The NRL finals are set to commence with an exciting lineup, featuring crucial matchups that will shape the championship landscape. This year, the Penrith Panthers, who secured the minor premiership, will not kick off the finals. Instead, they will face the Sydney Roosters in the first qualifying final on Sunday afternoon in Parramatta.
Meanwhile, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will host the Newcastle Knights at Allianz Stadium on Friday evening. This move is notable as the Rabbitohs opted for Allianz over their main venue, Accor Stadium, marking this year's finals commencement.
In another qualifying final, the New Zealand Warriors will battle the Dolphins at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday afternoon. There were rumors regarding a potential venue change, but the Warriors will remain at their home ground for this critical matchup.
On the same Saturday, the Cronulla Sharks will face the North Queensland Cowboys in an elimination final slated for prime time at Allianz Stadium. This decision, communicated to the Sharks earlier in the day, comes as they will not host the game in their home region.
With these matchups, the path through the finals becomes clearer. Should the Warriors lose to the Dolphins, they could potentially miss out on the Friday night football slots in the second week of the finals.
Key matchups include the elimination finals: Rabbitohs versus Knights on September 11 and the Sharks against the Cowboys on September 12. The qualifying finals feature the Warriors facing the Dolphins on September 12, and the Panthers taking on the Roosters on September 13.
The semi-finals are anticipated to occur the following weekend, with the specific scheduling yet to be confirmed based on the outcomes of these games.