2023 NRL season draw: Nick Politis hits out at unfairness of ‘TV schedule’ release

Nick Politis has taken a massive swipe at NRL as the powerful Roosters chairman calls for change to the unfair season draw, writes Paul Crawley.

Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis has doubled down on his ongoing frustration with the unfairness of the NRL draw, declaring “the AFL have got control of their draw but we roll over to the networks”.

“Please don’t call it a draw. Can we get it right? It is a TV schedule,” Politis quipped, after the Roosters were again handed a fixture list that will include two games against competition heavyweights Penrith, Melbourne, Parramatta and South Sydney next season.

It comes as the game’s most powerful club boss also said it was time to again investigate the possibility of adapting the NFL’s conference system to rugby league.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis refused to use his club’s tough draw as an excuse, even though it resulted in the joint venture blowing out in premiership betting in what shapes as an initiation from hell for Tim Sheens’ NRL coaching comeback.

SEE THE FULL 2023 NRL DRAW BELOW

Latrell Mitchell’s South Sydney will faceSydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis’s side twice again next season. Picture: NRL Images

“I think if we are going to do well we are going to have to beat all these teams,” Hagipantelis said.

“So it doesn’t really matter when or where we have to play them.”

And while a first-up bye to kick off the 2023 NRL season has been sold as something of a dream start for under-fire Dragons coach Anthony Griffin, St George Illawarra chief executive Ryan Webb put in context why it’s anything but in a competition that runs 27 rounds and ultimately becomes a survival of the fittest.

“I don’t think anyone would want the bye in round one,” Webb said.

“You’d like it in season when it is giving you a bit of a break from the wear and tear I think rather than before you have started your campaign.

“But it is what it is.

“Someone has to have it and we will be fine.

“I am sure our boys will do a good job regardless.”

There is no question the addition of the NRL’s 17th franchise the Dolphins, compounded by the FIFA Women’s World Cup, has made the new draw a logistical nightmare for the NRL.

But Politis’ main criticism relates to the fact that year after year the top teams seem to get roped into more so-called “blockbusters” simply because “we are good for the ratings”.

“Some clubs are lucky that they play the bottom-eight teams twice, and only the top ones once,” he said.

“And so you look at the table and say, ‘Gee, what a great competition’, because it’s so close.

“But it is manufactured by the TV schedule.”

Politis said former NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg spoke to club bosses some years back about possibly adapting the NFL conference model to our game.

Asked if he would support that, Politis added: “They need to do something. There is all sorts of models … the AFL have got control of their draw but we roll over to the networks.”

The Rabbitohs’ chief Blake Solly said overall he was content with Souths’ schedule despite it also being rated one of the toughest.

Bitter rivals and prime television entertainment sides he Roosters and Rabbitohs will face off in rounds three and 27. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“We have a lot of travel, particularly in the back half of the season,” Solly said.

“But in the context of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and all of the stadiums in Sydney that are unavailable that is expected.

“We have had to put our three regional home games in that six-week period, so largely the travel through that back half of the season was unavoidable.

“It won’t have been an easy process from the NRL with the addition of the 17th team and those stadiums that are out of action. But from our point of view we are excited by a lot of the match ups.”

The Dragons’ boss agreed the draw tends to even itself out.

“We have got four trips to Queensland in the first half of the year which will be a challenge,” Webb said.

Ricky Stuart doesn’t subscribe to the Raiders’ easy draw theory.

“But I am sure we can overcome that. We have a lot of games at Wollongong at the back-end of the year because Jubilee (Kogarah) is unavailable, so there is a lot less travel for us through that quarter.”

And Ricky Stuart responded to claims Canberra has arguably the easiest draw, given the Raiders have the most games against bottom-eight sides and equal most against bottom-four teams.

“I have coached at the NRL level for a very long time and I haven’t had an easy draw yet,” Stuart said.

“This year a lot of people were predicting the Cowboys to run last and they finished top four. We can’t all be experts.”

