Bulldogs’ big Origin boost as every NRL team’s draw ranked from easiest to hardest

The NRL draw for the 2026 season has been revealed, with Melbourne facing a tough road to return to the grand final while the Bulldogs have a few reasons to smile.

We already covered off some of the biggest winners and losers from the draw, but here we give the verdict on every team’s schedule.

See how many games your team plays against last year’s top contenders and cellar dwellers, along with who will get a rest during the Origin period.

Here, foxsports.com.au ranks each team’s draw from hardest (1st) to easiest (17th).

Read on for every NRL Team’s 2026 Draw Report Card.

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BRISBANE BRONCOS

Round 1: Panthers at Suncorp Stadium (Friday March 6 at 8pm)

Round 2: Eels at Suncorp Stadium (Thursday March 12 at 8pm)

Round 3: Storm at AAMI Park (Friday March 20 at 8pm)

Round 4: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Friday March 27 at 8pm)

Round 5: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday April 4 at 7.30pm)

Round 6: Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (Friday April 10 at 8pm)

Round 7: Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium (Saturday April 18 at 7.30pm)

Round 8: Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium (Friday April 24 at 8pm)

Round 9: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Saturday May 2 at 7.30pm)

Round 10: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park (Saturday May 9 at 7.30pm)

Round 11: Warriors at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday May 17 at 4.05pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Dragons at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday May 31 at 2pm)

Round 14: Titans at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday June 6 at 7.30pm)

Round 15: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Thursday June 11 at 7.50pm)

Round 16: BYE

Round 17: Roosters at Suncorp Stadium (Friday June 26 at 8pm)

Round 18: Sharks at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday July 4 at 7.30pm)

Round 19: BYE

Round 20: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Thursday July 16 at 7.50pm)

Round 21: Cowboys at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday July 25 at 7.30pm)

Round 22: Knights at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday August 1 at 7.30pm)

Round 23: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday August 8 at 5.30pm)

Round 24: Warriors at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday August 15 at 7.30pm)

Round 25: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Friday August 21 at 6pm)

Round 26: Storm at Suncorp Stadium (Thursday August 27 at 7.50pm)

Round 27: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Thursday September 3 at 7.50pm)

Teams they play twice: Panthers, Dolphins, Bulldogs, Roosters, Warriors, Cowboys, Titans, Storm

Games vs top eight: 12

Games vs top four: 5

Games vs outside eight: 12

Games vs bottom four: 5

Fixture difficulty: 5th

Pros: Brisbane have a good run home in terms of travel with five of their last seven games in Queensland while Michael Maguire’s side have also avoided short turnarounds for most of the season, with the exception of Rounds 14-15 when they back up on a Thursday against the Rabbitohs in Sydney after playing the Titans at Suncorp on the Saturday. In terms of the difficulty of the draw itself, the fact all three other Queensland teams aren’t exactly world beaters means they have come out well there with the Broncos playing five other top-eight teams twice.

Cons: The Broncos have a tough start to their title defence with clashes against the Panthers, Eels, Storm and Dolphins in the first month. They also have all three of their byes in an eight week period in the middle of the season, which means they play 11 games straight to start the season and eight games in a row in the lead-up to finals. In addition, the Broncos have Origin impacted games against the Sharks and the Rabbitohs, while they only have one bye before an Origin game in Round 12. Their other two byes are the week after Origin games, which should at least give their Origin stars some time to rest.

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CANBERRA RAIDERS

Round 1: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Stadium (Saturday March 7 at 7.30pm)

Round 2: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Friday March 13 at 6pm)

Round 3: Bulldogs at GIO Stadium (Thursday March 19 at 8pm)

Round 4: Sharks at GIO Stadium (Sunday March 29 at 4.05pm)

Round 5: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday April 5 at 4.05pm)

Round 6: Rabbitohs at Optus Stadium (Saturday April 11 at 3pm)

Round 7: Storm at GIO Stadium (Friday April 17 at 6pm)

Round 8: Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium (Thursday April 23 at 7.50pm)

Round 9: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday May 2 at 3pm)

Round 10: Panthers at GIO Stadium (Sunday May 10 at 4.05pm)

Round 11: BYE

Round 12: Dolphins at GIO Stadium (Thursday May 21 at 7.50pm)

Round 13: Cowboys at GIO Stadium (Sunday May 31 at 4.05pm)

Round 14: Roosters at GIO Stadium (Friday June 5 at 8pm)

Round 15: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Saturday June 13 at 7.30pm)

Round 16: Storm at AAMI Park (Sunday June 21 at 4.05pm)

Round 17: Dragons at GIO Stadium (Sunday June 28 at 2pm)

Round 18: BYE

Round 19: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Saturday July 11 at 5.30pm)

Round 20: Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium (Saturday July 18 at 3pm)

Round 21: Tigers at GIO Stadium (Saturday July 25 at 3pm)

Round 22: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Saturday August 1 at 5.30pm)

Round 23: Knights at GIO Stadium (Sunday August 9 at 2pm)

Round 24: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Saturday August 15 at 3pm)

Round 25: Broncos at GIO Stadium (Friday August 21 at 6pm)

