Monday's Expert - 2023 NRL Finals Week 1

A full wrap of NRL Finals Week 1, with the full scoresheet, ladder, stats leaders, match review, player of the year points, injury news, crowd stats, TV ratings and upcoming fixtures.

All listed times are AEST (NSW/QLD/VIC/ACT).

RELATED: See the full list of 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.

2nd Qualifying Final

Brisbane Broncos 26
Melbourne Storm 0

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
Crowd: 50157
Date: Friday 8 September 2023 at 7:50pm

BRISBANE BRONCOS (26)
Tries: Kotoni Staggs, Reece Walsh, Jordan Riki, Selwyn Cobbo
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (4/4)
Penalty Goals: Adam Reynolds (1/1)

MELBOURNE STORM (0)

Brisbane: Walsh, Arthars, Staggs, Farnworth, Cobbo; Mam, Reynolds (C); Flegler, Walters, Haas, Capewell, Riki, Carrigan. Int: Smoothy, Piakura, Hetherington, Palasia.
Melbourne: Meaney, Warbrick, Seve, Tonumaipea, Coates; Munster, Hughes; Kamikamica, Grant, Welch (C), Loiero, Katoa, King. Int: Eisenhuth, Asofa-Solomona, Papenhuyzen, Sims.

1st Qualifying Final

Penrith Panthers 32
Warriors 6

Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug
Crowd: 21525
Date: Saturday 9 September 2023 at 4:00pm

PENRITH PANTHERS (32)
Tries: Brian To'o, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Sunia Turuva (2)
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (5/5)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/1)

WARRIORS (6)
Tries: Wayde Egan
Conversions: Adam Pompey (1/1)

Penrith: Edwards, Turuva, Garner, Crichton, To'o; Cogger, Cleary (C); Leota, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Sorensen, Martin, Yeo. Int: Peachey, Smith, Leniu, Hosking.
Warriors: Nicoll-Klokstad, Watene-Zelezniak, Berry, Pompey, Montoya; Walker, Martin; Fonua-Blake, Egan, Barnett, Ford, Niukore, Harris (C). Int: Tevaga, Sironen, Curran, Lussick.

2nd Elimination Final

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 12
Sydney Roosters 13

Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal
Crowd: 12567
Date: Saturday 9 September 2023 at 7:50pm

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (12)
Tries: Sione Katoa, Ronaldo Mulitalo
Field Goals: Nicho Hynes (0/2)
Conversions: Braydon Trindall (0/1), Nicho Hynes (0/1)
Penalty Goals: Nicho Hynes (2/2)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (13)
Tries: Joseph Manu, Siua Wong
Field Goals: Sam Walker (1/1)
Conversions: Sam Walker (1/1), Billy Smith (1/1)

Cronulla: Tracey, Katoa, Ramien, Talakai, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Rudolf, Brailey, Hunt, Nikora, Graham (C), McInnes. Int: Williams, Hazelton, Kaufusi, Colquhoun.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Pauga, Smith, Manu, Sua'ali'i; Keary, Walker; Butcher, Smith, Collins, Wong, Butcher, Radley. Int: Baker, Smith, May, Crichton.

1st Elimination Final

Newcastle Knights 30
Canberra Raiders 28

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal
Crowd: 29548
Date: Sunday 10 September 2023 at 4:05pm

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (30)
Tries: Greg Marzhew, Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young (2), Dane Gagai
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Kalyn Ponga (1/1)

CANBERRA RAIDERS (28)
Tries: James Schiller (2), Trey Mooney, Matt Frawley, Tom Starling
Field Goals: Jamal Fogarty (0/1)
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (4/5)

Newcastle: Ponga (C), Young, Gagai, Best, Marzhew; Gamble, Hastings; Saifiti, Crossland, Thompson, Frizell, Fitzgibbon, Elliott. Int: Mann, Saifiti, Hetherington, Croker.
Canberra: Rapana, Schiller, Wighton, Timoko, Cotric; Frawley, Fogarty; Mariota, Woolford, Tapine, Young, Whitehead (C), Puru. Int: Starling, Guler, Saulo, Mooney.

Match review

NRL: While nobody was charged from Broncos v Storm on Friday, Five players were charged across Saturday's two games, but none are facing suspension. Jack Wighton was referred straight to the judiciary and will have a hearing Tuesday night after an alleged biting incident in Knights v Raiders. One other player was fined in that match.

By Tuesday 12pm, all players had submitted please, with six players fined and Wighton's judiciary hearing still to come at 6pm.

NRLW: Two warnings and no suspensions from Thursday's Sharks v Dragons match, while three Broncos were charged with four offences from Saturday's win over Wests Tigers - Annetta Nuuausala could be facing 2 games out for a Grade 3 Dangerous Contact charge. No players were charged from Sunday, and by Monday afternoon all players charged in NRLW entered early pleas.

Click here to find out the details on each and every charge.

Who could be back?

Here's who's in line to return to the field from injury or suspension next weekend.

LeagueUnlimited Player of the Year standings

Our writers issue points every game for who they judge as the best player on the field. Includes points accumulated during State of Origin series.

