NRL Finals Week One confirmed
Sydney Roosters will clash with Melbourne Storm to kick-off the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals in a Friday night blockbuster, the Bulldogs and Dragons will meet on Saturday in a do-or-die elimination final, Brisbane Broncos will host North Queensland Cowboys in a Saturday night Queensland derby, before the Sharks play the Rabbitohs in a knock-out clash on Sunday afternoon.
Fans will be able to attend NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series matches for as little as $15 for members and $20 for the general public. Children will be able to see their teams for just $7.
For more information visit www.nrl.com/tickets.
Qualifying Final 1: Friday, September 11, 7.55pm, Allianz Stadium
NRL: (1) Sydney Roosters v (4) Melbourne Storm
Holden Cup: (6) Sydney Roosters v (7) NZ Warriors, 5.15pm
Roosters v Storm
The Roosters charged to a hat-trick of Minor Premierships off the back of 12 consecutive victories and now clash with a Melbourne Storm outfit that proved they are still a force in the competition with a convincing 15-8 victory over second placed Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in Round 26.
The Tricolours have only lost once since Round 8, an incredible run of 16-1 to claim the Minor Premiership, while the Storm have knocked-off the second placed Broncos and third placed Cowboys in consecutive weeks.
In 2015 their head-to-head record stands at a win apiece. The Storm knocked off the Roosters in an epic 17-16 victory in Round 7, before the Roosters dominated the return bout 24-2 in Round 12.
The winner of this match will book a berth in the preliminary finals and get a week off, while the loser will get a second chance.
Elimination Final 1: Saturday, September 12, 5.50pm, ANZ Stadium
NRL: (5) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v (8) St George Illawarra Dragons
Holden Cup: (1) Penrith Panthers v (4) Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, 3.10pm
Bulldogs v Dragons
The Bulldogs charged into the finals with five consecutive victories, while the Dragons secured their finals berth with a dramatic golden point victory over the 15th placed Wests Tigers.
The ledger is square at one game apiece in 2015 with the Dragons winning 31-6 in Round 6, before the Bulldogs returned the favour in Round 13 with a comfortable 29-16 win.
There are no second chances in this game, the winner will earn a place in week two of the finals against the loser of the Roosters v Storm clash, while the loser will be left to reflect on an early finals exit.
Qualifying Final 2: Saturday, September 12, 7.55pm, Suncorp Stadium
NRL: (2) Brisbane Broncos v (3) North Qld Cowboys
Holden Cup: (2) Nth Qld Cowboys v (3) Brisbane Broncos, 5.15pm
Broncos v Cowboys
A Queensland derby for the ages with the high flying Brisbane Broncos taking on the North Queensland Cowboys to determine who will go through to a Preliminary Final. Brisbane has beaten every single team in the competition in 2015, while the Cowboys fought back from a horror start to charge into the NRL's top four.
All eyes will be on Broncos halfback Ben Hunt who was missing from Brisbane's 15-8 loss to Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night, while the Cowboys cruised into the finals with a big win over the Titans despite missing Michael Morgan through injury. Both players could return for what will be an epic local derby.
Both teams have tasted success against each other this season, the Broncos winning 44-22 in Round 3, before the Cowboys turned the tables 31-20 in Round 10.
The rivals have met three times in finals with the Cowboys holding a 3-0 record.
The winner of this match will book a berth in the preliminary finals and get a week off, while the loser will get a second chance.
Elimination Final 2: Sunday, September 13, 4.10pm, Allianz Stadium
NRL: (6) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v (7) South Sydney Rabbitohs
Holden Cup: (5) Wests Tigers v (8) Canberra Raiders, 1.30pm
Sharks v Rabbitohs
Cronulla missed a golden opportunity to secure a top four finish and a second chance in the finals when they lost to Manly in Round 26. They'll now have to do it the hard way and it doesn't get much tougher than coming up against reigning premiers South Sydney.
The Rabbitohs have struggled to reach the lofty heights of 2014 despite starting the season on fire off the back of World Club Challenge and NRL Auckland Nines success.
The Sharks charged towards the finals with a 7-2 record and will be confident after defeating the Rabbitohs 18-10 earlier in the season.
There are no second chances, the winner will earn a place in week two of the finals against the loser of the Broncos v Cowboys clash, while the loser will be left to reflect on an early finals exit.
