The NRL will have a 48-hour gap between grand final qualifiers, impacting team schedules significantly.
The NRL will sensationally leave a 48-hour gap between the two grand final qualifiers.
Traditionally, Week 2 and 3 of the finals - the semi-finals and preliminary finals - are played on Friday and Saturday evenings.
With the Melbourne Storm hosting one of the Week 3 matches on AFL grand final weekend, the NRL were keen to ensure their preliminary final would be held on the Friday evening. That means the Raiders will clash with the Cronulla Sharks on a six-day turnaround during Week 2 to enable the winner of that game to play the Storm on Friday, September 26.
With a spot in the grand final on the line in that game, it means the Raiders will have back-to-back six-day turnarounds if they win.