Bitter rivals could square off to open finals series
Old enemies the Roosters and Rabbitohs are being lined up to provide the NRL with a promoter's dream, considered the first-choice option to open the finals series should they be pitted against each other.
Such is the permutations heading into the final round of the season with seven of the top eight teams split by just two points, the NRL has been forced to gauge the venue availability of five different grounds with so little certainty about the finals make-up.
Near minor premiership certainties Melbourne are almost guaranteed to host an opening-week final at AAMI Park, but the NRL also has contingencies for clashes at Sydney's two main venues, ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium, as well as Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium and Auckland's Mt Smart.
But it is the mouth-watering possibility of the Roosters and Rabbitohs writing another chapter into the Book of Feuds which excites most should they maintain their top-four positions after the finals round.
A Friday night blockbuster between the old rivals would most likely be scheduled for Allianz Stadium on a Friday night, gifting the NRL a crowd-pulling opener to start September.
Only earlier this month the usually reserved Roosters co-captain Boyd Cordner joked Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe was "bitter" after the Hollywood megastar claimed the Bondi club would forever be in South Sydney's shadow.
The Roosters shaded a tense clash against Anthony Seibold's side in round 22, but neither team has won a game since.
They still hold down second and third on the ladder, though, and can secure those positions with wins over wooden spooners Parramatta and the out-of-contention Tigers this round.
Arch rivals and 2016 grand finalists Melbourne and Cronulla are also on course for another showdown in the opening week of the finals if the top four maintain their ladder positions.
The NRL would be reticent to schedule either the Sharks and Broncos on Friday night to open the finals series given both would be lugged with five-day turnarounds.
Cronulla are scheduled to play the Bulldogs on the final day of the regular season this weekend while the Broncos will host struggling Manly.
It means a potential Roosters-Rabbitohs clash could be used as a blockbuster to open the finals series at Moore Park – if the tricolours earn hosting rights.
It would also avoid a clash with the all-Sydney AFL elimination final between the Swans and Giants at the SCG on Saturday evening, which would create a logistical nightmare in the Moore Park precinct if an NRL final was played at the same time next door.
Scheduling the Storm to play at AAMI Park on Saturday would also give the NRL clear air, dodging the Geelong-Melbourne elimination final scheduled for the MCG on Friday night.
The Broncos and Warriors are also poised to seize hosting rights in week one of the finals as the out-of-sorts Panthers and Dragons desperately cling to fifth and sixth spot respectively.
But if Penrith can't upset the Storm in Melbourne and St George Illawarra fail to topple the Knights, they will forfeit home-ground advantage should both the Broncos and Warriors (home to the Raiders) notch last-round wins.
The NRL will have little option but to schedule the Broncos on a Sunday given the Wallabies' Rugby Championship clash with South Africa is slated for Suncorp Stadium on September 8.
It rules out the chance of Brisbane – should they wrangle their way into fifth or sixth – filling one of the two Saturday evening timeslots in the opening week of the finals, forcing the do-or-die final to be played less than 24 hours after the rugby union Test.