# 2021 NRL finals series

The 2021 National Rugby League finals series was a tournament staged to determine the winner of the 2021 Telstra Premiership season. The series was played over four weekends in September and October, culminating in the 2021 NRL Grand Final on 3 October 2021. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales the grand final was played outside of Sydney for the first time in competition history, at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
The top eight teams from the 2021 NRL season qualified for the finals series. NRL finals series have been played under the current format since 2012.

## Qualification

2021 NRL seasonvte :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| 1 | Melbourne Storm | 24 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 815 | 316 | +499 | 44 |
| 2 | Penrith Panthers (P) | 24 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 676 | 286 | +390 | 44 |
| 3 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 24 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 775 | 453 | +322 | 42 |
| 4 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | 24 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 744 | 492 | +252 | 34 |
| 5 | Sydney Roosters | 24 | 16 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 630 | 489 | +141 | 34 |
| 6 | Parramatta Eels | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 566 | 457 | +109 | 32 |
| 7 | Newcastle Knights | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 428 | 571 | −143 | 26 |
| 8 | Gold Coast Titans | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 580 | 583 | −3 | 22 |
| 9 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 520 | 556 | −36 | 22 |
| 10 | Canberra Raiders | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 481 | 578 | −97 | 22 |
| 11 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 474 | 616 | −142 | 18 |
| 12 | New Zealand Warriors | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 453 | 624 | −171 | 18 |
| 13 | Wests Tigers | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 500 | 714 | −214 | 18 |
| 14 | Brisbane Broncos | 24 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 446 | 695 | −249 | 16 |
| 15 | North Queensland Cowboys | 24 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 460 | 748 | −288 | 16 |
| 16 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 24 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 340 | 710 | −370 | 8 |

## Venues

As a result of the 2021 NRL season's relocation to Queensland due to the COVID-19 pandemic in New South Wales and Victoria, all the finals matches were hosted in Queensland with stadiums at full capacity, with the only exception being the grand final at 75% capacity as a result of local COVID-19 cases and Queensland Government restrictions. This saw Rockhampton and Mackay host their first finals matches, whilst Queensland Country Bank Stadium also played host to their first finals at the venue.
| Brisbane | Mackay | Rockhampton |
| Suncorp Stadium | BB Print Stadium | Browne Park |
| Capacity: 52,500 | Capacity: 12,200 | Capacity: 8,000 |
| Games: 3 | Games: 2 | Games: 1 |
| Brisbane Mackay Rockhampton Sunshine Coast Townsville |||
| Sunshine Coast | Townsville | Townsville |
| Sunshine Coast Stadium | Queensland Country Bank Stadium | Queensland Country Bank Stadium |
| Capacity: 12,000 | Capacity: 25,000 | Capacity: 25,000 |
| Games: 1 | Games: 2 | Games: 2 |

## Finals structure

The system used for the 2021 NRL finals series is a final eight system. The top four teams in the eight receive the "double chance" when they play in week-one qualifying finals, such that if a top-four team loses in the first week it still remains in the finals, playing a semi-final the next week against the winner of an elimination final. The bottom four of the eight play knock-out games – only the winners survive and move on to the next week. Home ground advantage goes to the team with the higher ladder position in the first two weeks and to the qualifying final winners in the third week.
In the second week, the winners of the qualifying finals receive a bye to the third week. The losers of the qualifying final plays the elimination finals winners in a semi-final. In the third week, the winners of the semi-finals from week two play the winners of the qualifying finals in the first week. The winners of those matches move on to the Grand Final.

### Bracket

| Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Qualifying and elimination finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Preliminary finals | Grand final | Grand final | Grand final |
| 10 September – Sunshine Coast | 10 September – Sunshine Coast | 10 September – Sunshine Coast | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Melbourne Storm | 40 | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 12 | 17 September – Mackay | 17 September – Mackay | 17 September – Mackay | | | | |
| | | | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 42 | | | | |
| 11 September – Townsville | 11 September – Townsville | 11 September – Townsville | Sydney Roosters | Sydney Roosters | 6 | 25 September – Brisbane | 25 September – Brisbane | 25 September – Brisbane | | | |
| 5 | Sydney Roosters | 25 | | | | Melbourne Storm | Melbourne Storm | 6 | |
| 8 | Gold Coast Titans | 24 | | | | Penrith Panthers | Penrith Panthers | 10 | 3 October – Brisbane | 3 October – Brisbane | 3 October – Brisbane |
| | | | | | | | | | Penrith Panthers | Penrith Panthers | 14 |
| 12 September – Rockhampton | 12 September – Rockhampton | 12 September – Rockhampton | | | | 24 September – Brisbane | 24 September – Brisbane | 24 September – Brisbane | South Sydney Rabbitohs | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 12 |
| 6 | Parramatta Eels | 28 | | | | South Sydney Rabbitohs | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 36 | | |
| 7 | Newcastle Knights | 20 | 18 September – Mackay | 18 September – Mackay | 18 September – Mackay | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 16 | | |
| | | | Penrith Panthers | Penrith Panthers | 8 | | | | | | |
| 11 September – Townsville | 11 September – Townsville | 11 September – Townsville | Parramatta Eels | Parramatta Eels | 6 | | | | | |
| 2 | Penrith Panthers | 10 | | | | | | | | | |
| 3 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 16 | | | | | | | | |

