The draw for this weekend’s NRL and NRLW grand finals is set after a thrilling weekend of preliminary finals. Here is your NRL and NRLW preliminary finals wrap-up.
NRL Preliminary Finals
The Storm beat the Sydney Roosters 48-18 at home at AAMI Park on Friday to book their place in Sunday’s grand final in Sydney. Further, Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona was sin-binned within the first minute for a dangerous tackle. It means the Storm prop is now at risk of missing the grand final.
Then, on Saturday night, the Penrith Panthers secured their place in a fifth consecutive grand final. The Panthers won 26-6 over the Cronulla Sharks at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. The reigning premiers led the match from start to finish with star Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary putting in a classy playmaking performance. The Panther’s captain left the field late in the match with a sore shoulder but is expected to play next week. Penrith’s victory set a new premiership record, as the club notched up its 11th straight finals win.
NRLW Preliminary Finals
The Cronulla Sharks are headed to their first NRLW grand final after upsetting minor premiers the Broncos 14-0 in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon. The Sharks held Brisbane scoreless for the first time in the Queensland club’s NRLW history. However, the Broncos won three consecutive NRLW premierships between 2018-2022. Remarkably, it is only the Sharks’ second season in the league.
Also on Sunday, the Sydney Roosters prevented the Newcastle Knights from a third consecutive premiership. It comes after they drowned the reigning NRLW champs 25-16 at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. Roosters veteran Samantha Bremner starred for her side with two tries before half-time. The Roosters will be seeking their second NRLW title, having won the grand final once before in 2021. That’s a wrap on the NRL and NRLW preliminary finals.
