LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The NRL is facing criticism over a major blunder in the finals draw, giving one team an unfair advantage over their opponent in the second week.
The Panthers and Roosters will set the tone for finals action on Friday night, with the loser of that match facing a tough turnaround against the winner of the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles clash on Sunday afternoon.
The team coming out on the wrong side of the Panthers vs Roosters showdown will have a significant disadvantage with only two days of rest before their next game.
In contrast, the Storm and Sharks loser will have an equal amount of rest as the winner of the Cowboys and Knights battle, as they will both be playing their matches on Saturday.
Melbourne, as the minor premiers, would typically have the Friday night slot, but scheduling conflicts forced them to play on Saturday.
The Cowboys and Knights were initially slated for a Sunday afternoon game, but the NRL opted for a different time to avoid the scorching Townsville heat.
The NRL also avoided a clash with the AFL game at Sydney Olympic Park by adjusting the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles game time.
Overall, the drawn-out schedule has raised eyebrows and left fans questioning the fairness of the finals fixture.
The NRL will need to address these concerns and ensure a level playing field for all teams moving forward.