### Summary

| Home | Score | Away | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information | Match Information |
| Home | Score | Away | Date and Time | Venue | Referee | Crowd |
| Qualifying & Elimination Finals | Qualifying & Elimination Finals | Qualifying & Elimination Finals | Qualifying & Elimination Finals | Qualifying & Elimination Finals | Qualifying & Elimination Finals | |
| Melbourne Storm | 40 – 12 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Friday, 10 September, 7:50pm | Sunshine Coast Stadium | Grant Atkins | 9,120 |
| Sydney Roosters | 25 – 24 | Gold Coast Titans | Saturday, 11 September, 5:40pm | Queensland Country Bank Stadium | Adam Gee | 15,237 |
| Penrith Panthers | 10 – 16 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Saturday, 11 September, 8:05pm | Queensland Country Bank Stadium | Gerard Sutton | 18,244 |
| Parramatta Eels | 28 – 20 | Newcastle Knights | Sunday, 12 September, 4:05pm | Browne Park | Ashley Klein | 5,087 |
| Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | Semi-Finals | |
| Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 42 – 6 | Sydney Roosters | Friday, 17 September, 7:50pm | BB Print Stadium | Gerard Sutton | 5,824 |
| Penrith Panthers | 8 – 6 | Parramatta Eels | Saturday, 18 September, 7:50pm | BB Print Stadium | Ashley Klein | 6,011 |
| Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | Preliminary Finals | |
| South Sydney Rabbitohs | 36 – 16 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Friday, 24 September, 8:05pm | Suncorp Stadium | Ashley Klein | 26,249 |
| Melbourne Storm | 6 – 10 | Penrith Panthers | Saturday, 25 September, 4:00pm | Suncorp Stadium | Gerard Sutton | 29,011 |
| Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | |
| Penrith Panthers | 14 – 12 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Sunday, 3 October, 6:30pm (AEST), 7:30pm (AEDT) | Suncorp Stadium | Gerard Sutton | 39,322 |

## Qualifying & Elimination Finals
### 1st Qualifying Final (Melbourne v Manly Warringah)

The First Qualifying Final saw the 1st placed Melbourne Storm against the 4th placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. This was the fifth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2012 Preliminary Final.
* Friday, 10 September 19:50 AEST (UTC+10)
| Melbourne Storm | 40 – 12 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Tries: 6 Papenhuyzen 39', 45' Lumelume 3' K Bromwich 10' Welch 14' Olam 77' Goals: 7 Papenhuyzen 5', 15', pen 24', 40', 47', pen 61', 78' (7/8) Field goals: 1 Papenhuyzen 80' (2 pt) | 1st: 24–6 2nd: 16–6 | Tries: 2 Saab 31', 51' Goals: 2 Garrick 32', 53' (2/2) |
* Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast Attendance: 9,120 Referee: Grant Atkins Bunker: Ashley Klein Touch judges: Todd Smith, Peter Gough
| FB | 1 | Ryan Papenhuyzen |
| WG | 2 | George Jennings |
| CE | 3 | Reimis Smith |
| CE | 4 | Justin Olam |
| WG | 5 | Isaac Lumelume |
| FE | 6 | Cameron Munster |
| HB | 7 | Jahrome Hughes |
| PR | 8 | Jesse Bromwich (c) |
| HK | 9 | Brandon Smith |
| PR | 10 | Christian Welch |
| SR | 11 | Felise Kaufusi |
| SR | 12 | Kenneath Bromwich |
| LK | 13 | Dale Finucane |
| Substitutes: ||
| IC | 14 | Harry Grant |
| IC | 15 | Tui Kamikamica |
| IC | 16 | Nelson Asofa-Solomona |
| IC | 17 | Nicho Hynes |
| Concussion Substitute: ||
| RE | 19 | Tom Eisenhuth |
| Coach: ||
| Craig Bellamy ||
| FB | 1 | Tom Trbojevic |
| WG | 2 | Jason Saab |
| CE | 3 | Brad Parker |
| CE | 4 | Morgan Harper |
| WG | 5 | Reuben Garrick |
| FE | 6 | Kieran Foran |
| HB | 7 | Daly Cherry-Evans (c) |
| PR | 8 | Josh Aloiai |
| HK | 15 | Karl Lawton |
| PR | 10 | Martin Taupau |
| SR | 11 | Haumole Olakau'atu |
| SR | 12 | Josh Schuster |
| LK | 13 | Jake Trbojevic |
| Substitutes: ||
| IC | 14 | Dylan Walker |
| IC | 16 | Sean Keppie |
| IC | 17 | Taniela Paseka |
| IC | 20 | Curtis Sironen |
| Concussion Substitute: ||
| RE | 19 | Moses Suli |
| Coach: ||
| Des Hasler ||