Round 26: BYE

Round 27: Cowboys at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday September 5 at 5.30pm)

Teams they play twice: Sharks, Bulldogs, Panthers, Knights, Cowboys, Tigers, Storm, Rabbitohs

Games vs top eight: 12

Games vs top four: 6

Games vs outside eight: 12

Games vs bottom four: 5

Fixture difficulty: 14th

Pros: The bye periods are spaced out well and with one in Round 26, it should give Ricky Stuart a chance to give his players a much-needed rest before the finals, should they qualify. There isn’t too much else that stands out in a good way, outside of a four-week period where they play at GIO Stadium with a bye squeezed in between just before the Origin period. That is a string of games against the Panthers, Dolphins, Cowboys and Roosters that Stuart should be targeting as key for setting up the squad for the rest of the season.

Cons: The reigning minor premiers don’t have a home game until Round 3 when they play the Bulldogs and Sharks back-to-back in two tough clashes at GIO Stadium. As for the impact of the Origin period, they play games against the Dolphins and Eels without their Origin players.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

Round 1: Dragons at Allegiant Stadium (Sunday March 1 at TBC)

Round 2: BYE

Round 3: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Thursday March 19 at 8pm)

Round 4: Knights at Accor Stadium (Saturday March 28 at 3pm)

Round 5: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Friday April 3 at 4.05pm)

Round 6: Panthers at Accor Stadium (Thursday April 9 at 7.50pm)

Round 7: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Sunday April 19 at 4.05pm)

Round 8: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Friday April 24 at 8pm)

Round 9: Cowboys at Accor Stadium (Friday May 1 at 6pm)

Round 10: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Thursday May 7 at 7.50pm)

Round 11: Sharks at Suncorp Stadium (Friday May 15 at 6pm)

Round 12: Storm at Accor Stadium (Friday May 22 at 8pm)

Round 13: Tigers at Commbank Stadium (Saturday May 30 at 5.30pm)

Round 14: Eels at Accor Stadium (Monday June 8 at 4.05pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium (Saturday June 20 at 7.30pm)

Round 17: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Friday June 26 at 6pm)

Round 18: BYE

Round 19: Raiders at Accor Stadium (Saturday July 11 at 5.30pm)

Round 20: Tigers at Accor Stadium (Saturday July 18 at 7.30pm)

Round 21: Warriors at Accor Stadium (Saturday July 25 at 5.30pm)

Round 22: Storm at AAMI Park (Friday July 31 at 7.30pm)

Round 23: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Friday August 7 at 8pm)

Round 24: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Friday August 14 at 8pm)

Round 25: Dragons at Allianz Stadium (Saturday August 22 at 7.30pm)

Round 26: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Friday August 28 at 8pm)

Round 27: Broncos at Accor Stadium (Thursday September 3 at 7.50pm)

Teams they play twice: Rabbitohs, Panthers, Dragons, Raiders, Broncos, Tigers, Storm, Eels

Games vs top eight: 11

Games vs top four: 6

Games vs outside eight: 13

Games vs bottom four: 6

Fixture difficulty: 6th

Pros: After heavy criticism of Matt Burton being unavailable for the Bulldogs during the Origin period despite only being NSW 18th man, Cameron Ciraldo’s prayers have been answered. The Bulldogs have byes on two out of the three Origin weeks, while they have one game against the Storm that will be affected, but Melbourne will likely have more representative players than them. After Round 11, the Bulldogs have just two games outside of Sydney in a cushy run home in terms of travel.

Cons: The Bulldogs don’t have a home game until Round 4 against the Knights. They also have a tough run home including clashes against the Storm, Roosters, Panthers and Broncos in the last six rounds, while the Bulldogs play top contenders Penrith, Brisbane and Melbourne twice.

CRONULLA SHARKS

Round 1: Titans at Sharks Stadium (Saturday March 7 at 5.30pm)

Round 2: Panthers at Carrington Park (Saturday March 14 at 7.30pm)

Round 3: Dolphins at Sharks Stadium (Saturday March 21 at 5.30pm)

Round 4: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Sunday March 29 at 4.05pm)

Round 5: Warriors at Sharks Stadium (Sunday April 5 at 2pm)

Round 6: Roosters at Optus Stadium (Saturday April 11 at 5.30pm)

Round 7: BYE

Round 8: Cowboys at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Friday April 24 at 6pm)

Round 9: Tigers at Sharks Stadium (Sunday May 3 at 4pm)

Round 10: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Saturday May 9 at 5.30pm)

Round 11: Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium (Friday May 15 at 6pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Sea Eagles at Sharks Stadium (Friday May 29 at 8pm)

Round 14: Dragons at Sharks Stadium (Sunday June 7 at 4.05pm)

Round 15: Warriors at One NZ Stadium (Saturday June 13 at 5.30pm)

Round 16: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Sunday June 21 at 6.15pm)

Round 17: BYE

Round 18: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday July 4 at 7.30pm)

Round 19: Dolphins at Kayo Stadium (Saturday July 11 at 3pm)

Round 20: Knights at Sharks Stadium (Friday July 17 at 6pm)

