NRL draw analysis: Canberra face daunting travel schedule

After the launch of the NRL draw, Canberra have discovered the prize for making the grand final – skyrocketing commercial opportunities alongside a mammoth 40,000km journey over the 2020 season.

• Blockbuster opening weekend clashes
• Future draws must include 18 teams
• Winners and losers from the draw
• Full NRL draw here

Canberra face a 40,000 kilometre odyssey through four states, five major cities, two countries, four regional centres and three bush towns in their bid for premiership glory next season.

The 2019 grand finalists have been handed a gruelling itinerary which will double the average travel time of all other NRL clubs.

It comes amid predictions Canberra’s playing strip could skyrocket to $3m in sponsorship value after the club was handed seven free-to-air home games for next year.

The NRL released its full 2020 draw on Monday with Canberra on the road an incredible 15 times for away games, home matches, a trial match and World Nines in Perth.

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Raiders fans will have plenty to cheer about after a favourable draw. Picture: Getty Images

Canberra players will travel more than 35,000 kilometres with an expected appearance in the finals to push that figure up to 40,000 kilometres. NRL clubs travel an average of 20,000 kilometres a year.

The Raiders will travel to Perth, Port Macquarie, Auckland, Penrith, Wagga, Brisbane, Tamworth, Melbourne, Kogarah, Wollongong, Townsville, Brookvale, Central Coast and Gold Coast.

Over three games between rounds 19 and 21, Canberra is away in Wollongong, Townsville and Brookvale.

“I didn’t really notice it but we travelled really well last season. I think we won more games away than at home. The guys all like each other’s company so I’m sure we’ll be fine,” said Raiders chief executive, Don Furner.

“I don’t see it as an issue. We only have one five-day turnaround which is good. We are different to Sydney clubs where half your games are at home and most of the others are still in Sydney.”

The Roosters will have plenty of busy Saturday nights during the season as they chase the first rugby league three-peat in 37 years. Picture: Brett Costello

Canberra will travel wearing a playing strip that is increasing in value.

The Daily Telegraph understands the Raiders full strip is currently worth around $2.2m but could jump by nearly $1m in sponsorship through the Channel 9 exposure.

Insiders claim Canberra’s full strip could become among the richest in rugby league alongside Melbourne, Canterbury and Sydney Roosters but behind Brisbane, whose playing strip would be worth an estimated $3.6m.

Last year, Canberra had five matches on Channel 9, three years ago that number had slumped to just three.

So often snubbed for free-to-air exposure, the Raiders will feature on 9 in three of the first five rounds. But a grand final appearance, four colourful Englishmen and the now famous Viking Clap has Canberra in demand.

John Bateman and the Raiders will get their chance at grand final revenge over the Sydney Roosters in round 11 when they play over in Perth. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“It is definitely more beneficial commercially to be on free-to-air – a lot more eyeballs and that’s what sponsors are looking for,” said Furner. “To have more free-to-air games would certainly add value to us commercially down the track. We are an attractive team to watch, we play attractive footy.

“We have a point of difference with everything we do at our home ground with the Viking Clap and the Englishmen we have playing. The Raiders are an attractive proposition and I hope Channel 9 see that this coming year.

“We are a unique proposition really, aren’t we? Our (sponsorship) contracts are locked in for next season but if we show the eyeballs that free-to-air can provide you with then without a doubt it would help with contract negotiations, renewal of sponsors and your value.

“It is difficult to quantify but it is certainly a lot better proposition for us going forward.”

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Furner conceded extra free-to-air games could also boost Canberra’s merchandise sales.

And in another headline moment, the grand final replay between Canberra and Sydney Roosters will be played at HBF Stadium, Perth, in round 11 on May 23.

Canberra also announced the club would play a historic double header with ACT Brumbies on March 21 at Auckland’s Eden Park. The Raiders will play New Zealand Warriors at 3m (ADST) with the Brumbies confronting the Auckland Blues at 5.35pm.

Originally published as NRL draw analysis: Canberra face daunting travel schedule