### 1st Elimination Final (Sydney v Gold Coast)

The First Elimination Final saw the 5th placed Sydney Roosters against the 8th placed Gold Coast Titans. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs after meeting in the 2010 Preliminary Final.
* Saturday, 11 September 17:40 AEST (UTC+10)
| Sydney Roosters | 25 – 24 | Gold Coast Titans |
| Tries: 4 Ikuvalu 24' Tedesco 32' Tupou 42' Morris 60' Goals: 4 Keighran pen 11', 34', 43', 61' (4/5) Field goals: 1 Walker 78' | 1st: 12–6 2nd: 13–18 | Tries: 4 Fermor 40' Fa'asuamaleaui 47' Kelly 55' Wallace 69' Goals: 4 Fogarty pen 14', 48', 56', 71' (4/5) Sin Bin: 1 Peachey 10' |
* Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 15,237 Referee: Adam Gee Bunker: Steve Chiddy Touch judges: Liam Kennedy, Chris Butler
| FB | 1 | James Tedesco (c) |
| WG | 2 | Daniel Tupou |
| CE | 3 | Josh Morris |
| CE | 4 | Adam Keighran |
| WG | 5 | Matt Ikuvalu |
| FE | 6 | Drew Hutchison |
| HB | 7 | Lachlan Lam |
| PR | 8 | Jared Waerea-Hargreaves |
| HK | 9 | Sam Verrills |
| PR | 15 | Isaac Liu |
| SR | 11 | Angus Crichton |
| SR | 12 | Sitili Tupouniua |
| LK | 13 | Victor Radley |
| Substitutes: ||
| IC | 10 | Siosuia Taukeiaho |
| IC | 14 | Sam Walker |
| IC | 16 | Egan Butcher |
| IC | 17 | Fletcher Baker |
| Concussion Substitute: ||
| RE | 18 | Dale Copley |
| Coach: ||
| Trent Robinson ||
| FB | 1 | Jayden Campbell |
| WG | 2 | Phillip Sami |
| CE | 3 | Brian Kelly |
| CE | 4 | Patrick Herbert |
| WG | 5 | Corey Thompson |
| FE | 6 | Tyrone Peachey |
| HB | 7 | Jamal Fogarty (c) |
| PR | 8 | Jarrod Wallace |
| HK | 9 | Mitch Rein |
| PR | 10 | Moeaki Fotuaika |
| SR | 11 | Kevin Proctor |
| SR | 12 | Beau Fermor |
| LK | 13 | Tino Fa'asuamaleaui |
| Substitutes: ||
| IC | 14 | Erin Clark |
| IC | 15 | Sam Lisone |
| IC | 16 | David Fifita |
| IC | 17 | Jaimin Jolliffe |
| Concussion Substitute: ||
| RE | 18 | Sam McIntyre |
| Coach: ||
| Justin Holbrook ||

