The top eight has been locked in after the Panthers beat the Dragons on Saturday, and as attention turns to the finals fixtures, the Broncos appear to be the biggest winners.

On Friday night, the Roosters locked in a finals berth, battering their rivals Souths, while Penrith’s win over the Dragons locked in the finals match-ups.

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Next week, Melbourne are expected to kick off the playoff series, hosting Canterbury in their qualifying final.

Penrith will travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors and the Roosters will head to Cronulla in the other elimination final.

But the contentious match-up is the Raiders, taking on the rampaging Broncos.

Canberra will play the Dolphins on Sunday, and Ricky Stuart has called for the NRL to give the minor premiers the chance to pick when they play.

Qualifying finals are traditionally played on Friday night and Saturday. But the draw for the final round has put the Raiders at a disadvantage, given the Broncos played on Thursday and Canberra play three days later on Sunday.

It means the Raiders would have a six-day turnaround if they are to play in the usual qualifying-final timeslot, Saturday evening.

News.com.au understands Raiders officials have been pushing the NRL behind the scenes for their match to be scheduled on Sunday afternoon.

And Ricky Stuart didn’t hold back on Saturday, saying they deserve to pick when they play.

 “We have (earned the right to pick when we play),” Stuart said. 

“We’re minor premiers and we need the maximum turnaround as possible from the Sunday game tomorrow. 

“We’re going to be playing against a team that’s got nine days, so it’s an unbelievable advantage (for Brisbane if the match is on Saturday).

“That one extra day is what we deserve for being minor premiers.”

And it appears Stuart’s pleas have been answered, with Michael Maguire telling ABC Sport he has been informed the clash will take place on Sunday.

“We’ve been told Sunday mate, Sunday at 4pm,” Maguire said.

The NRL will finalise their schedule for the opening week of finals on Sunday.

The winners of the two qualifying finals will go straight to week three, while the two losers will take on the winners from the elimination finals.

Predicted NRL Finals fixtures:

Qualifying Final: Friday, September 12, 7.50pm, AAMI Park

Melbourne Storm vs. Canterbury Bulldogs

Elimination Final: Saturday, September 13, 4.05pm, Go Media Stadium

NZ Warriors vs. Penrith Panthers

Elimination Final: Saturday, September 13, 7.50pm, Sharks Stadium

Cronulla Sharks vs. Sydney Roosters

Qualifying Final: Sunday, September 14, 4.05pm, GIO Stadium

Canberra Raiders vs. Brisbane Broncos

Originally published as Ricky Stuart calls out unfair Broncos advantage as NRL finals locked in