Round 21: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Stadium (Sunday July 26 at 4.05pm)

Round 22: Rabbitohs at Sharks Stadium (Sunday August 2 at 2pm)

Round 23: Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Sunday August 9 at 4.05pm)

Round 24: Raiders at Sharks Stadium (Saturday August 15 at 3pm)

Round 25: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Sunday August 23 at 2pm)

Round 26: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Sunday August 30 at 4.05pm)

Round 27: Storm at Sharks Stadium (Saturday September 5 at 7.30pm)

Teams they play twice: Rabbitohs, Dolphins, Warriors, Roosters, Raiders, Dragons, Titans, Sea Eagles

Games vs top eight: 10

Games vs top four: 5

Games vs outside eight: 14

Games vs bottom four: 7

Fixture difficulty: 16th

Pros: The Sharks can get off to a good start with clashes against the Titans, Panthers, Dolphins and Raiders, while three of their first five games are at home. They have a bye in Round 12 during the Origin period. Like last year the Sharks have a soft run home only playing three top eight sides from last year in the last 11 weeks of the season. They also only play three top-eight teams twice.

Cons: Craig Fitzgibbon’s side have a two day turnaround to play Manly after Origin I, while they have to play the Warriors during the second Origin and defending premiers the Broncos during the third Origin week, although in Brisbane’s case that could work in Cronulla’s favour given the defending premiers should be well-represented.

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DOLPHINS

Round 1: Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday March 8 at 4.05pm)

Round 2: Titans at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday March 15 at 6.15pm)

Round 3: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Saturday March 21 at 5.30pm)

Round 4: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Friday March 27 at 8pm)

Round 5: Sea Eagles at Kayo Stadium (Thursday April 2 at 8pm)

Round 6: BYE

Round 7: Panthers at TIO Stadium (Friday April 17 at 8pm)

Round 8: Warriors at SKY Stadium (Saturday April 25 at 6.05pm)

Round 9: Storm at Suncorp Stadium (Friday May 1 at 8pm)

Round 10: Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium (Thursday May 7 at 7.50pm)

Round 11: Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium (Friday May 15 at 8pm)

Round 12: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Thursday May 21 at 7.50pm)

Round 13: BYE

Round 14: Cowboys at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday June 6 at 5.30pm)

Round 15: Roosters at Suncorp Stadium (Friday June 12 at 8pm)

Round 16: Tigers at Leichhardt Oval (Saturday June 20 at 3pm)

Round 17: Warriors at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday June 27 at 3pm)

Round 18: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday July 5 at 4.05pm)

Round 19: Sharks at Kayo Stadium (Saturday July 11 at 3pm)

Round 20: Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday July 19 at 4.05pm)

Round 21: BYE

Round 22: Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Friday July 31 at 6pm)

Round 23: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday August 8 at 5.30pm)

Round 24: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park (Friday August 14 at 6pm)

Round 25: Eels at Suncorp Stadium (Friday August 21 at 8pm)

Round 26: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Saturday August 29 at 5.30pm)

Round 27: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Friday September 4 at 6pm)

Teams they play twice: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Broncos, Cowboys, Titans, Sea Eagles, Sharks

Games vs top eight: 12

Games vs top four: 5

Games vs outside eight: 12

Games vs bottom four: 6

Fixture difficulty: 4th

Pros: The Dolphins have a good start to the year in terms of travel, with four of their first five games either at Kayo Stadium or Suncorp against the Rabbitohs, Titans, Broncos and Sea Eagles, before their first bye in Round 6. They also have a relatively soft run home with a bye in Round 21 followed by clashes against the Dragons, Broncos, Sea Eagles, Eels, Roosters and Titans, but they are only at home twice during that stretch.

Cons: The Dolphins have to play in all three Origin impacted games and only get one bye after one Origin round in a brutal period of their season. Kristian Woolf’s side have a tough stretch after their first bye in Round 6, with clashes against the Panthers, Warriors, Storm, Bulldogs, Rabbitohs and Raiders.

GOLD COAST TITANS

Round 1: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Saturday March 7 at 5.30pm)

Round 2: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday March 15 at 6.15pm)

Round 3: Cowboys at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Sunday March 22 at 6.15pm)

Round 4: Dragons at Cbus Super Stadium (Sunday March 29 at 6.15pm)

Round 5: Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday April 4 at 7.30pm)

Round 6: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Sunday April 12 at 2pm)

Round 7: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Saturday April 18 at 3pm)

Round 8: BYE

Round 9: Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday May 2 at 3pm)

Round 10: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Friday May 8 at 6pm)

Round 11: Knights at Cbus Super Stadium (Sunday May 17 at 2pm)

Round 12: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park (Saturday May 23 at 7.30pm)

Round 13: BYE

Round 14: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday June 6 at 7.30pm)

Round 15: Tigers at Leichhardt Oval (Sunday June 14 at 4.05pm)

Round 16: Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday June 20 at 5.30pm)

Round 17: Bulldogs at Cbus Super Stadium (Friday June 26 at 6pm)

Round 18: BYE

Round 19: Storm at AAMI Park (Sunday July 12 at 6.15pm)

