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Penrith have to bounce back against Parramatta while Manly face the Sydney Roosters as the NRL finals heads to Mackay in week two.
WHO PLAYS WHO IN NRL FINALS, WEEK TWO (All times AEST)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
First semi-final
Manly v Sydney Roosters at BB Print Stadium, Mackay, 7.50pm
The Sea Eagles were no match for a dominant Melbourne in Friday's qualifying final at Sunshine Coast Stadium, with superstar Tom Trbojevic shackled superbly by the Storm. The Roosters just got home in an epic final against Gold Coast in Townsville on Saturday with teenager Sam Walker kicking a winning field goal in the 78th minute. The Sea Eagles have lost four of their past five clashes with the Roosters including a 46-4 loss in the opening round of the season. This is the first time these two clubs have met in a final since the 2013 grand final, which the Roosters won 26-18, giving Sea Eagles' halves pairing Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran a long-awaited shot at some small revenge.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Second semi-final
Penrith v Parramatta at BB Print Stadium, Mackay, 7.50pm
Penrith have to find a way to bounce back after their shock loss to South Sydney in Saturday's qualifying final in Townsville. What could have been a week off heading into a preliminary final against Manly or the Roosters is now a must-win game against Parramatta and then a prelim against a rested Melbourne. The Eels just got home in a tougher than expected clash in Rockhampton against Newcastle on Sunday and will be desperate to reach a grand final qualifier for the first time in Brad Arthur's tenure. Penrith belted an understrength Eels in the final round of the regular season but in round 16 it took a Matt Burton field goal to secure the Panthers a one-point win over the Eels. Parramatta will have nothing to lose while all the burden of expectation will be on Ivan Cleary's team.
