NRL's assessment of the draw

[roosterproud]

here is no easy draw in the NRL Telstra Premiership – but some are arguably harder than others.
NRL.com have analysed the fixture list of all 16 clubs for the 2017 season to come up with a "toughness" rating for each team's draw.
Here's how it works: we've ranked each opponent based on their 2016 finish – minor premiers Melbourne being worth 16 points, while wooden spooners Newcastle are worth one point. Then we've used those numbers to analyse each club's draw. More games against tough opponents will lead to a high "toughness" score, while more games against weaker opponents will lead to a low score.
Round-by-round: The 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership draw
Of course, player movements mean teams change each year – some get better, some get worse – so we've also run the numbers based on 2017 premiership betting. We've then combined those two sets of numbers to come up with a toughness ranking for all 16 fixture lists.
These rankings don't take into account every factor in what makes a "tough" draw. Some teams will travel more than others (the Warriors, Cowboys and Storm will always travel much more than the league's Sydney-based teams, for example). Some teams will play a string of games at home or away, or face strong teams during the State of Origin period. The amount of time between games is another factor this system ignores.
Still, for a quick snapshot, here's how each club's draw is ranked – from toughest to easiest – in 2017.
1. Rabbitohs (168 points)
2. Cowboys (164)
3. Knights (162)
4. Raiders (155)
5. Sharks (145)
6. Warriors (145)
7. Dragons (139)
8. Titans (137)
9. Panthers (137)
10. Sea Eagles (132)
11. Wests Tigers (130)
12. Roosters (128)
13. Storm (123)
14. Broncos (119)
15. Eels (115)
16. Bulldogs (110)
The toughest draw belongs to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who rank at the top of the list both according to 2016 rankings and to 2017 premiership betting. They play premiership contenders the Storm, Cowboys, Broncos and Panthers twice each, with only a single game against lower-ranked clubs like Newcastle and St George Illawarra.
By contrast, the Bulldogs only play nine of their 24 matches against teams that played finals football in 2016, and will be forced to face premiership heavyweights Melbourne, Canberra and Cronulla just once each.
The Eels meanwhile have the "easiest" draw according to the current premiership betting odds, with two games each against the three least fancied NRL clubs (the Knights, Dragons and Wests Tigers).
Does a difficult draw matter? Yes and no. Sure, playing a tougher run of opponents could make a difference for teams vying to clinch a finals spot who are on the edge of the top eight. On the other hand, teams that do make the finals will arguably be more battle-hardened if they've got there by beating the best of the best on a regular basis.
There's much more to the NRL draw than the quality of opposition teams though. Check out the links below for your full guide to the 2017 Telstra Premiership fixtures.

I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THE DOG DRONGOS, STORM ALL GET THE EASY RIDE AGAIN

[roosterproud]

Sydney Roosters
Teams they play twice: Titans, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Knights, Wests Tigers, Storm, Sharks
Teams they play once: Panthers, Cowboys, Dragons, Warriors, Eels, Raiders
Starting point: Roosters fans won't have too many chances to see their team play in the early rounds with the Tricolours set to play six of their first nine matches on the road. Their first three opponents all made the finals in 2016, but only one of the following six games will be against a top-eight side.
Tough run: Rounds 16-18 could well define the Roosters' season as they take on last year's grand finalists (the Storm and Sharks) followed by a showdown with arch-rivals South Sydney. Fortunately for the Tricolours, all of those matches are at home, with their game against the Storm to be played in Adelaide. With a bye either side of the three-week stretch, the Roosters have the chance to make a mid-season statement.
Show-stoppers: All eyes will be on the Roosters as they host the Dragons in Round 8 in the annual Anzac Day clash. Last season's match was full of controversy, so expect plenty of feeling when these two proud clubs come together. The Round 16 trip to Adelaide will hold special significance as it will be the first time the Tricolours have played for points in the city of churches. The Roosters will be out for revenge at the Adelaide Oval after being thrashed 46-0 the last time they hosted the Storm.
Origin impact: (Byes: Round 15 and 19.) The Roosters will travel to the nation's capital in Round 12 ahead of Origin I and could be without up to half-a-dozen stars depending on selection. Their Round 18 clash against the Bunnies will also be affected by Origin, but that won't stop a big crowd from turning out at Allianz.

[fletch]

the vermin and us copped the most five day turnarounds, they got 4 we got 3.

that's a ridiculously high number when there are a total of 19 short turnarounds.

[Mickie Lane]

