2019 NRL Finals Series

The 2019 NRL Finals Series determined the winner of the 2019 National Rugby League season. The series ran over four weeks in September and October 2019. It culminated with the 2019 NRL Grand Final at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on 6 October 2019, where the Sydney Roosters defeated the Canberra Raiders 14–8.^[1]

2019 NRL Finals Series
Duration	13 Sep – 6 Oct 2019
Teams	8
Premiers	Sydney Roosters (15th title)
Minor premiers	Melbourne Storm (4th title)
Matches played	9
Points scored	292
Highest attendance	82,922 (Sydney vs Canberra Grand Final)
Lowest attendance	15,495 (Manly Warringah vs Cronulla-Sutherland Elimination Final)
Average attendance	32,313
Attendance	290,818
Broadcast partners	Nine Network Fox League
Top points scorer(s)	Adam Reynolds (22)
Top try-scorer(s)	James Tedesco (3)

The top eight teams from the 2019 NRL Season qualified for the finals series, playing under the same format since 2012. The qualifying teams were Melbourne, Sydney, South Sydney, Canberra, Parramatta, Manly Warringah, Cronulla-Sutherland and Brisbane.

Qualification

Main article: 2019 NRL season

2019 NRL season v t e
Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	B	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Melbourne Storm	24	20	0	4	1	631	300	+331	42
2	Sydney Roosters	24	17	0	7	1	627	363	+264	36
3	South Sydney Rabbitohs	24	16	0	8	1	521	417	+104	34
4	Canberra Raiders	24	15	0	9	1	524	374	+150	32
5	Parramatta Eels	24	14	0	10	1	533	473	+60	30
6	Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles	24	14	0	10	1	496	446	+50	30
7	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks	24	12	0	12	1	514	464	+50	26
8	Brisbane Broncos	24	11	1	12	1	432	489	−57	25
9	Wests Tigers	24	11	0	13	1	475	486	−11	24
10	Penrith Panthers	24	11	0	13	1	413	474	−61	24
11	Newcastle Knights	24	10	0	14	1	485	522	−37	22
12	Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs	24	10	0	14	1	326	477	−151	22
13	New Zealand Warriors	24	9	1	14	1	433	574	−141	21
14	North Queensland Cowboys	24	9	0	15	1	378	500	−122	20
15	St. George Illawarra Dragons	24	8	0	16	1	427	575	−148	18
16	Gold Coast Titans	24	4	0	20	1	370	651	−281	10

Melbourne qualified for their 9th consecutive finals series. Sydney qualified for their 3rd consecutive final series. South Sydney qualified for their 2nd consecutive finals series. Canberra qualified for their first finals series since 2016. Parramatta qualified for their first finals series since 2017. Manly Warringah qualified for their first finals series since 2017. Cronulla-Sutherland qualified for their 5th consecutive series. Brisbane qualified for their 6th consecutive series.

Venues

Canberra's GIO Stadium hosted one match, Melbourne's AAMI Park hosted two matches and Sydney hosted the remaining six matches, between ANZ Stadium, Bankwest Stadium, Lottoland and the Sydney Cricket Ground.^[2][3]

Canberra	Melbourne	Sydney
GIO Stadium	AAMI Park	ANZ Stadium
Capacity: 25,011	Capacity: 30,050	Capacity: 83,500
Games: 1	Games: 2	Games: 2
Sydney (four venues) Canberra Melbourne
Sydney
Bankwest Stadium	Lottoland	Sydney Cricket Ground
Capacity: 30,000	Capacity: 23,000	Capacity: 46,000
Games: 1	Games: 1	Games: 2

Finals structure

Main article: NRL finals system

The system used for the 2019 NRL finals series was a final eight system. In this format, the top four teams in the eight receive a "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals, such that if a top-four team lose in the first week it still remained in the finals, playing a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight will play knock-out games – only the winners survive and move on to the next week. Home-ground advantage goes to the team with the higher ladder position in the first two weeks, to the qualifying final winners in the third week.^[4]

In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye to the third week. The losers of the qualifying final play the winners of the elimination finals in a semi-final. In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week. The winners of those matches move on to the grand final at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Bracket

