Here’s a look at the National Rugby League week, including weekend results from NRL Preliminary Finals.
NRL GRAND FINAL DAY
Sunday October 25
NRL Grand Final: Penrith Panthers (1st) vs Melbourne Storm (2nd), ANZ Stadium. Kick-off 7:30pm (Sydney time)
NRL-W Grand Final: Brisbane Broncos (1st) vs Sydney Roosters (2nd), ANZ Stadium. Kick-off 4:05pm (Sydney time)
NRL WEEK IN THE NEWS
- Gerard Beale retires from rugby league.
- Andrew Davey signs with Manly Sea Eagles on a two-year deal.
- Parramatta Eels announce the following players have departed their club: David Gower (retired), Peni Terepo (released), Kane Evans, Jai Field, Stefano Utoikamanu, Andrew Davey, Rhys Davies, Jaeman Salmon, Brad Takairangi, Watson Heleta and Kyle Schneider.
- Tyrone Roberts departs the Gold Coast Titans.
- Leivaha Pulu, Nathaniel Roache depart the New Zealand Warriors.
- James Tedesco wins the Jack Gibson Medal Roosters Player of the Year.
- Jack Hetherington joins Canterbury Bulldogs on a two-year contract.
- Cameron King joins Townsville Blackhawks for the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season.
- Nathan Cleary, Luke Keary, Josh Papalii, James Tedesco and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck are the NRL Players’ Champion finalists.
- Caleb Aekins signs with Canberra Raiders for 2021.
- Connor Watson re-signs with Newcastle Knights for 2021.
- Ethan Lowe announces his retirement from rugby league.
ORIGIN TRAIN-ON SQUADS
New South Wales Blues
Payne Haas, Jake Trbojevic, Tyson Frizell, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Saifiti, Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Nathan Brown, Reagan-Campbell-Gillard, Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo, Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Cameron Murray, Jack Wighton, Nick Cotric.
Queensland Maroons
Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika, Phillip Sami, Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt, Valentine Holmes, Coen Hess, Xavier Coates, Patrick Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Josh Kerr, Harry Grant, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Friend, Lindsay Collins.
MATCH DAY KEY POINTS
- Melbourne Storm with a four try blitz in the opening twenty-two minutes secure a Grand Final berth, beating the Canberra Raiders 30-10. Speculation is rife that Cam Smith will retire at the end of the season after being chaired off Suncorp Stadium.
- Penrith Panthers book their place in the Grand Final with a heart-stopping 20-16 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs. Dylan Edwards’ 66th minute try securing the Panthers their first Grand Final appearance since 2003.
MATCH DAY PLAYER STATS
- Melbourne Storm: Suliasi Vunivalu 130 run metres, Cameron Smith 32 tackles, Jahrome Hughes 3 try assists.
- Canberra Raiders: Nick Cotric 113 run metres, John Bateman 30 tackles, George Williams 255 kick metres.
- Penrith Panthers: Josh Mansour 228 run metres, Issah Yeo 39 tackles, Api Koroisau 39 tackles, Nathan Cleary 538 kick metres.
- South Sydney Rabbitohs: Cam Murray 129 run metres, Damien Cook 50 tackles, Cody Walker 3 line break assists, Adam Reynolds 485 kick metres.
NRL-W ROUND 3 REVIEW
https://nothingbutleague.com/2020/10/18/nrl-w-round-3-warriors-avoid-spoon-as-broncos-secure-top-spot/
TEAM LIST TUESDAY
https://nothingbutleague.com/2020/10/13/team-list-tuesday-nrl-nrl-preliminary-finals-week-3/
NRL PRELIMINARY FINALS
Preliminary Final Game 1
Melbourne Storm Vs Canberra Raiders
https://nothingbutleague.com/2020/10/16/nrl-prelim-final-match-report-melbourne-storm-30-10-canberra-raiders/
Preliminary Final Game 2
Penrith Panthers Vs South Sydney Rabbitohs
https://nothingbutleague.com/2020/10/17/nrl-prelim-final-match-report-penrith-panthers-20-16-south-sydney-rabbitohs/
NRL Match Review
Player: Corey Allan
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Opponent: Penrith Panthers
Incident: 15th minute, Josh Mansour
Charge: Grade 1, Shoulder Charge
Early Plea: 1 match ban (150 points).
Result: Early Guilty Plea – 1 match ban.
