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  • While a good challenge for us, it makes you wonder whether the "AI draw talk" was politico-bollockus. Optics. "Blame the computer, it's complicated". We are good click-bait after all: win, lose or draw.

    • The NRL know that Parra is a big viewership power, and they (and the media) milk it for all it's worth. It's really about time that the club use this to their advantage, ie we'll give you what you want if you give us what we want. The optics so far has been that Parra just take everything that's dished out to them by the NRL. That needs to stop now.

    • NRL has been using computer programs to assist with the draw for like 20 years. It's nothing new.

      • 100%. Most of us have been glued to computers for decades and smartphones (AI). Yet, I wouldn't excuse or blame the computer for our own decisions, and suspect there's more than a button-touch of human decision-making behind it. That's not wholly "vibes" or a thought experiment.

        Not judging it as "bad" or "good" though. The NRL don't like bad press aimed their way, distracting us from where they want the game to go. Intentions are probably fine even though I don't fully buy into the AI-making-impartial-decisions narrative the media pushed on behalf of the NRL.  You'll never please everyone with the draw anyways: a perennial drama. The AI-narrative, though false and misleading in many ways, tries to soften the dramas in some ways. Maybe it's good if the public and media believe it? Problem is some clubs and others know it's not wholly true. 

  •  

    Brutal run could put Benji in firing line; Ryles’ big Eels boost — NRL Draw Winners and Losers

     

    Fox analysis 

    WINNERS - Eels

    EELS

    The Eels have a much softer draw than years gone by, but the start of their season is a tough one with games against the Storm and Broncos kicking off their season

    Those two fixtures, away, are historically incredibly difficult - but Parramatta are expected to be a much-improved side in 2026.

    They won in their last outing against Brisbane and it was a tight affair when they faced Melbourne in Round 22.

    If they can get through those games, and a Round 4 fixture against the Panthers, and be competitive Jason Ryles’ side has a huge opportunity to kick on.

    But it’s equally a double-edged sword — an early-season slump could seriously hurt their finals chances in a sink or swim scenario.

    In some positives, they also have 13 games at CommBank Stadium and leave NSW five times, and only once after Magic Round in Round 11.

    If the Eels sit in and around the top eight to close out the year, they also have a golden opportunity with a soft run home.

    They face the Tigers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Dolphins, Sharks and Dragons, with their only travel being a trip to North Queensland in Round 24.

  • Eels/Storm, Dogs/Dragons and Bunnies/Dolphins all scheduled for Round 1 both 2026 and 2025. 

  • Apparently the Storm have never lost Round 1 under Bellamy since he took over in 2003? Storm lost in 2000 and 2001 pre-Bellamy and Round 2 in 2004 (after a bye in R1). 
    I will be at AAMI surrounded by Purple Dipsh*ts, hoping it does not turn into a cricket game as did R1 of 2025. 

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