Revealed: Your team’s first five NRL games of season 2024
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Canterbury Bulldogs
Bulldogs star Matt Burton.Credit: Getty
They only play two teams from last year’s top eight but have also been scheduled against two teams that should have played finals football: Parramatta and South Sydney. Round two against Cronulla will be played at Belmore.
Difficulty rating: 8/10
Canterbury Bulldogs first five rounds
Wests Tigers
David Nofoaluma (left) celebrates a try with Jahream Bula (centre) and Brandon Wakeham.Credit: Getty
The Tigers arguably have one of the softest draws over the first five rounds of the NRL of any team. They play against one top eight team: Canberra, who only just scraped in last year. They also have a bye to start the year.
Difficulty rating: 6/10
Wests Tigers first five rounds
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks start the year against the Warriors.Credit: Getty
The Sharks have a tough away trip to start the season, taking on Shaun Johnson and the Warriors in New Zealand. They play two top eight teams from last season in the opening five rounds.
Difficulty rating: 6/10
Cronulla Sharks first five rounds
Parramatta Eels
Clint Gutherson celebrates one of his three tries with Eels teammates.Credit: Getty
The Eels play the reigning premiers but only have one other top eight team in the first five rounds. They’re also at home for three of those games.
Difficulty rating: 6.5/10
Parramatta Eels first five rounds
Penrith Panthers
Penrith star Nathan Cleary.Credit: Getty
The Panthers play against three competition heavyweights as well as Manly and the Eels, who should improve on disappointing seasons in 2023.
Difficulty rating: 8.5/10
Penrith Panthers first five rounds
South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney will be looking for a strong start to the year.Credit: Getty
On the road to Las Vegas and don’t play a home game until round four with Accor Stadium out of action. The Bunnies play against three 2023 finalists to open their season.
Difficulty rating: 8/10
South Sydney Rabbitohs first five rounds
Sydney Roosters
The Roosters had an up-and-down season in 2023.Credit: Getty
They meet the two grand finalists and arch rivals South Sydney in an opening month that also includes a trip to Las Vegas for the season-opener.
Difficulty rating: 8.5
Sydney Roosters first five rounds
St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons need a big year under new coach Shane Flanagan.Credit: Getty
The Dragons don’t play a top four team in the opening five weeks. They do, however, have to play their first two games of the season in Queensland.
Difficulty rating: 6.5/10
St George Illawarra Dragons first five rounds
Manly Sea Eagles
Manly missed the eight last season.Credit: NRL Photos
Manly don’t have an easy start to the year, but they won’t have to leave Sydney for a month after returning home from Las Vegas in round one.
Difficulty rating: 8.5/10
Manly Sea Eagles first five rounds
Newcastle Knights
The Knights celebrate another Kalyn Ponga try.Credit: Getty
Trips to Townsville and Auckland in the first four weeks make things difficult. The Knights play two top four teams in the opening month of the season.
Difficulty rating: 7.5/10
Newcastle Knights’ first five rounds
Canberra Raiders
There will be a few familiar faces missing from the Raiders team in 2024.Credit: Getty
The Raiders don’t play a single top four team in the opening five weeks. They’re on the road for three of those games, though.
Difficulty rating: 7/10
Canberra Raiders first five games
Brisbane Broncos
The Broncos will always wonder how they let such a dominant lead slip away in the grand final.Credit: Getty
The Broncos have one of the most difficult starts to the season of any team in the competition. They play three top eight teams, as well as arch-rivals North Queensland and South Sydney.
Difficulty rating: 9/10
Brisbane Broncos first five rounds
Gold Coast Titans
Des Hasler at the Gold Coast Titans’ pre-season launch.Credit: Titans Media
It’s a dream start for new coach Des Hasler. He doesn’t play a single top eight team in the first five weeks, and also has the luxury of the bye. They’re in Queensland for four of the first five weeks.
Difficulty rating: 5.5/10
Gold Coast Titans first five rounds
North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys underperformed in 2023.Credit: Getty
The Cowboys leave their home state just once in the first five weeks. They play three of their Queensland rivals in that time.
Difficulty rating: 6.5/10
North Queensland Cowboys first five rounds
Dolphins
The Dolphins start the season at home against the Cowboys.Credit: Getty
The Dolphins don’t have to leave home until round five against the Tigers. They also don’t play a single team from last year’s top eight. Softest start in the competition.
Difficulty rating: 5/10
Dolphins first five rounds
Warriors
The Warriors were the most improved team of 2023.Credit: Nathan Perri
The Warriors play against four top-eight teams from last season in the first four rounds, then take on competition heavyweights South Sydney. They do have the added bonus of playing at home for three of the first five games, however.
Difficulty rating: 8/10
Warriors first five rounds
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm start the season against the reigning premiers.Credit: Getty Images
They play the top four teams from last year (apart from themselves) in the first five weeks next year. Only away trip is a trek to Newcastle in round four.
Difficulty rating: 8.5/10.
Melbourne Storm first five rounds
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