Round 6 kicks off on Friday night with a long awaited grudge match between Sonny Bill Williams and the club he walked out on.
However, the game between Sydney and Canterbury will not be the only blockbuster this weekend, as the Rabbitohs and the Storm will go head to head to try and end each others’ unbeaten run.
There’s not much to be said about the Friday night game between the Roosters and the Bulldogs.
It’s the first time Canterbury will play against Sonny Bill Williams, the player who famously left the club (and the country) mid-season and mid-contract in order to chase bigger money in European Rugby.
Ever since the Roosters announced that they would be signing the human headline during the off-season, Canterbury fans have been waiting for the chance to see their team get revenge on the man they view as a deserter and a traitor.
Its going to be a highly emotional game, with a big crowd and a lot of personal rivalries playing out on the field.
It will also be a high-rating game, as ‘SBW’ is a highly divisive player. There are no doubt many footy fans with a huge interest in the game, despite not being a fan of either club.
The NRL have shown good foresight in scheduling the game on a Friday night, with Channel Nine broadcasting it live.
However, the Bulldogs have only won one game all season, and the Roosters are coming off a somewhat embarrassing loss to the Raiders last week.
While the game will no doubt be exciting, there are two other teams with a lot to play for in a game that has not been given the billing it deserves.
After five rounds, the Storm and the Rabbitohs are the only two teams who remain unbeaten.
And, given the unlikelihood of a draw, one of these teams has the chance to claim the number one spot outright.
The Storm have the edge on for and against. They are also the reigning premiers and boast the so-called ‘Big Three’ in Smith, Slater and Cronk.
However Souths will have the home ground advantage; and key playmaker, Reynolds, will be looking to make his case for an Origin jersey.
Souths will also showcase what is arguably the most in-form forward pack in the comp, not to mention Inglis playing the best footy of his career (and also playing against his old team-mates).
This is a game that will no doubt play a major role in defining the rest of the 2013 season. Despite this, the game has received little promotion from the NRL and will only be shown on Foxtel.
While it is impossible for the NRL to know in advance every game that is likely to be a blockbuster, it’s a shame that this game won’t be shown live on Nine.
Perhaps it’s a case for some sort of game-sharing agreement between Fox and Nine that ensures all fans will get to see the big games when they happen.
But it is also the NRL’s responsibility to ensure that it promotes games of this magnitude outside the realm of television.
With just four days to go until kick-off, I feel the NRL should be doing more to try and fill ANZ stadium for this blockbuster, especially through the relatively cheap, easy and effective use of social media.
It is an opportunity for the game to gain great exposure and will no doubt pour much needed money in to the game’s back pocket.
I hope that the NRL will be able to capitalise on this match by getting right behind it’s promotion, just as it has continued to do for Sonny Bill Williams.
This huge round of rugby league is a marketer’s dream. Let’s hope both games get the attention they deserve.
Nato
Guest
thats rubbish Joe! If you have sky you can see all games live (unless games clash) but they are screened straight after!
Michael Waldron
Roar Rookie
Suits me - going to the Broncos game, nursing a hangover watching the unbeaten Rabbits and Storm. I have Foxtel purely for sporting events, well worth the cost for me.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
So, you're saying you watch "your team" every week ... Well I wish i had that choice ... Will not get to see the Storm play again until Round 14 :-( And, from what I've heard you have the best commentator in the business too - VOSSY !!!
Joe
Guest
just be happy you ozzy's get to watch about 4 games a week live or delayed. Here in nz we only get to watch one game: the warriors -.-
Epiquin
Guest
Yeah but how is that money being used? There was major talk about paying players more, which I am all for, but marketing (not advertising but true, proper marketing) should get a huge injection as well. Its great to "get a lot of money to put into the kitty", but that income has to be sustainable.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
And a lot of money to put into the kitty so all those other things you mentioned will be possible down the track.