here is no easy draw in the NRL Telstra Premiership – but some are arguably harder than others.
NRL.com have analysed the fixture list of all 16 clubs for the 2017 season to come up with a "toughness" rating for each team's draw.
Here's how it works: we've ranked each opponent based on their 2016 finish – minor premiers Melbourne being worth 16 points, while wooden spooners Newcastle are worth one point. Then we've used those numbers to analyse each club's draw. More games against tough opponents will lead to a high "toughness" score, while more games against weaker opponents will lead to a low score.
Round-by-round: The 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership draw
Of course, player movements mean teams change each year – some get better, some get worse – so we've also run the numbers based on 2017 premiership betting. We've then combined those two sets of numbers to come up with a toughness ranking for all 16 fixture lists.
These rankings don't take into account every factor in what makes a "tough" draw. Some teams will travel more than others (the Warriors, Cowboys and Storm will always travel much more than the league's Sydney-based teams, for example). Some teams will play a string of games at home or away, or face strong teams during the State of Origin period. The amount of time between games is another factor this system ignores.
Still, for a quick snapshot, here's how each club's draw is ranked – from toughest to easiest – in 2017.
1. Rabbitohs (168 points)
2. Cowboys (164)
3. Knights (162)
4. Raiders (155)
5. Sharks (145)
6. Warriors (145)
7. Dragons (139)
8. Titans (137)
9. Panthers (137)
10. Sea Eagles (132)
11. Wests Tigers (130)
12. Roosters (128)
13. Storm (123)
14. Broncos (119)
15. Eels (115)
16. Bulldogs (110)
The toughest draw belongs to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who rank at the top of the list both according to 2016 rankings and to 2017 premiership betting. They play premiership contenders the Storm, Cowboys, Broncos and Panthers twice each, with only a single game against lower-ranked clubs like Newcastle and St George Illawarra.
By contrast, the Bulldogs only play nine of their 24 matches against teams that played finals football in 2016, and will be forced to face premiership heavyweights Melbourne, Canberra and Cronulla just once each.
The Eels meanwhile have the "easiest" draw according to the current premiership betting odds, with two games each against the three least fancied NRL clubs (the Knights, Dragons and Wests Tigers).
Does a difficult draw matter? Yes and no. Sure, playing a tougher run of opponents could make a difference for teams vying to clinch a finals spot who are on the edge of the top eight. On the other hand, teams that do make the finals will arguably be more battle-hardened if they've got there by beating the best of the best on a regular basis.
There's much more to the NRL draw than the quality of opposition teams though. Check out the links below for your full guide to the 2017 Telstra Premiership fixtures.

I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT THE DOG DRONGOS, STORM ALL GET THE EASY RIDE AGAIN

Who is the next team above them?
I like the idea of no excuses & if the Roosters are good enough they will have a good year not all this "we have to many 5 day turn arounds" & "we have to play 6 away games in the first 9 rounds" & "such & such is the ref" & such & such is in the bunker" & 'the wind changed direction at half time". No excuses this year for the Roosters I just want them to play to their potential & we will wait & see where we finish. End of story.

[Bigchook]

the vermin and us copped the most five day turnarounds, they got 4 we got 3.

that's a ridiculously high number when there are a total of 19 short turnarounds.

3 5 day turn arounds is a ridiculously high number for us? I think way too much emphasis is placed on the draw and trying to assess the difficulties of a draw is pointless. New Zealand and the cowboys must be laughing when they hear our supporters bitch about 5 day turn arounds and travel. If it was that important to us we wouldn't be taking home games away to Adelaide and Gosford.

[ism22]

I reckon you can complain about the draw when you're fighting for a spot in the top 4 and other teams are getting a slight edge due to longer turn-arounds and getting to play every Friday...etc.

When you're 15th... it's not the draw, it's you! IMO that needs to be our focus and we can whinge about the draw when we're in a competitive position.

[novice chook]

Over 26 rounds, 3 x 5 day turnarounds isn't too bad. Definitely better than last year.

And it looks like they occur early in the season, which is preferable to having them later in the year.

The draw is no excuse for not wining footy games. These guys are professional athletes and if they are prepared properly should be able to perform after a 5 day break. Especially when it's not happening on a regular basis.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Over 26 rounds, 3 x 5 day turnarounds isn't too bad. Definitely better than last year.

It's 3 out of the first 19 rounds, they haven't announced rounds 20-26.

[eddie]

The draw is pathetic.
It should be set in stone and then given to the broadcasters who paid to cover it.
The game is worth heaps to them and the nrl shouldn't let them call the shots.

The only club that's laughing is broncos pty ltd, but they're not really a club..............are they?

[novice chook]

It's 3 out of the first 19 rounds, they haven't announced rounds 20-26.

True - forgot about that one. Time enough to whinge if we get any more later in the season

And Eddie, the NRL does take over the scheduling in 2018. Next season is the last one where the broadcasters hold the NRL to ransom over when games are played. Hopefully that will bring an end to weekly Thurs/Fri day Showpony fest, to some extent at least. Clubs like Canberra and Melbourne, even the Warriors, deserve more free to air time than they currently get.

[roosterproud]

just had a browse on the drongos draw and it seems like they dont like playing on sundays nor do they have one 5 day turn around . Love their first 10 rounds, Thur, fri, thur, fri thur, thur,fri fri thur sat.

while canberra doesnt like thursday as they have non and three fridays but love the saturdays and sundays

so we have 2 home games in the first 7 rounds, but what i do like is the 5 consecutive home games in the later part of the season.

[Bigchook]

Rather play away games early on than 2-3pm games when it's still 30 degrees. I think playing in heat would be harder to recover from than a 5 day turn around.

[ism22]

just had a browse on the drongos draw and it seems like they dont like playing on sundays nor do they have one 5 day turn around . Love their first 10 rounds, Thur, fri, thur, fri thur, thur,fri fri thur sat.

while canberra doesnt like thursday as they have non and three fridays but love the saturdays and sundays

so we have 2 home games in the first 7 rounds, but what i do like is the 5 consecutive home games in the later part of the season.

Yeah hone games even out ay. If we can win half of our first 6 games or so then we can knock over quite a few tricky away games early on, which can be good.

Sometimes you can defeat better teams before they hit form/confidence too. For example while we blew it, we nearly beat the Raiders in one of the first few rounds in 2016.

[Thirteen]

Bunch of whingers. I don't care who we play and where we play them. I just want the footy back and to see our team respecting the jersey again.

[eddie]

And Eddie, the NRL does take over the scheduling in 2018. Next season is the last one where the broadcasters hold the NRL to ransom over when games are played. Hopefully that will bring an end to weekly Thurs/Fri day Showpony fest, to some extent at least. .

Hallelujah
Sanity finally prevails?

Making a commonsense draw is no where near as hard as the nrl makes out, especially when you consider the money they reputedly pay to have it done.
They wont have any excuses for the 2018 draw now.
No more playing the same team twice in a month, and no more 5 day turn arounds.