37 points - Shaun Johnson (Warriors)

32 points - Kalyn Ponga (Knights)

28 points - Nicho Hynes (Sharks)

26 points - Reece Walsh (Broncos)

25 points - Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Adam Reynolds (Broncos)

21 points - James Tedesco (Roosters), Payne Haas (Broncos)

20 points - Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

19 points - Cameron Munster (Storm), Mitchell Moses (Eels)

17 points - Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)

16 points - Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Ben Hunt (Dragons)

15 points - Harry Grant (Storm)

14 points - Isaah Yeo (Panthers), AJ Brimson (Titans)

13 points - David Fifita (Titans), Corey Horsburgh (Raiders), Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)

12 points - Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Blayke Brailey (Sharks)

11 points - Hudson Young (Raiders), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles)

10 points - Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Kieran Foran (Titans), Izack Tago (Panthers), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)

9 points - Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Dane Gagai (Knights), Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys)

8 points - Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), J'maine Hopgood (Eels), Greg Marzhew (Knights), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs), Joseph Manu (Roosters), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), William Kennedy (Sharks)

7 points - Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Tyson Gamble (Knights), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Lachlan Croker (Sea Eagles), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), Dylan Brown (Eels), Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Nick Meaney (Storm), Lindsay Collins (Roosters)

6 points - Sebastian Kris (Raiders), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Brian To'o (Panthers), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers), Jarome Luai (Panthers), Eliesa Katoa (Storm), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Sean O'Sullivan (Dolphins), Sam Walker (Roosters), Luke Keary (Roosters), Zac Lomax (Dragons), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Anthony Milford (Dolphins), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Roosters), Bradman Best (Knights), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)

5 points - Phoenix Crossland (Knights), Phillip Sami (Titans), Josh Papali'i (Raiders), Jackson Hastings (Knights), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (Roosters), Tristan Sailor (Broncos), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Jarrod Wallace (Dolphins), Tanah Boyd (Titans), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles), Dominic Young (Knights), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys)

4 points - Siua Wong (Roosters), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Jack Wighton (Raiders), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Taane Milne (Rabbitohs), William Warbrick (Storm), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Starford To'a (Wests Tigers), Bryce Cartwright (Eels), Egan Butcher (Roosters), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Jack Cogger (Panthers), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Jayden Campbell (Titans), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Jonah Pezet (Storm), Tohu Harris (Warriors), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Blake Lawrie (Dragons), Xavier Coates (Storm), Brandon Wakeham (Wests Tigers)

3 points - Heilum Luki (Cowboys), Matt Moylan (Sharks), Viliami Penisini (Eels), Jacob Saifiti (Knights), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Titans), Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Tyrone Peachey (Panthers), Billy Smith (Roosters), Lachlan Miller (Knights), Isaiah Tass (Rabbitohs), Luke Metcalf (Warriors), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles), Tevita Pangai Junior (Bulldogs), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs), Matthew Timoko (Raiders), Jake Averillo (Bulldogs)

2 points - Tom Gilbert (Dolphins), Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), Tepai Moeroa (Storm), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Joey Lussick (Eels), Sunia Turuva (Panthers), Victor Radley (Roosters), Junior Paulo (Eels), James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), Felise Kaufusi (Dolphins), Luciano Leilua (Cowboys), Cameron McInnes (Sharks), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Sharks), Keenan Palasia (Broncos), Valynce Te Whare (Dolphins), Thomas Flegler (Broncos), Adam Elliott (Knights), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Kurt Capewell (Broncos), Braidon Burns (Bulldogs), Moses Leota (Panthers), Connelly Lemuelu (Dolphins), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), Maika Sivo (Eels), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Young Tonumaipea (Storm), Tesi Niu (Dolphins), Marcelo Montoya (Warriors), John Bateman (Wests Tigers), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Liam Martin (Panthers)

1 point - Arthur Miller-Stephen (Eels), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Jai Arrow (Rabbitohs), Adam Pompey (Warriors), Billy Burns (Dragons), Ryan Matterson (Eels), Terrell May (Roosters), Jack Williams (Sharks), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Kenny Bromwich (Dolphins), Blake Wilson (Bulldogs), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), Thomas Hazelton (Sharks), Tautau Moga (Dragons), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers), Jazz Tevaga (Warriors), Edward Kosi (Warriors), Brendan Hands (Eels), Tevita Tatola (Rabbitohs), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs), Cory Paix (Broncos), Jaxson Paulo (Roosters), Ethan Bullemor (Sea Eagles), Jayden Brailey (Knights), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Mason Teague (Dolphins), Leo Thompson (Knights), Hayze Perham (Bulldogs), Jayden Sullivan (Dragons), Freddy Lussick (Warriors), Albert Hopoate (Raiders), Dale Finucane (Sharks), Tyrone Munro (Rabbitohs), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Knights), Daine Laurie (Wests Tigers), Brendan Piakura (Broncos), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels), Josh King (Storm), Wiremu Greig (Eels), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles), Josh Curran (Warriors), Junior Pauga (Roosters), Lindsay Smith (Panthers), Semi Valemei (Raiders), Chris Randall (Titans)

Metrics Metrics Metrics

Each week we'll also do our best to keep you across the crowd figures which are often the most talked-about parts of the game.

Crowds - Finals Week 1

Finals Fixtures

NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series - Week 2

Semi Final: Friday, September 15, 7.50pm (EST), AAMI Park
Melbourne Storm v Sydney Roosters

Semi Final: Saturday, September 16, 6.05pm (4.05pm EST), Go Media Stadium
Warriors v Newcastle Knights

NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series - Week 3

Preliminary Final: Friday, September 22, 7.50pm (EST), TBC
Penrith Panthers v Winner of Melbourne Storm/Sydney Roosters

Preliminary Final: Saturday, September 23, 7.50pm (EST), Suncorp Stadium
Brisbane Broncos v Winner of Warriors/Newcastle Knights

Full 2023 NRL Draw & Results.