Epiquin
Guest
The TV deal that got announced last year was a huge disappointment. we had years of build up with everyone discussing all the great opportunities ahead, especially with a new you-beaut commission to take charge. We all hoped for things like expansion, live games in Melbourne and Perth, better commentary, equal exposure of teams, better footy panel shows and in the end the result was... *drum-roll* ... the status quo. Absolutely nothing changed except for the fixed draw.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
The corporate world may very well pay the way in the wheeling and dealing of the contractual arrangements between the NRL and Channel 9 and Fox Sport, but, if the fans walk away, the game will come to one almighty stop ... Rugby League - "The Greatest Game of All" - may very well can be debated ... But, there was a far more important saying way back, whence the game began - Rugby League - "The game for The People, by The People" - which those running the game seem to keep over-looking ... "People Power" - The game would be for nought if those who love and follow the game, their clubs and their teams don't turn up at the gate ... Thankfully for Rugby League their supporters have stood firm and remain committed, unlike many of their sponsors, who are quick to walk away at the sniff of strife, or a bad smell or player bad behaviour or indiscretions ... Watch this space when all is revealed in regards to "the drugs in football" ... Sponsors will leave, heads will roll (already have), coaches and players will move on, while the majority of fans will stand strong and support their club ... In my opinion the worst of Rugby League starts with Channel 9 - The NRL Footy Show ... Another blot on the game, of below the belt behaviour that the NRL should review and rationalise both professionally and promotiionally ... I prefer "The Game Plan" on Channel 10, Thursday night at 7:30 ...
Ken
Guest
'I assume that Advertisers are also something that the NRL and Channel 9 take into consideration when deciding and disecting the draw …' I think you'll find that's the only thing that is taken into consideration when deciding the draw. Channel 9 has paid the $ for the TV rights to appeal to their customers - but we're not the customers, we don't pay Ch9 anything - the advertisers are their customers. Evening out the promotion of different teams? Ensuring that every fan gets to see their team? If you can make a convincing case that these factors will increase the ratings, or draw in a more desirable demographic or in some way convince advertisers to pay more to show their wares on Ch9 then I'm sure they'll happily take them into account.
turbodewd
Guest
Friday Night Broncos starring Tom Waterhouse!!!
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
ditto ... The Storm Boys will have to bring their A Game on Saturday night ... Cheers :-)
kahstallion
Guest
the storm vs south featuring our former stars Inglis,Crocker,Lima ,the injured King and coached by our former assistant coach Madge its like a mirror image with Souths structure but fielding a monster forward pack easily outweighing the Storms so it will be titanic hope we win but who knows " The Storm vs The Storm 2.0 ( no offence south supporters ) I cant wait
Epiquin
Guest
I think fixed scheduling is the best option, It is just disappointing to see Channel 9 have so much influence on the draw. Thats why every friday night we get "oh look another Broncos game..." There needs to be a more even spread. But its not all just about Television. You get the feeling that in any other sport in the world 1v2 where both teams are undefeated would be the match of the round and have everyone talking. The NRL wouldn't have to do much to get people excited about going to this match, especially considering that tickets are pretty cheap. It just seems they aren't doing anything...
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
What I would have thought should be taken into account when the NRL do up the draw each year is that preference for their 3 live televised games for the first 10 rounds go to the teams who made the top 8 in 2012 ... For instance, The Melbourne Storm, 2012 Premiers have only had 2 live telecast Round 1 on Sunday and Round 4 on Friday ... The next round they will be seen on a live or delayed telecast is Round 14 ... Each Round incorporates 8 games over 4 days and the arrangement between the NRL and Channel 9 is for 2 games on Friday night (1 live into Qld and 1 live into NSW), NIL games on Saturday, 1 game on Sunday, NIL games on Monday ... The last 6 games of the season are not finalised as yet and it should also be assumed that the top 8 teams in this years NRL ladder feature in the live telecasts ... I assume that Advertisers are also something that the NRL and Channel 9 take into consideration when deciding and disecting the draw ...
Vivalasvegan
Guest
Call me selfish but I can't watch a game live, on foggy Gem, with channel 9. I feel for those without Foxtel but the ad free coverage is a completely different experience. Nothing like watching it live but I generally wait and watch it later on Fox to avoid the astonishing amount of ads. I'm a storm fan but you have to like the Bunnies this year. Closing down Cronk is a tough proposition though.
eagleJack
Guest
Fans wanted fixed scheduling and this is the result. Channel 9 have zero interest in choosing the games that will be of the highest quality. They simply want the ratings. Hence why the underwhelming Broncos are forced down our throats every Friday night.