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

Mark Molyneux

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

Finals footy has arrived in the NRL with four games taking place across the first weekend of action. 

Here's how every team lined up.

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NRL FINALS WEEK 1: SCORES, TEAMS

Penrith Panthers 30-10 Sydney Roosters

Friday, September 13 at BlueBet Stadium: Qualifying Final (7.50pm AEST)

Penrith confirmed team:

1. Dylan Edwards
2. Sunia Turuva
3. Izack Tago
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Brian To'o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. James Fisher-Harris
12. Liam Martin
17. Luke Garner
13. Isaah Yeo

15. Lindsay Smith
16. Liam Henry
18. Matthew Eisenhuth
19. Brad Schneider

20. Casey McLean

Panthers team news:

Penrith are set to welcome Nathan Cleary back from a shoulder injury in a massive boost to the club. 

He takes over at halfback with Jarome Luai reverting to five-eighth and Brad Schneider dropping out.

Scott Sorensen is a late out with a suspected hamstring issue. Luke Garner moves into the starting 13.

Sydney confirmed team:

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Joseph Suaalii
4. Joey Manu
5. Dom Young
6. Luke Keary
7. Sandon Smith
10. Lindsay Collins
9. Connor Watson
13. Nat Butcher
11. Angus Crichton
12. Sitili Tupouniua
17. Terrell May

8. Spencer Leniu
14. Zach Dockar-Clay
15. Naufahu Whyte
16. Siua Wong

18. Michael Jennings

Roosters team news: 

Trent Robinson opted to rest both of his first-choice wingers during last week's win over the Rabbitohs.

Daniel Tupou and Dom Young will return and push Fetalaiga Pauga and impressive union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase out of the side. 

Sandon Smith had some quality touches in his first run at halfback since Sam Walker's ACL injury and will continue at halfback alongside Luke Keary

Spencer Leniu endured a disappointing night against the Bunnies and has been moved to the bench, with Terrell May moving into the starting side at lock.

Angus Crichton avoided a ban for a raised forearm during last week's clash and takes his place in the backrow. 

Whyte is joined on the pine by Zach Dockar-Clay and Siua Wong with last week's debutant De La Salle Va'a dropping out. 

Melbourne Storm 37-10 Cronulla Sharks

Saturday, September 14 at AAMI Park: Qualifying Final (4.05pm)

Melbourne confirmed team:

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen
2. Will Warbrick
3. Jack Howarth
4. Nick Meaney
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Jahrome Hughes
8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Shawn Blore
12. Eli Katoa
13. Trent Loiero

14. Tyran Wishart
15. Christian Welch
16. Tui Kamikamica
17. Alec MacDonald

18. Grant Anderson

Storm team news:

Craig Bellamy has been handed a major boost with Ryan Papenhuyzen back on deck after the No.1 missed his side's last game of the regular season due to bone bruising. 

In his absence, Sualauvi Fa'alogo took over at fullback and put in an eye-catching display until he too was struck down by injury, which is expected to sideline him for the next few weeks. 

Xavier Coates made a successful return from a long-term hamstring injury last week against Brisbane and will start on the wing once again ahead of Grant Anderson

Christian Welch dropped out of the 17 late last week due to illness but returns on the bench with Lazarus Vaalepu moving to the reserves.

Cronulla confirmed team:

1. Will Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
4. Kayal Iro
17. Sifa Talakai
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Toby Rudolf
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes

14. Daniel Atkinson
15. Jack Williams
16. Royce Hunt
22. Thomas Hazelton

19. Chris Vea'ila

Sharks team news:

Jesse Ramien suffered an ankle injury last week and is a late withdrawal for this qualifying final. 

Thomas Hazelton also picked up an injury during the clash but has been included on the bench, with Sifa Talakai shifting to the centres.

North Queensland Cowboys 28-16 Newcastle Knights

Saturday, September 14 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium: Elimination Final (7.50pm)

North Queensland confirmed team:

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Villiami Vailea
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Tom Dearden
7. Jake Clifford
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter

14. Sam McIntyre
15. Harrison Edwards
16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
17. Griffin Neame

20. Thomas Mikaele

Cowboys team news:

Jordan McLean succumbed to a hamstring issue last week but will return to the front row for the elimination final and push Sam McIntyre back to the pine. 

Thomas Mikaele and Harrison Edwards were most at threat of losing their place in the 17, with the former dropping down to 18th man. 

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki was a late addition to the bench last week after recovering from a hand injury takes his place on the bench once again. 

Newcastle confirmed team:

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Fletcher Sharpe
3. Dane Gagai
12. Dylan Lucas
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Jack Cogger
7. Phoenix Crossland
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Tyson Frizell
22. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Adam Elliott

14. Tyson Gamble
15. Mat Croker
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Brodie Jones

18. Thomas Cant

Knights team news:

Adam O'Brien initially named an unchanged side after the Knights got the job done against the Dolphins last week to climb into eighth place. 

However, in a late blow, Bradman Best has been ruled out with a hamstring issue. Dylan Lucas moves out of the backrow and into the centres, while Kai Pearce-Paul is back on deck after recovering from a leg injury. 

Canterbury Bulldogs 22-24 Manly Sea Eagles

Sunday, September 15 at Accor Stadium: Elimination Final (4.05pm)

Canterbury confirmed team:

1. Connor Tracey
2. Jacob Kiraz
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Jeral Skelton
6. Matt Burton
7. Toby Sexton
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Sam Hughes
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Jaeman Salmon

14. Bailey Hayward
15. Kurtis Morrin
16. Harry Hayes
17. Josh Curran

19. Blake Taaffe

Bulldogs team news:

Josh Addo-Carr and Jeral Skelton dropped out of the side late last week, but the latter will not return after standing himself down amid a drug test scandal. 

Jacob Kiraz suffered an arm issue during the loss to the Cowboys but is set to take his position on the wing with Bronson Xerri returning from suspension in the centres. 

Debutants Eli Clark and Jonathan Sua drop out of the backline as a result of the inclusions. 

The Dogshave also been boosted by the return of Matt Burton after the playmaker sat out last week due to concussion protocols. The five-eighth pushes Drew Hutchison out of the 17.

Viliame Kikau avoided a ban for making dangerous contact last week and will lineup on the left edge. 

Manly confirmed team:

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Tommy Talau
3. Tolutau Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Matt Lodge
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Karl Lawton
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Ben Trbojevic
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Nathan Brown

18. Clayton Faulalo

Sea Eagles team news: 

Tom Trbojevic has been named to return from a shoulder issue to take his place at fullback. 

Jason Saab won't feature in the first week of finals though due to an ankle injury with Tommy Talau shifting to the wing, Tolutau Koula moving from fullback into the centres and Clayton Faulalo dropping out.

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.