NRL reportedly makes huge change for 2023 finals series

With the Cowboys and Rabbitohs both butchering their chances of squeezing into the top eight, there are now just eight teams still alive in 2023.

The make up of the top five teams was locked in on Saturday night after the Broncos had earlier coughed up the minor premiership with their loss to the Storm.

With the Panthers trouncing the Cowboys and the Warriors crashing to a surprise loss to the Dolphins, the NRL is reportedly set to make a big change to its finals fixture structure for the opening round of the finals series.

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According to multiple reports, there are whispers the NRL will schedule the Broncos-Storm qualifying final for the opening Friday night match.

That would result in the Panthers-Warriors qualifying final being moved to the Saturday night time slot. It is the first time since 2019 that the NRL will not start the finals series with the top team playing off against the team that finished fourth.

The expected 7.50pm (AEST) Saturday night time slot would be a nightmare for fans in New Zealand with the Warriors-Panthers match not starting until just before 10pm local time.

The New Zealand Herald reported there were moving parts still being worked out early on Sunday with a push from Kiwi fans to have the Warriors play in the earlier Saturday slot — which has been exclusively reserved for elimination finals in recent years.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster said after his team’s loss to the Dolphins he would prefer the Saturday night fixture.

“The seven-day turnaround would be better but the six day would be fine,” he said.

“We are ready to go. We are excited. I’d rather a seven day turnaround but we don’t complain.”

With the NRL regular season finishing with Cronulla’s clash with Canberra on Sunday afternoon, it seems likely Newcastle will host an elimination final on Saturday.

As the live ladder stands, Newcastle will play Canberra in the first elimination final.

Should the Raiders defeat the Sharks, the Knights will play the Roosters — and the Raiders will host the Sharks in the second elimination final.

Likely NRL finals series fixtures for Week 1

Friday, September 8

Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm, Suncorp Stadium from 7.50pm (AEST)

Saturday, September 9

Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders/Sydney Roosters, McDonald Jones Stadium from 5.40pm (AEST)

Penrith Panthers vs New Zealand Warriors, Panthers Stadium from 7.50pm (AEST)

Sunday, September 10

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters/Canberra Raiders — fixture unknown from 4pm (AEST)

NRL live ladder (at 2pm AEST on Sunday)

1st: Penrith Panthers (42 pts, +333) – defeated Cowboys 44-12

2nd: Brisbane Broncos (42 pts, +214) – lost to Storm 22-32

3rd: Melbourne Storm (38 pts, +168) – defeated Broncos 32-22

4th: New Zealand Warriors (38 pts, +124) – lost to Dolphins 34-10

5th: Newcastle Knights (35 pts, +175) – defeated Dragons 32-12

6th: Cronulla Sharks (32 pts, +104) – to play Raiders, Sunday @ 4:05pm

7th: Sydney Roosters (32 pts, -24) – beat Rabbitohs 26-12

8th: Canberra Raiders (32 pts, -119) – to play Sharks, Sunday @ 4:05pm

Originally published as NRL reportedly makes huge change for 2023 finals series