Draw highlights lack of fairness in current structure, writes Phil Rothfield
by: Phil Rothfield
December 16, 2014 12:00AM
THE Newcastle Knights are the winners and premiers South Sydney the biggest losers in an NRL draw released on Monday that again highlighted the lack of fairness and integrity in the competition structure over 26 weeks.
The Knights are drawn to play last years top-eight clubs the Roosters, Storm, Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs and Manly only once in 26 rounds while other clubs are forced to play them twice.
The Rabbitohs have been dealt a shocker with no byes before the three State of Origin games and 14 matches against their top eight rivals from last season.
DRAW INTEGRITY
The Knights have a softer draw than any other team on 2014 form. They play all the weaker 2014 teams twice but the best sides just once.
They play only one top-eight side from last season in the first seven rounds of the competition, giving comeback coach Rick Stone the chance to get a flying start.
The Raiders, Sharks, Warriors, Titans and Wests Tigers also get a soft draw with only 11 games all year against 2014 semi-finalists.
At the same time the Parramatta Eels have 14 games against top-eight opposition.
The draw is also affected by teams playing other teams twice within a month.
In the first 10 rounds, the Manly Sea Eagles player Storm twice, the Bulldogs twice and the Panthers twice.
The Warriors have a great draw with only three games against top-right clubs in the opening 12 rounds of the competition.
The Wests Tigers get a soft run into the finals with their five games against no-finals teams.
The Cowboys have probably the toughest start with nine of the first 12 games against their top eight rivals.
The Roosters also get an early test of their strength with five of their first seven against their top eight rivals as well.
ORIGIN IMPACT
So much for the State of Origin having less impact on the heavyweight clubs.
The Rabbitohs are likely to lose Greg Inglis, Dylan Walker, Alex Johnston and Chris McQueen for the series yet incredibly, they dont get a bye.
Theres not much we can do about it, said coach Michael Maguire, You can only play the cards youve been dealt and thats what well be doing.
Weve just got to turn up every week and prepare the best we can.
At the same time the Warriors who wont provide a player, get two byes before Origin games.
The Bulldogs and Cowboys are also hard hit during Origin, having to play two games without their Maroons and Blues stars.
Big games are also affected by Origin. The Rabbitohs play the Parramatta Eels on the Friday night before Origin.
Top-four clubs the Panthers v Rabbitohs will also be without Origin stars in Round 17 at Sportingbet Stadium.
SUNDAY FOOTY
Theres nothing worse than a Sunday afternoon during the footy season with no football in the games heartland.
In rounds 10, 11, 14 and 15 there are no Sunday games in Sydney.
At least in round 10 there are games on the Sunday in Newcastle and Wollongong.
The Dragons will play in Wollongong in Round 10. Pic Brett Costello
The Dragons will play in Wollongong in Round 10. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia
FREE TO AIR TV
Surprise, surprise
the Brisbane Broncos get easily the most games on Thursday or Friday nights on Channel Nine. They get 11 matches in the first 20 rounds which is at least three more than any other club.
The Broncos also have the advantage of being scheduled only one Monday night game.
It means they get a seven-day turnaround more weeks than any of their rivals.
The New Zealand Warriors are the only clubs without a Thursday of Friday night game.
Surprisingly top-four clubs the Roosters and Panthers get only four each.
SUNDAY FREE TO AIR
The Cronulla Sharks are the biggest winners with six games live in the new 4pm kick-off timeslot on Channel Nine.
Again the Roosters have done poorly, considering the connections of network boss David Gyngell at the club.
All up they have only seven Channel 9 games in the opening 20 rounds, which is surprising considering their high profile standing in the competition and success rate in the last two years.
Gus Goulds Panthers have done even worse. They are the most exciting young team in the completion yet are on free-to-air only six times in the first 20 rounds.
MONDAY NIGHTS
Clubs get $40,000 compensation to play Monday night football but no-one likes it.
The Canberra Raiders are the only club to escape it in the first 20 rounds of the fixed schedule. The Cowboys and Storm are worst affected with six games each on Monday nights. The Dragons and Eels have five Monday nights each.
Fox Sports have got their way by wanting to use the suburban grounds for Monday night atmosphere.
Kogarah, Campbelltown, Penrith and Cronulla will host Monday night matches in the first six rounds.