Round 20: Sea Eagles at Cbus Super Stadium (Sunday July 19 at 2pm)

Round 21: Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Sunday July 26 at 2pm)

Round 22: Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday August 1 at 3pm)

Round 23: Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium (Thursday August 6 at 7.50pm)

Round 24: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday August 16 at 2pm)

Round 25: Sharks at Cbus Super Stadium (Sunday August 23 at 2pm)

Round 26: Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday August 29 at 3pm)

Round 27: Dolphins at Cbus Super Stadium (Friday September 4 at 6pm)

Teams they play twice: Dolphins, Warriors, Cowboys, Dragons, Broncos, Knights, Sea Eagles, Sharks

Games vs top eight: 11

Games vs top four: 5

Games vs outside eight: 13

Games vs bottom four: 5

Fixture difficulty: 2nd

Pros: The Titans have a good start to the year in terms of travel, with four of their first five games in Queensland. They also have a cruisy finish to the season when it comes to travel, with five of their last six games at home at Cbus Super Stadium. When it comes to the Origin period, the Titans have a relatively good run with just one of their games impacted. They play Manly and the Tigers without Origin players. In terms of double-ups, they face fellow cellar dwellers Newcastle and the Dragons twice while only playing top-eight teams from last year three times (Broncos, Warriors, Sharks).

Cons: The Titans have a tough stretch around their second and third bye, with clashes against the Broncos, Tigers, Panthers, Bulldogs and Storm. They also finish their byes by Round 18, which means they will have to play nine game straight in the lead up to the finals.

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Round 1: Raiders at Four Pines Park (Saturday March 7 at 7.30pm)

Round 2: Knights at Four Pines Park (Sunday March 15 at 4.05pm)

Round 3: BYE

Round 4: Roosters at Four Pines Park (Thursday March 26 at 8pm)

Round 5: Dolphins at Kayo Stadium (Thursday April 2 at 8pm)

Round 6: Dragons at WIN Stadium (Friday April 10 at 6pm)

Round 7: Cowboys at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Thursday April 16 at 7.50pm)

Round 8: Eels at Four Pines Park (Sunday April 26 at 4.05pm)

Round 9: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Sunday May 3 at 6.15pm)

Round 10: Broncos at Four Pines Park (Saturday May 9 at 7.30pm)

Round 11: Tigers at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday May 16 at 3pm)

Round 12: Titans at Four Pines Park (Saturday May 23 at 7.30pm)

Round 13: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Friday May 29 at 8pm)

Round 14: Rabbitohs at Four Pines Park (Thursday June 4 at 7.50pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Saturday June 20 at 7.30pm)

Round 17: Storm at Four Pines Park (Saturday June 27 at 7.30pm)

Round 18: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Sunday July 5 at 2pm)

Round 19: Cowboys at Four Pines Park (Sunday July 12 at 4.05pm)

Round 20: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Sunday July 19 at 2pm)

Round 21: Sharks at Four Pines Park (Sunday July 26 at 4.05pm)

Round 22: BYE

Round 23: Storm at HBF Park (Saturday August 8 at 3pm)

Round 24: Dolphins at Four Pines Park (Friday August 14 at 6pm)

Round 25: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday August 22 at 3pm)

Round 26: Dragons at Four Pines Park (Friday August 28 at 6pm)

Round 27: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Sunday September 6 at 2pm)

Teams they play twice: Sharks, Dolphins, Knights, Dragons, Cowboys, Titans, Storm, Eels

Games vs top eight: 10

Games vs top four: 5

Games vs outside eight: 14

Games vs bottom four: 7

Fixture difficulty: 17th

Pros: Manly have a cruisy start to the season in terms of travel with three home clashes and a bye in the first four rounds. In fact, they only leave Sydney five times in the first 22 rounds. Anthony Seibold’s side also have a soft run home with three of their last six games at home and a bye in Round 22. When it comes to teams they play twice, Manly is a big winner with Melbourne and Cronulla on the list but otherwise the lowly Knights, Titans and Dragons also feature.

Cons: Manly will have to play two games affected by Origin against the Titans and the Eels, while they have trips to Perth and New Zealand in the final five games of the year.

MELBOURNE STORM

Round 1: Eels at AAMI Park (Thursday March 5 at 8pm)

Round 2: Dragons at WIN Stadium (Saturday March 14 at 5.30pm)

Round 3: Broncos at AAMI Park (Friday March 20 at 8pm)

Round 4: Cowboys at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday March 28 at 7.30pm)

Round 5: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Friday April 3 at 8pm)

Round 6: Warriors at AAMI Park (Saturday April 11 at 7.30pm)

Round 7: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Friday April 17 at 6pm)

Round 8: Rabbitohs at AAMI Park (Saturday April 25 at 8.10pm)

Round 9: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Friday May 1 at 8pm)

Round 10: Tigers at AAMI Park (Sunday May 10 at 2pm)

Round 11: Eels at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday May 16 at 7.30pm)

Round 12: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Friday May 22 at 8pm)

Round 13: Roosters at AAMI Park (Saturday May 30 at 7.30pm)

