THE NRL will reveal 22 rounds of Sunday afternoon Sydney blockbusters in the 2018 premiership draw in a move to lure disgruntled fans back to the venues.
Manly v Parramatta, Sydney Roosters v Manly, South Sydney v St George Illawarra, Manly v Cronulla and St George Illawarra v Canterbury are among big rivalry games to be played in fan-friendly Sunday afternoon timeslots.
FIRST ROUND: Who plays who?
YANKEE: USA doing it the American way
Also, the huge Wests Tigers v Canterbury game which pits Aaron Woods and Josh Reynolds on opposite sides against their old clubs has also been scheduled for Round 12 on a Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
The NRL is hoping more Sunday games will boost crowds.
The NRL has scheduled two Sunday afternoon games in Sydney on six weekends over the season.
Not that the Cronulla Sharks are happy with the Thursday night placement of their blockbuster local derby against St George Illawarra in round two.
The derby is their biggest drawing game of the season and a match that is always a near full house on a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.
The Sharks believe the decision to play on a school night will cost them up to 7000 fans and around $100,000 in gate takings.
The full draw will be revealed at 10am on Thursday — six weeks earlier than in previous years — to allow clubs to start planning their membership drives and early ticket sales.
Two years ago it wasn’t done until early December.
Will the fans come flooding back?
This is also the first year in memory the NRL has produced its draw well in advance of the AFL.
Overall, the scheduling of 28 Sunday games in Sydney is a major victory for fans.
The major reason for the NRL’s crowd decline last season was Sydney venues being used on Thursday nights and the unpopular 6pm Friday night timeslot.
In another great move, the NRL has also scheduled a match on the Thursday night before Easter following a Daily Telegraph campaign to play more games on the eve of public holidays like in the AFL on non-school nights.
Chief executive Todd Greenberg said the NRL had delivered the first preference request of every club in the 2018 draw.
“The clear message from fans last year is that they want more big games in Sydney on Sunday afternoons — and that’s what we are going to deliver,” he said.
Cronulla’s match against the Dragons has been moved to Thursday night.
“We want more people going to games and the best way to do that is to stage blockbusters in family friendly times.
“We are releasing the draw earlier than any time in recent memory so fans, clubs and players can plan their season in advance.”
Officials said “you can’t please everyone” in response to Cronulla’s complaints.
“Naturally you cannot deliver every single request of every club,” Greenberg said.
“In the case of the Sharks, their Thursday night game against the Dragons will attract a huge television audience.
“So, while it may affect the attendance, the size of the TV audience should help the club with sponsorships and promotions.”
BLOCKBUSTER EASTER WEEKEND
Cowboys v Panthers at 1300 SMILES Stadium on Thursday night (7.50pm)
Rabbitohs v Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Friday afternoon (4.10pm)
Sharks v Storm at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Friday night (7.50pm)
Roosters v Warriors at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night (5:30pm)
Sea Eagles v Raiders at Lottoland on Saturday night (7:30pm)
Dragons v Knights at WIN Stadium on Sunday afternoon (4.10pm)
Broncos v Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night (6:30pm)
Tigers v Eels at ANZ Stadium on Monday afternoon (4pm
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...8/news-story/57d390c9854456ec698de72c7d201cac
