Grand Final Week Schedule - NRL Footy Finals

The Telstra Premiership Grand Final Lunch replaces the traditional Grand Final Breakfast for the first time. The lunch will be broadcast live on FOX Sports and is attended by the Telstra Premiership Grand Final teams, club officials, NRL guests, sponsor and commercial partners and media.

Thursday, October 3: NRL Grand Final Fan Day and Teams Presentation, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (10am-2pm family activities; 3-5.30pm team presentation and activities on stage);

NRL Grand Final Members Party, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Haymarket (5-7pm); and
Channel Nine Grand Final Footy Show, Sydney Entertainment Centre, Haymarket (7.30-9.30pm)

Prior to and following the official NRL Grand Final Teams Lunch, the day is devoted to Rugby League fans and members with three exciting events.

Skills clinics, family-friendly activities, will be part of the FREE NRL Grand Final Fan Day at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour. The teams will be presented on stage between 3.15-4pm.
The NRL Grand Final Members Party at the Sydney Entertainment Centre is an invite-only event for NRL Club members.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.com.au for Channel Nine’s Grand Final Footy Show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre from 7.30-9.30pm which will feature members of the Grand Final teams in their final appearance before Sunday’s Telstra Premiership Grand Final.

Friday, October 4: Grand Final Fun Day (MUST REGISER), Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park (10am-3pm)

Up to 800 young fans will get a taste of an NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Day when they experience all the excitement and atmosphere of Rugby League’s biggest day of the year.

2013 AAMI Country Rugby League Player of the Year, Doltone House, Hyde Park (7pm for 7.30pm start)

The Country Rugby League celebrates its night of nights with the announcement of the AAMI Country Rugby League Player of the Year.

Saturday, October 5: Kangaroos Reunion Lunch, SCG (12-4pm)
Reunion of past and present Kangaroos players attending along with Kiwi Internationals in Australia.
Grand Final Fan Site, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (3-7pm)
Autograph signing and FREE special live performance by Jessica Mauboy and guests (3-4.30pm – autograph signing; 4.30-7pm – live performances).
Sunday, October 6: 2013 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final Day, ANZ Stadium (from 11am)

Grand Final Day is the culmination of an exciting week of events and a season of amazing Rugby League with over 80,000 fans attending ANZ Stadium to be part of the biggest game of the year.
The Grand Final Precinct will feature Rugby League skills clinics, entertainment, competitions, prizes, giveaways and One Community Ambassadors.

International artist Ricky Martin will headline the Grand Final Entertainment which will also feature a tribute to retiring players and Jessica Mauboy performing the national anthem.

More than 3million viewers across metropolitan and regional Australia are expected to tune into the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final on Channel Nine.

11.00am  -   Gates Open – Telstra Grand Final Precinct
1.30pm  -   Gates Open – ANZ Stadium
1.50pm  -   Kick-off - VB NSW Cup Grand Final
3.55pm  -   Kick-off - Holden Cup Grand Final
6.53pm  -   Pre-match Entertainment   

• Presentation to Retiring Players
• Ricky Martin Performs
• National Anthem – Jessica Mauboy

7.18pm  - Kick-off - NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final

Grand Final Fan Site/ Live Site, Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour (3.30-9.30pm)


The Grand Final Day fun continues from mid-afternoon as Tumbalong Park becomes a live site where a big screen will broadcast all of the action live from ANZ Stadium with the screening of the 2013 Telstra Premiership Grand Final. The live broadcast will start at 3.55pm with the Holden Cup Grand Final.

Why Has Sydney Jumped on the Warriors Bandwagon?

The big game might be taking place in Manly's backyard, but Sunday's grand final is shaping up like a home match for the all-conquering Warriors.

Thousands of Kiwis and Pacific Islanders on both sides of the Tasman have snapped up tickets for the NRL showpiece, which was yesterday declared an 82,500 sell-out.

And most Aussie supporters look ready to embrace the underdogs in the same way Aucklanders discovered a sudden affection for the Irish rugby team this month.

The Warriors' opponents are the club league fans most love to hate - "Anyone But Manly" sentiment is as strong in Sydney as anti-Wallaby feeling is in Auckland.

Yesterday the city's Daily Telegraph newspaper poked fun at the "silvertails" - named because they are from Sydney's wealthy North Shore - who remain favourites only with the bookies, and their own fans.

"Ever since we were old enough to kick with both feet we were taught there were two teams to support; our own and whoever was playing Manly," wrote columnist Paul Kent.

He suggested the Warriors should follow Russell Crowe, Crowded House, Phar Lap and pavlova as Kiwi imports Aussies claimed as their own.

"With no hint of shame I'm here to tell you that if you can't bring yourself to cheer for Manly ... then it is OK to follow the New Zealand Warriors," he said.

"Or, as I like to call them, the Sydney Warriors. Our grand final team."

In the 1970s and 80s, Manly gained a reputation as a rich club that poached other teams' best players.

NRL marketing director Paul Kind says the club from the northern beaches perpetuated the "us and them" myth.

"It's a healthy culture in many respects," he said.

And on Sunday it will benefit the Warriors, whose underdog status will also attract strong backing.

"There will be supporters of other Sydney teams who have had a long-held grudge against Manly," said Mr Kind. "They would rather back another team against Manly.

"People also love an underdog and the type of fairytale run the Warriors have had."

The NRL boss expects the grand final to have a strong Kiwi feel.

Prime Minister John Key will take his place in the cheap seats next to the Warriors' No 1 fan, Sir Peter Leitch.

And there won't be an All Black in sight; a point not lost on league bosses delighted that the Warriors are sharing the NZ limelight during the Rugby World Cup.

"The fact the Warriors have found a place in the sun during [the rugby tournament] is fantastic for rugby league in New Zealand," said Mr Kind.

The 2011 State of Origin series will be bigger and better than ever before.

The 2011 NRL Season proper hasn’t even started yet but one thing is for sure, the State of Origin series will be bigger and better than ever before.

BOOK your accommodation now to avoid disappointment. The matches are scheduled as follows:

Brisbane – Suncorp Stadium

Wednesday 25 May 2011 and

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Book your Brisbane accommodation at http://www.metrohotelbrisbane.com/ Metro Hotel Tower Mill

Sydney – ANZ Stadium

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Book your Sydney accommodation at:

Metro Hotel on Pitt – http://www.metrohotelonpitt.com/

Metro Hotel Sydney Central – http://www.metrohotelsydneycentral.com/

Aspire Hotel Sydney – http://www.aspirehotel.com/

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour – http://www.metroapartmentssydney.com/

Metro Inn Ryde – http://www.metroinnryde.com/