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**<big>NRL season 2015: Round one fixtures locked in but there’s still drama</big>**
**ROUND ONE\
\
Thursday 7.45pm — Broncos v Rabbitohs (Nine) at Suncorp Stadium\
\
Friday 7.45pm — Parramatta v Manly (Nine) at Parramatta Stadium\
\
Saturday 4.30pm — Knights v Warriors (Fox Sports) at Hunter Stadium\
\
Saturday 7pm — Cowboys v Roosters (Fox Sports) at 1300 Smiles Stadium\
\
Saturday 9pm — Titans v Tigers (Fox Sports) at CBus Super Stadium\
\
Sunday 4pm — Bulldogs v Panthers (Nine) at Sportingbet Stadium\
\
Sunday 6.30pm — Sharks v Raiders (Fox Sports) at Remondis Stadium\
\
Monday 7pm — Dragons v Storm (Fox Sports) at Kogarah Oval**
\
\
NRL season 2015: Round one fixtures locked in but there’s still drama
Phil Rothfield Sports Editor-at-large :laughing:
The Daily Telegraph
December 07, 2014 12:00AM
\
\
AT LONG last the NRL has settled on an opening-round schedule for the 2015 kick-off — but only after 48 hours of wrangling over a Monday night game.
Originally Fox Sports wanted to televise St George Illawarra v the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval to get a ratings boost from Benji Marshall’s return to his old spiritual home.
It was then discovered the Wests Tigers have a four-game contract with ANZ Stadium which includes a clause that one of the games has to be against the Dragons.
Determined to play Monday night football at suburban grounds to get better TV atmosphere rather than boring empty seats, Fox Sports changed its Monday night pick to the Dragons against Storm at Kogarah Oval in a replay of ‘Sirengate’
\
\
NRL season 2015: Round one fixtures locked in but there’s still drama
Phil Rothfield Sports Editor-at-large
The Daily Telegraph
December 07, 2014 12:00AM
Share
0
Myles wants rule change
0:59
AT LONG last the NRL has settled on an opening-round schedule for the 2015 kick-off — but only after 48 hours of wrangling over a Monday night game.
Originally Fox Sports wanted to televise St George Illawarra v the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval to get a ratings boost from Benji Marshall’s return to his old spiritual home.
It was then discovered the Wests Tigers have a four-game contract with ANZ Stadium which includes a clause that one of the games has to be against the Dragons.
Determined to play Monday night football at suburban grounds to get better TV atmosphere rather than boring empty seats, Fox Sports changed its Monday night pick to the Dragons against Storm at Kogarah Oval in a replay of ‘Sirengate’.
\
\
\
\
The Dragons-Storm game was the most controversial of the season last year when Melbourne scored the match-winning try after being allowed to play the ball after the siren at AAMI Park.
The Sunday Telegraph has been leaked a copy of the opening round of the premiership while the NRL continues to frustrate and infuriate fans, working at snail’s pace to get the rest of the schedule to footy-craving supporters before Christmas.
\
\
\
The first round has been signed off by broadcasters Channel Nine and Fox Sports but both are still waiting the final approval from Moore Park headquarters.
As it stands, the Brisbane Broncos will launch the season on Thursday night, March 6, pitting super-coach Wayne Bennett against defending premiers South Sydney in a blockbuster opening in front of an anticipated crowd of 50,000 at Suncorp Stadium.
On the Friday night it’s old rivals Parramatta v Manly with Anthony Watmough debuting against the club in which he is a life member.
For the first time, Channel Nine will show live Sunday afternoon football in 2015 and the first game will be an absolute cracker — a preliminary final replay between the Panthers and the Bulldogs.
Like Fox Sports, Channel Nine has requested the game to be played at Penrith for the suburban atmosphere but ANZ would get a bigger crowd.
The NRL has come under enormous fire for being so sluggish to release the schedule.
Their rivals the AFL, who have an extra game each week and a fixed schedule for every round, produced theirs six weeks ago.
The NRL draw was held up for another 48 hours last week while the football department spent two days at coaches and rules meetings, planning changes for 2016.
Surely the 2015 draw should have taken precedence.
The Wests Tigers, who were originally to host the Dragons on the Monday night, will now travel to the Gold Coast to play the Titans on the Saturday night.
The game will kick-off at 8pm in Queensland and an hour later in NSW.
Fox Sports will have three games on their first Super Saturday — the Knights against the Warriors in Newcastle, the Cowboys v the Roosters in Townsville and the Titans against the Tigers.
ROUND ONE
Thursday 7.45pm — Broncos v Rabbitohs (Nine) at Suncorp Stadium
A break from the traditional Roosters-Rabbitohs season launch and a massive first-up test for super coach Wayne Bennett against the defending premiers in his return home to the Broncos. Should be an absolute cracker of a game in front of up to 50,000 fans.
