RABBITOHS (D-)
Luck of the draw: There is no luck to be found for the Bunnies, not at least to start their campaign anyway with new coach Wayne Bennett has been handed the toughest opening to a draw both in terms of travel, with three away games to open the season, and the strength of competition.
Banana peel: The damage was done after nine losses from the first 10 games in 2024, and the Rabbitohs are staring down the barrel of a similar fate under Wayne Bennett. The Bunnies are facing a mammoth top eight gauntlet in the opening nine rounds of the season - playing seven of the top eight sides to open their campaign.
Can’t-miss match: Rd 1 v Dolphins, Wayne Bennett returns to Suncorp against his former side to strike the first blow in Kristian Woolf’s NRL coaching career.
Play twice: Panthers, Sharks, Roosters, Storm, Bulldogs, Dolphins, Broncos, Dragons
Play once: Cowboys, Knights, Manly, Tigers, Warriors, Raiders, Titans, Eels
Byes: Rd12, R19, Rd 26
Verdict: Brutal draw for the Bunnies that could end the side’s finals hopes in the first two months of the 2025 season.
Games played against 2024 top eight, bottom nine teams:
Top eight: 13
Top four: 8
Bottom nine: 11
Bottom four: 3
Grade: D-