NRL clubs react as full 2024 season draw announced

The biggest losers of the 2024 NRL daw have been made clear with Parramatta leading the list of clubs that have been dudded.

Nathan Cleary of the Panthers. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

Parramatta has been handed a nightmare draw for the second consecutive season.

The NRL on Monday announced the full fixtures for the 2024 season with Cronulla emerging as the big winner, playing eight games against this year’s bottom four sides while they’ll also play the fewest matches against top eight teams, NCA NewsWire reports.

On the other end of the spectrum, Parramatta will play five teams that are coming off a bye the previous week.

The club has also been stiffed playing all the top five teams from 2023 twice, while playing just two bottom-four clubs.

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The fixturing will be a slap in the face for Eels fans after the club also found itself 0-3 and then 1-4 to start the 2023 season after three of their first five opponents came off a bye round.

They never recovered last year — and it looks like the draw will be another hurdle for the club to confront next year.

Mitchell Moses and Waqa Blake of the Eels look on during their third loss of the 2023 season. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

The popular Ladies Who League Twitter account was among the first to criticise the draw given to the Eels.

“Forget the toughness of the draw - I get it. But this I genuinely do not get. No team should have to deal with this,” the account posted on X, responding to the number of times the club will face opposition coming off bye rounds.

The Eels also have the most five-day turnarounds (four).

Professional punter Chris Ryan also posted: “Honestly that’s a disgrace. Playing all 5 top teams twice, yet only 2 of bottom 5 twice. Eels CEO needs to be accountable for this, they deal with NRL pre-draw. And that’s two years running.”

The NRL was last year forced to defend the Eels’ season fixtures after the league came under fire.

Matty Johns said in March the Eels draw was “a complete oversight” and “should not happen”.

“I’ll say this about the Eels,” he said on ‘The Late Show with Matty Johns’.

“This has been a complete oversight as far as the draw’s concerned. Tonight they play Manly coming off a bye, next week they play Penrith coming off a bye, the week after they play the Roosters coming off a bye.

“That should not happen. That shouldn’t happen. You’ve got a side like Penrith now who are going to sit, have a two-week preparation to freshen up to play.

“The bottom line, it should not happen.”

The other big losers in the 2024 draw are the Warriors (four games) and Canberra (seven) — the only top eight teams from this year not to have at least 10 games on free to air TV.

The 2022 Grand Final seems a long time ago. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Parramatta is one of five bottom-nine teams to crack double digits.

There was already some drama behind the scenes when the proposed fixtures for the opening round of the competition leaked out against the NRL’s wishes.

As expected the season will open with the Las Vegas experiment which will see two matches played in the gambling capital of the world.

The Broncos will play the Roosters and South Sydney will play Manly in the two Las Vegas fixtures on March 2— the week before the first game on Aussie soil on the following Thursday night on March 7 — featuring the Knights and Raiders in Newcastle.

Meanwhile, the NRLW season kicks off with a blockbuster in Newcastle between the Knights and the Roosters on July 25, with the home side on the verge of a dynasty having won the past two titles.

There will be five stand-alone NRLW double-headers, with 16 matches either played before or after NRL games, with that number likely to increase in the final few rounds when the men’s finals series begins.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said in the announcement statement: “We have so much to look forward to in Season 2024.

“For the first time ever, we also announce next season’s NRLW schedule alongside the NRL competition, empowering fans to plan for an entire season of witnessing their favourite teams, both male and female, in thrilling, unmissable on-field action.

“The Premiership kicks off a weekend early in Las Vegas giving fans an extra week of football and an enormous opportunity to launch the biggest season of Rugby League. The 2024 Premiership will be 32 weekends of football, packed with themed rounds, rivalries, excitement, and anticipation.

“The opening and closing rounds will have fans on the edge of their seats with big rivalry derbies and blockbuster match ups throughout.

“I’d like to thank our broadcast partners Channel Nine, Fox Sports, Sky Sports New Zealand and naming rights partner Telstra for their investment and support of the game.”

