General 2023 Week 1 Finals Opponents

[Makasene]

This is the perfect time slot for the Wahs - hard and fast track on a Saturday afternoon. Not too late.

Can you smell an upset cooking???

I just have this feeling that Webster has lined up Penrith deliberately. Beat the defending two time premiers at there place week 1 (knowing you have a safety net of week 2 at home)and your belief that you can win the whole thing must go through the roof.

One game to earn the right to a semi-final.

Webster v Cleary. I just have this feeling that we are going to take them on. And I have this feeling that the NRL really don’t want a 3 peat…

Watch the body language of the Wahs players and staff all week. Something is up.

I reckon they have targeted Penrith all year. To be the best you need to beat the best.

Bring. It. On.

I like the romance of if but our week one opponent was not in our control. Had Brisbane won we would be playing them

I agree with the sentiment in your post but moreso I expect they would take this approach into whoever we played.

Above all, this is a potential history making match, if we win the GF qualifier is played outside Aus for the first time ever.

And, at a time where the ABs look like WC cannon fodder, the Warriors hosting a GF qualifier in Auckland could change the game forever

 

[Wah's Up]

The 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series Week One schedule will feature matches in Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.

The NRL today confirmed the times and venues for all Week One matches, featuring:

• Brisbane Broncos against Melbourne Storm on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium;
• Minor Premiers Penrith Panthers against the Warriors on Saturday afternoon at BlueBet Stadium;
• Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks playing Sydney Roosters at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night;
• Newcastle Knights facing Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

 

[Hatchet Harry]

I like the romance of if but our week one opponent was not in our control. Had Brisbane won we would be playing them

I agree with the sentiment in your post but moreso I expect they would take this approach into whoever we played.

Above all, this is a potential history making match, if we win the GF qualifier is played outside Aus for the first time ever.

And, at a time where the ABs look like WC cannon fodder, the Warriors hosting a GF qualifier in Auckland could change the game forever

And 55000 at Eden Park for a GF Qualifier (let’s be honest - it will be there) will break that hoodoo as well if we are good enough to win.

It’s a delicious prospect.

 

[janfin]

Can’t wait … Bring it on .Have every faith in my team .Go the Boys ..You can do it .Kia Kaha .

 

[JaggedJ]

I have a feeling we're going to end up in a preliminary final vs Storm in Melbourne.

That familiar feeling

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

It's been 12 years since I've been this amped for finals (let's face it, we all knew what was gunna happen in 2018)

 

[Stalefish540]

And 55000 at Eden Park for a GF Qualifier (let’s be honest - it will be there) will break that hoodoo as well if we are good enough to win.

It’s a delicious prospect.

I'm pretty sure we have won there once, no?

Couldn't tell you which game and when, but i'm sure we broke that hoodoo.

 

[Bruce]

Knights or Raiders in Auckland week 2 is a dream matchup to get into the GF qualifier.

Yes the Knights form is a concern and we won't be taking them lightly but I'd be choosing them over Sharks or Roosters if I had the choice

Mate, Webby is talking about us beating Penrith

 

[Makasene]

I have a feeling we're going to end up in a preliminary final vs Storm in Melbourne.

That familiar feeling

A high chance.

We lose, they win week 1

We win week 2

Would probably give that outcome an above 30% chance

 

[Bruce]

NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Week One Schedule

The 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series Week One schedule will feature matches in Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.

www.nrl.com

“More than 3.7 million people attended NRL games this season. That’s the highest total in NRL history. The average crowd for the regular season ended 20 percent higher than last season.

“More than 128 million people have watched our games this season, making Rugby League the most watched sport in the country on television by overall numbers.

 

[FormerlyJamesW]

“More than 128 million people have watched our games this season, making Rugby League the most watched sport in the country on television by overall numbers.

So that means there's, like, 60 million odd Wahs fans then!

 

[Bruce]

And 55000 at Eden Park for a GF Qualifier (let’s be honest - it will be there) will break that hoodoo as well if we are good enough to win.

It’s a delicious prospect.

I disagree. It will be a flop

 

[kos]

NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Week One Schedule

The 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series Week One schedule will feature matches in Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.

www.nrl.com

“More than 3.7 million people attended NRL games this season. That’s the highest total in NRL history. The average crowd for the regular season ended 20 percent higher than last season.

“More than 128 million people have watched our games this season, making Rugby League the most watched sport in the country on television by overall numbers.

