MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2024 NRL Finals Week 1

A full wrap of the weekend's action - MONDAY'S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from NRL Finals Week 1, with heaps more info like the match review, POTY standings, crowd figures and fixtures for next week.

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

RELATED: See the full list of 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.

King Cleary rules the Roost as Panthers power to Prelim

13 Sep 2024 10:10PM | Sam Bourke

Penrith Panthers 30 Sydney Roosters 10
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug

Date: Fri, 13th September.   Kickoff: 7:50 PM.   Halftime: Penrith 24-0.   Penalties: Penrith 6-3.   Referee: Ashley Klein.   Crowd: 21,483.

Penrith: Edwards, Turuva, Tago, Alamoti, To'o; Luai, Cleary (C); Leota, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Garner, Martin, Yeo. Int: Smith, Henry, Eisenhuth, Schneider.
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Sua'ali'i, Manu, Young; Keary, Smith; Butcher, Watson, Collins, Crichton, Tupouniua, May. Int: Leniu, Dockar-Clay, Whyte, Wong.

PENRITH PANTHERS (30)
Tries: Brian To'o, Izack Tago, Jarome Luai, Luke Garner (2)
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/1)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (10)
Tries: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, James Tedesco
Conversions: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (1/2)

Wizardry from Grant as a Storm surge moves to a prelim final

14 Sep 2024 5:57PM | AJ Lucantonio

Melbourne Storm 37 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 10
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri

Date: Sat, 14th September.   Kickoff: 4:05 PM.   Halftime: Melbourne 14-10.   Penalties: Melbourne 8-3.   Referee: Gerard Sutton.   Crowd: 26,326.

Melbourne: Papenhuyzen, Warbrick, Howarth, Meaney, Coates; Munster, Hughes; Asofa-Solomona, Grant (C), King, Blore, Katoa, Loiero. Int: Wishart, Welch, Kamikamica, MacDonald.
Cronulla: Kennedy, Katoa, Talakai, Iro, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Rudolf, Brailey, Kaufusi, Nikora, Wilton, McInnes (C). Int: Atkinson, Williams, Hunt, Hazelton.

MELBOURNE STORM (37)
Tries: Cameron Munster, William Warbrick (2), Harry Grant (3)
Field Goals: Ryan Papenhuyzen (1/1)
Conversions: Nick Meaney (5/7)
Penalty Goals: Nick Meaney (1/1)

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (10)
Tries: Sione Katoa, Briton Nikora
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (1/2)

The Hand of Cott

14 Sep 2024 10:34PM | Andrew Ferguson

North Queensland Cowboys 28 Newcastle Knights 16
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Date: Sat, 14th September.   Kickoff: 7:50 PM.   Halftime: Newcastle 12-4.   Penalties: Newcastle 4-2.   Referee: Todd Smith.   Crowd: 24,861.

North Qld: Drinkwater, Feldt, Holmes, Vailea, Taulagi; Dearden (C), Clifford; McLean, Robson, Taumalolo, Luki, Nanai, Cotter. Int: McIntyre, Edwards, Finefeuiaki, Neame.
Newcastle: Ponga (C), Sharpe, Gagai, Lucas, Marzhew; Cogger, Crossland; Saifiti, Brailey, Thompson, Frizell, Pearce-Paul, Elliott. Int: Gamble, Croker, Hetherington, Jones.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (28)
Tries: Kyle Feldt, Murray Taulagi, Jordan McLean, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (4/5)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (16)
Tries: Jayden Brailey, Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Lucas
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (2/3)

Sea Eagles stage an upset to soar into the semi finals

15 Sep 2024 6:00PM | Robert Crosby

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 22 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

Date: Sun, 15th September.   Kickoff: 4:05 PM.   Halftime: Canterbury 16-12.   Penalties: Manly 5-4.   Referee: Grant Atkins.   Crowd: 50,714.

Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Xerri, Crichton (C), Skelton; Burton, Sexton; King, Mahoney, Hughes, Kikau, Preston, Salmon. Int: Hayward, Morrin, Hayes, Curran, Taaffe.
Manly: Trbojevic, Talau, Koula, Garrick, Hopoate; Brooks, Cherry-Evans (C); Paseka, Croker, Lodge, Olakau'atu, Lawton, Trbojevic. Int: Trbojevic, Aloiai, Bullemor, Brown, Faulalo.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (22)
Tries: Jacob Kiraz, Viliame Kikau, Stephen Crichton, Jeral Skelton
Conversions: Matt Burton (3/4)

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (24)
Tries: Tommy Talau, Ethan Bullemor, Daly Cherry-Evans, Tolutau Koula
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (4/4)

Match review

Newcastle's Leo Thompson is the only player from the first three matches facing suspension, with a handful of fines also issued.

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

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.