FULL DRAW FOR 2024 NRL SEASON

ROUND 1

(Times AEST/AEDT)

Saturday, March 2

Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 12.30pm/1.30pm

Roosters v Broncos at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, 2.30pm/3.30pm

Thursday, March 7

Knights v Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7pm/8pm

Friday, March 8

Warriors v Sharks at Go Media Stadium, 5pm/6pm

Storm v Panthers at AAMI Park, 7.05pm/8.05pm

Saturday, March 9

Eels v Bulldogs at Commbank Stadium, 4.30pm/5.30pm

Titans v Dragons at CBus super Stadium, 6.35pm/7.35pm

Sunday, March 10

Dolphins v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, 3.05pm/4.05pm

Bye: Tigers

ROUND 2

(Times AEST/AEDT)

Thursday, March 14

Broncos v Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, 7pm/8pm

Friday, March 15

Sharks v Bulldogs at Pointsbet Stadium, 5pm/6pm

Panthers v Eels at BlueBet Stadium, 7.05pm/8.05pm

Saturday, March 16

Raiders v Tigers at GIO Stadium, 2pm/3pm

Cowboys v Knights at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 4.30pm/5.30pm

Storm v Warriors at AAMI Park, 6.35pm/7.35pm

Sunday, March 17

Sea Eagles v Roosters at 4 Pines Stadium, 3.05pm/4.05pm

Dolphins v Dragons at Kayo Stadium, 5.15pm/6.15pm

Bye: Titans

ROUND 3

(Times AEST/AEDT)

Thursday, March 21

Panthers v Broncos at BlueBet Stadium, 7pm/8pm

Friday, March 22

Warriors v Raiders at Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 5pm/6pm

Roosters v Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium, 7.05pm/8.05pm

Saturday, March 23

Bulldogs v Titans at Belmore Sportsground, 2pm/3pm

Dragons v Cowboys at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 4.30pm/5.30pm

Tigers v Sharks at Leichhardt Oval, 6.35pm/7.35pm

Sunday, March 24

Eels v Sea Eagles at Commbank Stadium, 3.05pm/4.05pm

Knights v Stormat McDonald Jones Stadium, 5.15pm/6.15pm

ROUND 4

(Times AEST/AEDT)

Thursday, March 28

Roosters v Panthers at Allianz Stadium, 7pm/8pm

Friday, March 29

Rabbitohs v Bulldogs at Accor Stadium, 3.05pm/4.05pm

Broncos v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, 7.05pm/8.05pm

Saturday, March 30

Dragons v Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium, 4.30pm/5.30pm

Titans v Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium, 6.35pm/7.35pm

Sunday, March 31

Warriors v Knights at Go Media Stadium, 3.05pm/4.05pm

Sharks v Raiders at PointsBet Stadium, 5.15pm/6.15pm

Monday, April 1

Eels v Tigers at Commbank Stadium, 3pm/4pm

Bye: Storm

ROUND 5

(Times AEST/AEDT)

Thursday, April 4

Storm v Broncos at AAMI Park, 7pm/8pm

Friday, April 5

Bulldogs v Roosters at Accor Stadium, 5pm/6pm

Knights v Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.05pm/8.05pm

Saturday, April 6

Rabbitohs v Warriors at Accor Stadium, 2pm/3pm

Sea Eagles v Panthers at 4 Pines Stadium, 4.30pm/5.30pm

Dolphins v Tigers at Suncorp Stadium, 6.35pm/7.35pm

Sunday, April 7

Cowboys v Titans at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 4.05pm

Raiders v Eels at GIO Stadium, 6.15pm

Bye: Sharks

ROUND 6

Thursday, April 11

Knights v Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, April 12

Storm v Bulldogs at AAMI Park, 6pm

Broncos v Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, April 13

Warriors v Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium, 3pm

Eels v Cowboys at Commbank Stadium, 5.30pm

Rabbitohs v Sharks at Accor Stadium 7.35pm

Sunday, April 14

Tigers v Dragons at Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm

Raiders v Titans at GIO Stadium, 6.15pm

Bye: Panthers

ROUND 7

Thursday, April 18

Roosters v Storm at Allianz Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, April 19

Dragons v Warriors at WIN Stadium, 6pm

Eels v Dolphins at TIO Stadium, Darwin, 8pm

Saturday, April 20

Panthers v Tigers at Carrington Park, Bathurst, 3pm

Titans v Sea Eagles at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm

Broncos v Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, April 21

Bulldogs v Knights at Accor Stadium, 2pm

Sharks v Cowboys at PointsBet Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Rabbitohs

ROUND 8

Thursday, April 25

Warriors v Titans at Go Media Stadium, 2pm

Dragons v Roosters at Allianz Stadium, 4pm

Storm v Rabbitohs at AAMI Park, 7.50pm

Friday, April 26

Sea Eagles v Eels at 4 Pines Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, April 27

Tigers v Broncos at Campbelltown Stadium, 5.30pm

Cowboys v Panthers at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, April 28

