2020 NRL Finals Series

The 2020 National Rugby League finals series was a tournament staged to determine the winner of the 2020 Telstra Premiership season. The series was played over four weekends in October, culminating in the 2020 NRL Grand Final on 25 October 2020 at ANZ Stadium. The Grand Final was ultimately won by the second-placed Melbourne Storm, who defeated the minor premiers the Penrith Panthers 26–20.

2020 NRL Finals Series
Duration2 Oct – 25 Oct 2020
Teams8
Premiers Melbourne Storm
Minor premiers Penrith Panthers
Matches played9
Broadcast partnersNine Network
Fox League
Top try-scorer(s) Ryan Papenhuyzen (4) Nathan Cleary (4)

The top eight teams from the 2020 NRL season qualify for the finals series. NRL finals series have been played under the current format since 2012.

Qualification

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Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1   Penrith Panthers 20 18 1 1 0 537 238 +299 37
2   Melbourne Storm (P) 20 16 0 4 0 534 276 +258 32
3   Parramatta Eels 20 15 0 5 0 392 288 +104 30
4   Sydney Roosters 20 14 0 6 0 552 322 +230 28
5   Canberra Raiders 20 14 0 6 0 445 317 +128 28
6   South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 12 0 8 0 521 352 +169 24
7   Newcastle Knights 20 11 1 8 0 421 374 +47 23
8   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 20 10 0 10 0 480 480 0 20
9   Gold Coast Titans 20 9 0 11 0 346 463 −117 18
10   New Zealand Warriors 20 8 0 12 0 343 458 −115 16
11   Wests Tigers 20 7 0 13 0 440 505 −65 14
12   St. George Illawarra Dragons 20 7 0 13 0 378 452 −74 14
13   Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 20 7 0 13 0 375 509 −134 14
14   North Queensland Cowboys 20 5 0 15 0 368 520 −152 10
15   Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20 3 0 17 0 282 504 −222 6
16   Brisbane Broncos 20 3 0 17 0 268 624 −356 6

Venues and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

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For the 2020 NRL Finals Series, the stadia will be permitted to hold up to 50% of capacity under New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland government guidelines.[1] For the preliminary finals Lang Park's permitted capacity was increased to 75%.[2]

Due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria, the Melbourne Storm will play their home finals at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane rather than their regular home ground of AAMI Park in Melbourne. Suncorp will hold two games, Canberra's GIO Stadium will host one match and Sydney will host the remaining six matches, between ANZ Stadium, Bankwest Stadium, Panthers Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground.[3]

Brisbane Canberra Sydney
Suncorp Stadium GIO Stadium ANZ Stadium
Capacity: 52,500 Capacity: 25,011 Capacity: 83,500
     
Games: 2 Games: 1 Games: 3
 
 
Sydney
(four venues)
Sydney
Bankwest Stadium Panthers Stadium Sydney Cricket Ground
Capacity: 30,000 Capacity: 22,500 Capacity: 46,000
     
Games: 1 Games: 1 Games: 1

Finals structure

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The system used for the 2020 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.[4]

Bracket

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Summary

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Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time (Local) Venue Referees Crowd
QUALIFYING & ELIMINATION FINALS
  Penrith Panthers 29 – 28   Sydney Roosters 2 October 2020, 7:50 pm Panthers Stadium Gerard Sutton 7,209
  Canberra Raiders 32 – 20   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 3 October 2020, 5:40 pm GIO Stadium Canberra Grant Atkins 9,602
  Melbourne Storm 36 – 24   Parramatta Eels 3 October 2020, 7:50 pm Suncorp Stadium Ashley Klein 16,238
  South Sydney Rabbitohs 46 – 20   Newcastle Knights 4 October 2020, 4:05 pm ANZ Stadium Ben Cummins 17,212
SEMI FINALS
  Sydney Roosters 18 – 22   Canberra Raiders 9 October 2020, 7:55 pm Sydney Cricket Ground Ashley Klein 18,110
  Parramatta Eels 24 – 38   South Sydney Rabbitohs 10 October 2020, 7:50 pm Bankwest Stadium Gerard Sutton 14,510
PRELIMINARY FINALS
  Melbourne Storm 30 – 10   Canberra Raiders 16 October 2020, 7:50 pm Suncorp Stadium Ashley Klein 37,112
  Penrith Panthers 20 – 16   South Sydney Rabbitohs 17 October 2020, 7:50 pm ANZ Stadium Gerard Sutton 30,116

† Match decided in extra time.