33 points - Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles 30, Maroons 3)

30 points - Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

26 points - James Tedesco (Roosters), Dylan Edwards (Panthers 23, Blues 3)

20 points - Isaah Yeo (Panthers)

19 points - Ben Hunt (Dragons)

18 points - Kalyn Ponga (Knights)

17 points - Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Reece Walsh (Broncos), Sam Walker (Roosters), Angus Crichton (Roosters 13, Blues 4)

16 points - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins 14, Maroons 2)

15 points - Keano Kini (Titans), Matt Burton (Bulldogs), Eliesa Katoa (Storm)

14 points - Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Harry Grant (Storm)

13 points - Zac Lomax (Dragons), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Mitchell Moses (Eels 10, Blues 3), Jarome Luai (Panthers 12, Blues 1)

12 points - Te Maire Martin (Warriors), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Dylan Brown (Eels), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs 11, Blues 1)

11 points - Lachlan Galvin (Wests Tigers), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Nicho Hynes (Sharks), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), AJ Brimson (Titans), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Braydon Trindall (Sharks)

10 points - Toby Sexton (Bulldogs), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Dane Gagai (Knights), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Joseph Tapine (Raiders), Brian To'o (Panthers)

9 points - Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Tyran Wishart (Storm), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Reece Robson (Cowboys)

8 points - Blayke Brailey (Sharks), Luke Brooks (Sea Eagles), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Joseph Manu (Roosters), Kieran Foran (Titans), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Josh Curran (Bulldogs), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors)

7 points - Trai Fuller (Dolphins), Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Ezra Mam (Broncos), Connor Watson (Roosters), Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Terrell May (Roosters), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Jayden Campbell (Titans), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm)

6 points - Kyle Feldt (Cowboys), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Jacob Preston (Bulldogs), Daejarn Asi (Eels), William Kennedy (Sharks), Max Plath (Dolphins), Hudson Young (Raiders), Xavier Coates (Storm), David Fifita (Titans), Daniel Atkinson (Sharks), Jackson Hastings (Knights), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Jaydn Su'A (Dragons 5, Maroons 1)

5 points - William Warbrick (Storm), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors), James Fisher-Harris (Panthers), Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys), Reuben Cotter (Cowboys), Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Bradman Best (Knights), Josh King (Storm), Jack Williams (Sharks), Dylan Lucas (Knights), Jack Cogger (Knights), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Adam Elliott (Knights), Kayal Iro (Sharks), Sandon Smith (Roosters), Thomas Hazelton (Sharks)

4 points - Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Zac Hosking (Raiders), Teig Wilton (Sharks), Tristan Sailor (Broncos), Heilum Luki (Cowboys), Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), David Armstrong (Knights), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Raiders), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Ethan Strange (Raiders), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Victor Radley (Roosters), Dominic Young (Roosters), Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs)

3 points - Zac Laybutt (Cowboys), Euan Aitken (Dolphins), Junior Paulo (Eels), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Eels), Bryce Cartwright (Eels), Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Brodie Jones (Knights), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles), Thomas Flegler (Dolphins), Payne Haas (Broncos), Sione Katoa (Sharks), Maika Sivo (Eels), Fletcher Sharpe (Knights), Harry Hayes (Bulldogs), Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers), Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Warriors), Matthew Timoko (Raiders), Jesse Ramien (Sharks), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Nathan Brown (Sea Eagles), Shawn Blore (Storm), Moeaki Fotuaika (Titans), Jesse Marschke (Dragons), Wayde Egan (Warriors), Cameron Munster (Storm), Tyson Gamble (Knights)

2 points - Samuela Fainu (Wests Tigers), Deine Mariner (Broncos), Scott Sorensen (Panthers), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Jojo Fifita (Titans), Liam Martin (Panthers), Sitili Tupouniua (Roosters), Taniela Paseka (Sea Eagles), Grant Anderson (Storm), Taane Milne (Rabbitohs), Tanah Boyd (Titans), Tevita Pangai Junior (Dolphins), Phillip Sami (Titans), Toafofoa Sipley (Sea Eagles), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Izack Tago (Panthers), Jock Madden (Broncos), Billy Walters (Broncos), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Isaiah Papali'i (Wests Tigers), Tommy Talau (Sea Eagles), J'maine Hopgood (Eels), Luke Keary (Roosters), Jack Wighton (Rabbitohs), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Luke Garner (Panthers)

1 point - Reuben Garrick (Sea Eagles), Jack Bostock (Dolphins), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers), Tallyn Da Silva (Wests Tigers), Brad Schneider (Panthers), Nat Butcher (Roosters), Daine Laurie (Panthers), Beau Fermor (Titans), Luke Metcalf (Warriors), Heath Mason (Wests Tigers), Asu Kepaoa (Wests Tigers), Thomas Burgess (Rabbitohs), Bronson Xerri (Bulldogs), Casey McLean (Panthers), Aidan Sezer (Wests Tigers), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Rocco Berry (Warriors), Samuel Stonestreet (Sharks), Josh Kerr (Dolphins), Lindsay Smith (Panthers), Kurtis Morrin (Bulldogs), Jack Cole (Panthers), Brandon Smith (Roosters), Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans), Blake Wilson (Bulldogs), Braidon Burns (Cowboys), Sam Verrills (Titans), Jesse Arthars (Broncos), Nick Meaney (Storm), Luciano Leilua (Dragons), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Royce Hunt (Sharks), Jesse McLean (Panthers), Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers), Cameron McInnes (Sharks), Justin Olam (Wests Tigers), Max King (Bulldogs), Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons), Christian Tuipulotu (Dragons), Taylan May (Panthers), Griffin Neame (Cowboys), Charlie Guymer (Eels), Erin Clark (Titans), Greg Marzhew (Knights), Bronson Garlick (Storm), Harrison Edwards (Bulldogs), Jamie Humphreys (Sea Eagles)

Finals Week 2 Fixtures

1st Semi Final
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys
Fri 20 Sep 7:50PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

2nd Semi Final
Sydney Roosters v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Sat 21 Sep 7:50PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal

Full 2024 NRL Draw & Results.