It’s already been confirmed that week two of this year’s NRL finals series will feature a Sunday afternoon match for the first time in 18 seasons.
But in a development certain to have rugby league traditionalists salivating even further, NRL bosses have indicated they remain open to extending the Sunday move into week three.
Yes folks, there’s a chance we may be about to see the first Sunday afternoon NRL preliminary final since the North Queensland Cowboys belted the Parramatta Eels 29-0 at Telstra Stadium (now Accor Stadium) two decades ago in 2005.
It isn’t a done deal just yet, but reports in The Daily Telegraph suggest Andrew Abdo and Peter V’Landys will make a final decision after Sunday afternoon’s qualifying final between the Raiders and Broncos in Canberra.
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Before committing either way, the NRL will reportedly take into account a range of metrics such as TV ratings and advertising revenue figures from week one of the finals, along with the views of broadcasters and the teams themselves—but have no doubt, it’s on the NRL’s radar.
“We’ll look at it all and assess it after this weekend,” Abdo said of the potential move.
“We know that Sunday afternoon is a special and traditional spot for rugby league during the regular season, we’re very cognisant with our fans’ time, so that time slot is very popular with families and young kids being able to attend.”
Of course, the other strategic reason for switching one of the night preliminary finals to Sunday afternoon would be the ability to keep well away from the AFL grand final at the MCG on Saturday September 27.
That scenario has taken on particular relevance in the past 24 hours given the Storm has now earned the right to host a home preliminary in week three following their 26-18 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park.