NRL BETTING SHAKE-UP AS BOOKIES REACT TO DRAW

—David Riccio, Michael Carayannis

The promise of a new dawn at the Wests Tigers has done little to sway the bookies, who have installed Tim Sheens’ side as equal favourites to run last with NRL rookies The Dolphins.

In an almost impossible notion, Wayne Bennett and Sheens — two of the greatest coaches of the modern era with a combined 11 premierships — are tipped to fight out the wooden spoon, according to the TAB.

Both 72 and back from coaching lay-offs, the wily veterans are convinced their respective Dolphins and Tigers will prove competitive in 2023.

Yet in the wake of the NRL releasing the 2023 season draw on Thursday, the TAB has rated the Tigers and Dolphins as rank outsiders at $67 to win the premiership.

NRL POSTERS: DOWNLOAD CLUB BY CLUB GUIDE, FULL SEASON DRAW

Tim Sheens’ Tigers are outsiders to win the competition. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

The Tigers were $51 for the title, but have blown on the back of a tough draw that includes 12 games against 2022 finalists, including two games each against Melbourne, South Sydney, North Queensland and Canberra.

It’s not the only surprise from the bookies, who have taken the first stand towards writing off Parramatta’s premiership claims.

The TAB has installed Brad Arthur’s Eels as rank outsiders in a blockbuster 2023 season opener against the Storm.

The exodus of grand final contributors Isaiah Papalii, Reed Mahoney, Oregon Kaufusi, Marata Niukore and Tom Opacic has been deemed concerning enough for the TAB to post Parramatta as outsiders, despite playing at home.

The Eels are $2.45 against the $1.55 favourites Melbourne in the first match of the new season, to be played on Thursday, March 2 at CommBank Stadium.

The clash is likely to feature Raiders recruit Josh Hodgson on debut for the Eels and what will be marketed as the beginning of what is expected to coach Craig Bellamy’s final season reign at the Storm.

GOOD BYE?

For the first time in NRL history, the competition will feature three byes.

The inclusion of a 17th team — The Dolphins — in 2023 has triggered the scheduling of three mandatory weeks off throughout the season for every team.

Debate has already begun on which teams have garnered the greatest advantage; those with byes early in the season, or those with byes towards the business end of the year?

For St George-Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin, clinging to his job at the Dragons, a Round 1 bye certainly looks better on paper than a potential first-up loss.

However, will watching from the sidelines leave Saints a step off the pace in round two against the Titans?

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has to manage an opening-round bye. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

And what about the loss of momentum ahead of a potential finals series for the Rabbitohs and Eels, who have their byes in the last two rounds 26 and 27?

The best-served teams seem to be those with byes positioned in the middle of a long year, where strapping tape is wearing thin and depth is being tested.

The Bulldogs, Storm, Panthers, Tigers, Titans and Sharks all have byes between rounds 16 and 20.

NOMAD TIGERS

The choice of venues for teams generates as much intrigue as their fixtures.

For the Tigers, they have six home grounds in 2023 – Leichhardt, Accor, Campbelltown, Suncorp, CommBank and Tamworth, as well as taking a match to Hamilton in New Zealand. The women’s Soccer World Cup has disrupted a host of clubs with the SCG and GABBA in use. The Dragons will have seven matches in Wollongong and just five at Kogarah with their Sydney based designated as a training fixture for the World Cup.

St George Illawarra CEO Ryan Webb.

“We’ve tried to keep our fixture as ‘normal’ as possible through the front half of the year, giving fans the opportunity to enjoy watching our team play games at Jubilee and WIN Stadiums,” Dragons boss Ryan Webb said. “Unfortunately with the unavailability of Jubilee Stadium for nine weeks due to the world cup, we have a stretch of home games at WIN Stadium towards the back end of the year which isn’t ideal.”

The Roosters are slated to play two games at the SCG depending on the venue’s availability.

Regional venues in NSW including Tamworth, Mudgee, Bathurst, Coffs Harbour and Wagga Wagga will host matches.

HORROR STRETCHES

Some clubs are bracing for a tough section of the draw.