Thanks to the NZW fans and Dolphins fans for the extra 20 per cent.

 

[Bruce]

And 55000 at Eden Park for a GF Qualifier (let’s be honest - it will be there) will break that hoodoo as well if we are good enough to win.

It’s a delicious prospect.

I am pretty sure they will want the big finals to be night games starting by at least 8 pm. Forget Eden Park. Too late for the Nimbys

 

[Bruce]

Thanks to the NZW fans and Dolphins fans for the extra 20 per cent.

The crowds have been good all round. especially places like Newcastle and Townsville.

 

[Bruce]

just told my mate in Melbourne...he is not impressed. He said so what.

I said he AFL has spent millions trying to beat NRL in the ratings. Go suck a lemon

 

[Ozwarrior]

NRL finals fixtures confirmed: Top 8 puzzle solved​

Fatima Kdouh
The regular NRL season has been run and won and the final pieces of the top eight puzzle have fallen into place.
On Sunday, and secure a home elimination final at PointsBet Stadium against the Sydney Roosters - who locked in seventh-place with a win over arch rival South Sydney.

Newcastle’s win against the St George Illawarra has earned them a fifth placed finish and a home elimination final against Canberra in front of the.

The fourth-placed Warriors haven’t beaten Penrith in their last seven starts and now face the insurmountable task of beating the minor premiers at Bluebet Stadium in the first qualifying final.

Melbourne sealed third spot on the ladder and a date with in the other qualifying final at Suncorp Stadium, where the Broncos haven’t beaten the Storm since 2009.

The winners from the qualifying finals will advance straight into the preliminary finals, while the losers are faced with sudden death in the second week.

The two lowest placed losers from the elimination finals will exit the finals series.

SCROLL TO THE END OF THE INTERACTIVE TO SEE THE WEEK ONE SCHEDULE

1

PENRITH PANTHERS​

Won: 18, Lost: 6, Drawn: 0, Points: 42, Points Differential: 333
Finished: 1st (minor premiers)
Week one finals opponent: Warriors
Bring on the Warriors. The Panthers gave Broncos fans almost 48 hours to dream of finishing on top of the table, only to snatch that away in a brutal opening half against North Queensland. In their only meeting this year, Penrith took down the Warriors 18-6 during Magic Round thanks to tries from Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o and Spencer Leniu. Another minor premiership is heading to Bluebet Stadium.
2

BRISBANE BRONCOS​

Won: 18, Lost: 6, Drawn: 0, Points: 42, Points Differential: 214
Finished: 2nd
Week one finals opponent: Storm
Brisbane blew the chance to seal its first minor premiership since 2000. The Broncos rested 11 starters in the loss to Storm - their 14th consecutive against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium. Kevin Walters' side will be desperate to end that hoodoo in the first week of finals. Otherwise, their premiership hopes will take an almighty hit.
3

MELBOURNE STORM​

Won: 16, Lost: 8, Drawn: 0, Points: 38, Points Differential: 168
Finished: 3rd
Week one finals opponent: Broncos
Here we go again. The Broncos and Storm rested a host of stars in round 27, so at least something will be different when they clash in Brisbane again during the first week of finals. The Storm can shake-up the premiership race if they win for the 15th consecutive time at Suncorp Stadium. Perhaps the biggest call awaiting Craig Bellamy will be - does he start Ryan Papenhuyzen?
4

WARRIORS​

Won: 16, Lost: 8, Drawn: 0, Points: 38, Points Differential: 124
Finished: 4nd
Week one finals opponent: Panthers
The Warriors have a huge task ahead in their return to NRL finals after Penrith climbed into top spot by demolishing North Queensland. The Panthers prevailed 18-6 in their only meeting this year and sent a huge warning to their title rivals by blitzing the Cowboys - who had everything to play for. Put the loss to the Dolphins down as a write off considering how many key players were missing.
5

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS​

Won: 14, Lost: 9, Drawn: 1, Points: 35, Points Differential: 175
Finished: 5th
Week one finals opponent: Raiders
Good luck getting a ticket to Newcastle's first home final in 17 years against the Raiders. That was already sealed going into the round 27 match against the Dragons but the Knights continued their winning run - importantly without Kalyn Ponga. Lachie Miller stepped in at fullback and although he didn't have a lot to do defensively, showed he'll be ready if Ponga fails to overcome a shoulder issue.
6

