NRL Round 23: finals in the spotlight

Amid Australia’s record medal tally at the Paris Olympics, the absorbing NRL on Nine action continues with Round 23, with the spotlight on finals places, live and free on the 9Network.

On Thursday Night Footy at Accor Stadium, the ladder-leading Storm clash with an injury-ravaged Rabbitohs team battling to avoid their 13th loss of the season. The return of halfback Cody Walker will boost the Bunnies, while the Storm will be ruthless in rebounding from a surprise loss to the Dragons. With new winger Grant Anderson in exceptional try-scoring form, the Storm will look to rack up the points for another win as they chase the minor premiership.

In the local derby on Friday Night Footy, the Eels face the second-placed Panthers. The Eels, determined to finish the season strongly, are fielding the same team that upset the Warriors in Round 22. Two of the key players are Eels fullback Clint Gutherson, who has scored five tries in his last seven games against the Panthers, and the masterful Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary, who has amassed 52 points in his last three games.

Nine’s coverage from Commbank Stadium will be led by Danika Mason, with expert commentary from Phil Gould, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Andrew Johns. Peter Psaltis will call the game, with Paul Gallen and Emma Lawrence providing sideline updates.

And on Sunday Arvo Footy, it’s a home game for the Newcastle Knights against the Wests Tigers. The Knights, who must win to retain any hope of sneaking into the top eight, will be looking for a five-star performance from fullback Kalyn Ponga. For Benji Marshall’s Tigers, a long-overdue win might rely on the performance of crafty halfback Aidan Sezer, who needs three points to hit 500 in his NRL career.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Thursday, August 8

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTY – RABBITOHS V STORM