'Our biggest motivation': Top four sides out to follow proven path to premiership

The prospect of a Suncorp Stadium preliminary final is driving the Dolphins as they look to take a big step towards a maiden NRL premiership. 

Kristian Woolf's men will travel to Auckland to play the first final in the club's history on Saturday afternoon and they are determined to ensure it's the last time they hit the road before the grand final. 

It's the same path the Broncos took to last year's decider, Reece Walsh inspiring a stunning comeback over the Raiders before a thrilling preliminary final victory over the Panthers at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium.

History shows teams that win a qualifying final in the opening week of the post-season have a much greater chance of playing in the grand final and Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert said his side is determined to swing the odds in their favour this weekend. 

"To have the chance to play a preliminary final at our home stadium is our biggest motivation," Gilbert told NRL.com. "It's the same for them, they'll want that as well so there's a lot of motivation there for both sides. 

"If we think too far ahead we won't get this weekend right so we're looking forward to the opportunity and challenges that comes with playing in New Zealand and we're going to try enjoy the week."

The top four sides will do battle on either side of the Tasman this weekend, with a week off and a place in the preliminary final on the line. 

The Warriors will host the Dolphins at Go Media Stadium on Saturday afternoon before the Panthers take on the Roosters in a CommBank Stadium blockbuster on Sunday.

The winners will enjoy a rest while the losers will be thrust into a sudden-death semi-final against the two elimination final winners next weekend. 

Statistics provided by rugby league historian David Middleton reveal just how important a win is this week for the four teams contesting qualifying finals.

In every season since the NRL introduced the current finals format in 2012 at least one qualifying final winner has gone on to play in the grand final. 

On the flipside, just four top four teams have lost in week one and recovered to progress to the decider.

The 2015 Cowboys and 2021 Panthers are the only two sides to lose a qualifying final before reeling off three-straight victories to claim the premiership. 

While they did it the hard way in 2021, Penrith took the more direct route in 2022, 2023 and 2024 by winning in week one and enjoying a week off before the preliminary final.

Having experienced both paths, veteran forward Scott Sorensen said it's crucial his side opens their finals campaign with a win. 

"I'm not going to deny how important it is to start the finals on the front foot and perform well," Sorensen said. "You build confidence in that and then have the luxury of a week off to freshen up. 

"If we have to do it the hard way or the easy way, we're just as prepared.

"It is tougher if you have to go out there and play for another 80 minutes but at the end of the day, if you lose and want to get there, that's the way you've got to go. You've got to accept it, move on and be excited for the occasion."

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