NRL 2016 Draw

[Aucklander]

http://www.nrl.com/portals/nrl/RadEditor/Documents/2016-NRL-FullDraw.pdf

Discuss.

 

[Aucklander]

Warriors back for the ANZAC day clash which is great.

Storm v Dragons to kick off R1 on monday night.

 

[mikey127]

only 1 clash between Storm and Lions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and 1 game that will overlap by about 10 mins win!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Broar]

No Sunday games at Suncorp.

 

[Klim]

No Sunday games at Suncorp.

Yes no more Broncos Friday night games that get first pick every week.

 

[nobbyiscool]

http://www.nrl.com/club-by-club-draw-what-you-need-to-know/tabid/10874/newsid/91013/default.aspx

I thought this was a pretty good break down of the pro's and cons for each team.

As I just mentioned in the TV rights thread, I only really care for NRL in as much as I care about the Raiders (and the Blues).

But from the Raiders perspective, it's a cracking draw. Unlike the last few seasons, we are very front-end loaded with home games. In terms of teams we play twice vs teams we play once, I literally don't think we could've done any better (from a selfless perspective anyway!)

Even the FTA coverage is better than it has been in previous years - it's still only 4 games up to Round 20, and they're a little to condensed (as in all 4 games fall within a 2 month period). But it's much better than the 3 games last season and, from memory, 1 game the season before.

The only negative I guess is if we remain the perennially slow starters that we have been over the last few years. You can't afford to start slow with 3 of the first 4 at home, and when at least 3 of those first 4 games are eminently winnable if we want to be a finals contender.


Of course, from a personal perspective, it's not so good. No Raiders game in Melbourne for the second year in a row - if I were being more selfish, I'd have loved us to play the Storm twice! In a further kick in the pants for having such a cosmopolitan array of Australian sporting teams - the number of times the Raiders and West Coast Eagles are in Sydney or in SE Qld a week apart almost feels like a piss take!


Despite living in Canberra for nearly 8 years, and despite having plenty of friends there - I always hated it, and spent most of that time trying to leave. So, short of a major final, there's no way I'll be going back to Canberra for any games next season - it'll take a bit longer before I'm prepared to go back I think. I'd like to think I'll make it to Brisbane or Sydney for at least 1 game - but honestly... if I'm travelling to see my team, it's probably more likely to be West Coast or Melbourne Victory. So hooray for having Foxtel I guess.

Suppose I'll have a look at the Storms draw in the next couple of days - but even then I couldn't see myself attending more than 2 or 3 games.

 

[balmainforever]

might be finding this a little ironic, however the last game for the tigers in 2016 is against the raiders at Leichhardt.
Balmain's last game was in Canberra and could very well be Leichhardt's last game.

 

[Heardy_101]

might be finding this a little ironic, however the last game for the tigers in 2016 is against the raiders at Leichhardt.
Balmain's last game was in Canberra and could very well be Leichhardt's last game.

Or Wests last game. Lol

 

[Heardy_101]

Can someone tell me why the bloody flip are Manly playing a "home" game in QLD? Seriously?

 

[JMan5]

Cowboys v Sharks Round 1. Should be an interesting game. Yes Cowboys are reigning premiers but Cronulla had a late surge towards the end of the season. So that shows that the Sharks do have the potential to sit amongst the top four. Whether they can fire next season or not is still unsure. But put with the Cowboys lack of wins at the start of seasons, what is sure is that this game definitely won't be one sided and should show how much depth these two teams have.

Round 3 and 4 will also show who the fore runners for the premiership is with the Cowboys going up against both Sydney and Brisbane. Also looking at the State of Origin period, the Cowboys will most likely be greatly affected by representative honours however they verse teams who were in that bottom half this year.

So overall no season can ever be really promising this time of the year but if the Cowboys maintain that determination that took them to the premiership this season, they should be in contention next year again.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Can someone tell me why the bloody flip are Manly playing a "home" game in QLD? Seriously?

