’s Saturday 7.40pm timeslot.

The Penrith Panthers need to regroup on Saturday at Brookvale. Picture: AAP

Premiers Cronulla, should they remain in fifth position, have been identified by the NRL as the team most likely to play on Saturday night at Allianz.

The location of the remaining elimination final to be played on Sunday September 10 will be determined by who finishes higher on the ladder this weekend.

Should Penrith finish sixth, they would host a seventh-placed clash at ANZ Stadium but if they lose at Brookvale and the Sea Eagles leapfrog them, Manly would host a Sunday afternoon elimination final at Allianz.

Tom Trbojevic makes a break during Manly’s thrilling win over the Warriors. Picture: AAP

Storm chief executive David Donaghy said the minor premiers would welcome the prospect of defending their title favouritism on an AFL-free night in Melbourne.

“If it is to be the first Saturday match, that would suit us fine,’’ Donaghy said.

“Both the AFL matches that day are in Sydney and Adelaide, so like this weekend which is our absolute focus, there is no AFL on in Melbourne and so building a crowd is something we hope to do now and when the finals start.’’

There has never been a six-team Sydney contingent in an eight-team NRL finals series although six made it in 1998 when 10 sides qualified for the post-season. The only other time six sides from Sydney made the finals was in the 1996 ARL competition.

After beating the Brisbane Broncos last week, the Parramatta Eels have all but locked up fourth spot. Picture: Getty Images

Likely week 1 of the finals (if there are no upsets in round 26)

Friday, September 8

2 Sydney Roosters v 3 Brisbane, Allianz Stadium

Saturday, September 9

1 Melbourne v 4 Parramatta, AAMI Park

5 Cronulla v 8 Penrith, Allianz Stadium

Sunday, September 10

6 Manly v 7 St George Illawarra, Allianz

LISTEN! Paul Crawley, Dean Ritchie & Fatima Kdouh deliver their verdict on Josh Dugan’s sensational axing and predict who misses the top eight with the race to the finals almost run.

Sydney sides in the NRL finals

2016 — 3 (Sharks, Panthers, Bulldogs)

2015 — 5 (Roosters, Bulldogs, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Dragons)

2014 — 4 (Roosters, Manly, Rabbitohs, Panthers, Bulldogs)

2013 — 5 (Roosters, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Bulldogs)

2012 — 4 (Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Sharks)

2011 — 3 (Sea Eagles, Wests Tigers, Dragons)

2010 — 5 (Dragons, Panthers, Wests Tigers, Roosters, Sea Eagles)

2009 — 4 (Dragons, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Eels)

2008 — 4 (Sea Eagles, Sharks, Roosters, Dragons)

2007 — 4 (Sea Eagles, Eels, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs)

2006 — 4 (Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Eels)

2005 — 5 (Eels, Dragons, Tigers, Sharks, Sea Eagles)

2004 — 4 (Roosters, Bulldogs, Panthers, Dragons)

2003 — 3 (Panthers, Roosters, Bulldogs)

2002 — 4 (Roosters, Sharks, Eels, Dragons)

2001 — 5 (Eels, Dogs, Sharks, Roosters, Dragons)

2000 — 4 (Roosters, Panthers, Eels, Sharks)

1999 — 5 (Sharks, Eels, Roosters, Bulldogs, Dragons)

1998 — 6 (Eels, Bears, Roosters, St George, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles in top 10)

1997 (ARL) — 4 (Sea Eagles, Eels, Bears, Roosters in top 7)

1997 (SL) — 3 (Sharks, Panthers, Bulldogs in top 5)

1996 — 6 (Sea Eagles, Bears, Roosters, Sharks, St George, Magpies in top 8)