CRONULLA SHARKS​

Won: 14, Lost: 10, Drawn: 0, Points: 34, Points Differential: 122
Finished: 6th
Week one finals opponent: Roosters
Cronulla booked a home final against the Roosters, capitalising on a second-half send-off against Canberra. The victory means Cronulla avoides back-to-back matches against the Green Machine, instead welcoming a rejuvenated Roosters to PointsBet Stadium.
7

SYDNEY ROOSTERS​

Won: 13, Lost: 11, Drawn: 0, Points: 32, Points Differential: -24
Finish: 7th
Week one finals opponent: Sharks
The Roosters are playing finals after Penrith rewarded their late-season resurgence by knocking North Queensland out of contention. They'll finish seventh or eighth and face an away final, but Trent Robinson's side will carry plenty of momentum in.
8

CANBERRA RAIDERS​

Won: 13, Lost: 10, Drawn: 0, Points: 32, Points Differential: -137
Finished: 8th
Week one finals opponent: Raiders
A brain explosion from Seb Kris against the Sharks cost the Raiders a home final. They head to Newcastle to take on a red-hot Knights team on the hottest win streak in the competition.

CONFIRMED:WEEK ONE FINALS MATCH-UPS​

Qualifying Final: Friday, September 8, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane Broncos (2) v Melbourne Storm (3)
Qualifying Final: Saturday, September 9, 4.05pm, BlueBet Stadium
Penrith Panthers (1) v New Zealand Warriors (4)
Elimination Final: Saturday, September 9, 7.50pm, PointsBet Stadium
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (6) v Sydney Roosters (7)
Elimination Final: Sunday, September 10, 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle Knights (5) v Canberra Raiders (8)

 

[sup42]

NRL finals fixtures confirmed: Top 8 puzzle solved​

Fatima Kdouh
The regular NRL season has been run and won and the final pieces of the top eight puzzle have fallen into place.
On Sunday, and secure a home elimination final at PointsBet Stadium against the Sydney Roosters - who locked in seventh-place with a win over arch rival South Sydney.

Newcastle’s win against the St George Illawarra has earned them a fifth placed finish and a home elimination final against Canberra in front of the.

The fourth-placed Warriors haven’t beaten Penrith in their last seven starts and now face the insurmountable task of beating the minor premiers at Bluebet Stadium in the first qualifying final.

Melbourne sealed third spot on the ladder and a date with in the other qualifying final at Suncorp Stadium, where the Broncos haven’t beaten the Storm since 2009.

The winners from the qualifying finals will advance straight into the preliminary finals, while the losers are faced with sudden death in the second week.

The two lowest placed losers from the elimination finals will exit the finals series.

SCROLL TO THE END OF THE INTERACTIVE TO SEE THE WEEK ONE SCHEDULE

1

PENRITH PANTHERS​

Won: 18, Lost: 6, Drawn: 0, Points: 42, Points Differential: 333
Finished: 1st (minor premiers)
Week one finals opponent: Warriors
Bring on the Warriors. The Panthers gave Broncos fans almost 48 hours to dream of finishing on top of the table, only to snatch that away in a brutal opening half against North Queensland. In their only meeting this year, Penrith took down the Warriors 18-6 during Magic Round thanks to tries from Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o and Spencer Leniu. Another minor premiership is heading to Bluebet Stadium.
2

BRISBANE BRONCOS​

Won: 18, Lost: 6, Drawn: 0, Points: 42, Points Differential: 214
Finished: 2nd
Week one finals opponent: Storm
Brisbane blew the chance to seal its first minor premiership since 2000. The Broncos rested 11 starters in the loss to Storm - their 14th consecutive against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium. Kevin Walters' side will be desperate to end that hoodoo in the first week of finals. Otherwise, their premiership hopes will take an almighty hit.
3

MELBOURNE STORM​

Won: 16, Lost: 8, Drawn: 0, Points: 38, Points Differential: 168
Finished: 3rd
Week one finals opponent: Broncos
Here we go again. The Broncos and Storm rested a host of stars in round 27, so at least something will be different when they clash in Brisbane again during the first week of finals. The Storm can shake-up the premiership race if they win for the 15th consecutive time at Suncorp Stadium. Perhaps the biggest call awaiting Craig Bellamy will be - does he start Ryan Papenhuyzen?
4

