It took until the last of the 192 games of the NRL’s regular season, but the top eight is finally set.
As the Knights waited until the death to secure the last spot in the finals, the NRL has been blessed with a riveting week of qualifying finals with Sydney’s east and west colliding to get things started, another edition of the 2016 grand final rivalry, the Bulldogs being back in the big time after too long away and Newcastle riding a wave of support in the Hunter again.
Then there’s two of the NRL’s best players, Nathan Cleary and Tom Trbojevic, trying to battle through shoulder injuries to put their teams on their back for September.
It’s finals time, which means it’s time to roll out the hyperbaric chamber and wheel out the barbecue for the best time of the year.
Here are how the week one match-ups will play out:
Qualifying final: Panthers (2) v Roosters (3), Bluebet Stadium, Friday (7.50pm)
The storylines: Where to start? Is Nathan Cleary’s shoulder being held together by a bit of sticky tape for his return game? Does the continuation of the Penrith dynasty hinge on it as they splutter into the finals? Will the grand old girl in Sydney’s west have one final rocking night before being bulldozed? Do the Roosters have any idea how to beat the Panthers after losing their last nine straight spanning back to 2019, including earlier this year when Penrith were without Cleary, James Fisher-Harris and Scott Sorensen? Does Trent Robinson have any more tricks up his sleeve without Sam Walker, Brandon Smith and Victor Radley? Will Spencer Leniu come back to haunt his old mates in his first game against them?
Nathan Cleary is hoping to return from a shoulder injury.Credit: Getty Images
Last time they met: Panthers beat Roosters 22-16 at Allianz Stadium (round four). The Roosters were overwhelming favourites with Nathan Cleary heading an all-star cast of absentees for Penrith, but the Panthers motored to a big lead thanks to a Sunia Turuva hat-trick and a magnificent display from Dylan Edwards.
Head-to-head (since 2019): Panthers 10-1
Qualifying final: Storm (1) v Sharks (4), AAMI Park, Saturday (4.05pm)
The storylines: These two don’t like each other, which usually makes for good viewing. There’s something about when two teams play in a grand final, which usually means they have a fierce rivalry from that point on. And perhaps that was only enhanced when the Sharks came close with an audacious pitch to lure Craig Bellamy to the Shire in a front office role several years back. Cronulla is one of only two teams to beat Melbourne at AAMI Park this year, and did it without Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall (the Storm were also missing Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen) in one of the upsets of the year. The Storm won’t have to leave Melbourne before a potential grand final berth if they win this, while the big question for the Sharks will be: have they finally got over the hump of winning a finals game? They haven’t won one since Shane Flanagan was at the club in 2018. Nicho Hynes, come on down (against his old club no less).
Last time they met: Sharks beat Storm 25-18 at AAMI Park (round 10). It was the coming of age of rookie Daniel Atkinson, who kicked the Sharks to a famous win as part of an unlikely halves pairing with Blayke Brailey.
Head-to-head (since 2019): Storm 6-3
Elimination final: Cowboys (5) v Knights (8), Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Saturday (7.50pm)
The storylines: Somehow, the Knights have made the finals again with a late flurry after struggling to get going for the majority of the season. It will be a homecoming, of sorts, for Kalyn Ponga, who started his NRL career in Townsville and then went on to become a Dally M winner at Newcastle and the highest-paid player in the game. Jake Clifford is now in the No.7 again at the Cowboys after struggling to revive his career in the Hunter. History says these teams struggle to win away from home when playing each other. In fact, the home side has won each of the last 11 matches spanning back to 2016.
The Knights jagged the last finals spot.Credit: Getty Images
Last time they met: Cowboys beat Knights 21-20 (Queensland Country Bank Stadium, round 2). Chad Townsend kicked a golden point winner in a match which the Knights led and dominated for most of the contest.
Head-to-head (since 2019): Cowboys 5-3
Elimination final: Bulldogs (6) v Sea Eagles (7), Accor Stadium, Sunday (4.05pm)
The storylines: The Bulldogs, obviously. It’s been a long and painful road, but one of the proudest clubs in the league will make its first finals appearance since 2016, which is worthy of a celebration in itself. But have they got anything left in the tank? The NRL’s feelgood story of the year have crashed to heavy losses in the past fortnight to finals rivals, including the Sea Eagles just a fortnight ago, the only time they’ve met this season. Manly’s recent record against Canterbury is formidable, but they will be sweating on the fitness of Tom Trbojevic’s shoulder, which will be needled and needed. Luke Brooks will finally play his first finals games and the battle between Viliame Kikau and Haumole Olakau’atu on one edge of the field should be worth the price of admission alone. Think there’s no feeling between these two? The 1980s and 1990s says hi, and so does Des Hasler.
Last time they met: Sea Eagles beat Bulldogs 34-22 (round 26). Fresh in the memory given it came on the eve of the finals as Manly took advantage of a travel-weary Bulldogs, but lost Tom Trbojevic to a shoulder injury.
Head-to-head (since 2019): Sea Eagles 9-1
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