NRL finals format: How does rugby league postseason work? | Sporting News Australia

by Admin
September 28, 2024

The business end of the NRL season has arrived, with the grand final just one week away.

Minor premiers Melbourne were the first team to book their place in the decider, courtesy of a big win over the Roosters.

Penrith then joined them as they advanced through to their fifth straight final with a win against the Sharks.

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NRL finals layout: How does the finals format work?

The top four teams on the ladder after the regular season earned themselves a double shot at a premiership tilt.

The second-placed Panthers defeated the third-placed Roosters in the opening qualifying final, sending Penrith to the preliminary finals and the Tricolours to the semi-finals.

The ladder-leaders Melbourne battered the fourth-placed Sharks in the other qualifying clash to book their place in the prelims, while the Sharks head to the semis.

The side that finished fifth – the Cowboys – beat the eighth-placed Knights, while the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles (sixth and seventh) played each other in the other elimination final.

In the second week of finals, just two games were played, with the beaten teams from inside the top four hosting the sides that won their do-or-die clashes in week one.

The two teams that won their qualifying finals automatically advanced into the third week where they hosted a preliminary final.

And they face off against the winners of the semi-finals from week two for a place in the grand final.