Qualifying & elimination finals

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1st Qualifying final

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Friday, 2 October
7:50pm
Penrith Panthers   29 – 28   Sydney Roosters
Tries:
Nathan Cleary (22', 27', 37') 3
Josh Mansour (16') 1
Stephen Crichton (49') 1
Goals:
Nathan Cleary 4/6
(23', 28', 39', 51')
Field Goals:
Nathan Cleary (78') 1
1st 22 – 10
2nd: 7 – 18
Tries:
2 (6', 64') Josh Morris
1 (9') Freddy Lussick
1 (53') James Tedesco
1 (79') Angus Crichton
Goals:
4/5 Kyle Flanagan
(7', 54', 65', 79')
Panthers Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 7,209
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Player of the Match:   Nathan Cleary
Team lists:
FB 1 Dylan Edwards
WG 2 Josh Mansour
CE 3 Brent Naden
CE 4 Stephen Crichton
WG 5 Brian To'o
FE 6 Jarome Luai
HB 7 Nathan Cleary
PR 8 James Tamou (c)
HK 9 Apisai Koroisau
PR 10 James Fisher-Harris
SR 11 Viliame Kikau
SR 12 Liam Martin
LK 13 Isaah Yeo
Substitutes:
IC 14 Tyrone May
IC 15 Kurt Capewell
IC 16 Moses Leota
IC 17 Zane Tetevano
Coach:
Ivan Cleary
FB 1 James Tedesco
WG 2 Daniel Tupou
CE 3 Josh Morris
CE 4 Joseph Manu
WG 5 Brett Morris
FE 6 Luke Keary
HB 7 Kyle Flanagan
PR 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
HK 9 Freddy Lussick
PR 10 Siosuia Taukeiaho
SR 11 Boyd Cordner (c)
SR 16 Angus Crichton
LK 13 Isaac Liu
Substitutes:
IC 12 Sitili Tupouniua
IC 15 Lindsay Collins
IC 18 Nat Butcher
IC 19 Mitchell Aubusson
Coach:
Trent Robinson

1st Elimination final

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Saturday, 3 October
5:40pm
Canberra Raiders   32 – 20   Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Tries:
Jack Wighton (47', 50') 2
George Williams (38', 58') 2
Joseph Tapine (9') 1
Elliott Whitehead (67') 1
Goals:
Jarrod Croker 4/6
(11', 48', 51', 59')
1st: 10 – 14
2nd: 22 – 6
Tries:
1 (19') Ronaldo Mulitalo
1 (27') Blayke Brailey
1 (79') Sione Katoa
Goals:
4/5 Chad Townsend
(6' pen, 23' pen, 28', 80')
GIO Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 9,602
Referee: Grant Atkins
Player of the Match:   Jack Wighton
Team lists:
FB 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
WG 2 Semi Valemei
CE 3 Jarrod Croker (c)
CE 4 Jordan Rapana
WG 5 Nick Cotric
FE 6 Jack Wighton
HB 7 George Williams
PR 8 Josh Papalii
HK 9 Tom Starling
PR 15 Sia Soliola
SR 11 John Bateman
SR 12 Elliott Whitehead
LK 13 Joseph Tapine
Substitutes:
IC 10 Dunamis Lui
IC 14 Siliva Havili
IC 16 Hudson Young
IC 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Coach:
Ricky Stuart
FB 1 William Kennedy
WG 2 Sione Katoa
CE 3 Josh Dugan
CE 4 Jesse Ramien
WG 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
FE 6 Connor Tracey
HB 7 Chad Townsend
PR 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
HK 9 Blayke Brailey
PR 13 Toby Rudolf
SR 11 Briton Nikora
SR 12 Wade Graham (c)
LK 14 Siosifa Talakai
Substitutes:
IC 10 Aaron Woods
IC 15 Scott Sorensen
IC 16 Andrew Fifita
IC 17 Jack Williams
Coach:
John Morris

