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Another NRL season, another prime time TV bonanza for Brisbane.
And NRL CEO Todd Greenberg is making no apologies.
The Broncos were again one of the big winners on Thursday as the 2017 draw was unveiled.
In what has been a sore point for rivals for years, Brisbane received the lion’s share of TV games.
The Broncos play on Thursday or Friday night in 10 of the first 11 rounds next year.
Greenberg defended Brisbane’s dream schedule, saying it was what the TV sponsors wanted.
“Our broadcast partners pay significant premiums and, rightfully under this model, they have the ability to choose certain games and the Broncos are very valuable for them,” he said.
“So we understand that.”
Rival clubs might not be so understanding after Brisbane received six Thursday, seven Friday and five Saturday night games next season.
They have just one five-day turnaround in the first 20 rounds.
But Greenberg insisted Brisbane didn’t get all of their draw demands.
“It would be fair to say, if you ask the Broncos, they would like to play more Sunday afternoon football but it’s hard to make everyone happy,” he said.
Brisbane CEO Paul White sounded happy after the 2017 draw.
The Broncos open the season away against defending champions Cronulla before their first home game – a derby blockbuster on March 10 against North Queensland.
“We have not had the Cowboys as the first home match of the season since 2014,” White said in a statement.
“Considering the fantastic contests we have had over the last year or two, we deemed it imperative to make it our first home game of the 2017 season.
“The first two months of the season will be full of huge blockbusters against top-rated teams, which is a huge win for our members and supporters.”
Brisbane next season face four teams who finished higher than them in 2016 plus finalists Canterbury in the first five weeks.
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