Round 14: Knights at AAMI Park (Friday June 5 at 6pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Raiders at AAMI Park (Sunday June 21 at 4.05pm)

Round 17: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park (Saturday June 27 at 7.30pm)

Round 18: BYE

Round 19: Titans at AAMI Park (Sunday July 12 at 6.15pm)

Round 20: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Friday July 17 at 8pm)

Round 21: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Friday July 24 at 8pm)

Round 22: Bulldogs at AAMI Park (Friday July 31 at 8pm)

Round 23: Sea Eagles at HBF Park (Saturday August 8 at 3pm)

Round 24: BYE

Round 25: Panthers at AAMI Park (Thursday August 20 at 7.50pm)

Round 26: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Thursday August 27 at 7.50pm)

Round 27: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Saturday September 5 at 7.30pm)

Teams they play twice: Rabbitohs, Panthers, Bulldogs, Roosters, Broncos, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Eels

Games vs top eight: 12

Games vs top four: 6

Games vs outside eight: 12

Games vs bottom four: 5

Fixture difficulty: 8th

Pros: The Storm usually have a fair few Origin players and have been gifted two byes on Origin weekends in a huge boost through that period of the season. The Storm also have three byes in the last 12 weeks of the season which will allow them to freshen up before finals.

Cons: Craig Bellamy’s side have a tough start to the year in terms of travel with just two games at home in the first five games and clashes against the Broncos, Panthers, Warriors and Raiders in the first seven weeks. They also don’t get a bye until Round 15, which means they will play 14 games straight to start the year. They have a tough run home with clashes against the Roosters, Bulldogs, Panthers, Broncos and Sharks in the last eight weeks of the season, while in total they play five of last year’s top-eight teams twice.

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NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Round 1: Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium (Sunday March 1 at TBC)

Round 2: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park (Sunday March 15 at 4.05pm)

Round 3: Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday March 21 at 3pm)

Round 4: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Saturday March 28 at 3pm)

Round 5: Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday April 5 at 4.05pm)

Round 6: Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium (Sunday April 12 at 4.05pm)

Round 7: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Sunday April 19 at 2pm)

Round 8: Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday April 26 at 2pm)

Round 9: Rabbitohs at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday May 3 at 2pm)

Round 10: Dragons at WIN Stadium (Saturday May 9 at 3pm)

Round 11: Titans at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday May 17 at 2pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday May 30 at 3pm)

Round 14: Storm at AAMI Park (Friday June 5 at 6pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium (Friday June 19 at 8pm)

Round 17: Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday June 28 at 4.05pm)

Round 18: Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday July 5 at 4.05pm)

Round 19: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Sunday July 12 at 2pm)

Round 20: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Friday July 17 at 6pm)

Round 21: Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium (Friday July 24 at 6pm)

Round 22: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday August 1 at 7.30pm)

Round 23: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Sunday August 9 at 2pm)

Round 24: Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday August 16 at 2pm)

Round 25: Sea Eagles at McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday August 22 at 3pm)

Round 26: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Sunday August 30 at 2pm)

Round 27: BYE

Teams they play twice: Rabbitohs, Warriors, Roosters, Raiders, Dragons, Sea Eagles, Titans, Tigers

Games vs top eight: 11

Games vs top four: 5

Games vs outside eight: 13

Games vs bottom four: 6

Fixture difficulty: 11th

Pros: The Knights have been given two byes during Origin, but it remains to be seen how many of their players will play in that arena, with Kalyn Ponga the only one likely to feature along with potentially Bradman Best. They have one Origin affected game against the Rabbitohs, who should have more players out than them. They also have a bye in the final Round, which could freshen them up for finals if they make it. It is not surprising that the wooden spooners have benefited from a softer draw too when it comes to opposition, with the Knights facing fellow strugglers the Dragons and Titans twice while they play only three top-eight teams twice. The Raiders are the only one of those three times to have finished inside the top four too.

Cons: Justin Holbrook’s side have a tough start to the year in terms of travel, with just two game at home in the first seven weeks. The Knights also have a tough run home with clashes against the Sharks, Roosters, Broncos, Raiders and Warriors in their last seven games of the regular season.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Round 1: Knights at Allegiant Stadium (Sunday March 1 at TBC)

Round 2: Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium (Saturday March 14 at 3pm)

Round 3: Titans at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Sunday March 22 at 6.15pm)

Round 4: Storm at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday March 28 at 7.30pm)

Round 5: Dragons at WIN Stadium (Saturday April 4 at 5.30pm)

Round 6: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Friday April 10 at 8pm)

Round 7: Sea Eagles at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Thursday April 16 at 7.50pm)

Round 8: Sharks at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Friday April 24 at 6pm)

Round 9: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Friday May 1 at 6pm)

Round 10: Eels at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Friday May 8 at 8pm)

Round 11: Roosters at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday May 16 at 5.30pm)

Round 12: Rabbitohs at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Sunday May 24 at 4.05pm)

Round 13: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Sunday May 31 at 4.05pm)

Round 14: Dolphins at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday June 6 at 5.30pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Sunday June 21 at 2pm)

