2020 draw analysis: NRL’s gift to Cowboys fans, QLD’s mixed fortunes

North Queensland fans have finally been looked after by the NRL draw, while Brisbane and Gold Coast have been handed vastly differing fixtures for the season ahead.

Brisbane face North Queensland twice in the opening month. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

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The Broncos and Cowboys will be rejoicing about their 2020 season schedule but the Titans will be feeling like they’ve been kicked in the guts.

Queensland’s biggest rivals – Brisbane and North Queensland – kick off their 2020 campaign in style, with a blockbuster derby to open Townsville’s brand new stadium.

The Cowboys have been handed a handy opening month of games, playing the Bulldogs (who finished 12th in 2019), Parramatta (5th) and Knights (11th), before travelling back down to Brisbane in Round 5 for a Queensland derby return bout on Good Friday.

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Brisbane face North Queensland twice in the opening month. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

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The NRL has finally taken into consideration North Queensland’s fans as well – with many travelling several hours just to head along to a game.

The Cowboys play at home 12 times next year, with seven to be played on the favoured Saturday night.

A Thursday night game has been scheduled against the Storm during the Easter school holidays, while a rare Sunday afternoon clash with Newcastle has been set down for the last weekend of the July school holidays.

And for the first time in a decade, North Queensland will host an Anzac Day match against the Bulldogs in Townsville in a nod to the region’s proud military presence.

The Broncos were handed a favourable draw. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

The Broncos have been dealt a favourable start to the 2020 season as they look to bounce back after being thumped 58-0 by Parramatta in the finals last month.

They start the year by facing the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Titans, Panthers and Cowboys - of which only South Sydney was a finalist in 2019.

The Broncos have 11 Friday night games, four Thursday night games, four Sunday games and only five Saturday games.

Meanwhile, the struggling Titans have been dealt a heavy blow before the season has even begun, with one of the toughest draws of any team.

The Titans have a brutal start to the season. Picture: Ashley Feder

The 2019 wooden spooners start their year in the nation’s capital against grand finalists the Canberra Raiders, before playing the Eels (5th last year) and then the Broncos (8th) in Round 3.

It doesn’t get any easier from there with an away game against defending premiers the Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground, then the Storm at AAMI Park and Manly at Lottoland.

The draw is a baptism by fire for incoming Titans coach Justin Holbrook who begins his new job on Monday.

Holbrook and the playing group will find out pretty early on whether they’re premiership contenders for 2020.