2018 NRL draw: Club-by-club analysis — the ticks and crosses for your team’s schedule
NRL Premiership
- October 19, 2017 5:19pm
- by Staff writers
- Source: FOX SPORTS
STORM
Ticks
— In the opening 10 rounds they only play one game against a 2017 top-four side. In that time that play five games against bottom-four teams.
— Over the entire season the Storm only play four games against 2017 top-four teams.
— Only two Thursday night games. They have nine on Friday and seven on Saturday.
Crosses
— They have three five-day turnarounds, the equal most in the competition.
ROOSTERS
Ticks
— They only play four matches against top four sides.
— They play a whopping EIGHT games against bottom four sides.
— They don’t leave Sydney until round 10.
— They don’t have any five day turnarounds.
Crosses
— Only one home game in the last four rounds.
BRONCOS
Ticks
— Have only one five-day turnaround. The bulk are 6 and 7-day turnarounds between games.
— Brisbane plays an equal number of games against 2017 top-eight and bottom-eight sides. But they play one extra game against bottom-four sides than top-four sides.
Crosses
— Brisbane has easily the most Thursday night games of all 16 clubs. They have eight throughout the season, and only five on Friday nights.
EELS
Ticks
— They meet fellow top-four teams from 2017 on just three occasions next season — the lowest of all 16 clubs.
— Six games against bottom four sides — an equal or better scenario than well over half the competition.
— Just 11 games against top-eight sides from this year.
— They have just one five-day turnaround.
Crosses
— They play just five Friday night games. The bulk land on Saturday and Sunday.
SHARKS
Ticks
— Cronulla only has one five-day turnaround, and have eight seven-day turnarounds.
— Only play on Thursday night twice. They have nine Sunday games — the equal most of any club.
Crosses
— They play seven games against 2017 top-four sides.
SEA EAGLES
Ticks
— Between rounds 18 and 23, the Sea Eagles only play away from Lottoland once (round 21 v Sharks).
- Timeslots are pretty well spread out: Two Thursdays, four Fridays, 10 Saturdays and eight Sundays.
— Play seven games against teams from last year’s bottom four.
Crosses
— Eight six-day turnarounds.
— Two away games to finish the season.
— Have to play Roosters, Storm and Broncos twice.
PANTHERS
Ticks
— Only have to play the Storm, Broncos and Roosters once.
— Have 13 games against last year’s bottom eight sides, seven of which against the bottom four.
— Nine seven-day turnarounds.
— 11 games coming on Friday nights (five at 6pm, six at 7:50pm).
Crosses
— Just two home games from final seven rounds.
— Play the Cowboys, Sharks, Sea Eagles and Eels twice.
COWBOYS
Ticks
— They have only one five-day turnaround and have four 9-day turnarounds, which is the best of any team.
— They play seven Friday night games and play 11 on Saturdays. But five land on a Thursday night.
Crosses
— The Cowboys play seven games against 2017 top-four sides, compared to six games against bottom-four teams.
DRAGONS
Ticks
— It’s a very even draw for the Dragons with 12 games against last year’s top eight teams, and 12 games against last year’s bottom eight teams.
— Six home games in the opening 10 rounds.
— There are plenty of day games, especially on Sundays with three 2pm and five 4pm slots.
Crosses
— The team have three five-day turnarounds which is the equal most of any club.
— Only two home games from the final seven rounds.
RAIDERS
Ticks
— Only have to face the Broncos, Storm and Roosters once.
— They start the season against the Titans, Knights and Warriors.
— Only have four games against teams who finished in the top four in 2017.
— Only one Thursday night game.
Crosses
— They have four away trips mid-season against the Broncos, Bulldogs and Sharks.
BULLDOGS
Ticks
— Four of last six games are played at home.
Crosses
— Three five-day turnarounds, the equal most of any club.
— Five Thursday night games. Better only than the Broncos.
— 13 games against 2017 top-eight sides and seven against top-four.
— Travel out of Sydney three times in first six rounds.
RABBITOHS
Ticks
— Souths get a pretty fair draw with 12 game against last year’s top eight teams and 12 games against the bottom eight teams.
— Four home games in final six rounds.
— Plenty of games in prime time slots with five games on Thursday, five on Friday (7:50pm) and six on Saturday (7:30pm).
- Eight seven-day turnarounds.
Crosses
— According to Fox Sports Lab’s ‘Strength of Schedule’ analysis, the club has the hardest home draw of anyone.
WARRIORS
Ticks
— With one of the most consistent schedules, the Warriors have scored 10 seven-day turnarounds, the second most of the competition.
— Seven 6pm Friday games (8pm Auckland time) taking them into prime time in their local market.
Crosses
— Two five-day turnarounds. The most any side copped was three.
— Seven games against top four sides
— Just four games against bottom four sides
TIGERS
Ticks
— Six Sunday afternoon (4.10pm) games, the most in the competition.
Crosses
— Play each of 2017’s top four sides in the first four rounds.
— Play the Storm and Eels twice in the first eight rounds, taking their tally of top four opponents to six before Origin I.
— Play a total of seven games against top four opponents.
— Play just four games against bottom four opponents.
— Three five-day turnarounds, the most in the competition.
TITANS
Ticks
— Have a whopping 12 seven-day turnarounds — the most of any team.
— No five-day turnarounds.
— A heap of family-friendly timeslots including seven Saturday 3pm, five Saturday 5:30pm and four Sunday 2pm games.
— Four of their last six rounds are at home.
Crosses
— Have to play the Storm, Broncos, Roosters, Sea Eagles and Cowboys twice.
— Never have more than two home games in a row.
KNIGHTS
Ticks
— They have eight Friday night games with a 6pm kick-off.
— They have no five-day turnarounds
— Only have to play the Broncos and Cowboys once.
— Knights face the Roosters at home three days after Origin I.
Crosses
— They play the top four teams from 2017 on seven occasions.
— They have 14 games against teams who finished in the top eight last season.
— They face the Roosters, Storm, Panthers, Sharks and Eels twice.
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