Friday 7.45pm — Parramatta v Manly (Nine) at Parramatta Stadium
Who would have thought Anthony Watmough would be up against the club in which he is a life member at in the opening round. Will Hopoate and Darcy Lussick are also up against their old club. These two great premiership rivals should just about fill Pirtek Stadium.
Saturday 4.30pm — Knights v Warriors (Fox Sports) at Hunter Stadium
A tough first up assignment for comeback coach Rick Stone against a side with more attacking flair than any other side in the competition. The Knights struggled in the early rounds last season and will be desperate to get off to a better start.
The Cowboys after their semi-final loss to the Roosters.
The Cowboys after their semi-final loss to the Roosters. Source: News Corp Australia
Saturday 7pm — Cowboys v Roosters (Fox Sports) at 1300 Smiles Stadium
This one has the potential to be the match of the round although it’s a huge assignment for the Roosters to open the season in the Townsville heat. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Mitch Pearce, the likely captain, to have a big game against Johnathan Thurston.
Saturday 9pm — Titans v Tigers (Fox Sports) at CBus Super Stadium
Two coaches relaunch their NRL careers with Jason Taylor’s Tigers heading to the Gold Coast to face the Titans and Neil Henry. It’s the start of a new era for both clubs, with the emergence of the Tigers’ cubs making them among the most exciting teams in the game.
Sunday 4pm — Bulldogs v Panthers (Nine) at Sportingbet Stadium
A replay of last year’s preliminary final. Brett Morris debuts for the Bulldogs on the wing or at fullback. Penrith much hyped five-year plan is now two year’s from completion. This should be an outstanding game of football between two sides tipped to make the top four.
Sunday 6.30pm — Sharks v Raiders (Fox Sports) at Remondis Stadium
No more ASADA, the coach is back and genuine hope in the Shire for a top-eight finish. Both sides struggled for much of last year and will be pleased they haven’t drawn any of the heavyweights to open the season. Ben Barba’s debut will be the highlight.
Monday 7pm — Dragons v Storm (Fox Sports) at Kogarah Oval
The sequel to siren-gate, with St George Illawarra looking to avenge arguably the most controversial game from 2014\. The rivalry between these clubs dates back to the 1999 penalty try grand final that gave the Storm their first premiership. There is never any love lost here.
**<big>_*Draw subject to change_</big>**
**ROUND ONE\
\
Thursday 7.45pm — Broncos v Rabbitohs (Nine) at Suncorp Stadium\
\
Friday 7.45pm — Parramatta v Manly (Nine) at Parramatta Stadium\
\
Saturday 4.30pm — Knights v Warriors (Fox Sports) at Hunter Stadium\
\
Saturday 7pm — Cowboys v Roosters (Fox Sports) at 1300 Smiles Stadium\
\
Saturday 9pm — Titans v Tigers (Fox Sports) at CBus Super Stadium\
\
Sunday 4pm — Bulldogs v Panthers (Nine) at Sportingbet Stadium\
\
Sunday 6.30pm — Sharks v Raiders (Fox Sports) at Remondis Stadium\
\
Monday 7pm — Dragons v Storm (Fox Sports) at Kogarah Oval**
\
\
NRL season 2015: Round one fixtures locked in but there’s still drama
Phil Rothfield Sports Editor-at-large :laughing:
The Daily Telegraph
December 07, 2014 12:00AM
\
\
AT LONG last the NRL has settled on an opening-round schedule for the 2015 kick-off — but only after 48 hours of wrangling over a Monday night game.
Originally Fox Sports wanted to televise St George Illawarra v the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval to get a ratings boost from Benji Marshall’s return to his old spiritual home.
It was then discovered the Wests Tigers have a four-game contract with ANZ Stadium which includes a clause that one of the games has to be against the Dragons.
Determined to play Monday night football at suburban grounds to get better TV atmosphere rather than boring empty seats, Fox Sports changed its Monday night pick to the Dragons against Storm at Kogarah Oval in a replay of ‘Sirengate’
\
\
NRL season 2015: Round one fixtures locked in but there’s still drama
Phil Rothfield Sports Editor-at-large
The Daily Telegraph
December 07, 2014 12:00AM
Share
0
Myles wants rule change
0:59
AT LONG last the NRL has settled on an opening-round schedule for the 2015 kick-off — but only after 48 hours of wrangling over a Monday night game.
Originally Fox Sports wanted to televise St George Illawarra v the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval to get a ratings boost from Benji Marshall’s return to his old spiritual home.
It was then discovered the Wests Tigers have a four-game contract with ANZ Stadium which includes a clause that one of the games has to be against the Dragons.