### 2nd Qualifying Final (Penrith v South Sydney)

The Second Qualifying Final saw the 2nd placed Penrith Panthers against the 3rd placed South Sydney Rabbitohs. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs and a rematch of the 2020 Preliminary Final.
* Saturday, 11 September 19:50 AEST (UTC+10)
| Penrith Panthers | 10 – 16 | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Tries: 1 Crichton 9' Goals: 3 Cleary 10', pen 29', pen 40' (3/3) | 1st: 10–10 2nd: 0–6 | Tries: 2 Walker 25' Paulo 44' Goals: 4 Reynolds pen 4', 27', pen 35', pen 65' (4/5) |
* Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 18,244 Referee: Gerard Sutton Bunker: Alan Shortall Touch judges: Dave Munro, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
| FB | 2 | Stephen Crichton |
| WG | 5 | Brian To'o |
| CE | 3 | Paul Momirovski |
| CE | 4 | Matt Burton |
| WG | 20 | Charlie Staines |
| FE | 6 | Jarome Luai |
| HB | 7 | Nathan Cleary (c) |
| PR | 10 | James Fisher-Harris |
| HK | 9 | Apisai Koroisau |
| PR | 18 | Matthew Eisenhuth |
| SR | 12 | Kurt Capewell |
| SR | 17 | Liam Martin |
| LK | 13 | Isaah Yeo |
| Substitutes: ||
| IC | 11 | Viliame Kikau |
| IC | 14 | Mitch Kenny |
| IC | 15 | Spencer Leniu |
| IC | 16 | Tevita Pangai Junior |
| Concussion Substitute: ||
| RE | 19 | Izack Tago |
| Coach: ||
| Ivan Cleary ||
| FB | 1 | Blake Taaffe |
| WG | 2 | Alex Johnston |
| CE | 3 | Dane Gagai |
| CE | 4 | Campbell Graham |
| WG | 5 | Jaxson Paulo |
| FE | 6 | Cody Walker |
| HB | 7 | Adam Reynolds (c) |
| PR | 8 | Mark Nicholls |
| HK | 9 | Damien Cook |
| PR | 10 | Tevita Tatola |
| SR | 11 | Keaon Koloamatangi |
| SR | 12 | Jaydn Su'A |
| LK | 13 | Cameron Murray |
| Substitutes: ||
| IC | 14 | Benji Marshall |
| IC | 15 | Jacob Host |
| IC | 16 | Thomas Burgess |
| IC | 17 | Jai Arrow |
| Concussion Substitute: ||
| RE | 21 | Patrick Mago |
| Coach: ||
| Wayne Bennett ||

### 2nd Elimination Final (Parramatta v Newcastle)

The Second Elimination Final saw the 6th placed Parramatta Eels against the 7th placed Newcastle Knights. This was the fourth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2001 Grand Final.
* Sunday, 12 September 4:05pm
| Parramatta Eels | 28 – 20 | Newcastle Knights |
| Tries: 5 Ferguson 38', 48' Blake 10' Moses 36' Penisini pen 77' Goals: 4 Moses 11', 38', 50', 78' (4/5) | 1st: 16–10 2nd: 12–10 | Tries: 4 Tuala 2', 53', 58' Hunt 25' Goals: 2 Clifford 27', 54' (2/4) |
* Browne Park, Rockhampton Attendance: 5,087 Referee: Ashley Klein Bunker: Grant Atkins Touch judges: Phil Henderson, Jon Stone
| FB | 1 | Clinton Gutherson (c) |
| WG | 2 | Haze Dunster |
| CE | 3 | Will Penisini |
| CE | 4 | Waqa Blake |
| WG | 5 | Blake Ferguson |
| FE | 6 | Dylan Brown |
| HB | 7 | Mitchell Moses |
| PR | 8 | Reagan Campbell-Gillard |
| HK | 9 | Ray Stone |
| PR | 10 | Junior Paulo |
| SR | 11 | Shaun Lane |
| SR | 12 | Marata Niukore |
| LK | 13 | Nathan Brown |
| Substitutes: ||
| IC | 14 | Will Smith |
| IC | 15 | Bryce Cartwright |
| IC | 16 | Isaiah Papali'i |
| IC | 17 | Makahesi Makatoa |
| Concussion Substitute: ||
| RE | 20 | Tom Opacic |
| Coach: ||
| Brad Arthur ||
| FB | 1 | Kalyn Ponga |
| WG | 2 | Enari Tuala |
| CE | 3 | Kurt Mann |
| CE | 4 | Bradman Best |
| WG | 5 | Hymel Hunt |
| FE | 6 | Jake Clifford |
| HB | 7 | Mitchell Pearce |
| PR | 8 | Jacob Saifiti |
| HK | 9 | Jayden Brailey (c) |
| PR | 10 | Daniel Saifiti |
| SR | 11 | Tyson Frizell |
| SR | 12 | Mitchell Barnett |
| LK | 13 | Connor Watson |
| Substitutes: ||
| IC | 14 | Sauaso Sue |
| IC | 15 | David Klemmer |
| IC | 16 | Josh King |
| IC | 17 | Brodie Jones |
| Concussion Substitute: ||
| RE | 20 | Simi Sasagi |
| Coach: ||
| Adam O'Brien ||

