NRL 2023 Draw: The winners and losers as schedule revealed

The NRL draw for 2023 beyond the opening round is beginning to take shape and there are some big winners – and losers. See how your team will start the season

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 28: Dragons head coach Anthony Griffin looks on during the round 24 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the St George Illawarra Dragons at CommBank Stadium, on August 28, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Anthony Seibold will return to Brisbane as the headline act at Magic Round with the Sea Eagles slated to play the Broncos on day one of the annual three day event.

The magic does not end there for some club’s with under-fire St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin handed a perfect opportunity to cement himself at the club.

His home state of Queensland will dictate his future. The Dragons have the bye in the first week before playing Gold Coast (home), Brisbane (away), Sharks (home), Dolphins (home) and the Titans (away) again.

They play the Titans, Roosters and Dolphins twice in their first 12 games.

Dragons head coach Anthony Griffin could get off to a fast start in 2023. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The NRL’s new-look draw which features 27 rounds and teams receiving three byes week will be unveiled at 11am on Thursday.

However, News Corp has been able to obtained a host of key fixtures including;

• Roosters and South Sydney to clash on Friday night at Allianz Stadium in round three and again in round 27.

• The grand final rematch between Parramatta and Penrith to take place in round four at CommBank Stadium.

• Brandon Smith will travel to Melbourne with his Roosters team in round six to play his former club.

• Parramatta to play Brisbane at the GABBA in round 24.

• Canterbury’s new coach Cameron Ciraldo and star recruit Viliame Kikau to take on the Panthers in round 21 at BlueBet Stadium.

The Dolphins have a mixed start. The NRL newcomers take on the Roosters, Canberra and Newcastle before the blockbuster local derby against Brisbane in round four.

The Panthers first month of defending their mantle as the best team in the competition will include an opening month that begins with the Broncos, then South Sydney, a bye, the Eels and then Canberra.

The Eels face a stiff test at the start of the season with their first four matches including a round one clash with the Storm, then the Sharks, Manly and Panthers.

The Ciraldo era at Canterbury will begin with optimism following the revelation that the Dogs will face just one team that made last year’s finals in the first four rounds of the season.

The Dogs will open their 2023 account with a round one clash against the Sea Eagles (11th last year), followed by the Storm (5th), Wests Tigers (16th) and Warriors (15th).

While Seibold’s Sea Eagles will attract headlines on Magic Round, it is the Knights who miss out on the event.

Veteran mentor Tim Sheens will be eased into his NRL return with four of his five matches coming against teams who did not make the eight this year.

The Tigers will face the Titans, Newcastle, Canterbury, Melbourne and Brisbane to start the season.

SUPER SCHEDULE FOR ST HELENS

The NRL is set to launch the new season in style with premiers the Panthers and English champions St Helens to square off in the World Club Challenge on Saturday, February 18.

St Helens will play two pre-season games, starting on February 11 before a second blockbuster against the Panthers seven days later at Bluebet Stadium.

Kalyn Ponga and the Knights are tipped to be the team to miss Magic Round in 2023. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

NO MAGIC FOR THE KNIGHTS

News Corp understands the Knights will be the team to miss out on Magic Round to accommodate the new expansion club the Dolphins, who will make their debut in the Suncorp Stadium spectacular.

Magic Round will be played on the weekend of May 5-7.

More to come...

Originally published as NRL 2023 Draw: The winners and losers as schedule revealed