2024 NRL finals matchups/schedule/locations

[Valheru]

Two rounds to go until the finals, how do we see the matchups and schedule looking at this stage? The Storm are confirmed minor premiers and hosting in week 1. The battle for 2nd is alive and well with roosters favourites due to F/A. Schedule for the 3 teams in contention are:

Roosters - Raiders, souths
Sharks - Warriors, Manly
Panthers - Souths, Titans

The hardest match up of all of them is by far sharks/manly which is being played at Brookvale. Upsets are a definite possibility but it's hard to see any of those teams losing both games which leads to my next point...

Dogs to finish 5th as due to F/A they need to win both games and hope one of the above loses both although in the case of Penrith one might be enough as they are only 12 ahead.

Put Manly and Cowboys in whatever order you like for 6/7. They both have very tough draws to finish the season. I'll say they both win one and lose one meaning Cowboys finish 6th. The battle for 8th is intriguing. Dolphins/Broncos is an elimination game this week. Knights probably have the easiest draw with two home games against Titans and Dolphins. I'm going to go with St George to do enough against Parra and Canberra to keep their spot. So for me that all means the below with potential crowd in brackets

1 Storm v 4 Sharks - AAMI (25k) - Saturday 4PM
2 Roosters v 3 Penrith - SFS (37k) - Friday 8PM

5 Dogs v 8 Dragons - ANZ (55k) - Sunday 4PM
6 Cowboys v 7 Manly - QCB (25k) - Saturday 8PM

Given the realistic scenarios that is probably the best result available for week 1 crowds.

Scheduling wise, the above scenario would see roosters/panthers open on Friday night as Sharks play their last game on a Sunday and everything else follows from there with rest for week 2 kept in mind. Storm in the arvo slot to A) avoid a potential clash with a Geelong semi at the MCG and to B) avoid playing during the day in Townsville.

Please discuss how wrong I'll be

 

[kurt faulk]

.

You haven't taken into account that the saints can't seem to shake their win loss cycle.

.

 

[Wb1234]

Finishing fourth will be something Penrith need to avoid that could well derail the 4peat

dragons might slip out of the 8 on for and against

 

[Rising from the Ashes]

Watch Melbourne shit the bed and lose to Sharks Week 1... they make the finals alot but shit the bed 80% of the time.

 

[Rising from the Ashes]

Finishing fourth will be something Penrith need to avoid that could well derail the 4peat

dragons might slip out of the 8 on for and against

Didn't they lose week 1 along the way and still win the comp?

 

[Fangs]

Didn't they lose week 1 along the way and still win the comp?

In 2021 when they were extremely hungry.

To win 2024 with an extra game to play would be very impressive. I think their path is a week one win.

 

[Rising from the Ashes]

They are losing several players every year and still winning.. a 4peat would be world class

 

[Iamback]

Didn't they lose week 1 along the way and still win the comp?

Yep the same year we had Cleary with a busted shoulder

 

[Dragon Slayer]

The obvious danger game for the Sharks is Manly away last round where we have a terrible record.

The obvious danger game for the Roosters is the Raiders which can be a bit of a bogey team to the chooks.

I have no doubt Penrith win their remaining two games.

I think the Dargons are done. Their F/A is horrendous and 4 teams only one win away from them. Doubt they win both games. Which I think is what they need to do now. They have the Eels and Raiders to finish off.

I think Newcastle gets the 8th spot. They have the best run in home and seem to have the most credible form in the pack of 26pointers.

My prediction for the final 8 is the following.

1. Storm
2. Roosters
3. Sharks
4. Panthers
5. Bulldogs
6. Cowboys
7. Sea Eagles
8. Knights

 

[Dragon Slayer]

They are losing several players every year and still winning.. a 4peat would be world class

In all honesty anyone writing them off is foolish. Like the terminator they just don’t die.

