NRL Finals Week 1 results, live updates: Kalyn Ponga and Newcastle surge into semi-finals after extra-time win

Liam O'Loughlin

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Mark Molyneux

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NRL Finals Week 1 results, live updates: Kalyn Ponga and Newcastle surge into semi-finals after extra-time win image

After 27 gruelling and entertaining rounds of the regular season, the NRL finals series has arrived. 

Brisbane will kick off the weekend's proceedings with a blockbuster clash against the Storm at Suncorp Stadium, with the side hoping to secure their first finals victory since 2017 and book themselves a week off. 

Penrith will host the Warriors on Saturday afternoon, with the visitors set to be without Shaun Johnson, before an elimination clash between the Sharks and Roosters headlines the action.

Canberra will head up to Newcastle on Sunday to conclude the weekend's fixtures, with the losing side packing their bags for a Bali trip and the winner fighting on for another week. 

The Sporting News has all the live updates, highlights, analysis and talking points from Week 1 of NRL Finals below. 

Knights escape with nail-biting extra-time victory over Raiders

Newcastle have continued their amazing run of form, coming back from a 10-point half-time deficit to scrape home 30-28 in extra-time against the Raiders in extra-time and book themselves a spot in next weekend's semi-final. 

After opening the scoring through Greg Marzhew early in the afternoon at a sold out McDonald Jones Stadium, it was the visitors who took the control into the break and looked well on their way to pulling off a major upset.

Things seemed to have gone from bad to worse when halfback Jackson Hastings was ruled out with an ankle injury - but in the second-half, the Knights came alive off the back of a controversial incident involving Jack Wighton, scoring four unanswered tries off the back of some individual brilliance from Kalyn Ponga. 

Dom Young's length of the field effort with 17 minutes remaining looked to have sealed the deal for the Knights, but the Raiders refused to go away and crossed for two tries late in the clash to level the scores. 

An attempted field goal from Jamal Fogarty in the dying stages of regulation time was charged down by Newcastle, sending the game to an additional period and leading to plenty of anxious supporters in the Hunter. 

Neither team were able to break the deadlock in the first five minutes of extra-time, with the Raiders botching a couple of opportunities, before Ponga kicked a penalty goal with 90 seconds left on the clock to seal the result. 

For the Raiders, it was the fifth time this season they had given up a half-time lead and there's no doubt Ricky Stuart will be furious with the performance despite the absence of key forwards Josh Papalii and Corey Horsburgh. 

- Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin)

Jack Wighton placed on report for alleged biting incident

Raiders star Jack Wighton has been placed on report for an alleged bite on Tyson Gamble during the second-half of the elimination final on Sunday afternoon.

The 30-year-old, who is moving to South Sydney next season, could be facing sanction from the NRL judiciary after the Knights star made an on-field complaint to referee Ashley Klein and showed a clear mark on his forearm. 

Canberra were not penalised for the incident, but the evidence doesn't look great for Wighton, who could be facing a suspension given the nature of the allegation. 

- Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin)

Sam Walker field goal sends Roosters through in elimination final as they sink the Sharks

The Sydney Roosters have advanced to the second week of finals after mounting a gutsy comeback to down Cronulla 13-12 with Sam Walker stepping up to boot the winning field goal.

The Chooks were plunged into disarray in the second half after injuries to Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii and a James Tedesco sin-binning left them staring into the abyss of an elimination final exit.  

However, they refused to die and have now booked a clash with an injury-ravaged Melbourne next week.

The Roosters have become well-versed in do-or-die clashes in recent weeks as they strung together five successive wins to scrape into the finals.

Faced with the prospect of a loss ending their season each and every week prepared the side for the rough and tumble match against Cronulla.

“Win and you continue, lose and you’re out,” Trent Robinson said on the eve of the clash. “We’ve had five weeks of that.”

And so that theory proved to be true as countless times the Chooks appeared to be down and out only to rise up again and reel the Sharks in.

Back-to-back charge downs from Tedesco and Luke Keary in the frantic final moments ensured the visitors held on for a famous win.

Walker crowned the hero as he completed his redemption after being dropped earlier in the season.

"It was beautifully struck," Robinson said post-match. 

"He’s cold-blooded in those moments and he’s shown that over time."

-Mark Molyneux 

Penrith Panthers cruise into prelim final with victory over Warriors

The Panthers rolled into another preliminary final with a ruthless 26-6 victory over New Zealand Warriors.

On home soil, Penrith flew out of the blocks while bathed in glorious sunshine as the reigning premiers reminded everyone – in case anyone was in any doubt – that the path to the premiership title still runs through the foot of the mountains.

