PARRAMATTA EELS GIVEN A DREAM RUN TO THE FINALS ✔

HERE it is. The crucial last six rounds of the NRL premiership draw.Every team, every timeslot and most importantly, the key match-ups that will decide the final top-eight, minor premiership and dreaded wooden spoon.The Sunday Telegraph has obtained the first-look at the NRL’s yet to be released final draft for scheduling for rounds 21 to 26 of the 2017 season.After close consultation with host broadcasters Fox Sports and Nine, it’s anticipated the NRL will make the schedule of the final six rounds of the premiership draw available to fans and members on Monday.LATE: Cowboys snatch win from PanthersHighlights of the final six rounds include:* The Eels handed a dream final six weeks in regards to rehabilitation and recovery; playing only Thursday and Friday nights until week one of the finals.* A return to the Sydney Cricket Ground for Friday night football to coincide with Fox Sports “Retro Round” between the Dragons and Rabbitohs in round 22* The possibility of the minor premiership being decided on Saturday August 12 in round 23 with premiership-favourites Melbourne hosting the currently second-placed Roosters at AAMI Park.* Premiers Cronulla being forced to ‘go troppo’ by playing Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on a Friday night in round 23 before then flying north to Townsville to tackle the Cowboys six days laterParra fans will be dreaming of finals footy with this run-in. Photo: Gregg Porteous* The Raiders wanting desperately to cement their top-eight spot prior to a daunting final round match-up and 2016 preliminary final replay with the Storm on September 2 at AAMI Park* The possibility of the last-placed wooden spoon not being unable to be decided until the last Sunday of the regular season with Newcastle, the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs all drawn to play on September 3 of the final round.* What length the Tigers administration go to farewell departing local juniors Aaron Woods and James Tedesco on a Sunday night at Leichhardt Oval in the final match of the regular seasonCronulla have a tough run in Queensland at season’s end. Photo: Gregg PorteousAll Saturday night matches over the final six rounds of the premiership will be televised simulcast on both Nine and Fox Sports.Both Nine and Fox Sports have worked together with the NRL to finalise a draw focused on ensuring every club has minimal, if any, five-day turnarounds.The fast-finishing Panthers are one team who favoured well with six days being their longest turnaround over the final six weeks.And the season-ending shoulder injury to Johnathan Thurstonhasn’t only hurt Queensland’s Origin claims, it’s also robbed the NRL of a massive marketing campaign ahead of the Roosters round 21 clash with North Queensland.The Saturday night 7.30pm fixture at Allianz Stadium would’ve seen Thurston match-up with Roosters and NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce just 17 days after the Origin III decider.Vintage Benji schools JoeyHowever unlike the blow to Thurston, the NRL could be handed a ratings-winner should former NSW and current Cronulla captain Paul Gallen remain injury-free over the final month of the season.Gallen, who goes into Sunday’s clash with Manly on 294 first-grade games, would play his 300th NRL match in Queensland, of all places, against the Brisbane Broncos on a Friday night in round 23.Still on the Broncos, both they and the Cowboys, have received the much-desired Thursday night draw in the final round 26.The two Queensland team’s have developed an incredible and fierce rivalry over the past five years.And given they have received the longest-possible turnaround between the last round and week one of the finals, all 34-players will undoubtedly leave everything out on 1300Smiles Stadium.THE FULL NRL DRAW FOR ROUNDS 21-26ROUND 21Thursday (July 27)Panthers v Bulldogs, Pepper Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmFriday (July 28)Warriors v Sharks, Mt Smart Stadium (FOX), 6pmEels v Broncos, ANZ Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmSaturday (July 29)Knights v Dragons, McDonald Jones Stadium (FOX), 3pmRabbitohs v Raiders, ANZ Stadium (FOX), 5:30pmRoosters v Cowboys, Allianz Stadium (FOX), 7:30pmSunday (July 30)Storm v Sea Eagles, AAMI Park (FOX), 2pmTitans v Tigers, CBus Super Stadium (NINE), 4:00pmROUND 22Thursday (August 3)Bulldogs v Eels, ANZ Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmFriday (August 4)Dragons v Rabbitohs, Sydney Cricket Ground (FOX), 6:00pmCowboys v Storm, 1300Smiles Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmSaturday (August 5)Knights v Warriors, McDonald Jones Stadium (FOX), 3pmTitans v Broncos, CBus Super Stadium (FOX), 5:30pmSharks v Raiders, Southern Cross Group Stadium (FOX), 7:30pmSunday (August 6)Sea Eagles v Roosters, Lottoland (FOX), 2pmPanthers v Tigers, Pepper Stadium (NINE), 4pmROUND 23Thursday (August 10)Rabbitohs v Bulldogs, ANZ Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmFriday (August 11)Eels v Knights, ANZ Stadium (FOX), 6pmBroncos v Sharks, Suncorp Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmSaturday (August 12)Dragons v Titans, UOW Jubilee Oval (FOX), 3pmStorm v Roosters, AAMI Park (FOX), 5:30pmPanthers v Cowboys, Pepper Stadium (FOX), 7:30pmSunday (August 13)Warriors v Raiders, Mt Smart Stadium (FOX), 2pmTigers v Sea Eagles, Leichhardt Oval (NINE), 4pmROUND 24Thursday (August 17)Eels v Titans, ANZ Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmFriday (August 18)Rabbitohs v Warriors, ANZ Stadium (FOX), 6pmBroncos v Dragons, Suncorp Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmSaturday (August 19)Knights v Storm, McDonald Jones Stadium (FOX), 3pmRoosters v Tigers, Allianz Stadium (FOX), 5:30pmCowboys v Sharks, 1300Smiles Stadium (FOX), 7:30pmSunday (August 20)Raiders v Panthers, GIO Stadium (FOX), 2pmBulldogs v Sea Eagles, ANZ Stadium (NINE), 4pmROUND 25Thursday (August 24)Broncos v Eels, Suncorp Stadium (NINE) 7:50pmFriday (August 25)Raiders v Knights, GIO Stadium (FOX), 6pmTigers v Cowboys, Campbelltown Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmSaturday (August 26)Titans v Bulldogs, CBus Super Stadium (FOX) 3pmStorm v Rabbitohs, AAMI Park (FOX), 5:30pmSharks v Roosters, Southern Cross Group Stadium (FOX), 7:30pmSunday (August 27)Warriors v Sea Eagles, Mt Smart Stadium (FOX), 2pmPanthers v Dragons, Pepper Stadium (NINE), 4pmROUND 26Thursday (August 31)Cowboys v Broncos, 1300Smiles Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmFriday (September 1)Eels v Rabbitohs, ANZ Stadium (NINE), 7:50pmSaturday (September 2)Roosters v Titans, Allianz Stadium (FOX), 3pmSea Eagles v Panthers, Lottoland (FOX), 5:30pmStorm v Raiders, AAMI Park (FOX), 7:30pmSunday (September 3)Knights v Sharks, McDonald Jones Stadium (FOX), 2pmDragons v Bulldogs, ANZ Stadium (NINE), 4pmTigers v Warriors, Leichhardt Oval (FOX), 6:30pm