Round 17: Panthers at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday June 27 at 5.30pm)

Round 18: BYE

Round 19: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Stadium (Sunday July 12 at 4.05pm)

Round 20: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday July 19 at 4.05pm)

Round 21: Broncos at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday July 25 at 7.30pm)

Round 22: Roosters at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Thursday July 30 at 7.50pm)

Round 23: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Thursday August 6 at 7.50pm)

Round 24: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Saturday August 15 at 5.30pm)

Round 25: BYE

Round 26: Tigers at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday August 29 at 7.30pm)

Round 27: Raiders at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Saturday September 5 at 5.30pm)

Teams they play twice: Roosters, Dolphins, Broncos, Raiders, Tigers, Titans, Sea Eagles, Eels

Games vs top eight: 11

Games vs top four: 6

Games vs outside eight: 13

Games vs bottom four: 5

Fixture difficulty: 13th

Pros: The Cowboys have a good run through the Origin period with two byes and a game against Souths, which should work in their favour given they usually have a lot of rep players called up. Todd Payten’s side also have a good run home in terms of travel, with seven of their last eight games in Queensland. They also have clashes against the Titans, Eels, Tigers and Raiders and a bye in Round 25 to help freshen up for finals should they make it.

Cons: The Cowboys have a tough start to the season in terms of travel, with just two games at home in the first six weeks and they begin their campaign in Las Vegas.

PARRAMATTA EELS

Round 1: Storm at AAMI Park (Thursday March 5 at 8:00pm)

Round 2: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Thursday March 12 at 8:00pm)

Round 3: Dragons at CommBank Stadium (Sunday March 22 at 4:05pm)

Round 4: Panthers at CommBank Stadium (Saturday March 28 at 5:30pm)

Round 5: Tigers at CommBank Stadium (Monday April 6 at 4:05pm)

Round 6: Titans at CommBank Stadium (Sunday April 12 at 2:00pm)

Round 7: Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium (Sunday April 19 at 4:05pm)

Round 8: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park (Sunday April 26 at 4:05pm)

Round 9: Warriors at CommBank Stadium (Saturday May 2 at 5:30pm)

Round 10: Cowboys at QLD Country Bank Stadium (Friday May 8 at 8:00pm)

Round 11: Storm at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday May 16 at 7:30pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday May 30 at 3:00pm)

Round 14: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Monday June 8 at 4:05pm)

Round 15: Raiders at CommBank Stadium (Saturday June 13 at 7:30pm)

Round 16: BYE

Round 17: Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium (Thursday June 25 at 7:50pm)

Round 18: Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium (Sunday July 5 at 2:00pm)

Round 19: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Saturday July 11 at 7:30pm)

Round 20: BYE

Round 21: Panthers at CommBank Stadium (Thursday July 23 at 7:50pm)

Round 22: Tigers at CommBank Stadium (Sunday August 2 at 4:05pm)

Round 23: Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium (Saturday August 8 at 7:30pm)

Round 24: Cowboys at CommBank Stadium (Saturday August 15 at 5:30pm)

Round 25: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Friday August 21 at 8:00pm)

Round 26: Sharks at CommBank Stadium (Sunday August 30 at 4:05pm)

Round 27: Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Saturday September 5 at 3:00pm)

Teams they play twice: Rabbitohs, Panthers, Dragons, Cowboys, Tigers, Sea Eagles, Storm, Bulldogs

Games vs top eight: 11

Games vs top four: 6

Games vs outside eight: 13

Games vs bottom four: 6

Fixture difficulty: 7th

Pros: The Eels play 13 games at their home ground of Commbank Stadium in 2026. Remarkably, they play just four games outside of NSW all year and just three after Round 1 against Melbourne. They also have a relatively soft run home with a bye in Round 20 followed by clashes with the Panthers, Tigers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Dolphins, Sharks and Dragons, which will help their finals push. In addition, the Panthers, Bulldogs and Storm are the only top-eight teams from 2025 that they play twice.

Cons: The Eels will have to play in two games impacted by Origin against the Raiders and the Sea Eagles. They don’t get their first bye until Round 12 too, which means they play 11 games straight to start the season. It will be tough to bank wins early with clashes against the Storm, Broncos and Panthers in the first month.

PENRITH PANTHERS

Round 1: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Friday March 6 at 8:00pm)

Round 2: Sharks at Carrington Park (Saturday March 14 at 7:30pm)

Round 3: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Friday March 20 at 6:00pm)

Round 4: Eels at CommBank Stadium (Saturday March 28 at 5:30pm)

Round 5: Storm at CommBank Stadium (Friday April 3 at 8:00pm)

Round 6: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Thursday April 9 at 7:50pm)

Round 7: Dolphins at TIO Stadium (Friday April 17 at 8:00pm)

Round 8: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday April 26 at 2:00pm)

Round 9: Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium (Sunday May 3 at 6:15pm)

Round 10: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Sunday May 10 at 4:50pm)

Round 11: Dragons at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday May 17 at 6:15pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Warriors at CommBank Stadium (Sunday May 31 at 6:15pm)

Round 14: Tigers at CommBank Stadium (Sunday June 7 at 2:00pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday June 20 at 5:30pm)

