The NRL have released the fixture for the next two rounds of the competition, with Latrell Mitchell facing off against his former club headlining the first weekend of footy since March.
The Broncos and Eels will restart the season on Thursday, May 28, before an all-Queensland clash between the Cowboys and Titans, and the Roosters taking on the Rabbitohs follow on Friday the 29th.
Mitchell won’t be the only player meeting his old club for the first time that weekend, with Issac Luke going up against the Warriors for the Dragons on Saturday, with Cronulla versus Wests Tigers and Melbourne versus Canberra both taking place later that day.
Sunday the 31st will see the Panthers take on the Knights and Manly host the Bulldogs.
While no venues have been confirmed for any of the games, the NRL has confirmed they will all be held in either Queensland or NSW. Matches featuring the Broncos, Cowboys or Titans as the home team will be played in Queensland, with the remaining fixtures to take place south of the Tweed.
Round 3 NRL fixture
Thursday 7.50pm Broncos vs Eels
Friday 6.00pm Cowboys vs Titans, 7.55pm Roosters vs Rabbitohs
Saturday 3.00pm Warriors vs Dragons, 5.30pm Sharks vs Tigers, 7.35pm Storm vs Raiders
Sunday 4.05pm Panthers vs Knights, 6.30pm Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs
Round 4
Thursday 7.50pm Broncos vs Roosters
Friday 6.00pm Panthers vs Warriors, 7.55pm Storm vs Rabbitohs
Saturday 5.30pm Eels vs Sea Eagles, 7.35pm Cowboys vs Sharks
Sunday 4.05pm Raiders vs Knights, 6.30pm Titans vs Tigers
Monday 4.05pm Bulldogs vs Dragons
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
The nrl waited for the AFL to release their plans? If the NRL didn’t get the ball rolling for May 28 the AFL would still be looking at a July/August start date.
Nat
Roar Guru
Davies Park mate. My boy is 7 this year, just old enough to throw the footy around with other kids at Valleys but I doubt he would sit still for 2hrs at Lang Park. Nor would the misses for that matter.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Agree , yes Im Ok with it.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
WTH!! When and how did Mary get onto the planning committee??
Alley Barber
Guest
So they can’t go there to watch .
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Hi Walter, You must remember the time zone difference between us and you guys in Oz. So there are no Super League slots to fill because all the NRL games are shown in the morning here. And that's ALL games not just 3 - we get all the live games supplied by Fox Sports. Sky will promote it more (I hope) as there is no other live sport on their network. I will be tuning in for the first time. I have not watched before because, as a student, I had to prioritise the sport I watched to fit it around my studies. Now I have left school, I have more free time and can now follow more Australian sports leagues and competitions (as I have wanted to for a while since I became interested in all things Aussie). Rugby league is a great sport from what I have watched already.
Walter Black
Guest
Hi Joshua My understanding is that sky normally broadcast 3 NRL games a week into the UK but are about to up that to 8 to fill the slots that Superleague would normally fill. My enthusiasm is because a network outside of Australia is intending to expand the broadcasting of our game at a time when there is little live sport being broadcast. I am also hoping that we can gain some new fans and that the game can get broadcast into new areas. We have a fantastic sport but unfortunately it is also a well kept secret. Rugby League the world over deserves better and I am hoping the NRL's early start can do us some good.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
We (in the UK) get that coverage normally. It may get more viewers because of there being no other major live sport on Sky at the moment but there's probably a niche following of NRL here in normal times. So it might not expand the exposure as much as you might think.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Why does it matter which grounds they are playing on?
Andrew
Guest
What makes you think Abdo is doing anything right now except pushing the will of Vlandys? he is barely allowed to speak much less make a decision it would seem.
Big Daddy
Guest
Andrew, you've got my sympathy and agreement there. It's also 12 days out and we don't know what grounds were playing at.
Jb
Guest
Oh shut up. For one Abdo does the draw anyway and nobodies rigging the draw
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Yes
Andrew
Guest
I actually think this is outrageous. The draw has been re-done and it is manipulated so that the 6 undefeated teams play each other meaning 3 teams immediately fall back in to the pack and giving everyone else a chance to close the gap. Are they serious? Is Vlandys going to order a redraw with 4 or 5 weeks to go in the season if certain teams look like missing the 8 and make sure they have an easier run home as well? Vlandys; Gets CEO to leave so that he can; Changes number of officials in the game (not his responsibility) Changes rule about 6 again (not his responsibility) Now rigs the draw (not his responsibility) Are people seriously ok with this?
Walter Black
Guest
I suspect that there is more involved than just that but I agree, it shouldn't present too much of a problem. I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to keep the number of stadia used to a minimum. That would save nine some money in set-up costs and as there are no fans anyway.....
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
I think V’landys has successfully followed his own path and the other code is now playing catch up. And not very well I hear.
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
could be interesting hope the worriors go okay in Aussie
jamesb
Roar Guru
mama, I don't the NRL has given one thought with what the AFL is up to since the postponement.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
'Peter Fitfornothing'...hahaha I love it!
Walter Black
Guest
That is OK Mama, we all know that the AFL has been waiting so that it can get its first 2 rounds screened live into Europe as well. Even Rugby Australia get bigger crowds than AFL would for screening over there. Whilst in Australia, the Vacuum of live AFL games upto the 11th is likely to result in more eyes on the greatest game of all and perhaps more than a few converts.