Big NRL weekend on Nine

It’s Roosters v Rabbitohs on the opening night of the new Allianz Stadium, as Nine broadcasts an NRL / NRLW double-header on Friday.

But before the gates open at Allianz, the fight for fourth spot on the ladder between the Eels and Storm will start the final round of the season on Thursday Night Footy from 7.30pm.

Live for Storm fans on Channel 9HD in Melbourne, this match will secure the winner a crucial second chance in the finals by finishing in the top four. Expect fireworks between front-row enforcers Junior Paulo and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

On Friday, christening Allianz Stadium, the NRLW Roosters and Dragons meet in their grand final rematch as the women’s competition enters Round 3.

Then at 7.30pm on Friday Night Footy, an historic night for the NRL becomes even more special when the biggest and oldest rivalry in the game boils over on the eve of the finals: Roosters v Rabbitohs, the first NRL game to be played on the Allianz turf.

The Rabbitohs parked their Ferrari, Latrell Mitchell, in the garage this week to rest up in preparation, while James Tedesco and his Roosters are hellbent on marking the occasion with a memorable win on their new home ground and claim it as their territory.

On Saturday, a triple treat gets the weekend warmed right up. The Queensland NRLW Broncos v Titans local derby is Live from 1.00pm on 9GemHD, followed by Panthers v North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup semi-final at 3.00pm on Channel 9HD.

Then the Cowboys will be out to overpower the minor premiers, the Panthers, on Saturday Night Football at 7.00pm, fielding a full-strength squad to claim second spot on the ladder with a home win in Townsville.

And the fate of the Canberra Raiders season will be decided on Sunday Footy from 3.00pm in a win or go home clash with the Tigers for the eighth and last spot in the 2022 finals series.

The best commentary team in the game will cover all the action, with rugby league legends Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Sonny Bill Williams, Paul Vautin, Brad Fittler, Paul Gallen, and premiership-winning coach Phil Gould weighing in on the biggest moments right across Round 25.

Thursday Night Footy – Eels v Storm, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Sydney 7.30pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane 7.30pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Perth 5.30pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Commentary – Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Mat Thompson. Panel – James Bracey, Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen. Sideline – Brad Fittler and Danika Mason

NRLW Roosters v Dragons Allianz Stadium, 5.30pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Commentary – Ruan Sims and Peter Psaltis. Sideline – Emma Lawrence and Allana Ferguson

Friday Night Footy – Roosters v Rabbitohs, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Sydney 7.30pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane 7.30pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Perth 5.30pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Commentary – Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith and Mat Thompson. Panel – James Bracey, Johnathan Thurston and Johnathan Thurston. Sideline – Brad Fittler and Danika Mason

NRLW Titans v Broncos
1.00pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Commentary – Ruan Sims, Peter Psaltis and Emma Lawrence. Sideline – Darren Lockyer

NSW Cup Finals Week 1:
Panthers v North Sydney Bears
3.00pm Live on Channel9HD and 9Now (NSW)
Commentary – Chris Warren and Jamie Soward. Sideline – Michael Chammas

QLD Cup Finals Week 1:
Tweed Seagulls v Brisbane Tigers.
3.00pm Live on Channel9HD and 9Now (QLD)
Commentary – Scott Sattler and Drury Forbes. Sideline – Adam Jackson

Saturday Night Footy – Cowboys v Panthers, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Sydney 7.00pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane 7.00pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Melbourne 7.00pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Adelaide 6.30pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Perth 5.00pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Commentary – Phil Gould, Brad Fittler and Peter Psaltis. Panel – Danika Mason.
Sideline – Johnathan Thurston

Sunday NRL Footy Show from 11.00am AEST on Channel 9.

Sunday Footy – Tigers v Raiders, Leichhardt Oval
Sydney 3.00pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Brisbane 3.00pm Live on Channel 9HD and 9Now
Melbourne 3.00pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Adelaide 2.30pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Perth 1.00pm Live on 9GemHD and 9Now
Commentary – Andrew Johns, Billy Slater and Mat Thompson. Panel – Danika Mason and Allana Ferguson. Sideline – Brad Fittler and Emma Lawrence

Monday, August 22 at 9.40pm: 100% Footy
100% Footy is the home of the strongest opinions in rugby league from the people who count. Phil Gould with Paul Gallen, journalist Danny Weidler and host James Bracey. Catch-up is available on 9Now or via podcast.

Check local guides.