2nd Qualifying final

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Saturday, 3 October
7:50pm
Melbourne Storm   36 – 24   Parramatta Eels
Tries:
Ryan Papenhuyzen (33', 63') 2
Suliasi Vunivalu (30') 1
Josh Addo-Carr (43') 1
Jesse Bromwich (55') 1
Brenko Lee (58') 1
Goals:
Cameron Smith 6/6
(32', 34', 44', 56', 59', 64')
1st: 12 – 12
2nd: 24 – 12
Tries:
1 (2') Nathan Brown
1 (22') Clinton Gutherson
1 (50') Blake Ferguson
1 (67') Shaun Lane
Goals:
4/4 Mitchell Moses
(3', 23', 51', 69')
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 16,238
Referee: Ashley Klein
Player of the Match:   Ryan Papenhuyzen
Team lists:
FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
WG 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
CE 3 Brenko Lee
CE 4 Justin Olam
WG 5 Josh Addo-Carr
FE 6 Cameron Munster
HB 7 Jahrome Hughes
PR 8 Jesse Bromwich
HK 9 Cameron Smith (c)
PR 10 Christian Welch
SR 11 Felise Kaufusi
SR 12 Kenny Bromwich
LK 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Substitutes:
IC 14 Brandon Smith
IC 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
IC 17 Nicho Hynes
IC 22 Chris Lewis
Coach:
Craig Bellamy
FB 1 Clinton Gutherson (c)
WG 2 Maika Sivo
CE 3 Michael Jennings
CE 4 Waqa Blake
WG 5 Blake Ferguson
FE 6 Dylan Brown
HB 7 Mitchell Moses
PR 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
HK 9 Reed Mahoney
PR 10 Junior Paulo
SR 11 Shaun Lane
SR 12 Ryan Matterson
LK 13 Nathan Brown
Substitutes:
IC 14 Will Smith
IC 15 Andrew Davey
IC 16 Kane Evans
IC 17 Marata Niukore
Coach:
Brad Arthur

2nd Elimination final

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Sunday, 4 October
4:05pm
South Sydney Rabbitohs   46 – 20   Newcastle Knights
Tries:
Alex Johnston (24', 69') 2
Tevita Tatola (62', 75') 2
Corey Allan (16') 1
Cody Walker (20') 1
Cameron Murray (36') 1
Damian Cook (76') 1
Goals:
Adam Reynolds 6/8
(21', 38', 48' pen, 63', 71', 75')
Dane Gagai 1/1
(78')
1st: 20 – 14
2nd: 26 – 6
Tries:
2 (2', 80') Hymel Hunt
1 (7') Bradman Best
Goals:
3/3 Kalyn Ponga
(3', 9', 12' pen)
1/1 Aidan Guerra
(80')
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 17,212
Referee: Ben Cummins
Player of the Match:   Damien Cook
Team lists:
FB 1 Corey Allan
WG 2 Alex Johnston
CE 3 Campbell Graham
CE 4 Dane Gagai
WG 5 Jaxson Paulo
FE 6 Cody Walker
HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c)
PR 8 Tevita Tatola
HK 9 Damien Cook
PR 10 Thomas Burgess
SR 12 Bayley Sironen
SR 15 Liam Knight
LK 13 Cameron Murray
Substitutes:
IC 11 Jaydn Su'A
IC 14 Mark Nicholls
IC 16 Jed Cartwright
IC 17 Keaon Koloamatangi
Coach:
Wayne Bennett
FB 1 Kalyn Ponga
WG 2 Edrick Lee
CE 3 Enari Tuala
CE 4 Bradman Best
WG 5 Hymel Hunt
FE 9 Kurt Mann
HB 7 Mitchell Pearce (c)
PR 8 David Klemmer
HK 14 Chris Randall
PR 10 Daniel Saifiti
SR 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
SR 13 Mitchell Barnett
LK 16 Herman Ese'ese
Substitutes:
IC 12 Aidan Guerra
IC 15 Jacob Saifiti
IC 17 Sione Mata'utia
IC 20 Tex Hoy
Coach:
Adam O'Brien

Semi-finals

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1st Semi-final

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Friday, 9 October
7:55pm
Sydney Roosters   18 – 22   Canberra Raiders
Tries:
James Tedesco (36', 75') 2
Joseph Manu (58') 1
Goals:
Kyle Flanagan 3/3
(38', 59', 76')
1st: 6 – 16
2nd: 12 – 6
Tries:
1 (5') Josh Papalii
1 (18') George Williams
1 (23') Joseph Tapine
1 (69') Jack Wighton
Goals:
3/4 Jarrod Croker
(6', 20', 71')
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Attendance: 18,110
Referee: Ashley Klein
Player of the Match:   Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Team lists:
FB 1 James Tedesco
WG 2 Daniel Tupou
CE 3 Josh Morris
CE 4 Joseph Manu
WG 5 Brett Morris
FE 6 Luke Keary
HB 7 Kyle Flanagan
PR 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
HK 9 Jake Friend (c)
PR 10 Siosuia Taukeiaho
SR 11 Boyd Cordner (c)
SR 16 Mitchell Aubusson
LK 13 Isaac Liu
Substitutes:
IC 12 Angus Crichton
IC 15 Sitili Tupouniua
IC 17 Sonny Bill Williams
IC 18 Nat Butcher
Coach:
Trent Robinson
FB 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
WG 2 Semi Valemei
CE 3 Jarrod Croker (c)
CE 4 Jordan Rapana
WG 5 Nick Cotric
FE 6 Jack Wighton
HB 7 George Williams
PR 8 Josh Papalii
HK 14 Siliva Havili
PR 16 Hudson Young
SR 11 John Bateman
SR 12 Elliott Whitehead
LK 13 Joseph Tapine
Substitutes:
IC 9 Tom Starling
IC 10 Sia Soliola
IC 15 Dunamis Lui
IC 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Coach:
Ricky Stuart