Dolphins v Knights at Suncorp Stadium, 2pm

Raiders v Sharks at GIO Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Bulldogs

ROUND 9

Thursday, May 2

Rabbitohs v Panthers at Accor Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, May 3

Sea Eagles v Raiders at 4 Pines Stadium, 6pm

Broncos v Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, May 4

Bulldogs v Tigers at Accor Stadium, 3pm

Titans v Storm at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm

Cowboys v Dolphins at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, May 5

Knights v Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium, 2pm

Sharks v Dragons at PointsBet Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Eels

ROUND 10

Thursday, May 9

Dolphins v Sea Eagles at Kayo Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, May 10

Panthers v Bulldogs at BlueBet Stadium, 6pm

Eels v Broncos at Commbank Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, May 11

Tigers v Knights at Scully Park, 3pm

Dragons v Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 5.30pm

Storm v Sharks at AAMI Park, 7.35pm

Sunday, May 12

Roosters v Warriors at Allianz Stadium, 2pm

Titans v Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Raiders

ROUND 11

Friday, May 17

Raiders v Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, 6pm

Sea Eagles v Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, 8.05pm

Saturday, May 18

Titans v Knights at Suncorp Stadium, 3pm

Sharks v Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm

Rabbitohs v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium, 7.45pm

Sunday, May 19

Warriors v Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, 1.50pm

Storm v Eels at Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm

Tigers v Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium, 6.25pm

Bye: Dragons

ROUND 12

Thursday, May 23

Bulldogs v Dragons, Accor Stadium at 7.50pm

Friday, May 24

Cowboys v Tigers at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 6pm

Sea Eagles v Storm at 4 Pines Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, May 25

Raiders v Roosters at GIO Stadium, 3pm

Sharks v Panthers at PointsBet Stadium, 5.30pm

Rabbitohs v Eels at TBC Sydney, 7.35pm

Sunday, May 26

Broncos v Titans at Suncorp Stadium, 2pm

Warriors v Dolphins at Go Media Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Knights

ROUND 13

Thursday, May 30

Eels v Sharks at Commbank Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, May 31

Knights v Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, June 1

Panthers v Dragons at BlueBet Stadium, 5.30pm

Dolphins v Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, June 2

Roosters v Cowboys at Allianz Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Broncos, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm, Tigers, Titans, Warriors

ROUND 14

Friday, June 7

Dragons v Tigers at WIN Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, June 8

Titans v Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm

Cowboys v Warriors at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 5.30pm

Broncos v Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, June 9

Storm v Knights at AAMI Park, 2pm

Panthers v Sea Eagles at BlueBet Stadium, 4.05pm

Monday, June 10

Bulldogs v Eels at Accor Stadium, 4pm

Bye: Dolphins, Raiders, Roosters

ROUND 15

Thursday, June 13

Sharks v Dolphins at PointsBet Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, June 14

Raiders v Cowboys at GIO Stadium, 6pm

Rabbitohs v Broncos at Accor Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, June 15

Tigers v Titans at Leichhardt Oval, 3pm

Warriors v Storm at Go Media Stadium, 5.30pm

Eels v RoostersCommbank Stadium7.35pm

Sunday, June 16

Sea Eagles v Dragons at 4 Pines Stadium, 2pm

Knights v Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Bulldogs

ROUND 16

Friday, June 21

Dolphins v Storm at Suncorp Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, June 22

Titans v Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm

Roosters v Bulldogs at Industree Group Stadium, 5.30pm

Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, June 23

Tigers v Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Broncos, Cowboys, Dragons, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Sharks

ROUND 17

Friday, June 28

Bulldogs v Sharks at Accor Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, June 29

Warriors v Broncos at Go Media Stadium, 3pm

Knights v Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5.30pm

Storm v Raiders at AAMI Park, 7.35pm

Sunday, June 30

Dragons v Dolphins at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 2pm

Panthers v Cowboys at BlueBet Stadium, 4.05pm

Roosters v Tigers at Allianz Stadium, 6.15pm

Bye: Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Titans

ROUND 18

Thursday, July 4

Eels v Rabbitohs at Commbank Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, July 5

Sharks v Titans at C.ex International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, 6pm

Broncos v Panthers at Suncorp Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, July 6

Bulldogs v Warriors at Accor Stadium, 3pm

Tigers v Stormat Leichhardt Oval, 5.30pm

Cowboys v Sea Eagles at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, July 7

Roosters v Dragons at Allianz Stadium, 2pm

Raiders v Knights at GIO Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Dolphins

