Gorden Tallis said the AFL grand final “shouldn’t stop our game” after the NRL confirmed it wouldn’t hold a preliminary final on the same day.
For the first time, the NRL has gone with a Friday night/Sunday combination for its preliminary finals.
The Storm will play the winner of the Raiders/Sharks semi-final on Friday, September 26 at AAMI Park, while the Broncos will host the winner of the Bulldogs/Panthers semi at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, September 28.
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It means one team will have nine days to prepare for the grand final, with the other team only having seven days.
“Sunday afternoon’s been going gangbusters for the NRL in the finals,” reporter Brent Read said on NRL 360 on Monday night.
“Yesterday’s game (between the Raiders and the Broncos) went through the roof.
“So I can sort of understand why they’ve done it but it does give whoever wins that game on (the) Friday night a bit of an edge going into the grand final.”
Co-host Gorden Tallis felt the Storm’s preliminary final should have been played on the Saturday night, after the AFL grand final.
“So why don’t they move Storm to Saturday? I know it’s the AFL grand final,” Tallis added.
“But it’s going to be finished for two hours, and they’re playing in the same precinct.”
Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield pointed out the enormity of the occasion of AFL grand final day in Melbourne.
“I just think Melbourne stops the city on AFL grand final day,” Rothfield said.
Tallis then interjected.
“Shouldn’t stop our game,” Tallis said.
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Rothfield echoed the sentiments of Tallis.
“I’d probably agree,” Rothfield said.
“And I think Ready makes a fair point that one team gets nine days to prepare.
“One team gets nine days to prepare, the other gets seven.
“The NRL have fallen in love with Sunday afternoon football.
“They love it.”
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