Determined to play Monday night football at suburban grounds to get better TV atmosphere rather than boring empty seats, Fox Sports changed its Monday night pick to the Dragons against Storm at Kogarah Oval in a replay of ‘Sirengate’.
\
\
\
\
The Dragons-Storm game was the most controversial of the season last year when Melbourne scored the match-winning try after being allowed to play the ball after the siren at AAMI Park.
The Sunday Telegraph has been leaked a copy of the opening round of the premiership while the NRL continues to frustrate and infuriate fans, working at snail’s pace to get the rest of the schedule to footy-craving supporters before Christmas.
\
\
\
The first round has been signed off by broadcasters Channel Nine and Fox Sports but both are still waiting the final approval from Moore Park headquarters.
As it stands, the Brisbane Broncos will launch the season on Thursday night, March 6, pitting super-coach Wayne Bennett against defending premiers South Sydney in a blockbuster opening in front of an anticipated crowd of 50,000 at Suncorp Stadium.
On the Friday night it’s old rivals Parramatta v Manly with Anthony Watmough debuting against the club in which he is a life member.
For the first time, Channel Nine will show live Sunday afternoon football in 2015 and the first game will be an absolute cracker — a preliminary final replay between the Panthers and the Bulldogs.
Like Fox Sports, Channel Nine has requested the game to be played at Penrith for the suburban atmosphere but ANZ would get a bigger crowd.
The NRL has come under enormous fire for being so sluggish to release the schedule.
Their rivals the AFL, who have an extra game each week and a fixed schedule for every round, produced theirs six weeks ago.
The NRL draw was held up for another 48 hours last week while the football department spent two days at coaches and rules meetings, planning changes for 2016.
Surely the 2015 draw should have taken precedence.
The Wests Tigers, who were originally to host the Dragons on the Monday night, will now travel to the Gold Coast to play the Titans on the Saturday night.
The game will kick-off at 8pm in Queensland and an hour later in NSW.
Fox Sports will have three games on their first Super Saturday — the Knights against the Warriors in Newcastle, the Cowboys v the Roosters in Townsville and the Titans against the Tigers.
ROUND ONE
Thursday 7.45pm — Broncos v Rabbitohs (Nine) at Suncorp Stadium
A break from the traditional Roosters-Rabbitohs season launch and a massive first-up test for super coach Wayne Bennett against the defending premiers in his return home to the Broncos. Should be an absolute cracker of a game in front of up to 50,000 fans.
Friday 7.45pm — Parramatta v Manly (Nine) at Parramatta Stadium
Who would have thought Anthony Watmough would be up against the club in which he is a life member at in the opening round. Will Hopoate and Darcy Lussick are also up against their old club. These two great premiership rivals should just about fill Pirtek Stadium.
Saturday 4.30pm — Knights v Warriors (Fox Sports) at Hunter Stadium
A tough first up assignment for comeback coach Rick Stone against a side with more attacking flair than any other side in the competition. The Knights struggled in the early rounds last season and will be desperate to get off to a better start.
The Cowboys after their semi-final loss to the Roosters.
The Cowboys after their semi-final loss to the Roosters. Source: News Corp Australia
Saturday 7pm — Cowboys v Roosters (Fox Sports) at 1300 Smiles Stadium
This one has the potential to be the match of the round although it’s a huge assignment for the Roosters to open the season in the Townsville heat. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Mitch Pearce, the likely captain, to have a big game against Johnathan Thurston.
Saturday 9pm — Titans v Tigers (Fox Sports) at CBus Super Stadium
Two coaches relaunch their NRL careers with Jason Taylor’s Tigers heading to the Gold Coast to face the Titans and Neil Henry. It’s the start of a new era for both clubs, with the emergence of the Tigers’ cubs making them among the most exciting teams in the game.
Sunday 4pm — Bulldogs v Panthers (Nine) at Sportingbet Stadium
A replay of last year’s preliminary final. Brett Morris debuts for the Bulldogs on the wing or at fullback. Penrith much hyped five-year plan is now two year’s from completion. This should be an outstanding game of football between two sides tipped to make the top four.
Sunday 6.30pm — Sharks v Raiders (Fox Sports) at Remondis Stadium
No more ASADA, the coach is back and genuine hope in the Shire for a top-eight finish. Both sides struggled for much of last year and will be pleased they haven’t drawn any of the heavyweights to open the season. Ben Barba’s debut will be the highlight.
Monday 7pm — Dragons v Storm (Fox Sports) at Kogarah Oval
The sequel to siren-gate, with St George Illawarra looking to avenge arguably the most controversial game from 2014\. The rivalry between these clubs dates back to the 1999 penalty try grand final that gave the Storm their first premiership. There is never any love lost here.
**<big>_*Draw subject to change_</big>**
