The NRL will launch the 2016 season with a Thursday night spectacular in Townsville to cash in on the phenomenal popularity of Johnathan Thurston’s Cowboys.
Channel Nine will broadcast a live 8pm coverage of the recently crowned NRL premiers against one of the top-rating Sydney clubs, probably either the Parramatta Eels or the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The opening round kick-off has been scheduled for Thursday March 3 with games going all the way through to the Monday night Fox Sports match.
Nine is keen to cash in on Kieran Foran’s multi-million dollar signing at Parramatta and a first-up assignment against Thurston and Michael Morgan to attract the big ratings in NSW and QLD.
There is enormous interest in the Eels for 2016 with Foran and Origin enforcer Beau Scott on deck to try to lift the club into finals contention.
Scott came under fire in his last appearance in Townsville for the Newcastle Knights when he took Thurston out and smashed the champion playmaker with a highly questionable late tackle.
Cowboys players pose for a photo on a double decker bus in Cairns. Picture: Zak SimmondsThe Cowboys captured the imagination of footy fans the length of the eastern seaboard with their memorable victory over the Broncos in what has been described as the greatest grand final ever.
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Channel Nine and Fox Sports still retain full control of the NRL draw until the new broadcasting deal comes into play in 2018 when the governing body will determine its own schedule.
NRL executive staff have been meeting regularly with Nine and Fox Sports since the grand final to with the aim of finalising the schedule much earlier than last year when frustrated fans were kept waiting until almost Christmas.
This year the aim is to try to match rivals the AFL, who always produce a draw by early to mid November even with the two extra teams and complicated broadcasting commitments.
Not all Cowboys fans will be happy about the Thursday night kick-off.
The game will be played in daylight saving time in NSW, meaning a 7pm local kick-off for members and supporters who regularly travel for three hours or more from North Queensland outposts.
Also the average temperature in March in Townsville is 31 degrees which will make it difficult for the players.
Replies
Round 1.
- Thursday Night Football Eels V Manly
- Friday Night Football Broncos V Cowboys
- Saturday Night Football Sharks V Dragons, Storm V Warriors, Tigers V Panthers
- Sunday Afternoon Football Rabbitohs V Roosters
- Sunday Night Football Raiders V Bulldogs
- Monday Night Football Knights V Titans
Easy first round that would start the season with a bang.
channel 9 and fox who run the nrl the draws till 2018 , think parra will be a top 4 team next year no doubt, they just may be right.
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