NRL elimination and qualifying finals fixture on Channel 9 and 9Now – It’s down to eight teams aiming to be crowned the champions, and the 9Network is the only place you can see every game of the 2024 NRL Finals Series, live and free from 7.00pm AEST this Friday night.
That’s when Panthers v Roosters will kick off Wide World of Sports’ blockbuster finals series on Channel 9 and 9Now, which culminates in exclusive coverage of the NRL Grand Final.
A scintillating Saturday double-header leads off with the minor premiers, the Storm, hosting the Sharks in Melbourne, with the winner earning a week off and a place in the preliminary final. Then it’s do or die in the first elimination final, when the Cowboys are out to lasso Kalyn Ponga and the Knights in Townsville.
After an eight-year finals absence the Bulldogs are barking in September again, and on Sunday they meet the Sea Eagles, turbocharged by returning fullback Tom Trbojevic.
NRL on Nine’s coverage for the finals series is hosted by James Bracey, with an unrivalled expert panel of NRL premiership winners on hand for every step of the journey: Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Phil Gould, Paul Gallen, Brad Fittler, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Paul Vautin and Sonny Bill Williams. All exclusive on the 9Network.
Joining them are international rugby league representatives Ruan Sims and Allana Ferguson, sideline reporters Danika Mason and Emma Lawrence, plus commentators Mathew Thompson, Brenton Speed and Peter Psaltis.
2024 NRL FINALS EXPERT PREVIEW
The Melbourne Storm with Billy Slater
The Storm have the perfect mentality for the finals and are in good health. External pressures will not faze them, and history shows they can keep their feet on the ground when hype is pushed their way.
They have a great balance to their style of play. They can suffocate teams with relentless pressure during the cycle of the game, but have an ability to pull the trigger when needed. Halfback Jahrome Hughes is a key cog in the Storm wheel, the controller who does most of their kicking.
Coach Craig Bellamy will be mindful of excelling in these big games, but he’ll quickly order a back-to-basics reset if the team need to readjust in order to advance. Their biggest opposition will come from the Penrith Panthers.
The Panthers with Phil Gould
Four Grand Finals in a row, and three consecutive premierships, shows that the Panthers know the pathway to our game’s ultimate glory very, very well. Self-belief is crucial at this stage of the season and the Panthers boast a confidence born of demonstrated ability. They are the team to beat.
They have become the experts in big-game football. They have an outstanding defensive record, and defence wins premierships. They are very comfortable in the pressure-cooker of finals football. They also have Nathan Cleary, the best “big moment” player in the NRL.
History shows us that in the NRL era no team has come from outside the top four to win the Grand Final. The best credentialled team outside the top four this year is the Manly Sea Eagles. Much will depend upon the fitness of Tom Trbojevic, but there is no doubt that Manly at their best can make a deep run in the finals.
The Roosters with Brad Fittler
After a disastrous ending to the regular season, losing the chance to host a home semi-final and suffering injuries to three of their best players in the crucial positions of hooker, halfback, and in Victor Radley a ball-playing forward, they face an uphill battle.
But with those players out, the Roosters will still field a strong team and the motivation hasn’t changed. At the end of this season the club say goodbye to several of their favourite sons in Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu, Joseph Sua’ali’i and Sitilli Tupouniua and the team will lift for them.
For this team to win, their discipline has to be perfect. They can still match it with the best while they are winning field position.
The Sharks with Paul Gallen
Externally, no one has given them any credit, but this season they’ve won as many games as the best teams to be in the top four, and history shows you gotta be there to win the competition. They’ve been consistent and their coach Craig Fitzgibbon will have them motivated to silence the doubters.
This squad has been together for a few years now and they will have learned a few lessons, which is crucial in these big games. I feel they have boxed smart throughout the season to be ready for the finals. They have regularly overcome injury to key players to keep the wins coming without any fuss.
Key players Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall have all come back at the right time of the year, and they’ll need to go to a new level to beat the Storm, Panthers and Roosters. Just don’t be surprised when they do.
The Sharks know they’re not highly rated, and they’ll like it that way.
The Sea Eagles with Andrew Johns
Outside of the Storm, the top-four teams all have major frailties heading into the finals. Manly need Tom Trbojevic back on the field, and if he can return in week one of the finals and manage the pain in his shoulder they can do some serious damage in September.
They have the big-game players in Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans, and they look like they have another gear. As it stands, I think all roads lead to a Storm-Panthers Grand Final. But if there’s one team to upset the apple cart, it’s the Sea Eagles.
The Cowboys with Johnathan Thurston
Within the four walls of the Cowboys club they truly believe they can challenge the top teams, and not being valued as a contender is definitely a pressure release in these big games. They have shown they can score points from anywhere on the park, but what has let them down this season has been attention to detail in defence.
There’s a saying that winning hurts and holding on through the uncomfortable parts of the game is what wins finals. For them it’s not about one player, it’s about all 13 chipping in for the ugly stuff.
Tom Dearden and Scott Drinkwater can score tries from anywhere, outside backs Valentine Holmes and Murray Tualagi are State of Origin players, halfback Jake Clifford can kick them out of trouble, and hooker Reece Robson showed his big-game credentials for NSW in Origin. Throw in damaging backrowers like Jeremiah Nanai and the ingredients are all there – they just need to come together as a group. A home final in Townsville is a great place to start.
The Bulldogs with Sonny Bill Williams
Expect plenty of grit and toughness from the Bulldogs. It’s exactly how they’ve played all year and what has elevated them to the finals after many years in the cellar. Will that be enough to win the comp? I have my doubts, but with Stephen Crichton leading the way they will play tough, and teams will have to work hard to beat them.
They have built their game around defence and the effort areas that most people don’t appreciate while watching live. On their day anything is possible, and the strength of this side is that they’ll put themselves in the contest simply through effort.
With premiership winners Crichton, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton they have the talent to challenge the top four but they cannot afford any injuries.
The Knights with Darren Lockyer
Reigning Dally M medallist Kalyn Ponga is in great form and his running game is a constant threat for any team the Knights face. In the must-win game against the Dolphins their defence was excellent, and that’s the foundation they’ll need to build on for their finals campaign if they wish to go any further.
They have most of their best players available, which is hugely important at this time of year.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Friday, September 13
Panthers (2) v Roosters(3) – Qualifying Final 1
Syd/Bris/Melb 7.00pm LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 5.30pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Saturday, September 14
Storm (1) v Sharks(4) – Qualifying Final 2
Syd/Bris/Melb 3.15pm LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 2.45pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 1.15pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Cowboys (5) v Knights(8) – Elimination Final
Syd/Bris/Melb 7.00pm LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 5.30pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Sunday, September 15
Bulldogs (6) v Sea Eagles(7) – Elimination Final
Syd/Bris/Melb 3.30pm LIVE and FREE on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 2.30pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 1.00pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
THE ONLY PLACE TO SEE EVERY NRL FINALS GAME LIVE WATCH ON CHANNEL 9HD, STREAM ON 9NOW LIVE AND FREE
Media Release – Nine
Link to 9Now HERE
NRL elimination and qualifying finals fixture on Channel 9 and 9Now
TV Central NRL content HERE
NRL elimination and qualifying finals fixture on Channel 9 and 9Now
