The National Rugby League has amended the order of matches in Week Three of the Telstra Premiership Finals with the Melbourne Storm ‘First Preliminary Final’ (against the winner of this Saturday’s match between the Broncos and the Dragons) to be played on Saturday, September 26, at Etihad Stadium.
The Nine Network has today confirmed that it will extend its live broadcast of the match into Melbourne.
Today’s decision is based on venue availability in Melbourne and is in line with advertised NRL policy around finals matches.
The match listed as the ‘Second Preliminary Final’ between the Bulldogs and the winner of the Eels and the Titans will be staged on Friday, September 25.
The National Rugby League has reserved its right to nominate the venue for this match (either ANZ Stadium or the Sydney Football Stadium) after the conclusion of this Friday’s game between the Eels and the Titans.
“The system allows us the flexibility to manage venue availability and to determine which game is best suited to a given stadium,” NRL Chief Operating Officer, Mr Graham Annesley, said today.
“The Melbourne decision is a simple case of matching venue availability with the principle of Home Region Finals.
“The venue for the Week 3 Friday night game involving the Bulldogs will be decided at the conclusion of this Friday’s game.”
Both matches will kick-off at 7.45pm.
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