Ready for a Roosters-Rabbitohs rematch?
You won’t have to wait long with the two bitter rivals – who were involved in one of the craziest matches of the NRL era with seven sin-bins in an elimination final – drawn to play each other again at Allianz Stadium in round three.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves argues with referee Ashley Klein.Credit:Getty
They will then have a traditional return bout in round 27, one week before the finals.
The Roosters are also planning on taking matches back to the SCG in the middle of the season due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will take over Allianz Stadium for the duration of the tournament.
Cheese’s southern return
Brandon Smith will make his return to Melbourne for the first time in blockbuster Storm-Roosters clash in round six.
Smith, one of the highest profile players to switch clubs during the summer, will come up against Craig Bellamy’s men at AAMI Park on the Thursday night before Good Friday.
The New Zealand hooker infuriated the Storm when he made comments on a podcast praising Roosters coach Trent Robinson, club chairman Nick Politis and the tri-colours’ culture before he had even officially signed with the Bondi outfit.
At the time, Melbourne powerbrokers were so incensed they considered moving on Smith straight away, only for the parties to resolve the issue and work collaboratively last season.
However, Smith is sure to be a marked man when he comes up against his former team for the first time.
When the NRL draw is officially announced on Thursday, Melbourne will feature in two blockbuster home games against last year’s grand finalists in the middle of the season. The Storm will play Penrith on June 30 in round 18 and Parramatta on July 28 in round 22.
The NRL has set a date for Brandon Smith’s return to Melbourne.Credit:Getty
Those games could potentially hold historic significance due to their location. With AAMI Park unavailable due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the club will seek to host the games at Marvel Stadium. However, the AFL – which has a floating draw – has priority at Marvel, which could mean the games are staged at the MCG.
If that is the case, it will mark the first time the iconic venue has hosted the Storm since two games were played there in 2000.
The Storm will also host their traditional Anzac Day clash on the Tuesday against the Warriors at AAMI Park.
Bitter rivals given early season return bout
Dragons given Gold opening
Anthony Griffin’s bid to earn a contract extension will start with a match in which the Dragons welcome the Gold Coast Titans in round two.
Having been allocated the bye in the opening round, the Red V will host another coach under pressure, Justin Holbrook, before their second home game features a blockbuster against local rivals Cronulla in round four.
St George Illawarra’s turbulent off season has finally quietened down after Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan withdrew requests for an immediate release to join other clubs. Sullivan’s request was on the back of captain Ben Hunt signing a contract extension until the end of 2025.
Broncos expecting early Dolphins derby
Having been given the toughest road trip in the league for their opening match – premiers Penrith at BlueBet Stadium – the Broncos are expecting to play their historic derby against Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins in the first month of the season.
“It will be a great experience for rugby league people in Brisbane,” Broncos coach Kevin Walters told AAP.
“It is a game that is always going to have a bit of feeling in it and a bit of battle lines [being drawn], so we will look forward to that one.”
NRLW schedule delayed
While there had been hopes the NRL would announce its women’s schedule for 2023 on Thursday, sources have said the format for the expanded 10-team competition will be put on hold until a later date.
The Tigers, Sharks, Raiders and Cowboys will join the league next year after the Knights went from last to first to win this year’s title.
