The AFL finals schedule released on Sunday evening has left the NRL with a nightmarish task of trying to avoid clashes and maximise crowd attendance in the opening week of the finals series.
Fairfax Media understands the NRL had pencilled in minor premiers Melbourne to play on the Friday night of the first week of the finals. However, the AFL has ruined those plans by scheduling the all-Melbourne blockbuster between Geelong and Richmond at the MCG on that night.
The AFL, which has the luxury of planning ahead of the NRL because teams are given a week off before the finals, has also scheduled the Sydney Swans to play Essendon at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon.
The decision to play the Swans game at Moore Park on Saturday will deny the NRL the chance to play a double-header at Allianz Stadium the same day, which is now likely to force Cronulla and/or Manly (if they beat Penrith this weekend) to play their home final at ANZ Stadium.
The NRL plays matches at 6pm and 8pm on Saturday, but the 4.30pm start for the Swans game means Allianz Stadium will be out of action considering the transport and traffic issues that will arise from having two major crowd-drawing events on at the same time in the same precinct.
While Melbourne would prefer to play their home final at AAMI Park on Saturday to give themselves a seven-day turnaround, the NRL is leaning towards scheduling the Storm in a potential blockbuster against Parramatta on Sunday afternoon and hosting a double-header at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
The only dilemma with scheduling the Storm on a Sunday is the fact they will have to back up just six days later if they lose the match – a scenario the NRL is keen to avoid imposing on a team that has comfortably wrapped up the minor premiership.
If all the favourites win in the final round of the regular season this weekend, the Roosters, Sharks and Sea Eagles will all earn the right to host home finals. All three clubs would prefer to play at Allianz Stadium, but the clash with the AFL means it's likely at least one team will have to play at Homebush.
The Panthers, who on Sunday missed the opportunity to push for a top-four finish, now find themselves fighting to keep their season alive against Manly on Saturday. The winner will be guaranteed a home final.
POTENTIAL WEEK ONE NRL FINALS SCHEDULE IF FAVOURITES WIN IN ROUND 26
SCENARIO 1
FRIDAY: Sydney Roosters (2nd) v Brisbane Broncos (3rd) at Allianz Stadium
SATURDAY: Cronulla Sharks (5th) v Penrith Panthers (8th) at ANZ Stadium (double-header)
SATURDAY: Manly Sea Eagles (6th) v St George Illawarra (7th) at ANZ Stadium (double-header)
SUNDAY: Melbourne Storm (1st) v Parramatta Eels (4th) at AAMI Park
SCENARIO 2
FRIDAY: Sydney Roosters (2nd) v Brisbane Broncos (3rd) at Allianz Stadium
SATURDAY: Manly Sea Eagles (6th) v St George Illawarra (7th) at ANZ Stadium
SATURDAY: Melbourne Storm (1st) v Parramatta Eels (4th) at AAMI Park
SUNDAY: Cronulla Sharks (5th) v Penrith Panthers (8th) at Allianz Stadium
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ith-logistical-nightmare-20170828-gy5rpm.html
Fairfax Media understands the NRL had pencilled in minor premiers Melbourne to play on the Friday night of the first week of the finals. However, the AFL has ruined those plans by scheduling the all-Melbourne blockbuster between Geelong and Richmond at the MCG on that night.
The AFL, which has the luxury of planning ahead of the NRL because teams are given a week off before the finals, has also scheduled the Sydney Swans to play Essendon at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon.
The decision to play the Swans game at Moore Park on Saturday will deny the NRL the chance to play a double-header at Allianz Stadium the same day, which is now likely to force Cronulla and/or Manly (if they beat Penrith this weekend) to play their home final at ANZ Stadium.
The NRL plays matches at 6pm and 8pm on Saturday, but the 4.30pm start for the Swans game means Allianz Stadium will be out of action considering the transport and traffic issues that will arise from having two major crowd-drawing events on at the same time in the same precinct.
While Melbourne would prefer to play their home final at AAMI Park on Saturday to give themselves a seven-day turnaround, the NRL is leaning towards scheduling the Storm in a potential blockbuster against Parramatta on Sunday afternoon and hosting a double-header at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
The only dilemma with scheduling the Storm on a Sunday is the fact they will have to back up just six days later if they lose the match – a scenario the NRL is keen to avoid imposing on a team that has comfortably wrapped up the minor premiership.
If all the favourites win in the final round of the regular season this weekend, the Roosters, Sharks and Sea Eagles will all earn the right to host home finals. All three clubs would prefer to play at Allianz Stadium, but the clash with the AFL means it's likely at least one team will have to play at Homebush.
The Panthers, who on Sunday missed the opportunity to push for a top-four finish, now find themselves fighting to keep their season alive against Manly on Saturday. The winner will be guaranteed a home final.
POTENTIAL WEEK ONE NRL FINALS SCHEDULE IF FAVOURITES WIN IN ROUND 26
SCENARIO 1
FRIDAY: Sydney Roosters (2nd) v Brisbane Broncos (3rd) at Allianz Stadium
SATURDAY: Cronulla Sharks (5th) v Penrith Panthers (8th) at ANZ Stadium (double-header)
SATURDAY: Manly Sea Eagles (6th) v St George Illawarra (7th) at ANZ Stadium (double-header)
SUNDAY: Melbourne Storm (1st) v Parramatta Eels (4th) at AAMI Park
SCENARIO 2
FRIDAY: Sydney Roosters (2nd) v Brisbane Broncos (3rd) at Allianz Stadium
SATURDAY: Manly Sea Eagles (6th) v St George Illawarra (7th) at ANZ Stadium
SATURDAY: Melbourne Storm (1st) v Parramatta Eels (4th) at AAMI Park
SUNDAY: Cronulla Sharks (5th) v Penrith Panthers (8th) at Allianz Stadium
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ith-logistical-nightmare-20170828-gy5rpm.html
