The NRL has avoided a scheduling clash with the AFL after opting to move the Bulldogs’ first finals match in eight years away from a planned Saturday night timeslot which would have seen it go head-to-head with the GWS Giants.
In a bizarre twist, the NRL has dodged a showdown with its biggest rival code after opting to delay the all-Sydney blockbuster between Canterbury and Manly until Sunday afternoon at Accor Stadium.
It was widely considered the clash between the two old rivals would be held at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday night, just metres away from the Giants’ do-or-die clash with the Brisbane Lions at the Sydney Showgrounds.
Given Canterbury’s near decade-long absence from the finals, the NRL crowd would have dwarfed what the Giants would have been able to pull at Engie Stadium against an interstate rival.
But according to club sources not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, the NRL were reluctant to have the Bulldogs-Sea Eagles match on in the same precinct and corresponding times at Homebush.
Instead, crowd forecasts will be stronger for the family-friendly timeslot on Sunday afternoon – but it will also create a recovery issue leading into week two of the finals.
The Bulldogs will play their first finals game in eight years.Credit: Getty Images
The winner of the Bulldogs-Sea Eagles clash will have two fewer days to recover for their semi-final against the loser of the Panthers and Roosters, who will kick off the finals series at Penrith Park on Friday night.
The NRL confirmed its week one finals fixtures on Sunday night.