2nd Semi-final

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Saturday, 10 October
7:50pm
Parramatta Eels   24 – 38   South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tries:
Clinton Gutherson (24', 29') 2
George Jennings (26', 75') 2
Goals:
Mitchell Moses 4/4
(25', 27', 30', 76')
1st: 18 – 8
2nd: 6 – 30
Tries:
2 (17', 71') Jaxson Paulo
1 (46') Liam Knight
1 (55') Cameron Murray
1 (63') Bayley Sironen
1 (79') Damien Cook
Goals:
7/7 Adam Reynolds
(5' pen, 19', 48', 56', 64', 72', 80')
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 14,510
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Player of the Match:   Damien Cook
Team lists:
FB 1 Clinton Gutherson (c)
WG 2 George Jennings
CE 4 Waqa Blake
CE 19 Brad Takairangi
WG 20 Haze Dunster
FE 6 Dylan Brown
HB 7 Mitchell Moses
PR 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
HK 9 Reed Mahoney
PR 10 Junior Paulo
SR 11 Shaun Lane
SR 12 Ryan Matterson
LK 13 Nathan Brown
Substitutes:
IC 14 Will Smith
IC 15 Andrew Davey
IC 16 Kane Evans
IC 17 Ray Stone
Coach:
Brad Arthur
FB 1 Corey Allan
WG 2 Alex Johnston
CE 3 Campbell Graham
CE 4 Dane Gagai
WG 5 Jaxson Paulo
FE 6 Cody Walker
HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c)
PR 8 Tevita Tatola
HK 9 Damien Cook
PR 10 Thomas Burgess
SR 11 Jaydn Su'A
SR 12 Bayley Sironen
LK 13 Cameron Murray
Substitutes:
IC 14 Mark Nicholls
IC 15 Liam Knight
IC 16 Jed Cartwright
IC 17 Keaon Koloamatangi
Coach:
Wayne Bennett

Preliminary finals

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1st Preliminary Final

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Friday, 16 October
7:50pm
Melbourne Storm   30 – 10   Canberra Raiders
Tries:
Jesse Bromwich (4') 1
Ryan Papenhuyzen (6') 1
Suliasi Vunivalu (9') 1
Justin Olam (22') 1
Dale Finucane (62') 1
Goals:
Cameron Smith 5/6
(6', 8', 15' pen, 24', 63')
1st: 24 – 6
2nd: 6 – 4
Tries:
2 (29', 71') Nick Cotric
Goals:
1/2 Jarrod Croker
(31')
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 37,112
Referee: Ashley Klein
Player of the Match:   Jahrome Hughes
Team lists:
FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
WG 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
CE 3 Brenko Lee
CE 4 Justin Olam
WG 5 Josh Addo-Carr
FE 6 Cameron Munster
HB 7 Jahrome Hughes
PR 8 Jesse Bromwich
HK 9 Cameron Smith (c)
PR 10 Christian Welch
SR 11 Felise Kaufusi
SR 12 Kenny Bromwich
LK 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Substitutes:
IC 14 Brandon Smith
IC 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
IC 17 Nicho Hynes
IC 18 Dale Finucane
Coach:
Craig Bellamy
FB 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
WG 2 Semi Valemei
CE 3 Jarrod Croker (c)
CE 4 Jordan Rapana
WG 5 Nick Cotric
FE 6 Jack Wighton
HB 7 George Williams
PR 8 Josh Papalii
HK 14 Siliva Havili
PR 16 Hudson Young
SR 11 John Bateman
SR 12 Elliott Whitehead
LK 13 Joseph Tapine
Substitutes:
IC 9 Tom Starling
IC 10 Sia Soliola
IC 15 Dunamis Lui
IC 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Coach:
Ricky Stuart