ROUND 19

Thursday, July 11

Dolphins v Rabbitohs at Kayo Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, July 12

Sharks v Tigers at PointsBet Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, July 13

Titans v Eels at Cbus Super Stadium, 5.30pm

Broncos v Dragons at Suncorp Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, July 14

Sea Eagles v Knights at 4 Pines Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Bulldogs, Cowboys, Panthers, Raiders, Roosters, Storm, Warriors

ROUND 20

Friday, July 19

Raiders v Warriors at GIO Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, July 20

Rabbitohs v Tigers at Industree Group Stadium, 3pm

Knights v Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium, 5.30pm

Storm v Roosters at AAMI Park, 7.35pm

Sunday, July 21

Panthers v Dolphins at BlueBet Stadium, 2pm

Sea Eagles v Titans at 4 Pines Stadium, 4.05pm

Cowboys v Bulldogs at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 6.15pm

Bye: Dragons, Eels, Sharks

ROUND 21

Friday, July 26

Warriors v Tigers at Go Media Stadium, 6pm

Eels v Storm at Commbank Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, July 27

Broncos v Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium, 3pm

Cowboys v Sharks at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 5.30pm

Roosters v Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, July 28

Dragons v Panthers at WIN Stadium, 2pm

Dolphins v Titans at Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm

Raiders v Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium, 6.15pm

Bye: Knights

ROUND 22

Thursday, August 1

Tigers v Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval, 7.50pm

Friday, August 2

Warriors v Eels at Go Media Stadium, 6pm

Dolphins v Roosters at HBF Park, Perth, 8pm

Saturday, August 3

Titans v Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium, 3pm

Storm v Dragons at AAMI Park, 5.30pm

Sharks v Rabbitohs at PointsBet Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, August 4

Panthers v Knights at BlueBet Stadium, 2pm

Bulldogs v Raiders at Belmore Sportsground, 4.05pm

Bye: Sea Eagles

ROUND 23

Thursday, August 8

Rabbitohs v Storm at Accor Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, August 9

Titans v Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium, 6pm

Eels vPanthers at Commbank Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, August 10

Raiders v Sea Eagles at GIO Stadium, 3pm

Cowboys v Broncos at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 5.30pm

Dragons v Bulldogs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, August 11

Dolphins v Warriors at Suncorp Stadium, 2pm

Knights v Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Roosters

ROUND 24

Thursday, August 15

Panthers v Storm at BlueBet Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, August 16

Sea Eagles v Warriors at 4 Pines Stadium, 6pm

Roosters v EelsAllianz Stadium8pm

Saturday, August 17

Bulldogs v Dolphins at Salter Oval, Bundaberg, 3pm

Cowboys v Raiders at Qld Country Bank Stadium, 5.30pm

Tigers v Rabbitohs at Campbelltown Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, August 18

Dragons v Titans at WIN Stadium, 2pm

Sharks v Knights at PointsBet Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Broncos

ROUND 25

Thursday, August 22

Tigers v Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval, 7.50pm

Friday, August 23

Warriors v Bulldogs at Go Media Stadium, 6pm

Broncos v Eels at Suncorp Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, August 24

Raiders v Panthers at GIO Stadium, 3pm

Storm v Dolphins at AAMI Park, 5.30pm

Rabbitohs v Knights at Accor Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, August 25

Titans v Roosters at Cbus Super Stadium, 2pm

Dragons v Sharks at WIN Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Cowboys

ROUND 26

Thursday, August 29

Cowboys v Stormat Qld Country Bank Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, August 30

Bulldogs v Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium, 6pm

Panthers v Rabbitohs at BlueBest Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, August 31

Eels v Dragons at Commbank Stadium, 3pm

Dolphins v Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, 5.30pm

Sharks v Warriors at PointsBet Stadium, 735pm

Sunday, September 1

Knights v Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium, 2pm

Roosters v Raiders at Allianz Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Tigers

ROUND 27

Thursday, September 5

Broncos v Storm at Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm

Friday, September 6

Tigers v Eels at Campbelltown Stadium, 6pm

Rabbitohs v Roosters at Accor Stadium, 8pm

Saturday, September 7

Dragons v Raiders at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 3pm

Bulldogs v Cowboys at Accor Stadium, 5.30pm

Panthers v Titans at BlueBet Stadium, 7.35pm

Sunday, September 8

Sea Eagles v Sharks at 4 Pines Stadium, 2pm

Knights v Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium, 4.05pm

Bye: Warriors