	Qualifying and elimination finals					Semi-finals						Preliminary finals					Grand final
	14 Sep, AAMI Park
	1	Melbourne	10
	4	Canberra	12			21 Sep, AAMI Park
						Melbourne		32
	15 Sep, Bankwest Stadium					Parramatta		0				27 Sep, GIO Stadium
	5	Parramatta	58									Canberra		16
	8	Brisbane	0									South Sydney		10			6 Oct, ANZ Stadium
																	Sydney		14
	14 Sep, Lottoland											28 Sep, SCG					Canberra		8
	6	Manly Warringah	28									Sydney		14
	7	Cronulla-Sutherland	16			20 Sep, ANZ Stadium						Melbourne		6
						South Sydney		34
	13 Sep, SCG					Manly Warringah		26
	2	Sydney	30
	3	South Sydney	6

Qualifying and elimination finals

2nd Qualifying final: Sydney v South Sydney

Sydney Roosters	30 – 6	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tries: Joseph Manu (3') 1 Mitchell Aubusson (11') 1 Boyd Cordner (26') 1 Sio Siua Taukeiaho (30') 1 James Tedesco (36') 1 Latrell Mitchell (59') 1 Goals: Latrell Mitchell 3/7 (9' pen, 27', 31')	1st: 26 – 0 2nd: 4 – 6	Tries: 1 (65') Adam Reynolds Goals: 1/1 Adam Reynolds (66')

Friday, 13 September 7:50pm

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 30,370 Referee: Gerard Sutton, Adam Gee Player of the Match: Luke Keary

Team lists:

FB 1 James Tedesco WG 2 Daniel Tupou CE 3 Latrell Mitchell CE 4 Joseph Manu WG 5 Brett Morris FE 6 Luke Keary HB 7 Cooper Cronk PR 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves HK 9 Sam Verrills PR 10 Isaac Liu SR 11 Boyd Cordner (c) SR 12 Mitchell Aubusson LK 13 Victor Radley Substitutes: IC 14 Angus Crichton IC 15 Zane Tetevano IC 16 Nat Butcher IC 17 Sio Siua Taukeiaho Coach: Trent Robinson

FB 1 Adam Doueihi WG 2 Alex Johnston CE 3 James Roberts CE 4 Campbell Graham WG 5 Corey Allan FE 6 Cody Walker HB 7 Adam Reynolds PR 18 George Burgess HK 9 Damien Cook PR 10 Liam Knight SR 11 John Sutton (c) SR 12 Jaydn Su'A LK 13 Cameron Murray Substitutes: IC 8 Tevita Tatola IC 14 Ethan Lowe IC 16 Thomas Burgess IC 17 Mark Nicholls Coach: Wayne Bennett

1st Qualifying final: Melbourne v Canberra

Melbourne Storm	10 – 12	Canberra Raiders
Tries: Suliasi Vunivalu (43') 1 Goals: Cameron Smith 3/4 (40' pen, 47' pen, 50' pen)	1st: 2 – 6 2nd: 8 – 6	Tries: 1 (4') Bailey Simonsson 1 (78') John Bateman Goals: 2/4 Jarrod Croker (5', 79')

Saturday, 14 September 5:35pm

AAMI Park, Melbourne Attendance: 20,136 Referee: Ashley Klein, Chris Sutton Player of the Match: John Bateman

Team lists:

FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen WG 2 Suliasi Vunivalu CE 3 Will Chambers CE 4 Justin Olam WG 5 Josh Addo-Carr FE 6 Cameron Munster HB 7 Jahrome Hughes PR 8 Jesse Bromwich HK 9 Cameron Smith (c) PR 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona SR 11 Felise Kaufusi SR 12 Kenny Bromwich LK 13 Dale Finucane Substitutes: IC 14 Brandon Smith IC 15 Tui Kamikamica IC 16 Max King IC 17 Joe Stimson Coach: Craig Bellamy

FB 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad WG 14 Bailey Simonsson CE 3 Jarrod Croker (c) CE 2 Nick Cotric WG 5 Jordan Rapana FE 6 Jack Wighton HB 7 Aidan Sezer PR 15 Dunamis Lui HK 9 Josh Hodgson (c) PR 10 Sia Soliola SR 11 John Bateman SR 12 Elliott Whitehead LK 13 Joseph Tapine Substitutes: IC 4 Joseph Leilua IC 8 Josh Papalii IC 16 Corey Horsburgh IC 19 Emre Guler Coach: Ricky Stuart