The Bulldogs will play the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Eels and Sharks between round 5-8.

The Dragons have a soft start to the season but their stretch between rounds 7-15 includes playing the Roosters (twice), Raiders, Cowboys, Panthers and Rabbitohs.

The Eels’ opening five games include a tough start against the Storm, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Panthers and Roosters.

The Roosters take on the Eels, Storm and Sharks in three straight weeks from rounds 5-7.

The Rabbitohs start the season as favourites against the Sharks, they then face the Panthers, Roosters, Sea Eagles and Storm.

The Broncos’ run home is difficult with clashes against 2022 finals teams the Roosters, Cowboys, Eels, Raiders and Storm in the final six weeks.

In contrast, the Raiders do not play a top-eight side in consecutive weeks.

FULL 2023 NRL ROUND BY ROUND DRAW

ROUND 1

Thursday, March 2

Eels v Storm CommBank Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, March 3

Warriors v Knights Westpac Stadium 6pm

Panthers v Broncos BlueBet Stadium 8.05pm

Saturday, March 4

Sea Eagles v Bulldogs 4 Pines Park 3pm

Cowboys v Raiders Qld Country Bank Stadium 5.30pm

Sharks v Rabbitohs PointsBet Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, March 5

Dolphins v Roosters Suncorp Stadium 4.05pm

Tigers v Titans Leichhardt Oval 6.15pm

Bye. Dragons

The draw for the 2023 NRL season has been released

ROUND 2

Thursday, March 9

Panthers v Rabbitohs BlueBet Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, March 10

Eels v Sharks CommBank Stadium 6pm

Broncos v Cowboys Suncorp Stadium 8.05pm

Saturday, March 11

Roosters v Warriors Allianz Stadium 3pm

Dolphins v Raiders Moreton Daily Stadium 5.30pm

Storm v Bulldogs AAMI Park 7.35pm

Sunday, March 12

Tigers v Knights Leichhardt Oval 4.05pm

Dragons v Titans Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 6.15pm

Bye. Sea Eagles

ROUND 3

Thursday, March 16

Sea Eagles v Eels 4 Pines Park 7.50pm

Friday, March 17

Knights v Dolphins McDonald Jones Stadium 6pm

Roosters v Rabbitohs Allianz Stadium 8.05pm

Saturday, March 18

Titans v Storm Cbus Super Stadium 3pm

Cowboys v Warriors Qld Country Bank Stadium 5.30pm

Broncos v Dragons Suncorp Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, March 19

Bulldogs v Tigers Belmore Sportsground 4.05pm

Raiders v Sharks GIO Stadium 6.15pm

Bye. Panthers

ROUND 4

Thursday, March 23

Eels v Panthers CommBank Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, March 24

Storm v Tigers AAMI Park 6pm

Dolphins v Broncos Suncorp Stadium 8.05pm

Saturday, March 25

Cowboys v Titans Qld Country Bank Stadium 5.30pm

Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles Accor Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, March 26

Warriors v Bulldogs Mt Smart Stadium 2pm

Knights v Raiders McDonald Jones Stadium 4.05pm

Dragons v Sharks Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 6.15pm

Bye. Roosters

ROUND 5

Thursday, March 30

Roosters v Eels Allianz Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, March 31

Raiders v Panthers GIO Stadium 6pm

Rabbitohs v Storm Accor Stadium 8.05pm

Saturday, April 1

Sea Eagles v Knights Glen Willow Stadium 3pm

Dragons v Dolphins WIN Stadium 5.30pm

Broncos v Tigers Suncorp Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, April 2

Sharks v Warriors PointsBet Stadium 4.05pm

Bulldogs v Cowboys Accor Stadium 6.15pm

Bye. Titans

ROUND 6

Thursday, April 6

Storm v Roosters AAMI Park 7.50pm

Friday, April 7

Bulldogs v Rabbitohs Accor Stadium 4pm

Cowboys v Dolphins Qld Country Bank Stadium 8pm

Saturday, April 8

Panthers v Sea Eagles BlueBet Stadium 5.30pm

Broncos v Raiders Suncorp Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, April 9

