Week 1 of the NRL finals will be finalised after the completion of Saturday afternoon’s clash between Penrith and St George Illawarra.
The top six spots are locked in with Penrith set to claim seventh if they knock over the Dragons.
But if they lose, the premiers will enter the playoffs in eighth spot with the Roosters rising to seventh after their emphatic win over South Sydney on Friday night.
The ninth-placed Dolphins cannot catch the Roosters even if they beat the Raiders on Sunday while Manly are also out of the equation despite beating the Warriors on Friday evening.
Minor premiers Canberra will host Brisbane in one qualifying final after the Broncos sealed fourth spot with their win over Melbourne on Thursday night.
Melbourne will take on Canterbury at AAMI Park in the other qualifying final.
The winners of the qualifying finals will go straight to week three of the playoffs while the losers will face whoever advances from the elimination finals.
Cronulla will finish fifth irrespective of the outcome of their Saturday night stoush with the Bulldogs and be at home in their opening playoff against the Roosters – or the Panthers if they are upset by the Dragons.
The Warriors will have home-ground advantage for the other eliminator, likely facing the Panthers.
>> How the NRL finals system works
Possible Week 1 finals draw
Qualifying Final: Friday, September 12, 7.50pm (EST), AAMI Park
Melbourne Storm (2) v Canterbury Bulldogs (3)
Elimination Final: Saturday, September 13, 4.05pm (EST), Go Media Stadium
(6) NZ Warriors v (7) Penrith Panthers or Roosters
Elimination Final: Saturday, September 13, 7.50pm (EST), Sharks Stadium
(5) Cronulla Sharks v (8) Sydney Roosters or Panthers
Qualifying Final: Sunday, September 14, 4.05pm (EST), GIO Stadium
(1) Canberra Raiders v (4) Brisbane Broncos
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