For the first time, the NRL has opted for a Friday night/Sunday afternoon format for its preliminary finals.
The Melbourne Storm will face the winner of the Raiders vs Sharks semi-final on Friday, September 26 at AAMI Park, while the Brisbane Broncos will host the winner of the Bulldogs vs Panthers clash at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, September 28.
The schedule means one grand final contender will enjoy nine days of preparation, while the other will have only seven days.
“Sunday afternoon’s been going gangbusters for the NRL in the finals,” NRL 360 reporter Brent Read said on Monday night.
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“Yesterday’s game (between the Raiders and the Broncos) went through the roof. So I can sort of understand why they’ve done it but it does give whoever wins that game on (the) Friday night a bit of an edge going into the grand final.”
Tallis argued the Storm’s preliminary final should have been moved to Saturday night after the AFL grand final.
“So why don’t they move Storm to Saturday? I know it’s the AFL grand final,” Tallis said.
“But it’s going to be finished for two hours, and they’re playing in the same precinct.”
Journalist Phil Rothfield highlighted the scale of the AFL’s showcase.
“I just think Melbourne stops the city on AFL grand final day,” Rothfield said.
Tallis quickly responded:
“Shouldn’t stop our game,” he said.