## Semi-finals
### 1st Semi-Final (Manly Warringah v Sydney)

The First Semi-Final saw the loser of the First Qualifying Final, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles against the winner of the First Elimination Final, the Sydney Roosters. This was the ninth finals meeting between the clubs and the first since the 2013 Grand Final.
* Friday, 17 September 7:50pm
| Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 42 – 6 | Sydney Roosters |
| Tries: Tom Trbojevic (6', 46') 2 Kieran Foran (12') 1 Daly Cherry-Evans (18') 1 Morgan Harper (32') 1 Dylan Walker (48') 1 Jason Saab (69') 1 Goals: Reuben Garrick 7/7 (8', 14', 19', 34', 47', 50', 71') | 1st: 24 – 6 2nd: 18 – 0 | Tries: 1 (25') Matt Ikuvalu Goals: 1/2 Adam Keighran (40' pen) |
* BB Print Stadium, Mackay Attendance: 5,824 Referee: Gerard Sutton

### 2nd Semi-Final (Penrith v Parramatta)

The Second Semi-Final saw the loser of the Second Qualifying Final, the Penrith Panthers against the winner of the Second Elimination Final, the Parramatta Eels. This was the third finals meeting between the clubs and the first since the 2000 Semi-Final.
* Saturday, 18 September 7:50pm
| Penrith Panthers | 8 – 6 | Parramatta Eels |
| Tries: Kurt Capewell (17') 1 Goals: Nathan Cleary 2/2 (18', 40' pen) | 1st: 8 – 6 2nd: 0 – 0 | Tries: 1 (11') Waqa Blake Goals: 1/1 Mitchell Moses (12') |
* BB Print Stadium, Mackay Attendance: 6,011 Referee: Ashley Klein

## Preliminary Finals
### 2nd Preliminary Final (South Sydney v Manly Warringah)

The Second Preliminary Final saw the winner of the Second Qualifying Final, the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the winner of the First Semi-Final, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. This was the fourteenth finals meeting between these clubs and the first since the 2019 Semi-Final.
* Friday, 24 September 8:05pm
| South Sydney Rabbitohs | 36 – 16 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |
| Tries: Cody Walker (13', 29') 2 Jaxson Paulo (38', 60') 2 Alex Johnston (23', 80') 2 Campbell Graham (51') 1 Goals: Blake Taafe 4/7 (14', 24', 31', 52') | 1st: 22 – 0 2nd: 14 – 16 | Tries: 2 (44', 77') Reuben Garrick 1 (74') Tom Trbojevic Goals: 2/3 Reuben Garrick (45', 78') Sin Bin: (68') Josh Aloiai |
* Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 26,249 Referee: Ashley Klein

### 1st Preliminary Final (Melbourne v Penrith)

The First Preliminary Final saw the winner of the First Qualifying Final, the Melbourne Storm against the winner of the Second Semi-Final, the Penrith Panthers. This was the second finals meeting between these clubs and a rematch of the 2020 Grand Final.
* Saturday, 25 September 4:00pm
| Melbourne Storm | 6 – 10 | Penrith Panthers |
| Tries: Ryan Papenhuyzen (63') 1 Goals: Ryan Papenhuyzen 1/1 (65') | 1st: 0 – 6 2nd: 6 – 4 | Tries: 1 (3') Stephen Crichton 1 (43') Brian To'o Goals: 1/2 Nathan Cleary (5') |
* Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 29,011 Referee: Gerard Sutton

## Grand Final

The Grand Final saw the winner of the First Preliminary Final, the Penrith Panthers, against the winner of the Second Preliminary Final, the South Sydney Rabbitohs. This was the third finals meeting between the two sides, after the 2021 Qualifying Final, and the first Grand Final played between the teams.
* Sunday, 3 October 18:35 AEST (UTC+10)
| Penrith Panthers | 14 – 12 | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Tries: 2 Burton 17' Crichton 67' Goals: 3 Cleary 19', pen 33', 69' (3/3) | 1st: 8–6 2nd: 6–6 | Tries: 2 Walker 21' Johnston 75' Goals: 2 Reynolds 23', pen 45' (2/3) |
* Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 39,322 Referee: Gerard Sutton Touch judges: Dave Munro, Todd Smith Clive Churchill Medal: Nathan Cleary (Penrith)