2nd Preliminary Final

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Saturday, 17 October
7:50pm
Penrith Panthers   20 – 16   South Sydney Rabbitohs
Tries:
Brian To'o (8') 1
Tyrone May (27') 1
Dylan Edwards (67') 1
Goals:
Nathan Cleary 4/4
(9', 29', 40' pen, 69')
1st: 14 – 6
2nd: 6 – 10
Tries:
1 (5') Alex Johnston
1 (50') Dane Gagai
1 (73') Corey Allan
Goals:
2/4 Adam Reynolds
(6', 51')
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 30,116
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Player of the Match:   Apisai Koroisau
Team lists:
FB 1 Dylan Edwards
WG 2 Josh Mansour
CE 4 Stephen Crichton
CE 14 Tyrone May
WG 5 Brian To'o
FE 6 Jarome Luai
HB 7 Nathan Cleary
PR 8 James Tamou (c)
HK 9 Apisai Koroisau
PR 10 James Fisher-Harris
SR 11 Kurt Capewell
SR 12 Liam Martin
LK 13 Isaah Yeo
Substitutes:
IC 3 Brent Naden
IC 16 Moses Leota
IC 17 Zane Tetevano
IC 18 Mitch Kenny
Coach:
Ivan Cleary
FB 1 Corey Allan
WG 2 Alex Johnston
CE 4 Dane Gagai
CE 12 Bayley Sironen
WG 5 Jaxson Paulo
FE 6 Cody Walker
HB 7 Adam Reynolds (c)
PR 8 Tevita Tatola
HK 9 Damien Cook
PR 10 Thomas Burgess
SR 11 Jaydn Su'A
SR 13 Cameron Murray
LK 15 Liam Knight
Substitutes:
IC 14 Mark Nicholls
IC 16 Jed Cartwright
IC 17 Keaon Koloamatangi
IC 19 Hame Sele
Coach:
Wayne Bennett

Grand Final

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2020 NRL Grand Final
Sunday, 25 October
19:40 AEDT (UTC+11)
Penrith Panthers   20 – 26   Melbourne Storm
Tries: 4
To'o   52'
Crichton   68'
Mansour   71'
Cleary   79'
Goals: 2
Cleary   53', 69' (2/3)
1st: 0–22
2nd: 20–4
Report
Tries: 4
Olam   (penalty) 3'
Vunivalu   30'
C. Smith   39'
Papenhuzen   45'
Goals: 5
C. Smith   4', pen 22', pen 26', 31', 40' (5/6)
Sin Bins: 2
Hughes 70'
B. Smith 79'
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 37,303[5]
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch judges: Chris Butler, Todd Smith
Clive Churchill Medal: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Melbourne)
Team lists:
FB 1 Dylan Edwards
WG 2 Josh Mansour
CE 3 Brent Naden
CE 4 Stephen Crichton
WG 5 Brian To'o
FE 6 Jarome Luai
HB 7 Nathan Cleary
PR 8 James Tamou (c)
HK 9 Apisai Koroisau
PR 10 James Fisher-Harris
SR 11 Viliame Kikau
SR 12 Liam Martin
LK 13 Isaah Yeo
Substitutes:
IC 14 Tyrone May
IC 15 Kurt Capewell
IC 16 Moses Leota
IC 17 Zane Tetevano
Coach:
Ivan Cleary
FB 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
WG 2 Suliasi Vunivalu
CE 3 Brenko Lee
CE 4 Justin Olam
WG 5 Josh Addo-Carr
FE 6 Cameron Munster
HB 7 Jahrome Hughes
PR 8 Jesse Bromwich
HK 9 Cameron Smith (c)
PR 10 Christian Welch
SR 11 Felise Kaufusi
SR 12 Kenny Bromwich
LK 13 Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Substitutes:
IC 14 Brandon Smith
IC 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
IC 16 Dale Finucane
IC 17 Nicho Hynes
Coach:
Craig Bellamy

References

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  1. ^ "Sports crowds to double at NSW stadiums". Austadiums. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  2. ^ "Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders Tickets". Ticketek. Retrieved 11 October 2020. With the increase in capacity at Suncorp Stadium to 75%, new measures have been developed to ensure the safety of you and others.
  3. ^ "Everything you need to know: Week one of the 2020 finals". National Rugby League. 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  4. ^ "NRL finals format explained: How do the NRL finals work?". The Roar. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  5. ^ "Master and commander: Smith shines as Storm hold off Panthers comeback". NRL.com. 25 October 2020.