 

[Heardy_101]

No idea who's gaining the $$$. Manly won't make jack shit out of it.

 

[Andrew Mc]

Can someone tell me why the bloody flip are Manly playing a "home" game in QLD? Seriously?

I'd prefer to know why Manly are playing 3 games in 10 days.

 

[Heardy_101]

I'd prefer to know why Manly are playing 3 games in 10 days.

NRL trying to screw us again. Its bullshit. We're the only Northern Beaches club and despite the last couple of years have been reasonably successful for the best part of the last 5 -10 years bar a few off seasons. 2 flags and 2 GF losses is a far better recent record than any other club can boast in the same period.

 

[nobbyiscool]

NRL trying to screw us again. Its bullshit. We're the only Northern Beaches club and despite the last couple of years have been reasonably successful for the best part of the last 5 -10 years bar a few off seasons. 2 flags and 2 GF losses is a far better recent record than any other club can boast in the same period.

What does any of that have to do with the draw?

 

[Heardy_101]

What does any of that have to do with the draw?

See above. 3 games in 10 days, "home" games in Brisbane (which was NOT the clubs choice).

 

[nobbyiscool]

See above. 3 games in 10 days, "home" games in Brisbane (which was NOT the clubs choice).

I get that - but since when does being a successful team or the only north shore team entitle you to a better draw? It's a crazy suggestion.

 

[Heardy_101]

I get that - but since when does being a successful team or the only north shore team entitle you to a better draw? It's a crazy suggestion.

Because we earned one?

 

[robbieando]

See above. 3 games in 10 days, "home" games in Brisbane (which was NOT the clubs choice).

http://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2015/11/27/manly_to_kick_off_se.html

The Sea Eagles will take on the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium at 7.30pm on Saturday 14 May as part of an exciting double header that will also feature the Melbourne Storm hosting the North Queensland Cowboys. It’s expected that this will become a major annual event on the NRL calendar and coincides with the start of the Brisbane Racing Carnival.

The match will hold no fears for the Sea Eagles who have won 6 of their last nine matches at Suncorp Stadium. That record includes a 34-10 ‘home’ win against the Broncos as part of a double header played at the same venue in 2011.

Manly Warringah CEO Joe Kelly said the decision to play at Suncorp Stadium was a positive one for the Club on many levels.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our Members, Sponsors and supporters to enjoy a weekend in Brisbane that combines two blockbuster games of NRL and the Brisbane Racing Carnival,” Kelly said.

Seems like it was the clubs choice and would of been played away from Brookvale regardless. As for 3 games in 10 days its not like you travel during that period or leave Sydney itself. Its reasonable when 5 days of the week are available to the fixture. Plus past success is meaningless if your not currently performing

 

[nobbyiscool]

Because we earned one?

Of course teams shouldn't be facing back to back 5 day breaks - but to suggest that any team is more or less deserving of a good draw, or that a team "earns" a favourable draw based on their location? I'm sorry, that's ridiculous.

 

[Heardy_101]

Of course teams shouldn't be facing back to back 5 day breaks - but to suggest that any team is more or less deserving of a good draw, or that a team "earns" a favourable draw based on their location? I'm sorry, that's ridiculous.

I never said location was a reason why we shouldn't have to travel.

 

[nobbyiscool]

I never said location was a reason why we shouldn't have to travel.

You didn't?

NRL trying to screw us again. Its bullshit. We're the only Northern Beaches club and despite the last couple of years have been reasonably successful for the best part of the last 5 -10 years bar a few off seasons. 2 flags and 2 GF losses is a far better recent record than any other club can boast in the same period.

 

[Heardy_101]

You didn't?

I didn't highlight it as a reason.

 

[robbieando]

I didn't highlight it as a reason.

Then why bring it up at all?

 

[Milang_Panthers]

Two games in Perth will make it interesting to see the attendances are up there compared with the big game between Warriors and Rabbitohs last season.