Just over three weeks after a thrilling – yet controversial – end to the 2019 NRL Season, and lo and behold the draw has been released for the next one.
It’s that day when suddenly all who swore they’d never touch the NRL again after the Roosters controversial grand final win are suddenly up and about, revelling over a big list of 16 different logos placed against each other 192 times.
For those who don’t have Kayo or Foxtel – or just simply don’t want to pay to watch their teams play – you were like me two or more years ago. You absolutely scrambled to see how many games the scheduling gods at Channel Nine would allow your team to see.
Previously, I covered how many games Channel Nine had given each team across the 2008–2018 seasons, so what does this mean?
That’s right – I have crafted up another ladder of how many free-to-air games your team’s been given this year. Here it is.
1. Broncos: 18
2. Storm: 14
3. Rabbitohs: 13
4. Dragons: 12
5. Eels: 12
6. Manly: 11
7. Panthers: 11
8. Roosters: 11
9. Tigers: 11
10. Cowboys: 10
11. Bulldogs: 9
12. Raiders: 8
13. Sharks: 8
14. Knights: 7
15. Titans: 2
16. Warriors: 1
(Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Your first instinctive reaction is probably, “The Broncos! Of course they’re way up the top again!” You’ve most likely also pointed out, “Look at the Warriors, down at the bottom of as usual!”
I can confirm those two placements follow common trends, but the most interesting thing is that – above the Titans and below the Broncos – the distribution of games this year is very evenly spread compared to normal.
It’s true that Sydney teams dominate the top half of the ladder, but it’s extraordinary that the Knights – being the third lowest on the ladder – have actually received the most free-to-air regular season fixtures they’ve ever got since 2013.
The biggest surprise of all however could be Melbourne with the second most games at 14 – with a whopping seven in a row to finish the season – since in 2015 they received just three of these games and have historically been low down the list.
Or perhaps the biggest surprise here is the Bulldogs at just nine free-to-air games. “Nine games? I mean that’s not too bad, really!” is what I hear you think, but bear in mind that since 2008 the Bulldogs have had the second most free-to-air fixtures after the Broncos.
If you’d told me that the Bulldogs would only by given one more fixture than the historically Channel-Nine-free Raiders this season, I would’ve spit out my Weet-Bix this morning and doubted you big time.
The good news is however, that if your team’s won a premiership – sorry Warriors and Titans fans – then you’ll be able to watch your team for free at least once in every four of their games.
As for the present, you can now get back to work and keep the horrors of rugby league’s recent past in the back of your mind until the Nines return to Perth in February. That’s ages away, so try to think about the summer of sport ahead – for your own sake.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Can't afford $6.25 a week for Kayo?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
"The Broncos are being hard-done by because they have to take an under 2 hour flight to Sydney..." That's a tad disengenuous. Yes, it's under 2 hours flying time, but what's the door to door time of Briz to Sinney? Closer to 5 hours I'd suggest. And one other thing, I don't recall anyone ever getting DVT or having any pressure related problems on a bus.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
How is playing the GF in Sinney every year creating a level playing field?
Tom of Brisbane
Guest
Used to happen once. I can remember watching Gold Coast Seagulls games on a Saturday night. And the Broncos were always on free to air in Qld even if they weren't the "official" Channel 9 game. Now we have a "national" broadcast policy which means everyone gets what Sydney wants
Nat
Roar Guru
You are entitled to your opinion of course. I'll go by the numbers by those who don't guess. Broncos supply to the NSW team as well. This year, with the season they still had 4 reps and significantly more in the past as you are no doubt aware. I wasn't aware you knew what it takes to any minutes in origin. Must be from all your origin experience hey? Care to elaborate?
Micko
Roar Rookie
The NZ government should've brought in anti-siphoning legislation like the Australian government did.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Yes, all teams should be given a fair crack at FTA TV. Why don't they simulcast games into different markets to maximise ratings.
Dunning Kruger
Roar Rookie
No one actually thinks its indefensible. Everyone knows it is actually a very simple commercial decision that we would all make if we were at the helm. Unless they are stupid.
