Melbourne are all but certain to take on Cronulla in the opening round of the NRL playoffs with Penrith up against the Roosters in the other qualifying final.
Week one for the NRL finals will be officially announced after Sunday’s matches complete Round 27 with the Storm hosting their playoff the only fixture that is currently locked in.
Barring the Sharks beating Manly by 74 points on Sunday, Cronulla will finish fourth meaning the second-placed Penrith and third-placed Roosters will likely open the finals series at BlueBet Stadium next Friday.
North Queensland will finish fifth after their big win over Canterbury. Even if Cronulla lose at Brookvale Oval on Sunday, the for and against differential is insurmountable for Todd Payten’s side.
The Bulldogs currently sit sixth on the NRL ladder which will ensure they’re at home in week one of the finals, but they will slip to seventh should Manly be victorious.
Three teams – the Dolphins, Newcastle and Canberra, technically, have a chance of clinching the final spot available in the top eight.
But in reality, eighth spot is set to be decided by the outcome of Sunday’s match between the Knights and Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium, the final home-and-away game of the season.
Ricky Stuart’s side defeated the Dragons on Saturday afternoon to lift them to eighth but only a draw between Newcastle and the Dolphins will see them keep their finals spot.
For the Knights and Dolphins, the equation is simple: win and you’re in.
St George Illawarra are now out of finals contention and will finish a once promising season in 11th spot.
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Week 1 finals draw
1st Qualifying Final: (1) Melbourne vs (4) Sharks/Roosters at AAMI Park
2nd Qualifying Final: (2) Panthers vs (3) Roosters/Sharks at BlueBet Stadium
1st Elimination Final: (5) Cowboys vs (8) Knights/Dolphins/Raiders at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
2nd Elimination Final: (6) Bulldogs/Sea Eagles vs (7) Bulldogs/Sea Eagles at TBA
