NRL team lists: Every side's confirmed lineup for Finals Week 1

Liam O'Loughlin

Mark Molyneux

NRL team lists: Every side's confirmed lineup for Finals Week 1 image

After a dramatic final round of the regular season, all attention now turns to the NRL Finals series, with four massive clashes set to kick off September football.

Brisbane and Melbourne will welcome back their big guns on Friday night's qualifying final, before the minor premiers Penrith will take on the Warriors on Saturday afternoon with the visitors suffering a major blow to their chances in the lead-up. 

Cronulla will be sweating on the fitness of one star ahead of their clash with the red-hot Roosters, before the Raiders will be forced to do without a backline star when they take on the Knights on Sunday. 

The Sporting News has all the mail for the first week of NRL Finals below.

 

NRL Finals Week 1 Results

BRISBANE BRONCOS 26 - 0 MELBOURNE STORM

Friday 8th September, Suncorp Stadium (7.50pm)

Broncos confirmed team:

1. Reece Walsh
2. Jesse Arthars
3. Kotoni Staggs
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Ezra Mam
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Tom Flegler 
9. Billy Walters
10. Payne Haas
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Jordan Riki
13. Patrick Carrigan

14. Tyson Smoothy
15. Brendan Piakura
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Keenan Palasia

18. Corey Oates

Broncos team news:

Adam Reynolds (calf) and Patrick Carrigan (foot) both return to the starting lineup, with Keenan Palasia and Jock Madden making way in the starting side. 

Kotoni Staggs (suspension) has served a one-match ban and will return in the backline, while Jesse Arthars has beaten veteran Corey Oates for a spot on the wing. 

All of the rested stars from Round 27 are also be back on deck for the Broncos. 

Storm confirmed team:

1. Nick Meaney
2. Will Warbrick
3. Marion Seve
4. Young Tonumaipea
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes 
8. Tui Kamikamica
9. Harry Grant
10. Christian Welch
11. Trent Loiero
12. Eli Katoa
13. Josh King

15. Tom Eisenhuth
16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
17. Ryan Papenhuyzen
19. Tariq Sims

14. Bronson Garlick

Storm team news:

One late change for the Storm, with utility Bronson Garlick dropping out and Tariq Sims joining the bench. 

Jahrome Hughes (knee) and Harry Grant (shoulder) have been named to return in the spine in a major boost for Melbourne. 

All of the Storm's rested stars will also be available for the first week of the finals, with Ryan Papenhuyzen named on the bench and Nick Meaney returning at fullback. 

PENRITH PANTHERS 32 - 6 NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Saturday 9th September, BlueBet Stadium (4pm)

Panthers confirmed team:

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Sunia Turuva
4. Stephen Crichton
21. Luke Garner
5. Brian To'o
6. Jack Cogger
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. James Fisher-Harris
11. Scott Sorensen
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo

14. Tyrone Peachey
15. Lindsay Smith
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Zac Hosking

18. Jaeman Salmon

Panthers team news:

Izack Tago (pectoral) has been ruled out 24 hours prior to kickoff, with Tyrone Peachey originally slotting into the centres and Jaeman Salmon joining the bench.

However, Ivan Cleary has made a late change with Luke Garner moved into the starting side in the centres and Peachey returning to the bench. 

Jarome Luai (shoulder) remains sidelined, with Jack Cogger named at five-eighth. 

Warriors confirmed team:

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Rocco Berry
4. Adam Pompey
5. Marcelo Montoya
14. Dylan Walker
6. Te Maire Martin
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Wayde Egan
10. Mitch Barnett
11. Jackson Ford
12. Marata Niukore
13. Tohu Harris

15. Jazz Tevaga
16. Bayley Sironen
17. Josh Curran
18. Freddy Lussick

20. Taine Tuaupiki

Warriors team news:

In a massive blow for the Warriors, Shaun Johnson (calf) has been ruled out of the qualifying final, with Dylan Walker named to replace him in the halves and Freddy Lussick moving onto the bench after Bunty Afoa dropped out. 

Tohu Harris (back) is under an injury cloud but has been named, while Te Maire Martin got through his return to the NRL unscathed and suits up in the No.6 jumper, following the injury to Luke Metcalf. 

Jazz Tevaga will also return via the bench after missing the past three matches with a hamstring injury. 

All of the club's rested players will return for the blockbuster clash against Penrith.

CRONULLA SHARKS 12 - 13 SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Saturday 9th September, Shark Park (7.50pm)

Sharks confirmed team:

1. Connor Tracey
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Siosifa Talakai
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
15. Royce Hunt
11. Briton Nikora
12. Wade Graham
13. Cam McInnes

14. Jack Williams
16. Tom Hazelton
17. Oregon Kaufusi 
20. Jesse Colquhoun

18. Kayal Iro

Sharks team news:

Late change for Cronulla, with Braden Hamlin-Uele ruled out 24 hours prior to kickoff. Royce Hunt will come into the front-row and Jesse Colquhoun joins the bench. 

Connor Tracey (knee) limped off the field against the Raiders and underwent scans, however he has been named to start in the No.1 jersey with Craig Fitzgibbon naming the same 17 which beat the Raiders last week.

Although Will Kennedy has been included in the reserves along with Matt Moylan and could be a late addition as the fullback seeks to return from injury. 

Roosters confirmed team:

1. James Tedesco
2. Fetalaiga Pauga
3. Billy Smith
4. Joseph Manu
5. Joseph Suaalii
6. Luke Keary
7. Sam Walker
10. Lindsay Collins
9. Brandon Smith
15. Egan Butcher
11. Siua Wong
12. Nat Butcher
13. Victor Radley

8. Fletcher Baker
14. Sandon Smith 
16. Terrell May
17. Angus Crichton

20. Corey Allan

Roosters team news:

Joseph Manu (hamstring) is expected to return and replace Corey Allan in the centres after he was named by Trent Robinson despite still nursing an injury. 

Veteran winger Daniel Tupou (knee) will not feature in the elimination final though with Fetalaiga Pauga included in his absence. 

In a late switch for the Roosters, Egan Butcher has been moved into the starting side while Fletcher Baker goes back to the bench. 

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 30 - 28 CANBERRA RAIDERS

Sunday 10th September, McDonald Jones Stadium (4pm)

Knights confirmed team:

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dominic Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Jackson Hastings
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Leo Thompson
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13. Adam Elliott

14. Kurt Mann
15. Daniel Saifiti
16. Jack Hetherington 
17. Mat Croker

20. Dylan Lucas

Knights team news:

Massive double boost for the high-flying Knights with Kalyn Ponga (shoulder) and Jackson Hastings (ankle) named to start.

Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) will start in the backrow, while Kurt Mann will also return via the bench. 

Enari Tuala, Dylan Lucas and Fa'amanu Brown drop to the reserves to make way for returning trio Tyson Frizell, Dane Gagai and Phoenix Crossland who were all rested last week. 

Raiders confirmed team:

1. Jordan Rapana
2. James Schiller
3. Jack Wighton
4. Matthew Timoko
5. Nick Cotric
6. Matt Frawley
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Ata Mariota
9. Zac Woolford
10. Joe Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Elliott Whitehead
13. Hohepa Puru

14. Tom Starling
15. Emre Guler
16. Pasami Saulo 
17. Trey Mooney

19. Albert Hopoate

Raiders team news:

Seb Kris has copped a monster ban for a dangerous throw against the Sharks, with James Schiller named to replace him in the backline. 

There are no other changes for the Raiders despite their Round 27 loss to Cronulla, as Jack Wighton remains in the centres. 

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.