Blog with Buzz: Sydney fans big winners in NRL’s 2019 draw

THE NRL will stage 17 traditional club derbies in Sydney on Sunday afternoons next year as part of a fan-friendly strategy to fill stadiums and suburban grounds. LIVE BLOG 1PM

Sydney fans are the big winners in the 2019 draw with a heap of Sunday afternoon traditional rivalry matches.

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THE NRL will stage 17 traditional club derbies in Sydney on Sunday afternoons next year as part of a fan-friendly strategy to fill stadiums and suburban grounds.

Sydney clubs will also host only eight of the unpopular Friday 6pm games because of the focus on Sunday afternoon games.

Thursday night games in Sydney have also been reduced to only 13.

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The Dragons-Sharks rivalry will continue to grow in 2019. Picture: Phil Hillyard

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The Broncos will have prime time free-to-air matches on Thursday and Friday nights in eight of the opening 10 rounds.

The NRL had to take into account requests from broadcasters, club requirements, competitive fairness, venue availability and player welfare before finalising the schedule.

There is a much fairer balance of five-day turnarounds.

In 2018 there four clubs that has three-five-day turnarounds.

In 2019 there are only two – the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers.

Two clubs have none - the Panthers and the Rabbitohs.

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The Eels and Panthers have a clash booked in for a Sunday afternoon. Picture: Brett Costello

“The number of Clubs with three five-day turnarounds has been brought down,” Greenberg said.

“We have also attempted to extend the time between five-day turnarounds for clubs – in circumstances where they have multiple.

“As always I’d like to thank the RLPA for their involvement in the process. The RLPA had key priorities which formed part of the guiding principles for the schedule and we have worked hard to implement them.”

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The Roosters might not know where they are playing for all their home matches this year but they know they have a Sunday afternoon date with the Bulldogs. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The push to revive bush football continues this year with matches in Bathurst, Tamworth, Mudgee, Wagga Wagga and Gosford.

The Sunshine Coast will also host a premiership match for the first time – the Round 5 clash between South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Warriors.

All Roosters home matches that have been scheduled for the Sydney Cricket Ground have been released with a TBC in case there are clashes with Swans games once the AFL releases its draw.

Originally published as Blog with Buzz: Sydney fans big winners in NRL’s 2019 draw