Raiders boss Don Furner said the NRL’s finals scheduling has revived memories of the preliminary final debacle against Melbourne two years ago after top eight rivals the Storm, Roosters and Rabbitohs were all gifted nine-day recovery periods.
Canberra, the last team confirmed in the top eight, face the most arduous task, given a short six-day turnaround into a sudden-death showdown at AAMI Park after routing the Tigers in the final game of the regular season.
The NRL confirmed the elimination final would be played on Saturday evening, with the Raiders’ rivals having played on Thursday night in the opening match of round 25 against the Eels.
“It’s made it harder for us and it reminds me of 2020 because it’s not easy, but we’re used to it,” Furner said.
The Raiders had asked if it was possible for their final to be scheduled on Sunday given they travelled back to Canberra from Leichhardt Oval on Sunday night, and then have to make the trek to Melbourne later in the week.
The Roosters and Rabbitohs played their final-round game on Friday night, but will both have a nine-day recovery period into an expected sellout in the all-Sydney eliminator at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
The Raiders will back up against the Storm just six days after securing their finals spot with a 46-point demolition of Wests Tigers.Credit:Getty
The NRL insisted the Raiders’ final be the first played on Saturday, scheduling two NRLW games beforehand at a venue which has dressing rooms to accommodate multiple games.
Penrith’s BlueBet Stadium and Cronulla’s PointsBet Stadium don’t have the facilities to accommodate NRLW matches.
The NRL said the lack of female facilities wasn’t behind the decision to schedule the Raiders on Saturday, instead considering turnaround times into week two of the finals.
The winner of the Storm-Raiders clash will play the loser of the Panthers-Eels blockbuster, likely to be the following Friday night.
Canberra were seething when the NRL ordered they fly in and head straight to Suncorp Stadium for their preliminary final against the Storm two years ago, while Melbourne had been based on the Sunshine Coast with COVID-19 border closures in place.
The club asked to jet into Queensland the day before, and when that request was rebuffed, inquired about heading to a hotel for a couple of hours before game time under strict protocols. Both were dismissed.
The Storm scored three tries in the first nine minutes and led 22-0 after 24 minutes as they blew the Raiders out of the water.
Asked about this year’s finals scheduling in his press conference following the Tigers game, coach Ricky Stuart said: “We’re a club that is used to getting the short straw.”
The Raiders have won their last four matches against the Storm in Melbourne, including a 20-16 victory in July.
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