Titans v Dragons Cbus Super Stadium 4.05pm

Knights v Warriors McDonald Jones Stadium 6.15pm

Monday, April 10

Tigers v Eels CommBank Stadium 4pm

Bye. Sharks

ROUND 7

Thursday, April 13

Dolphins v Rabbitohs Suncorp Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, April 14

Sharks v Roosters PointsBet Stadium 6pm

Sea Eagles v Storm 4 Pines Park 8pm

Saturday, April 15

Warriors v Cowboys Mt Smart Stadium 3pm

Knights v Panthers McDonald Jones Stadium 5.30pm

Titans v Broncos Cbus Super Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, April 16

Raiders v Dragons GIO Stadium 4.05pm

Eels v Bulldogs CommBank Stadium 6.15pm

Bye. Tigers

ROUND 8

Thursday, April 20

Rabbitohs v Panthers Accor Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, April 21

Eels v Broncos TIO Stadium 8pm

Saturday, April 22

Bulldogs v Sharks Accor Stadium 5.30pm

Cowboys v Knights Qld Country Bank Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, April 23

Dolphins v Titans Suncorp Stadium 2pm

Tigers v Sea Eagles Campbelltown Stadium 4.05pm

TUESDAY, April 25

Roosters v Dragons Allianz Stadium 4pm

Storm v Warriors AAMI Park 7pm

Bye. Raiders

ROUND 9

Thursday, April 27

Sharks v Cowboys PointsBet Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, April 28

Eels v Knights CommBank Stadium 6pm

Broncos v Rabbitohs Suncorp Stadium 8pm

Saturday, April 29

Raiders v Dolphins McDonalds Park 3pm

Sea Eagles v Titans 4 Pines Park 5.30pm

Panthers v Tigers Carrington Park 7.35pm

Sunday, April 30

Warriors v Roosters Mt Smart Stadium 2pm

Dragons v Bulldogs WIN Stadium 4.05pm

Bye. Storm

ROUND 10 (MAGIC ROUND)

Friday, May 5

Bulldogs v Raiders Suncorp Stadium 6pm

Sea Eagles v Broncos Suncorp Stadium 8.05pm

Saturday, May 6

Warriors v Panthers Suncorp Stadium 3pm

Sharks v Dolphins Suncorp Stadium 5.30pm

Storm v Rabbitohs Suncorp Stadium 7.45pm

Sunday, May 7

Tigers v Dragons Suncorp Stadium 1.50pm

Roosters v Cowboys Suncorp Stadium 4pm

Titans v Eels Suncorp Stadium 6.25pm

Bye. Knights

ROUND 11

Thursday, May 11

Storm v Broncos AAMI Park 7.50pm

Friday, May 12

Bulldogs v Warriors Accor Stadium 6pm

Panthers v Roosters BlueBet Stadium 8pm

Saturday, May 13

Rabbitohs v Tigers Accor Stadium 3pm

Cowboys v Dragons Qld Country Bank Stadium 5.30pm

Raiders v Eels GIO Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, May 14

Knights v Titans McDonald Jones Stadium 2pm

Sea Eagles v Sharks 4 Pines Park 4.05pm

Bye. Dolphins

ROUND 12

Thursday, May 18

Broncos v Panthers Suncorp Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, May 19

Dragons v Roosters Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 6pm

Rabbitohs v Eels Allianz Stadium 8pm

Saturday, May 20

Sharks v Knights Coffs International Stadium 3pm

Tigers v Cowboys Leichhardt Oval 5.30pm

Dolphins v Storm Suncorp Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, May 21

Bulldogs v Titans Accor Stadium 2pm

Raiders v Sea Eagles GIO Stadium 4.05pm

Bye. Warriors

ROUND 13

Thursday, May 25

Dolphins v Dragons Moreton Daily Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, May 26

