All senior competitions in the Illawarra Rugby League, Harrigan Cup (1st Grade), Harrigan Plate (Reserve Grade) and Harrigan Shield (Second Division), will have a Top 5 Finals Series, following a majority vote from clubs before the 2025 season.
The series spans four weeks, where the team that finishes in first place receives a bye in Week 1. Additionally, the winner of the major semi-final in Week 2 will also earn a week off. This structure enables injury recovery and aims to improve competitiveness throughout the finals series.
The venues for Weeks 1 and 2 will be determined by the team that is ranked highest.
Week 1
Saturday, 23 August
- Game A – Qualification Final 2nd (H) v 3rd (Cup, Plate & Shield)
- Game B – Elimination Final 4th (H) v 5th (Cup only)
Sunday, 24 August
- Game B – Elimination Final 4th (H) v 5th (Plate and Shield only)
Bye: 1st place (Minor Premiers)
Week 2
Saturday, 30 August
- Game C – Major Semi Final Minor Premiers (H) v Winner Game A (Cup, Plate & Shield)
- Game D – Minor Semi-Final Loser Game A (H) v Winner Game B (Cup only)
(Winner of Game C goes straight through to the Grand Final)
Sunday, 31 August
- Game D – Minor Semi-Final Loser Game A (H) v Winner Game B (Plate & Shield only)
Week 3 – Saturday, 6 September, Collegians Sporting Complex
- Game E – Preliminary Final – Loser of Game C v Winner of Game D
Week 4 – Saturday, 13 September, WIN Stadium
- Grand Final – Winner of Game C v Winner of Game E