LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The NRL has revamped its preliminary finals weekend, introducing a Sunday match for the first time in 18 years. On Monday, the league announced that the Brisbane Broncos would face either the Canterbury Bulldogs or Penrith Panthers at Lang Park, set to kick off at 4:05pm AEST on September 28.
This marks the first preliminary final held on a Sunday afternoon since 2007. Additionally, the NRL has opted not to schedule the preliminary finals on consecutive days. Instead, the Melbourne Storm will host either the Canberra Raiders or Cronulla Sharks on Friday, September 26.
This adjustment allows the Storm's home preliminary final to be held without overlapping with the AFL grand final, which takes place the following day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Consequently, if the Raiders advance to the preliminary final, they will experience two six-day turnarounds.
The Raiders are set to host the Sharks this Saturday, after a dramatic loss to the Broncos in a 94-minute game last Sunday. The winner of the Raiders-Sharks match will then face the Storm in Melbourne six days later.