Eels v Cowboys CommBank Stadium 8pm

Saturday, May 27

Warriors v Broncos McLean Park, Napier 3pm

Rabbitohs v Raiders Accor Stadium 5.30pm

Sunday, May 28

Knights v Sea Eagles McDonald Jones Stadium 4.05pm

Bye. Bulldogs, Panthers, Roosters, Sharks, Storm, Titans, Tigers

ROUND 14

Friday, June 2

Tigers v Raiders Campbelltown Stadium 8pm

Saturday, June 3

Titans v Rabbitohs Cbus Super Stadium 3pm

Warriors v Dolphins Mt Smart Stadium 5.30pm

Sharks v Broncos PointsBet Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, June 4

Roosters v Bulldogs Central Coast Stadium 2pm

Cowboys v Storm Qld Country Bank Stadium 4.05pm

Panthers v Dragons BlueBet Stadium 6.15pm

Bye. Eels, Knights, Sea Eagles

ROUND 15

Thursday, June 8

Titans v Tigers Cbus Super Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, June 9

Raiders v Warriors GIO Stadium 6pm

Sea Eagles v Dolphins 4 Pines Park 8pm

Saturday, June 10

Dragons v Rabbitohs Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 3pm

Broncos v Knights Suncorp Stadium 5.30pm

Roosters v Panthers Allianz Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, June 11

Storm v Sharks Qld AAMI Park 4.05pm

Monday, June 12

Bulldogs v Eels Accor Stadium 4pm

Bye. Cowboys

ROUND 16

Friday, June 16

Cowboys v Panthers Qld Country Bank Stadium 8pm

Saturday, June 17

Knights v Roosters McDonald Jones Stadium 3pm

Eels v Sea Eagles CommBank Stadium 5.30pm

Tigers v Storm Campbelltown Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, June 18

Sharks v Bulldogs PointsBet Stadium 4.05pm

Bye. Broncos, Dolphins, Dragons, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Titans, Warriors

ROUND 17

Friday, June 23

Dragons v Warriors WIN Stadium 8pm

Saturday, June 24

Dolphins v Eels Sunshine Coast Stadium 3pm

Panthers v Knights BlueBet Stadium 5.30pm

Storm v Sea Eagles AAMI Park 7.35pm

Sunday, June 25

Broncos v Titans Suncorp Stadium 2pm

Rabbitohs v Cowboys Accor Stadium 4.05pm

Roosters v Raiders Allianz Stadium 6.15pm

Bye. Bulldogs, Sharks, Tigers

ROUND 18

Thursday, June 29

Sharks v Dragons PointsBet Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, June 30

Warriors v Rabbitohs Mt Smart Stadium 6pm

Storm v Panthers Melbourne TBC 8pm

Saturday, July 1

Raiders v Titans GIO Stadium 3pm

Cowboys v Tigers Qld Country Bank Stadium 5.30pm

Broncos v Dolphins The Gabba 7.35pm

Sunday, July 2

Bulldogs v Knights Accor Stadium 2pm

Sea Eagles v Roosters 4 Pines Park 4.05pm

Bye. Eels

ROUND 19

Thursday, July 6

Tigers v Sharks CommBank Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, July 7

Dragons v Raiders WIN Stadium 8pm

Saturday, July 8

Eels v Warriors CommBank Stadium 5.30pm

Rabbitohs v Bulldogs Accor Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, July 9

Titans v Dolphins Cbus Super Stadium 4.05pm

Bye. Broncos, Cowboys, Knights, Panthers, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Storm

ROUND 20

Friday, July 14

Knights v Tigers McDonald Jones Stadium 8pm

Saturday, July 15

Bulldogs v Broncos Belmore Sportsground 3pm

Sea Eagles v Cowboys 4 Pines Park 5.30pm

Roosters v Storm Sydney Cricket Ground 7.35pm

Sunday, July 16

Warriors v Sharks Mt Smart Stadium 2pm

Dolphins v Panthers Moreton Daily Stadium 4.05pm

Eels v Titans CommBank Stadium 6.15pm

Bye. Dragons, Rabbitohs, Raiders

ROUND 21

Thursday, July 20

Dragons v Tigers WIN Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, July 21

