NRL 2024 week one finals match-ups confirmed: Full schedule and analysis
Newcastle has denied the Dolphins an inaugural finals appearance in the final regular season fixture of the year. See the full week one finals schedule and potential week two match-ups.
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Newcastle have rounded out this year’s top eight, setting the scene for a 2,000km revenge mission for Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga.
Ponga, who retained his crown atop of the NRL’s Rich 100 list, delivered on his $1.3 million price tag by orchestrating a 14-6 win over Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins to book an elimination final against the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
The Cowboys let Ponga slip through their fingers as a teenager back in 2018 and now the Knights livewire will return to Townsville in six days to time haunt the Cowboys in week one of the finals.
Ponga had a target on his back with Dolphins big men Felise Kaufusi and Jesse Bromwich going after the game-breaking fullback, and the 26-year old can expect similar attention next Saturday.
The winner will book a place in a semi-final showdown in week two against the loser from the first qualifying final between Melbourne and Cronulla.
The final series will kick-off on Friday at Bluebet Stadium where the fireworks won’t be limited to the pre-game entertainment.
Roosters wrecking ball Spencer Leniu will need no further motivation to bounce back to his damaging best than to take down his former side Penrith in the second qualifying final - where the winner earns a week off and a preliminary final, but the loser a date against either Canterbury or Manly in a week two semi-final showdown.
The Roosters’ task of halting Penrith’s juggernaut is only made harder by the fact the Tricolours have lost their last nine clashes against the reigning premiers.
While the Roosters will be without Sam Walker (ACL), Brandon Smith (ACL) and Victor Radley (shoulder), Penrith are set to welcome back maestro halfback Nathan Cleary (shoulder) after a three week lay-off.
Cronulla have their own hoodoo to overcome when the Shire club travels to Melbourne on a six-day turnaround for Saturday’s first qualifying final at AAMI Park.
The Sharks have failed to make a dent in the finals since coach Craig Fitzgibbon took over in 2022, losing all three finals matches.
It doesn’t get any easier against a full-strength Storm outfit set to welcome back superstar fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.
But in a glimmer of hope the Sharks have the edge in the regular season, downing the Storm back in round 10 without halfback Nicho Hynes.
The Sharks will be buoyed by Sunday’s 40-20 win over the Sea Eagles but Hynes must be at his best if Cronulla want to avoid another season of merely making up the numbers.
LATEST: Bulldogs-Manly to play elimination final on Sunday afternoon. GWS playing on Saturday night in AFL final and potential heat in Townsville were factors in the change from originally planned Saturday night. @telegraph_sport
— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) September 8, 2024
A loss will force the Sharks into a week two semi-final against the winner from the elimination final between Cowboys and the Knights.
Manly failed to secure a home final after being dismantled by Cronulla in a disappointing performance at 4 Pines Park on Sunday afternoon.
The seventh placed Sea Eagles are now resigned to a Saturday road trip across the bridge to face Canterbury, and a hostile crowd, at Accor Stadium in the second elimination final.
A huge crowd upwards of 50,000 - mostly Bulldogs fans - are expected to pack Accor Stadium for what will be Canterbury’s first finals appearance since 2016.
After five-straight wins the Bulldogs’ resurgence has come to a sudden halt, conceding 78 points in worrying back-to-back losses to Manly and North Queensland.
Manly won’t only have the mental edge over Canterbury after their recent win but will also be boosted by the return of superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic.
Canterbury will welcome back five-eighth Matt Burton, flyer Josh Addo-Carr and centre Bronson Xerri.
Both Manly and Canterbury were viewed as dark horses in September but recent performances have cast doubt over the finals credentials of both sides.
The winner from the Manly and Canterbury showdown will progress to week two, where either Penrith or the Roosters will be waiting. The loser is headed for Mad Monday.
Other major final series team news includes;
– Tom Trbojevic (shoulder) is set to line up for the Sea Eagles.
– Melbourne will have fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) on deck but back-up fullback Sua Fa’alogo has a hamstring injury which will sideline him for at least two weeks.
– Bulldogs backline trio of Bronson Xerri (suspension), Matt Burton (HIA) and Josh Addo-Carr (ankle) will play against Manly as Canterbury feature in their first finals match since 2016.
– Mark Nawaqanitawase scored a try for the Roosters with his first touch but he will be squeezed out of their squad with the likes of Daniel Tupou (rested) and Dom Young (rested) returning. Nat Butcher will also be available after missing their final round of the season because of a concussion while Lindsay Collins (rested) is also back.
– Roosters trio Angus Crichton, Joseph Suaalii and Siua Wong all escaped suspension ahead of the finals.
Originally published as NRL 2024 week one finals match-ups confirmed: Full schedule and analysis
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