2nd Elimination final: Manly-Warringah v Cronulla-Sutherland

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles	28 – 16	Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Tries: Apisai Koroisau (9') 1 Moses Suli (12') 1 Brad Parker (19') 1 Addin Fonua-Blake (52') 1 Brendan Elliot (72') 1 Goals: Reuben Garrick 4/5 (10', 13', 20', 54')	1st: 18 – 4 2nd: 10 – 12	Tries: 1 (25') Bronson Xerri 1 (45') Aaron Gray 1 (79') Josh Morris Goals: 2/3 Shaun Johnson (47', 79')

Saturday, 14 September 7:50pm

Lottoland, Sydney Attendance: 15,495 Referee: Matt Cecchin, Henry Perenara Player of the Match: Daly Cherry-Evans

Team lists:

FB 1 Brendan Elliot WG 2 Jorge Taufua CE 3 Brad Parker CE 4 Moses Suli WG 5 Reuben Garrick FE 6 Dylan Walker HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c) PR 8 Addin Fonua-Blake HK 9 Apisai Koroisau PR 10 Sean Keppie SR 11 Corey Waddell SR 12 Jack Gosiewski LK 13 Jake Trbojevic Substitutes: IC 14 Manase Fainu IC 15 Haumole Olakau'atu IC 16 Lloyd Perrett IC 17 Toafofoa Sipley Coach: Des Hasler

FB 1 Josh Dugan WG 2 Sosaia Feki CE 3 Bronson Xerri CE 4 Josh Morris WG 5 Aaron Gray FE 6 Shaun Johnson HB 7 Chad Townsend PR 16 Andrew Fifita HK 9 Jayden Brailey PR 10 Matt Prior SR 11 Briton Nikora SR 12 Wade Graham LK 13 Paul Gallen (c) Substitutes: IC 8 Aaron Woods IC 14 Kurt Capewell IC 15 Jack Williams IC 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele Coach: John Morris

1st Elimination final: Parramatta v Brisbane

Parramatta Eels	58 – 0	Brisbane Broncos
Tries: Mitchell Moses (17', 73') 2 Maika Sivo (40', 49') 2 Dylan Brown (53', 76') 2 Michael Jennings (12') 1 Blake Ferguson (20') 1 Shaun Lane (33') 1 Tepai Moeroa (71') 1 Daniel Alvaro (80') 1 Goals: Mitchell Moses 6/11 (13', 19', 54', 72', 75', 78') Manu Ma'u 1/1 (80')	1st: 24 – 0 2nd: 34 – 0

Sunday, 15 September 4:00pm

Bankwest Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 29,372 Referee: Ben Cummins, Grant Atkins Player of the Match: Mitchell Moses

Team lists:

FB 1 Clint Gutherson (c) WG 2 Maika Sivo CE 3 Michael Jennings CE 4 Waqa Blake WG 5 Blake Ferguson FE 6 Dylan Brown HB 7 Mitchell Moses PR 15 Daniel Alvaro HK 9 Reed Mahoney PR 10 Junior Paulo SR 11 Shaun Lane SR 12 Manu Ma'u LK 13 Nathan Brown Substitutes: IC 14 Brad Takairangi IC 16 Ray Stone IC 17 Marata Niukore IC 18 Tepai Moeroa Coach: Brad Arthur

FB 1 Anthony Milford WG 5 Jamayne Isaako CE 3 Kotoni Staggs CE 4 Alex Glenn WG 2 Corey Oates FE 6 Darius Boyd (c) HB 7 Jake Turpin PR 8 Matthew Lodge HK 9 Andrew McCullough PR 10 Payne Haas SR 11 David Fifita SR 12 Matt Gillett LK 13 Joe Ofahengaue Substitutes: IC 14 James Segeyaro IC 15 Thomas Flegler IC 16 Gehamat Shibisaki IC 17 Patrick Carrigan Coach: Anthony Seibold

Semi-finals

2nd Semi-final: South Sydney v Manly-Warringah

South Sydney Rabbitohs	34 – 26	Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Tries: Cameron Murray (40', 71') 2 Alex Johnston (10') 1 Cody Walker (15') 1 John Sutton (68') 1 Goals: Adam Reynolds 7/9 (16', 21' pen, 40', 55' pen, 69', 73', 80' pen) Sin Bin: Cody Walker (29')	1st: 18 – 16 2nd: 16 – 10	Tries: 1 (18') Brad Parker 1 (24') Corey Waddell 1 (36') Daly Cherry-Evans 1 (47') Moses Suli 1 (57') Jack Gosiewski Goals: 3/5 Reuben Garrick (25', 37', 57') Sin Bin: (54') Brad Parker (67') Jake Trbojevic

