NRL ON NINE: ROUND 25
LAST CHANCE TO IMPRESS BEFORE FINALS
NRL Round 25 on Nine, the final week of the regular season, is here – with the top eight all but locked in, and the finishing order to be decided.
But before the finals commence in eight days, a blockbuster clash awaits tonight on Macca’s Thursday Night Footy when the Rabbitohs and Roosters meet in the latest chapter of rugby league’s longest-running rivalry. As two teams that could be playing each other in the first week of the finals, this encounter is a tantalisng preview of things to come.
While the Rabbitohs got the better of the defending premiers in Round 1 this year, the Roosters will start favourites due to their scintillating recent form. They get a huge boost with the return of captain Boyd Cordner and champion halfback Cooper Cronk, but lose forward Siosiua Taukeiaho to injury.
The Bunnies, who have found the winning groove again, need the dynamic duo of Damien Cook and Adam Reynolds to be at their best to get on top. Cameron Murray’s contest with the Roosters’ Victory Radley will be a key match-up as two of the most impressive young back-rowers in the game look to outdo the other.
VB Friday Night Footy is a final tune-up for this year’s minor premiers, the Melbourne Storm, at home against a plucky Cowboys outfit. For the Storm, Cameron Munster is sidelined with injury, Josh Addo-Carr has been rested, and Brodie Croft is recalled to partner Jahrome Hughes in the halves.
Former Storm forward Jordan McLean runs out for the Cowboys with a bone to pick with his former teammates, while Jason Taumalolo and Michael Morgan want to end a disappointing season with a win against the odds.
In Macca’s Saturday Night Footy, the Dragons head to the Gold Coast to face the Titans. After a season to forget, both want to salvage a win in their last game. For the home side, the versatile Tyrone Peachey shifts into the centres and A.J. Brimson partners Ryley Jacks in the halves.
St George are also experimenting with changes. Corey Norman returns at fullback, shifting young star Tristan Sailor to the wing, and Reece Robson comes into the side at hooker. Five-eighth Gareth Widdop will farewell Australia in his final NRL game, hoping to go out a victor.
In the last game of the round, the Panthers and Knights do battle on Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy. With a new coach, Adam O’Brien, taking over in 2020, the Knights will be keen to end their season on a positive note, led by Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce, with Kurt Mann starting from the bench.
James Maloney, who is heading to France to play in the Super League, bids farewell to the NRL in this game and the Panthers want to send him out with a win. NSW Origin halfback Nathan Cleary will be doing everything in his power to make that happen.
BROADCAST TIMES
Tonight – September 5
Rabbitohs vs Roosters
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GO!
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GO!
Friday – September 6
Storm vs Cowboys
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GO!
Saturday – September 7
Titans vs Dragons
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 9GO!
Sunday – September 8
Panthers vs Knights
Sydney 3.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 3.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 2.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 1.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
FIVE DAYS OF FOOTY LIVE ON NINE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5:
MACCA’S THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTY – Rabbitohs vs Roosters, LIVE from ANZ Stadium at 7.30pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Ray Warren, Paul Vautin, Andrew Johns, Ruan Sims, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler, Danika Mason, Darren Lockyer.
9Now extra feeds available: Two different player cams, corner post cam.
MACCA’S GOLDEN POINT – LIVE from ANZ Stadium following Rabbitohs vs Roosters. It explores the big stories to come from the game and has exclusive behind-the-scenes access to players and coaches on the field and in the sheds.
WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS LIVE BLOG – Follow Darren Lockyer on Macca’s Thursday Night Footy as he blogs his thoughts LIVE during the game at Wide World of Sports, sharing analysis from his expert perspective.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6:
VB FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – Storm vs Cowboys, LIVE from AAMI Park at 7.30pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: Erin Molan, Phil Gould, Billy Slater, Brad Fittler, Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Mat Thompson.
9Now extra feeds available: Player cam, coach cam, match statistics.
FRIDAY NIGHT KNOCK OFF – LIVE from AAMI Park following Storm vs Cowboys. It explores the big stories to come from the game and has exclusive behind-the-scenes access to players and coaches on the field and in the sheds.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7:
MACCA’S SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTY – Titans vs Dragons, LIVE from Cbus Super Stadium at 7.00pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: Danika Mason, Phil Gould, Paul Vautin, Peter Sterling, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Peter Psaltis.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8:
SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday at 10.00am AEST, LIVE on Nine. This week: host James Bracey is joined by Peter FitzSimons, former Australian tennis ace Sam Groth, retired Hawthorn AFL star Shane Crawford, former Australian netball captain Liz Ellis, plus Mark Taylor, on the panel to discuss the latest Ashes action.
SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – LIVE from 11.00am AEST on Nine. Host Erin Molan will cover all the Round 25 action so far with Peter Sterling, Brad Fittler and guest Billy Slater, who joins the panel to talk about the launch of his new app.
SUNDAY FOOTY – Canterbury Cup NSW: Qualifying Final – Dragons vs Bulldogs, LIVE from Campbelltown Stadium at 1.00pm AEST on 9Gem for NSW viewers ONLY.
Hosts and commentators: Matt de Groot, Jamie Soward, Danika Mason.
SUNDAY FOOTY – Intrust Cup QLD: Elimination Final – Norths Devils vs Eastern Suburbs Tigers, LIVE from Bishop Park at 1.00pm AEST on 9Gem for QLD viewers ONLY.
Hosts and commentators: Peter Psaltis, Scott Sattler, Adam Jackson.
CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY KICK OFF – LIVE from Panthers Stadium at 3.00pm AEST on Nine ahead of Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy. A preview of the upcoming action from the best minds in the game.
CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY FOOTY – Panthers vs Knights, LIVE from Panthers Stadium at 4.00pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Andrew Johns, Peter Sterling, Allana Ferguson, Brad Fittler, Darren Lockyer, Mat Thompson.
9Now extra feeds available: Two different player cams, corner post cam.
NRL ON NINE INSTAGRAM TAKEOVER – Follow Allana Ferguson LIVE during Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy as she takes over the NRL on Nine Instagram account and shares her thoughts and views on the game.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9:
100% FOOTY – 9.50pm AEST on Nine. 100% Footy is the home of the strongest opinions in rugby league from the people who count. Phil Gould returns with Paul Gallen, alongside Darren Lockyer, journalist Danny Weidler and host James Bracey.
PODCAST – SIX TACKLES WITH GUS
James Bracey discusses the biggest issues of the week with rugby league legend and expert commentator Phil Gould on Six Tackles with Gus.
This week:
Why the bar was set so low to make the top eight this season
Is the expansion debate just a convenient distraction?
Why the Titans and Dragons should play 12-a-side this weekend
Podcast available for download here: Round 25 – Six Tackles with Gus
Live streaming for Nine’s NRL programming available on 9Now
