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
Duration13 Sep – 6 Oct 2019
Teams8
Premiers Sydney Roosters (15th title)
Minor premiers Melbourne Storm (4th title)
Matches played9
Points scored292
Highest attendance82,922 (Sydney vs Canberra Grand Final)
Lowest attendance15,495 (Manly Warringah vs Cronulla-Sutherland Elimination Final)
Average attendance32,313
Attendance290,818
Broadcast partnersNine 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

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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

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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)
Sydney
Bankwest Stadium Lottoland Sydney Cricket Ground
Capacity: 30,000 Capacity: 23,000 Capacity: 46,000
     
Games: 1 Games: 1 Games: 2

Finals structure

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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

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Qualifying and elimination finalsSemi-finalsPreliminary finalsGrand final
14 Sep, AAMI Park
1  Melbourne10
4  Canberra1221 Sep, AAMI Park
  Melbourne32
15 Sep, Bankwest Stadium  Parramatta027 Sep, GIO Stadium
5  Parramatta58  Canberra16
8  Brisbane0  South Sydney106 Oct, ANZ Stadium
  Sydney14
14 Sep, Lottoland28 Sep, SCG  Canberra8
6  Manly Warringah28  Sydney14
7  Cronulla-Sutherland1620 Sep, ANZ Stadium  Melbourne6
  South Sydney34
13 Sep, SCG  Manly Warringah26
2  Sydney30
3  South Sydney6

Qualifying and elimination finals

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2nd Qualifying final: Sydney v South Sydney

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Friday, 13 September
7:50pm
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')
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

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Saturday, 14 September
5:35pm
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')
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

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Saturday, 14 September
7:50pm
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')
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

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Sunday, 15 September
4:00pm
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
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

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

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Friday, 20 September
7:50pm
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
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

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Saturday, 21 September
7:50pm
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
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

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1st Preliminary final: Canberra v South Sydney

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Friday, 27 September
7:50pm
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')
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

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Saturday, 28 September
7:50pm
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
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

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Sunday, 6 October
7:40pm (AEDT)
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)
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

References

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  1. ^ "Gritty Roosters defy Raiders to win dramatic grand final". National Rugby League. 2019-10-06. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  2. ^ "NRL Telstra Premiership 2019 finals series week one". National Rugby League. 2019-09-08. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  3. ^ "NRL Telstra Premiership 2019 Finals Series Weeks 2 and 3". National Rugby League. 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  4. ^ "NRL finals format explained: How do the NRL finals work?". The Roar. Retrieved 2020-09-19.