Nico
Roar Rookie
I think you'll find the whole 'we're hard done by because we have 5 day turnaround myth' is overstated, if actual research is anything to go by https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/fiveday-turnarounds-have-little-impact-on-a-teams-chances-figures-show-20160409-go2f6s.html ,as for Storm/Warriors/Cowboys, sure they probably cop the rough end of the stick here, but for Sydney clubs and their fans to bleat about being disadvantaged by the draw is laughable, who wouldn't want to play more games in their home town with conditions you're suited to. As for the Broncos getting more FTA games, sure it's tough on clubs such as the Titans who only get one but at the end of the day, it's a financial decision, as was the decision to award Sydney the grand final for the next 50 years (and yet another leg up to Sydney clubs). Swings and roundabouts
Rob
Guest
A winger (Oats), and 2 forwards that are lucky to play 60 min between them (J. Ohengaue, D. Fafita). I do think the Broncos can get a little delusional about their popularity outside the southeast corner. They're not the champion team of the early 90's and never will be again with the salary cap in and a side stacked with NSW and imported players.
Beetle
Roar Rookie
Oh stop it! The Broncos are being hard-done by because they have to take an under 2 hour flight to Sydney and Sydney teams get to bus it around town?? Well yeah Sydney teams would have it easier there but 2 hours isnt exactly a stretch is it?? Plus the Cowboys are twice as far away than the Broncos so you still cant play the victim card on that. No 5 day turnarounds, prime time games majority of the time, one city to themselves, the Broncos are being spoon fed with a silver spoon
Rob
Guest
It's a bit of a catch 22. FTA give you more viewers and more advertising revenue. I guess it's a valid point about the Broncos having the highest membership in the league but that sort of goes against the Roosters and Manly being significantly lower than the Knights and Raiders in supporters? Seriously 1 Warriors game on FTA in Australia is pathetic. I couldn't care less if the Broncos or any other club was playing as i just prefer watching Rugby League instead of the Bachelor, Love Island or Better Homes. Personally it would like to watch all the teams get a go at some stage instead of a constant diet of Bronco repeats.
Walter White
Guest
Broncos 9 interstate trips, cry me a river. How many interstate trips do the Storm have and for the Warriors ints international trips. As I said, trying to defend the indefensible.
Nat
Roar Guru
I don't know about the 5-day turnarounds this season, haven't looked, but they've had their share in the last few, about average with most clubs. I think the most any one team gets is 4(?) in the season. Irrespective of their place on the ladder they supply the most players to origin every year. Does that count when your stars have to back up or be rested the next game (which was a Friday night for many years)? One-team-town, fair point and our crowds demonstrate that. We're discussing TV audiences and the Broncos don't just win the TV viewers in Brisbane, it's based on where ever the game is broadcast. Metro and regional Qld, NSW and Vic. Broncos v ... is a ratings winner, hence, the amount of FTA allocation.
Nico
Roar Rookie
Broncos have to travel interstate 9 times next season (10 if you count Townsville), the average Sydney club need only travel 5-6 times (only 4 if you're Penrith). Who's being spoon-fed?
Jacko
Guest
Test and Super Rugby isnt even on FTA in NZ
Beetle
Roar Rookie
Spot on Walter. Growing up from 2000-2010 my family didnt have the money to pay for fox sports so the FTA games (2 a week at that time) meant everything to us as they were the only games we could watch. It was super exciting seeing your team on the schedule but only about 4-5 times a year you would see them
Beetle
Roar Rookie
They are all those things you said because they are the only club in an entire capital city where rugby league beats all. They are also the only club that doesnt get a 5 day turnaround throughout the entire season. If any team gets spoon-fed in this competition... its the Broncos. And thats coming from a QLDer!!
Nat
Roar Guru
The NRL has a cap that creates a level playing field. TPAs can vary that balance as if you're a Storm supporter, you've benefited more than any club on that front. Although in the naughties, the Storm thought TPA meant Third Party Accounting. Broadcast deals are a totally separate issue. The amount offered has a direct correlation to the advertising revenue they can generate. It's not a delusion, it's economics. More Broncos = more viewers. More viewers = more advertising revenue. More revenue = higher value broadcast rights deal to the NRL. You're welcome.
Walter White
Guest
No not a socialist commodity but the NRL is supposed to create a level playing field for all clubs and fans. That is why the SC is the same for all clubs and distribution money is the same. You will be wanting a higher Salary Cap next just because you are the biggest club.