Panthers and Roosters handed unfair advantage as NRL torched over draw for finals week one

The NRL is copping backlash over a glaring mistake in the draw for the first week of the finals, which will mean one team has an extra two days of rest compared to their opponent in the second week. The Panthers and Roosters will kick off the finals action on Friday night, but the loser of that match will have a huge advantage in the second week.

The loser of the Panthers and Roosters will play the winner of the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles, who don't play until 48 hours later on Sunday afternoon. It means the loser of the 2 v 3 match will have two extra days to rest and recover before taking on the winner of 6 v 7.

In contrast, the loser of the Storm and Sharks game (1 v 4) will have the same amount of rest as the winner of the Cowboys and Knights clash (5 v 8) because they are both playing on Saturday in the first week. The minor premiers (Melbourne) would normally get the Friday night spot, but the NRL had to put them on Saturday because the Sharks played on Sunday in Round 27 and can't have a five-day turnaround for the finals.

It looked as though the Cowboys and Knights were going to be scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but the NRL wasn't keen for an afternoon match in Townsville in spring when the temperature would be in the high 20s. The NRL also reportedly didn't want the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles game at Sydney Olympic Park to clash with the AFL game between GWS and Brisbane at the same venue.

The farcical situation was highlighted by the fact the Bulldogs chairman and football boss Phil Gould had both tweeted that they would be playing on Saturday night, only for the NRL to change its mind and schedule them on Sunday instead. In the end it means the winner of the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles game will have a severe disadvantage to the loser of the Panthers and Roosters clash. In fairness, the higher-ranked team should get an advantage, but probably not two days of extra rest.

Does the NRL need to change the way it does the season draw?

The situation could have been avoided if the NRL didn't release the draw so far in advance. There was no reason for the Sharks and Sea Eagles to play on Sunday in Round 27, while meaningless games like the Eels and Tigers were put on Friday night. If the NRL simply released the draw for the final round a week before it happens, it could make some smarter decisions on when games should be played heading into the finals.

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According to reports, the NRL isn't worried about losing fans to the AFL game on Saturday night. The league is reportedly trying to do the right thing by fans and ensure there isn't a massive crush of spectators leaving at the same time.

The GWS and Brisbane game will draw about 25,000 fans to ENGIE Stadium, while the NRL is expected to see 50,000 turn out for Canterbury and Manly. It would mean 75,000 supporters trying to leave the precinct at the same time, although the NRL grand final would draw that many (and more) anyway.

Before the draw was released, AAP reporter Scott Bailey had pointed out it would be 'unfair' to have the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles play on Sunday and give the Panthers and Roosters such a big advantage. Fans also called out the glaring mistake when the draw was published on Sunday.

NRL draw for week one of finals:

• Panthers v Roosters - Qualifying final: Friday, September 13, 7.50pm, BlueBet Stadium

• Storm v Sharks - Qualifying Final: Saturday, September 14, 4.05pm, AAMI Park

• Cowboys v Knights - Elimination Final: Saturday, September 14, 7.50pm, Qld Country Bank Stadium

• Bulldogs v Sea Eagles - Elimination Final: Sunday, September 15, 4.05pm (EST), Accor Stadium