THE Canterbury Bulldogs will launch the NRL’s newest timeslot when they run out for next season’s opening round at Belmore Sports Ground.
Des Hasler’s men will host the Melbourne Storm in the first 6pm Friday night football match of 2017.
The new timeslot, which replaces Monday night football, is part of the NRL’s $1.8 billion broadcast deal and presents a huge challenge to get fans from work and offices around the city to the venues in time for the kick-off.
The Bulldogs have chosen their traditional old home ground at Belmore, where they play two matches every season, instead of ANZ Stadium which will host the second Friday night game between South Sydney and the Wests Tigers.
The venues are just 10 kilometres apart yet on the Saturday there are no games in Sydney.
The Canterbury Bulldogs will play the first game of the 2017 NRL season in a new 6pm Friday timeslot at Belmore Oval.
It couldn’t be a tougher test for Hasler in a year the coach needs a strong start to convince the Bulldogs to extend his contract.
The first round of the draw, which has been leaked to The Daily Telegraph, features a number of big games including North Queensland against Canberra in Townsville on Saturday night and the Manly Sea Eagles against old rivals Parramatta at Brookvale Oval on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s great to be at home on a Sunday afternoon,” coach Trent Barrett said.
“We only got one Sunday game last season despite it being our preferred choice.
“Against our old rivals Parramatta it should fill the place. Bring it on.”
The St George-Illawarra Dragons travel to Auckland to play the Warriors in a tough first-round assignment for coach Paul McGregor and his bid for early results.
The Sydney Roosters travel to the Gold Coast to play Jarryd Hayne’s Titans on the Saturday night, while the Panthers will host wooden-spooners Newcastle at Penrith in the final game of the round on Sunday at 6pm.
The Bulldogs celebrate beating Melbourne at Belmore Oval.
As revealed in Monday’s The Daily Telegraph, premiers Cronulla will launch the season on Thursday night, March 2, at Southern Cross Group Stadium against the Brisbane Broncos.
Channel Nine has increased the number of Sharks’ free-to-air games next season as a result of their history making grand final victory and strong ratings last season.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan says it will be a great first-up test for the Sharks, who will go into the season without fullback Ben Barba after he left the club following a positive cocaine test.
“We expect, as premiers, we’ll be the team everyone wants to beat next year,” Flanagan said.
“We’ll in England for the World Club championship but we get home nine days before the Broncos game and we’ll be ready for them.
“It will be a great game and a great way to launch the season.”
The NRL will hold a public launch of the draw later this month with fans invited to attend.
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