Round 17: Cowboys at QLD Country Bank Stadium (Saturday June 27 at 5:30pm)

Round 18: Rabbitohs at CommBank Stadium (Friday July 3 at 8:00pm)

Round 19: BYE

Round 20: Broncos at CommBank Stadium (Thursday July 20 at 7:50pm)

Round 21: Eels at CommBank Stadium (Thursday July 23 at 7:50pm)

Round 22: Raiders at CommBank Stadium (Saturday August 1 at 5:30pm)

Round 23: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Friday August 7 at 6:00pm)

Round 24: Roosters at CommBank Stadium (Thursday August 13 at 7:50pm)

Round 25: Storm at AAMI Park (Thursday August 20 at 7:50pm)

Round 26: Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium (Friday August 28 at 8:00pm)

Round 27: Tigers at CommBank Stadium (Sunday September 6 at 4:05pm)

Teams they play twice: Roosters, Bulldogs, Warriors, Broncos, Raiders, Tigers, Storm, Eels

Games vs top eight: 13

Games vs top four: 8

Games vs outside eight: 11

Games vs bottom four: 4

Fixture difficulty: 3rd

Pros: The Panthers have just one Origin impacted game against the Rabbitohs, with both sides potentially missing star players, while they have two byes on the other Origin impacted weekends. Ivan Cleary’s side also have seven of their last nine games at home, which will help freshen them up ahead of the finals.

Cons: Penrith don’t have their first bye until Round 12, while they face a tough start to the season with clashes against the Broncos, Sharks, Roosters, Eels, Storm and Bulldogs in the first six weeks. They also play six of last year’s top-eight teams twice, while they face Western Sydney rivals the Tigers and Eels twice in games that are always close.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Round 1: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday March 8 at 4.05pm)

Round 2: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Friday March 13 at 8pm)

Round 3: Tigers at Polytec Stadium (Saturday March 21 at 7.30pm)

Round 4: BYE

Round 5: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Friday April 3 at 4.05pm)

Round 6: Raiders at Optus Stadium (Saturday April 11 at 3pm)

Round 7: Dragons at Accor Stadium (Saturday April 18 at 5.30pm)

Round 8: Storm at AAMI Park (Saturday April 25 at 8.10pm)

Round 9: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday May 3 at 2pm)

Round 10: Sharks at Accor Stadium (Saturday May 9 at 5.30pm)

Round 11: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Friday May 15 at 8pm)

Round 12: Cowboys at Qld Country Bank Stadium (Sunday May 24 at 4.05pm)

Round 13: BYE

Round 14: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park (Thursday June 4 at 7.50pm)

Round 15: Broncos at Accor Stadium (Thursday June 11 at 7.50pm)

Round 16: BYE

Round 17: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Thursday June 25 at 7.50pm)

Round 18: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Friday July 3 at 8pm)

Round 19: Knights at Accor Stadium (Sunday July 12 at 2pm)

Round 20: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Saturday July 18 at 3pm)

Round 21: Storm at Accor Stadium (Friday July 24 at 8pm)

Round 22: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Sunday August 2 at 2pm)

Round 23: Eels at Allianz Stadium (Saturday August 8 at 7.30pm)

Round 24: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Friday August 14 at 8pm)

Round 25: Warriors at Accor Stadium (Saturday August 22 at 5.30pm)

Round 26: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday August 29 at 3pm)

Round 27: Roosters at Accor Stadium (Friday September 4 at 8pm)

Teams they play twice: Dolphins, Roosters, Bulldogs, Raiders, Knights, Storm, Eels, Sharks

Games vs top eight: 13

Games vs top four: 7

Games vs outside eight: 11

Games vs bottom four: 4

Fixture difficulty: 1st

Pros: The Rabbitohs have been handed byes after Round 12 and Round 15, giving their representative players a chance to rest should they be picked to feature in Origin. Wayne Bennett’s side also have a reasonable start to the season, coming up against the Dolphins, Roosters, Tigers and Bulldogs. Between Round 13 and Round 25, Souths also don’t leave NSW, with only one trip coming to Cbus Super Stadium coming after Round 12.

Cons: The Rabbitohs have no Origin byes, meaning they will have to face the Panthers, Broncos and Cowboys (three teams who could also be heavily affected) without their representative stars. Their double ups are also tough, drawing the Roosters, Bulldogs and Raiders twice.

