The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and the New Zealand Warriors finished 2nd and 6th on the competition ladder respectively. It was the first time the sides had faced each other in a season decider and the last time they played in a finals match was a preliminary match in 2008 where the Sea Eagles won 28-6. It was the third time in five years the Sea Eagles featured in a grand final, with their previous being their record 40–0 victory over the Melbourne Storm in 2008. It was the second time in the Warriors' 16-year history that they played for their maiden premiership title, with their first attempt losing to the Sydney Roosters in 2002. The sides played each other once in round 6 during the regular season where the Sea Eagles won 20-10 at Brookvale Oval.