They know how to win the big games and they have the two best starting props and we know how important that is in finals football. Just depends how busted Cleary is. But for the first time in a long time they look beatable in this years finals series.

Time will tell.

 

[PANTHERMIKE]

In 2021 when they were extremely hungry.

To win 2024 with an extra game to play would be very impressive. I think their path is a week one win.

Most of the team are rested having played a 1/4 of the season each lol

 

[JamesRustle]

The obvious danger game for the Sharks is Manly away last round where we have a terrible record.

The obvious danger game for the Roosters is the Raiders which can be a bit of a bogey team to the chooks.

I have no doubt Penrith win their remaining two games.

I think the Dargons are done. Their F/A is horrendous and 4 teams only one win away from them. Doubt they win both games. Which I think is what they need to do now. They have the Eels and Raiders to finish off.

I think Newcastle gets the 8th spot. They have the best run in home and seem to have the most credible form in the pack of 26pointers.

My prediction for the final 8 is the following.

1. Storm
2. Roosters
3. Sharks
4. Panthers
5. Bulldogs
6. Cowboys
7. Sea Eagles
8. Knights

That's how I see it panning out too, although I give the Dragons a 10% chance of snaring 8th and the Knights at 90%

 

[Valheru]

With that result top 4 is realistically set, the order of teams 2-4 will come down to the last week.

Winner of dogs/cowboys next week will host in week 1 in the 5v8 fixture. The loser will play manly at venue TBD depending on if manly beat Cronulla.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

With that result top 4 is realistically set, the order of teams 2-4 will come down to the last week.

Winner of dogs/cowboys next week will host in week 1 in the 5v8 fixture. The loser will play manly at venue TBD depending on if manly beat Cronulla

If Dogs/Cows draw and Manly win by 2 they can still snake 5th, and Dogs would be 6 home to Cowboys 7

 

[Valheru]

Roosters/Penrith virtually a lock now with venue TBD. Will be played Friday due to sharks needing to play Saturday.

Storm/sharks almost a certainty.

If knights win tomorrow then the last game of the season will be a win and in scenario.

 

[Game_Breaker]

Dolphins v Knights next week is essentially a playoff for 8th spot next week
Provided Knights beat Titans tomorrow

 

[Saxon]

So, we still have 5 mathematical possibilities for 8th! If my maths is right;

Dolphins: Need to beat Knights next week, or

Dargons: Knights lose to Titans, beat Dolphins. Dragons beat Raiders, or

Broncos: Knights lose to Titans, beat Dolphins. Raiders lose to Rosters and beat Dragons. Broncos beat Storm, or

Knights: Knights beat Titans and Dolphins, or

Raiders: Raiders beat Roosters and Dragons. Knights lose to Titans and beat Dolphins.

If I had to put some hard earned on it right now, I'd go Knights.

 

[League Unlimited News]

Current finals structure looking like

QF 1 (1 v 4)
Storm v Roosters/Panthers/Sharks
AAMI Park

QF2 (2 v 3)
Roosters/Panthers/Sharks (two of these teams will play each other)
Allianz or Bluebet (Pointsbet still possibly but least likely)

EF1 (5 v 8)
Cowboys/Sea Eagles/Bulldogs v Dolphins/Dragons/Knights/Broncos/Raiders
QCB, 4 Pines or Accor

EF2 (6 v 7)
Cowboys/Sea Eagles/Bulldogs (two of these teams will play each other)
QCB, 4 Pines or Accor

AAMI, Allianz, Commbank and Accor eligible to host Weeks 2 and 3 for the top four teams.

 

[Fangs]

Great to see so many teams are still in the running. It's making these neutral games so fun to watch.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Roosters/Penrith virtually a lock now with venue TBD. Will be played Friday due to sharks needing to play Saturday.

Storm/sharks almost a certainty.

If knights win tomorrow then the last game of the season will be a win and in scenario.

Unlucky. You're going to get your shit pushed in