‘Shouldn’t stop our game’: AFL Grand Final forces NRL into 18-year prelim finals first
The NRL has announced the schedule for preliminary final weekend, with an 18-year first sparking debate about avoiding the AFL.
The NRL has announced their schedule for preliminary final weekend, opting not to hold a game on the Saturday to avoid a clash with the AFL Grand Final.
The Canberra Raiders will host the Cronulla Sharks in a sudden death semi-final this Saturday, with the winner to face the Melbourne Storm in a preliminary final six days later on the following Friday night.
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The scheduling means the Raiders will have to cop two consecutive six-day breaks if they are to progress to the preliminary final following their gutwrenching loss to the Broncos.
Brisbane’s home preliminary final will be held on Sunday afternoon, instead of Saturday night against either Penrith or the Bulldogs.
The winner of the prelim between the Melbourne Storm and the Raiders/Sharks will get nine days to prepare for the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, October 5.
It will be the first NRL preliminary final on a Sunday since 2007 and the first time ever that the prelims have been space out across Friday and Sunday.
The NRL prelim fixture means rugby league will avoid a clash with the AFL Grand Final, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 27 with first bounce set for 2.30pm AEST.
“The prelim schedule has changed,” NRL 360 host Braith Anasta said as the panel debated the NRL’s move to steer clear of AFL Grand Final day.
“Sunday afternoon has been going gangbusters for the NRL in the finals,” Brent Read said.
“Yesterday’s game (Raiders vs Broncos) went through the roof. I can sort of understand why they’ve done it.
“It does give the Storm, or whoever wins that game on Friday night, a bit of an edge heading into the grand final.
Broncos great Gorden Tallis said: “Nine days, it is an advantage.
“Why don’t they move the Storm to the Saturday. I know it’s the AFL Grand Final, but it’s going to be finished for two hours.
Veteran NRL reporter Phil Rothfield said “Melbourne stops the city on AFL Grand Final Day.”
Tallis replied: “It shouldn’t stop our game.”
Rothfield said: “I probably agree with you Gordie. One team gets nine days to prepare, the other gets seven. Why couldn’t they play the Broncos (on the Saturday)?”
The free flowing style of football played in Brisbane’s win over the Raiders in Canberra on Sunday afternoon reignited calls for the NRL Grand Final to be held in the Sunday afternoon timeslot.
NRL boss Peter V’landys has shut down those calls, saying a night-time kick-off allows for better TV ratings. The NRL Grand Final has been held in the evening since 2013.
“They won’t even consider it (a grand final),” Rothfield said on NRL 360.
“The cruel thing is the NRL have fallen in love with Sunday afternoon football. They love it.”
Anasta said: “I’d love a daytime grand final. Look at yesterday’s game.”
NRL 2025 FINALS FIXTURES (All times AEST)
WEEK 1 – QUALIFYING AND ELIMINATION FINALS – SEPTEMBER 12-14
2nd Qualifying Final: Storm (2nd) def Bulldogs (3rd), 26-18
Friday September 12, 7.50pm at AAMI Park
2nd Elimination Final: Panthers (7th) def Warriors (6th), 24-8
Saturday September 13, 4.05pm at Go Media Stadium
1st Elimination Final: Sharks (5th) def Roosters (8th), 20-10
Saturday September 13, 7.50pm at Shark Park
1st Qualifying Final: Broncos (4th) def Raiders (1st), 29-28 after golden point
Sunday September 14, 4.05pm at GIO Stadium
WEEK 2 – SEMI-FINALS – SEPTEMBER 20-21
First Semi Final: First Qualifying Final loser (Raiders) vs First Elimination Final winner (Sharks)
Saturday September 20, 7:50pm at GIO Stadium
Second Semi Final: Second Qualifying Final loser (Bulldogs) vs Second Elimination Final winner (Panthers)
Sunday September 21, 4:05pm at Accor Stadium
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WEEK 3 – PRELIMINARY FINALS – SEPTEMBER 26-28
Second Preliminary Final: Second Qualifying Final winner (Storm) vs First Semi Final winner (Raiders or Sharks)
Friday September 26, 7:50pm at AAMI Park
First Preliminary Final: First Qualifying Final winner (Broncos) vs Second Semi Final winner (Bulldogs or Panthers)
Sunday September 28, 4:05pm at Suncorp Stadium
*****
NRL GRAND FINAL 2025
Winner of First Preliminary Final vs Winner of Second Preliminary Final
Sunday October 5, 7:30pm at Accor Stadium
More Coverage
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WHEN IS THE NRL GRAND FINAL?
The 2025 NRL Grand Final is scheduled for Sunday October 5 at 7:30pm from Accor Stadium.
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