Friday, 20 September 7:50pm

ANZ Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 32,127 Referee: Gerard Sutton, Adam Gee Player of the Match: Cameron Murray

Team lists:

FB 1 Adam Doueihi WG 2 Alex Johnston CE 3 James Roberts CE 4 Dane Gagai WG 5 Campbell Graham FE 6 Cody Walker HB 7 Adam Reynolds PR 8 Thomas Burgess HK 9 Damien Cook PR 10 Liam Knight SR 11 John Sutton SR 12 Sam Burgess (c) LK 13 Cameron Murray Substitutes: IC 14 George Burgess IC 15 Mark Nicholls IC 16 Tevita Tatola IC 17 Ethan Lowe Coach: Wayne Bennett

FB 1 Brendan Elliot WG 2 Jorge Taufua CE 3 Brad Parker CE 4 Moses Suli WG 5 Reuben Garrick FE 6 Dylan Walker HB 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c) PR 8 Addin Fonua-Blake HK 9 Apisai Koroisau PR 10 Martin Taupau SR 11 Corey Waddell SR 12 Jack Gosiewski LK 13 Jake Trbojevic Substitutes: IC 14 Manase Fainu IC 15 Haumole Olakau'atu IC 16 Sean Keppie IC 17 Lloyd Perrett Coach: Des Hasler

1st Semi-final: Melbourne v Parramatta

Melbourne Storm	32 – 0	Parramatta Eels
Tries: Josh Addo-Carr (6', 28') 2 Suliasi Vunivalu (10') 1 Cameron Munster (17') 1 Jahrome Hughes (22') 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen (59') 1 Nelson Asofa-Solomona (79') 1 Goals: Cameron Smith 1/6 (22') Ryan Papenhuyzen 1/1 (80') Cameron Munster 0/1 Sin Bin: Cameron Smith (30')	1st: 22 – 0 2nd: 10 – 0

Saturday, 21 September 7:50pm

AAMI Park, Melbourne Attendance: 21,015 Referee: Ben Cummins, Grant Atkins Player of the Match: Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Team lists:

FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen WG 2 Suliasi Vunivalu CE 18 Curtis Scott CE 4 Justin Olam WG 5 Josh Addo-Carr FE 6 Cameron Munster HB 7 Jahrome Hughes PR 8 Jesse Bromwich HK 9 Cameron Smith (c) PR 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona SR 11 Felise Kaufusi SR 12 Kenny Bromwich LK 13 Dale Finucane Substitutes: IC 3 Will Chambers IC 14 Brandon Smith IC 15 Tui Kamikamica IC 16 Max King Coach: Craig Bellamy

FB 1 Clint Gutherson (c) WG 2 Maika Sivo CE 3 Michael Jennings CE 4 Waqa Blake WG 5 Blake Ferguson FE 6 Dylan Brown HB 7 Mitchell Moses PR 8 Kane Evans HK 9 Reed Mahoney PR 10 Junior Paulo SR 11 Shaun Lane SR 12 Manu Ma'u LK 13 Nathan Brown Substitutes: IC 14 Brad Takairangi IC 15 Daniel Alvaro IC 16 Tepai Moeroa IC 17 Marata Niukore Coach: Brad Arthur

Preliminary finals

1st Preliminary final: Canberra v South Sydney

Canberra Raiders	16 – 10	South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tries: Jarrod Croker (15') 1 Jack Wighton (45') 1 Josh Papalii (73') 1 Goals: Jarrod Croker 2/4 (16', 75') Sin Bin: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (70')	1st: 6 – 6 2nd: 10 – 4	Tries: 1 (28') Dane Gagai 1 (79') Campbell Graham Goals: 1/2 Adam Reynolds (30')

Friday, 27 September 7:50pm

GIO Stadium, Canberra Attendance: 26,567 Referee: Ben Cummins, Grant Atkins Player of the Match: Josh Papalii

Team lists:

FB 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad WG 2 Nick Cotric CE 3 Jarrod Croker (c) CE 4 Joseph Leilua WG 5 Jordan Rapana FE 6 Jack Wighton HB 7 Aidan Sezer PR 8 Josh Papalii HK 9 Josh Hodgson (c) PR 10 Sia Soliola SR 11 John Bateman SR 12 Elliott Whitehead LK 13 Joseph Tapine Substitutes: IC 14 Bailey Simonsson IC 15 Emre Guler IC 16 Corey Horsburgh IC 17 Dunamis Lui Coach: Ricky Stuart