"Can't match Russell Crowes TPA pull that's all this is I have no doubt cap regardless years in the contract I bet you there's a sweet TPA in case of emergencies I'd put money on that.The only way Parra are to land a guy like him is to go silly or…"

Replies

Mac5733 June 25, 2017 at 8:56am

you call dream run, I call a nightmare.
we all know how we perform when being favourites???
- Dave > Mac5733 June 25, 2017 at 8:57am
  
  There's your answer Brett
Mac5733 June 25, 2017 at 8:56am

do you remember last year????
colin hussey June 25, 2017 at 9:04am

First time for long time the eels get 5 games on free to air TV. Good turn rounds and time off between the matches as well
- Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst > colin hussey June 25, 2017 at 9:08am
  
  Only thing nicer to go with the Thursday/Friday free to air games would have been a major sponsor. I have a feeling they will have one by the time that comes around.
eels2037 June 25, 2017 at 9:06am

shoulda gone to spec savers
Nath Taylor June 25, 2017 at 10:11am

Good stuff. Crowds won't be great though. But if we are in the finals it'll be nice to have a full week rest prior to the start of the finals after the Souths game.

Come on boys it's up to you!
Nitram June 25, 2017 at 10:24am

Every team's supporters (and often players too) think the NRL is against them. Even cowboys used to go on about it, remember the 14 men on the field controversy? Remember Thurston coming and insinuating the nrl didn't want them in the final. What an idiot lol
Alistair Shaw June 25, 2017 at 10:27am

I thought channel 9 picks the free to air games and not the NRL
The Offside Eel June 25, 2017 at 11:13am

Good for the team not for me i can't make Thursday's and fridays areca struggle as i work in sydney and live on tge coast its a long time away from the family.
Its really now or never for the boys in a good postion now with a strong run home no excuse accepted