Despite an aggressive start from the Warriors, the Panthers soon clicked into gear and raced out to an imposing 20-0 lead at the break with Nathan Cleary orchestrating everything.

The halfback finished with one try and an assist which didn’t tell the full story of just how influential the 25-year-old was throughout the contest.

"It’s just the beginning and we still have two games to win," Cleary told Fox League post-match. 

"It’s how we wanted to play…I thought we were connecting well and playing the way we wanted to."

The Warriors were brave throughout and even managed to threaten a brief second half comeback through Wayde Egan but were ultimately unable to match the might of the Panthers. 

To illustrate just how dominant the home side were, they bossed possession to the tune of 58 per cent, while registering 50 tackles in New Zealand's 20m zone. 

The Panthers dreams of bagging a historic three-peat is still well and truly alive. 

-Mark Molyneux 

Broncos weather the Storm, advance to NRL prelim finals

Brisbane have booked themselves a spot in the NRL prelim finals, blowing away the Storm on Friday night and ending a lengthy hoodoo against the competition heavyweights with a 26-0 triumph. 

For the first time since 2009, the red-hot Broncos were able to defeat Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium - and it was a dominant display that further flexed their own premiership muscle. 

Tom Flegler and Payne Haas laid the platform early with aggressive carries and hard-hitting tackles, before Kotoni Staggs powered his way to the line to open the scoring.

Towards the conclusion an error-riddled first-half, Ryan Papenhuyzen went for a short dropout and kicked the ball over the sideline, gifting the hosts an extra two points before the break. 

Shortly after the break, a silly penalty let the Broncos off the hook and trot down the other end, with Reece Walsh stamping his authority on the clash with a brilliant try solo try close to the line. 

Walsh would sprinkle his magic again in the 53rd minute, setting up Jordan Riki close to the line to put the result beyond doubt and send the old Lang Park into raptures. 

Selwyn Cobbo crossed for a try in the final 10 minutes to seal the deal for the Broncos, sending them to their first preliminary final since 2017 - a game they were kept scoreless by the Storm. 

Melbourne had their fair share of opportunities, but some costly errors and penalties from the likes of Harry Grant, Eliesa Katoa and Trent Loiero, as well as a lack of polish close to the line, cost them any real chance of victory. 

The night ended in devastating fashion however, with star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen leaving the field with a serious lower-leg injury, ending his NRL season and placing grave doubts over his long-term future. 

- Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin)

NRL Finals proving to be the hottest ticket in town

Three out of the four games in the first week of the NRL Finals Series have been sold out, with suburban grounds and diehard fans getting their hands on the hottest ticket in town.

Cronulla's clash against the Rooster was an obvious sell-out, given their home ground in Woolooware can only hold 12,500 people in the crowd, while the Knights have again sold out McDonald Jones Stadium.

Penrith's march towards a third-straight premiership was given a major boost when their clash against the Warriors was sold out, while the weekend's opening game between Brisbane and Melbourne isn't far off capacity.

With some of the most rabid supporter bases dying to see their teams in action, tickets were flying throughout the week and there will be a brilliant atmosphere at all four grounds. 

- Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin)

Shaun Johnson ruled out of Panthers-Warriors qualifying final

In a major blow for the surprise packets of the competition this year, Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson has been ruled out of his side's qualifying final clash with Penrith.

The in-form playmaker went down with a minor calf injury during training in the lead-up to Saturday's match at BlueBet Stadium, but is expected to be available for the second week of the finals.

Johnson is set to be replaced by utility Dylan Walker in the halves for the blockbuster clash, while Penrith centre Izack Tago has been sidelined with a pectoral injury. 

- Liam O'Loughlin (@ljoloughlin)

NRL Finals schedule locked in for Week 1 

The schedule for the first week of the NRL Finals has been confirmed, with four blockbuster matches set to open up proceedings in September.

For all the schedule information for the elimination and qualifying finals, CLICK HERE. 

NRL MATCHES/RESULTS THIS WEEK (Week 1 Finals)

Date (AEST) Match Stadium
Fri. 8th September (7.50pm)

Brisbane Broncos 26 def. Melbourne Storm 0

 Suncorp Stadium
Sat. 9th September (4.05pm)

Penrith Panthers 32 def. New Zealand Warriors 6

 BlueBet Stadium

Sat. 9th September (7.50pm)

 Cronulla Sharks 12 def. by Sydney Roosters 13 Shark Park
Sun. 10th September (4.05pm)

Newcastle Knights 30 def. Canberra Raiders 28

 McDonald Jones Stadium

 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW. 

 

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.