FB 1 Adam Doueihi WG 2 Alex Johnston CE 5 Campbell Graham CE 4 Dane Gagai WG 19 Corey Allan FE 6 Cody Walker HB 7 Adam Reynolds PR 12 Sam Burgess (c) HK 9 Damien Cook PR 10 Liam Knight SR 11 John Sutton SR 16 Ethan Lowe LK 13 Cameron Murray Substitutes: IC 8 Thomas Burgess IC 15 Tevita Tatola IC 17 Mark Nicholls IC 20 Dean Britt Coach: Wayne Bennett

2nd Preliminary final: Sydney v Melbourne

Sydney Roosters	14 – 6	Melbourne Storm
Tries: Boyd Cordner (15') 1 James Tedesco (69') 1 Goals: Latrell Mitchell 3/4 (2' pen, 33' pen, 70') Sin Bin: Sio Siua Taukeiaho (1')	1st: 8 – 0 2nd: 6 – 6	Tries: 1 (51') Nelson Asofa-Solomona Goals: 1/1 Cameron Smith (52') Sin Bin: (1') Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Saturday, 28 September 7:50pm

Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Attendance: 32,814 Referee: Gerard Sutton, Adam Gee Player of the Match: Boyd Cordner

Team lists:

FB 1 James Tedesco WG 2 Daniel Tupou CE 3 Latrell Mitchell CE 4 Joseph Manu WG 5 Brett Morris FE 6 Luke Keary HB 7 Cooper Cronk PR 8 Isaac Liu HK 9 Sam Verrills PR 10 Sio Siua Taukeiaho SR 11 Boyd Cordner (c) SR 12 Mitchell Aubusson LK 13 Victor Radley Substitutes: IC 14 Angus Crichton IC 15 Zane Tetevano IC 16 Nat Butcher IC 17 Lindsay Collins Coach: Trent Robinson

FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen WG 17 Will Chambers CE 3 Curtis Scott CE 4 Justin Olam WG 5 Josh Addo-Carr FE 6 Cameron Munster HB 7 Jahrome Hughes PR 8 Jesse Bromwich HK 9 Cameron Smith (c) PR 10 Nelson Asofa-Solomona SR 11 Felise Kaufusi SR 12 Kenny Bromwich LK 13 Dale Finucane Substitutes: IC 14 Brandon Smith IC 15 Tui Kamikamica IC 16 Max King IC 21 Sandor Earl Coach: Craig Bellamy

Grand Final

Main article: 2019 NRL Grand Final

Sydney Roosters	14 – 8	Canberra Raiders
Tries: Sam Verrills (7') 1 James Tedesco (73') 1 Goals: Latrell Mitchell 3/5 (8', 21' pen, 74') Sin Bin: Cooper Cronk (50') 1	1st: 8 – 6 2nd: 6 – 2	Tries: 1 (31') Jack Wighton Goals: 2/2 Jarrod Croker (32', 50' pen)

Sunday, 6 October 7:40pm (AEDT)

ANZ Stadium Attendance: 82,922 Clive Churchill Medal: Jack Wighton Referee: Ben Cummins, Gerard Sutton

Team lists:

FB 1 James Tedesco WG 2 Daniel Tupou CE 3 Latrell Mitchell CE 4 Joseph Manu WG 5 Brett Morris FE 6 Luke Keary HB 7 Cooper Cronk PR 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves HK 9 Sam Verrills PR 10 Isaac Liu SR 11 Boyd Cordner (c) SR 12 Mitchell Aubusson LK 13 Victor Radley Substitutes: IC 14 Angus Crichton IC 16 Nat Butcher IC 17 Sio Siua Taukeiaho IC 20 Jake Friend Coach: Trent Robinson

FB 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad WG 2 Nick Cotric CE 3 Jarrod Croker (c) CE 4 Joseph Leilua WG 5 Jordan Rapana FE 6 Jack Wighton HB 7 Aidan Sezer PR 8 Josh Papalii HK 9 Josh Hodgson (c) PR 10 Sia Soliola SR 11 John Bateman SR 12 Elliott Whitehead LK 13 Joseph Tapine Substitutes: IC 14 Bailey Simonsson IC 15 Emre Guler IC 16 Corey Horsburgh IC 17 Dunamis Lui Coach: Ricky Stuart