The NRL have confirmed the full schedule for Week 1 of the NRL finals, with the Penrith Panthers to play on Sunday afternoon despite winning the minor premiership, and the Cronulla Sharks bumped out of their home ground.
The top eight teams were set heading into the final rounds, but a number of positions remained up for grabs.
With the minor premiership going the way of the Penrith Panthers, the Dolphins clinging on to third place ahead of the Sydney Roosters, and the South Sydney Rabbitohs' win meaning they will host in Week 1 instead of travel, the rest of the order fell in to place.
The finals will kick off with the Rabbitohs up against the Knights in Sydney, with the Maroubra-based club deciding to use Allianz Stadium instead of their main home ground Accor Stadium to open the finals.
It will be the second year in a row the minor premiers haven't opened the finals, with the Panthers drawn to play the final game of the regular season.
Turnaround times meant they needed to be scheduled at the end of the opening week of the finals, and so will host the Sydney Roosters in Parramatta on Sunday afternoon in the first qualifying final.
The other qualifying final will be in Auckland on Saturday afternoon, with the Warriors to play the Dolphins at Mt Smart Stadium despite some suggestions they may have been forced to move to Eden Park.
The Sharks were also informed earlier on Sunday that they would be forced to play their Week 1 elimination final against the North Queensland Cowboys at Allianz Stadium instead of in the Shire, with that to be hosted in the prime time slot on Saturday evening.
The timing of the games means the loser of the Warriors and Dolphins will play the first semi-final in Week 2, with the potential of no Friday night football existing if the Warriors do fall short.
NRL Week 1 finals schedule
Elimination final 2: South Sydney Rabbitohs (6th) vs Newcastle Knights (7th) at Allianz Stadium, Sydney Friday, September 11, 7:50pm (AEST)
Qualifying final 2: New Zealand Warriors (2nd) vs The Dolphins (3rd) at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, Saturday, September 12, 4:05pm (AEST) - 6:05pm (NZST)
Elimination final 1: Cronulla Sharks (5th) vs North Queensland Cowboys (8th) at Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Saturday, September 12, 7:50pm (AEST)
Qualifying final 1: Penrith Panthers (1st) vs Sydney Roosters (4th) at Commbank Stadium, Penrith, Sunday, September 13, 4:05pm (AEST)
NRL Week 2 finals schedule
Semi-final 2: Loser New Zealand Warriors / The Dolphins vs Winner South Sydney Rabbitohs / Newcastle Knights at TBC, likely Friday, September 18 or Saturday, September 19
Semi-final 1: Loser Penrith Panthers / Sydney Roosters vs winner Cronulla Sharks / North Queensland Cowboys at TBC, likely Saturday, September 19 or Sunday, September 20
NRL Week 3 finals schedule
Prelinary final 1: Winner qualifying final 1 (Penrith Panthers / Sydney Roosters) vs winner semi-final 2 (New Zealand Warriors / The Dolphins / South Sydney Rabbitohs / Newcastle Knights) at TBC, likely Friday, September 25 or Saturday, September 26
Preliminary final 2: Winner qualifying final 2 (New Zealand Warriors / The Dolphins) vs winner semi-final 1 (Penrith Panthers / Sydney Roosters / Cronulla Sharks / North Queensland Cowboys) at TBC, likely Saturday, September 26 or Sunday, September 27
NRL Week 4 finals schedule
Grand final: Winner preliminary final 1 vs winner preliminary final 2 at Accor Stadium, Homebush, Sunday, October 4, 7:30pm (AEST)
