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The Game 2022 NRL Draw discussion, speculation

League Unlimited News

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Reynolds’ Broncos in line to square off against Rabbitohs in 2022 season opener​

Adam Reynolds’ Broncos against his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs. That’s the mouth-watering glamour club showdown the NRL is considering to launch next year’s season.

The NRL has been working on the 2022 draw for the past few weeks, with plans to kick off next season on March 10.

The NRL has traditionally opened the season with a blockbuster round one clash. It doesn’t get much bigger than Reynolds, a South Sydney junior, squaring off against the club that wouldn’t budge in negotiations to keep him.

If played at Stadium Australia in Sydney, it would also double as an opportunity for the Rabbitohs to pay tribute to and farewell Reynolds, who hasn’t played in front of the South Sydney faithful since the middle of the season.

Adding spice to the contest will also be the expected addition of Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford to the South Sydney side coached by Jason Demetriou - a former assistant to Wayne Bennett at the Broncos.

The two clubs are arguably the highest-rating teams on free-to-air television, with at least one of the two sides featuring on opening night in eight of the past nine seasons.

Under the agreement with the broadcasters, the governing body is committed to finishing the schedule by the last day of October.

The structure being worked on now is almost identical to this year, with a 25-round regular season.

Despite speculation the NRL would abandon the Sunday night standalone Origin game for the second game of the series, Rugby League Central is forging ahead with plans to keep it the same.

That may change if a free-to-air deal is struck in the coming weeks, with Nine keen to see Origin return to Wednesdays for all three games because of a hit to the ratings on Sunday nights.

Things will heat up between the NRL and Nine, the publisher of this masthead, in the next few weeks over the free-to-air broadcast rights.

There had been talk Nine were considering dropping Thursday night footy to save some money, however they look set to continue with three games a round.

The significant increase in television ratings for the finals series puts the NRL in a strong position as they head to the negotiation table.

Michael Chammas: Adam Reynolds and Brisbane Broncos line up South Sydney Rabbitohs 2022 season opener (smh.com.au)
 

Diesel

Coach
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19,919
The GF replay should be sometime after round 6, when the teams have ironed out the pre-season rust.
And surely it isn’t hard to play every team once before playing whoever a second time.
If they could do it in the 80/90’s, they can do it now
 

Perth Red

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Perth was supposed to get three games in 2021 season so hopefully those agreements are still in place and the country is open to travel. Roosters and Bulldogs have agreements in place to play here. Second SOO game is also scheduled to be at Optus Stadium.
 
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azza29

Juniors
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1,013
Is it too much to hope that Melbourne get some home games in the early rounds, when there's clear air from the AFL? I feel like this is never taken into consideration but it makes a big difference to crowds.

Perth was supposed to get three games in 2021 season so hopefully those agreements are still in place and the country is open to travel.
Based on some of the commentary from your premier, scheduling anything in Perth before round 18 would be very optimistic.
 

grozzy

Juniors
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From a Sharks point of view, they'll probably take home games to Coffs Harbour and either Brisbane magic round or Sunshine Coast. I also wouldn't be surprised if they request away games for the first month or so to get Pointsbet Stadium prepared.
I also agree every team should play each other once before repeating.
 

Perth Red

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Is it too much to hope that Melbourne get some home games in the early rounds, when there's clear air from the AFL? I feel like this is never taken into consideration but it makes a big difference to crowds.


Based on some of the commentary from your premier, scheduling anything in Perth before round 18 would be very optimistic.
we normally get our games in June and July so hopefully he's opened us back up by then!
 

Perth Red

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What should happen:
Storm get two home games to start season before AFL kicks off
Every team play each other once before they play other teams again
Repeat fixtures are well spaced out
Rivalry games are put on at sensible attendance times
Friday night FTA game should be an all Sydney game (played at Bankwest or SFS where possible) every round with the NRL hyping it up and putting on the game day entertainment
Outer Sydney suburban grounds should be primarily in Saturday and Sunday afternoon slots so away fans can get there at reasonable times
Teams play their main rivals twice in a season
NZ get most 6pm Friday games (presuming they are at home) along with any NZ on the road games

but none of it will as Tv will continue to dictate whats best for them, not the game.
 

Timmah

LeagueUnlimited News Editor
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Is it too much to hope that Melbourne get some home games in the early rounds, when there's clear air from the AFL? I feel like this is never taken into consideration but it makes a big difference to crowds.
I distinctly remember being at AAMI Park for the season opener on a weekend with no AFL?
 
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