Warriors v Raiders Mt Smart Stadium 6pm

Rabbitohs v Broncos Sunshine Coast Stadium 8pm

Saturday, July 22

Titans v Roosters Cbus Super Stadium 3pm

Knights v Storm McDonald Jones Stadium 5.30pm

Cowboys v Eels Qld Country Bank Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, July 23

Panthers v Bulldogs BlueBet Stadium 2pm

Sharks v Sea Eagles PointsBet Stadium 4.05pm

Bye. Dolphins

ROUND 22

Thursday, July 27

Broncos v Raiders The Gabba 7.50pm

Friday, July 28

Tigers v Rabbitohs Scully Park, Tamworth 6pm

Storm v Eels Melbourne TBC 8pm

Saturday, July 29

Raiders v Knights GIO Stadium 3pm

Dragons v Sea Eagles WIN Stadium 5.30pm

Panthers v Sharks BlueBet Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, July 30

Bulldogs v Dolphins Salter Oval, Bundaberg 2pm

Titans v Cowboys Cbus Super Stadium 4.05pm

ROUND 23

Thursday, August 3

Roosters v Sea Eagles SCG 7.50pm

Friday, August 4

Titans v Warriors Cbus Super Stadium 6pm

Panthers v Storm BlueBet Stadium 8pm

Saturday, August 5

Cowboys v Broncos QLD Country Bank Stadium 3pm

Dolphins v Knights Optus Stadium 5.30pm

Rabbitohs v Sharks Optus Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, August 6

Eels v Dragons CommBank Stadium 2pm

Raiders v Wests Tigers GIO Stadium 4.05pm

ROUND 24

Thursday, August 10

Sea Eagles v Panthers 4 Pines Park 7.50pm

Friday, August 11

Sharks v Titans PointsBet Stadium 6pm

Broncos v Eels The Gabba 8pm

Saturday, August 12

Rabbitohs v Dragons Barlow Park, Cairns 3pm

Tigers v Warriors FMG Stadium Waikato 5.30pm

Roosters v Dolphins Allianz Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, August 13

Storm v Raiders AAMI Stadium 2pm

Knights v Bulldogs McDonald Jones Stadium 4.05pm

ROUND 25

Thursday, August 17

Cowboys v Sharks QLD Country Bank Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, August 18

Warriors v Sea Eagles Mt Smart Stadium 6pm

Eels v Roosters CommBank Stadium 8pm

Saturday, August 19

Tigers v Dolphins CommBank Stadium 3pm

Titans v Panthers Cbus Super Stadium 5.430pm

Dragons v Storm WIN Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, August 20

Knights v Rabbitohs McDonald Jones Stadium 2pm

Raiders v Bulldogs GIO Stadium 4.05pm

ROUND 26

Thursday, August 24

Panthers v Eels BlueBet Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, August 25

Warriors v Dragons Mt Smart Stadium 6pm

Dolphins v Cowboys Suncorp Stadium 8pm

Saturday, August 26

Storm v Titans AAMI Park 3pm

Roosters Tigers Allianz Stadium 5.30pm

Raiders v Broncos GIO Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, August 27

Bulldogs v Sea Eagles Accor Stadium 2pm

Knights v Sharks McDonald Jones Stadium 4.05pm

ROUND 27

Thursday, August 31

Broncos v Storm Suncorp Stadium 7.50pm

Friday, September 1

Sea Eagles v Tigers 4 Pines Stadium 6pm

Rabbitohs v Roosters Accor Stadium 8pm

Saturday, September 2

Dolphins v Warriors Suncorp Stadium 3pm

Panthers v Cowboys BlueBet Stadium 5.30pm

Dragons v Knights Nestrata Jubilee Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, September 3

Titans v Bulldogs Cbus Super Stadium 2pm

Sharks v Raiders PointsBet Stadium 4.05pm

Originally published as 2023 NRL season draw: Nick Politis hits out at unfairness of ‘TV schedule’ release