NRL facing 10-year first with time zones and turnarounds causing headaches for finals schedule

The NRL could be forced to flip the script on its finals series, with an elimination match likely to open the post-season for the first time in a decade.

League officials have attempted to begin working through the puzzle that is the finals schedule, with top two, top four and top eight already locked in.

The only matter of real consequence still undecided will be who takes a home final out of South Sydney and Newcastle, with the Rabbitohs needing a win this week.

If Souths do beat their arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters on Friday night, they are happy for the NRL to hold their home final at either Accor Stadium or Allianz.

A battle still looms with Cronulla, who remain adamant they want to play their home final at Shark Park, despite the NRL holding the power to dictate venues.

But bigger challenges loom for the NRL, who have not started the finals with a knockout game since Brisbane beat Gold Coast in 2016.

Penrith will host a qualifying final, but given the Panthers play their final-round game this Sunday, they cannot back up to kick off the playoffs the following Friday.

The Warriors will host the other qualifying final, but time zones mean they have to feature in either the first Saturday game or Sunday match in week one.

It means one of the elimination finals is expected to be played on the Friday night, with the other likely to be the late game on the Saturday.

The NRL must then begin piecing together weeks two and three of the finals, where the preference is to have matches played on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons.

Complicating matters again is the fact the Warriors have earned the right to host in either week two or three, and cannot do so on Friday nights due to time zones.

If the NRL could play the Warriors’ second home final on a Sunday without forcing a five-day turnaround, that would make logical sense.

Alternatively, the Warriors could host a final on Saturday night in New Zealand if needed, making it an afternoon game in Australia.

Head office takes into account a number of matters when determining finals, including managing turnarounds, broadcaster preferences and clubs’ requests.