WARRIORS​

Won: 16, Lost: 8, Drawn: 0, Points: 38, Points Differential: 124
Finished: 4nd
Week one finals opponent: Panthers
The Warriors have a huge task ahead in their return to NRL finals after Penrith climbed into top spot by demolishing North Queensland. The Panthers prevailed 18-6 in their only meeting this year and sent a huge warning to their title rivals by blitzing the Cowboys - who had everything to play for. Put the loss to the Dolphins down as a write off considering how many key players were missing.
5

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS​

Won: 14, Lost: 9, Drawn: 1, Points: 35, Points Differential: 175
Finished: 5th
Week one finals opponent: Raiders
Good luck getting a ticket to Newcastle's first home final in 17 years against the Raiders. That was already sealed going into the round 27 match against the Dragons but the Knights continued their winning run - importantly without Kalyn Ponga. Lachie Miller stepped in at fullback and although he didn't have a lot to do defensively, showed he'll be ready if Ponga fails to overcome a shoulder issue.
6

CRONULLA SHARKS​

Won: 14, Lost: 10, Drawn: 0, Points: 34, Points Differential: 122
Finished: 6th
Week one finals opponent: Roosters
Cronulla booked a home final against the Roosters, capitalising on a second-half send-off against Canberra. The victory means Cronulla avoides back-to-back matches against the Green Machine, instead welcoming a rejuvenated Roosters to PointsBet Stadium.
7

SYDNEY ROOSTERS​

Won: 13, Lost: 11, Drawn: 0, Points: 32, Points Differential: -24
Finish: 7th
Week one finals opponent: Sharks
The Roosters are playing finals after Penrith rewarded their late-season resurgence by knocking North Queensland out of contention. They'll finish seventh or eighth and face an away final, but Trent Robinson's side will carry plenty of momentum in.
8

CANBERRA RAIDERS​

Won: 13, Lost: 10, Drawn: 0, Points: 32, Points Differential: -137
Finished: 8th
Week one finals opponent: Raiders
A brain explosion from Seb Kris against the Sharks cost the Raiders a home final. They head to Newcastle to take on a red-hot Knights team on the hottest win streak in the competition.

CONFIRMED:WEEK ONE FINALS MATCH-UPS​

Qualifying Final: Friday, September 8, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane Broncos (2) v Melbourne Storm (3)
Qualifying Final: Saturday, September 9, 4.05pm, BlueBet Stadium
Penrith Panthers (1) v New Zealand Warriors (4)
Elimination Final: Saturday, September 9, 7.50pm, PointsBet Stadium
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (6) v Sydney Roosters (7)
Elimination Final: Sunday, September 10, 4.05pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
Newcastle Knights (5) v Canberra Raiders (8)

So according to the twit who wrote this the Warriors face an impossible task.

We have descended from the massive underdog to being just plain not good enough to compete.

Well that is what insurmountable means, to great to overcome....or Fatima...who wrote the story, probably with chatbot, doesn't actually realize it is poor form to state absolutes about a finals game outcome while so rudely dissmissing one competitor.

Fire up people.

Everyone here knows the Panthers look unbeatable, but come on, this is 2023, this is the year we earned some respect God Dammit.

I know I know, someone will quote me and say we want them writing us off yadda yadda, that ain't what is going on here.

 

[Bruce]

So according to the twit who wrote this the Warriors face an impossible task.

We have descended from the massive underdog to being just plain not good enough to compete.

Well that is what insurmountable means, to great to overcome....or Fatima...who wrote the story, probably with chatbot, doesn't actually realize it is poor form to state absolutes about a finals game.

Fire up people.

Everyone here knows the Panthers look unbeatable, but come on, this is 2023, this is the year we earned some respect God Dammit.

Mate, Webby will be stoked with that. Going in as underdog is just what he wants. Flanagan was saying th same thing about Canberra. he said Sticky loves a siege environment and will cherish the bus trip to Newcastle. That will be one hell of a game.

 

[Bruce]

NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Week One Schedule

The 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series Week One schedule will feature matches in Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.

www.nrl.com

“More than 3.7 million people attended NRL games this season. That’s the highest total in NRL history. The average crowd for the regular season ended 20 percent higher than last season.

“More than 128 million people have watched our games this season, making Rugby League the most watched sport in the country on television by overall numbers.

AFL this year 3,047,247 NRL 3,700,000 gate attendance..so does the NRL love the Warriors or not? It is the NZ figures that gets them ahead of AFL.