DRAGONS

Round 1: Bulldogs at Allegiant Stadium (Sunday March 1 at TBC)

Round 2: Storm at WIN Stadium (Saturday March 14 at 5.30pm)

Round 3: Eels at CommBank Stadium (Sunday March 22 at 4.05pm)

Round 4: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Sunday March 29 at 6.15pm)

Round 5: Cowboys at WIN Stadium (Saturday April 4 at 5.30pm)

Round 6: Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium (Friday April 10 at 6.00pm)

Round 7: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Saturday April 18 at 5.30pm)

Round 8: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Saturday April 25 at 4.00pm)

Round 9: BYE

Round 10: Knights at WIN Stadium (Saturday May 9 at 3.00pm)

Round 11: Panthers at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday May 17 at 6.15pm)

Round 12: Warriors at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Saturday May 23 at 5.30pm)

Round 13: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday May 31 at 2.00pm)

Round 14: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Sunday Jun 7 at 4.05pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Friday June 19 at 8.00pm)

Round 17: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Sunday June 28 at 2.00pm)

Round 18: Tigers at WIN Stadium (Saturday July 4 at 5.30pm)

Round 19: BYE

Round 20: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Saturday July 18 at 5.30pm)

Round 21: Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Sunday July 26 at 2.00pm)

Round 22: Dolphins at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Friday July 31 at 6.00pm)

Round 23: Sharks at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Sunday August 9 at 4.05pm)

Round 24: Tigers at Commbank Stadium (Sunday August 16 at 4.05pm)

Round 25: Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium (Saturday August 22 at 7.30pm)

Round 26: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Stadium (Friday August 28 at 6.00pm)

Round 27: Eels at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Saturday September 5 at 3.00pm)

Teams they play twice: Sharks, Bulldogs, Warriors, Knights, Titans, Sea Eagles, Tigers, Eels

Games vs top eight: 11

Games vs top four: 5

Games vs outside eight: 13

Games vs bottom four: 5

Fixture difficulty: 12th

Pros: The Dragons have one bye in the Origin period and clashes against the Tigers and Warriors, who are not expected to have massive representation numbers. They also play fellow cellar dwellers the Titans and Knights twice.

Cons: It will be tough to get off to a winning start for Shane Flanagan’s side, with clashes against the Bulldogs, Storm and Eels to start the season, while they have just one game at home in the first month. They also have their final bye in Round 19, so they will play eight games straight leading into finals.

ROOSTERS

Round 1: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Friday March 6 at 6.00pm)

Round 2: Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium (Friday March 13 at 8.00pm)

Round 3: Panthers at Allianz Stadium (Friday March 20 at 6.00pm)

Round 4: Sea Eagles at Four Pines Stadium (Thursday March 26 at 8.00pm)

Round 5: BYE

Round 6: Sharks at Optus Stadium, Perth (Saturday April 11 at 5.30pm)

Round 7: Knights at Allianz Stadium (Sunday April 19 at 2.00pm)

Round 8: Dragons at Allianz Stadium (Saturday April 25 at 4.00pm)

Round 9: Broncos at Allianz Stadium (Saturday May 2 at 7.30pm)

Round 10: Titans at Allianz Stadium (Friday May 8 at 6.00pm)

Round 11: Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday May 16 at 5.30pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Storm at AAMI Park (Saturday May 30 at 7.30pm)

Round 14: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Friday Jun 5 at 8.00pm)

Round 15: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Friday June 12 at 8.00pm)

Round 16: Sharks at Allianz Stadium (Sunday June 21 at 6.15pm)

Round 17: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Friday June 26 at 8.00pm)

Round 18: BYE

Round 19: Eels at Allianz Stadium (Saturday July 11 at 7.30pm)

Round 20: Storm at Allianz Stadium (Friday July 17 at 8.00pm)

Round 21: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Friday July 24 at 6.00pm)

Round 22: Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Thursday July 30 at 7.50pm)

Round 23: Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium (Friday August 7 at 8.00pm)

Round 24: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Thursday August 13 at 7.50pm)

Round 25: Tigers at Allianz Stadium (Sunday August 23 at 4.05pm)

Round 26: Dolphins at Allianz Stadium (Saturday August 29 at 5.30pm)

Round 27: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Friday September 4 at 8.00pm)

Teams they play twice: Rabbitohs, Panthers, Dolphins, Knights, Broncos, Cowboys, Sharks, Storm

Games vs top eight: 11

Games vs top four: 6

Games vs outside eight: 13

Games vs bottom four: 6

Fixture difficulty: 15th

Pros: The Roosters have been handed two byes during the Origin affected rounds, with their other clash coming against the Dolphins, a team who could have players feature for NSW and Queensland. Trent Robinson’s side also have a soft run home, with the Knights, Cowboys, Tigers and Dolphins all featuring, while they close out the season with three-straight games in Sydney.

Cons: The Tricolours have been handed a rough start to the season, with the Warriors across the Tasman before facing their cross-town rivals South Sydney. Then come games against the Panthers, Sea Eagles and Sharks, all of which should be pushing for finals in 2025. The Roosters have also drawn the Storm and Broncos at their home grounds, which are notoriously tough fixtures.

WARRIORS

Round 1: Roosters at Go Media Stadium (Friday March 6 at 6.00pm)

Round 2: Raiders at Go Media Stadium (Friday March 13 at 6.00pm)

Round 3: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Saturday March 21 at 3.00pm)

Round 4: Tigers at Go Media Stadium (Friday March 27 at 6.00pm)

Round 5: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Sunday April 5 at 2.00pm)

Round 6: Storm at AAMI Park (Saturday April 11 at 7.30pm)

Round 7: Titans at Go Media Stadium (Saturday April 18 at 3.00pm)

Round 8: Dolphins at Sky Stadium, Wellington (Saturday April 25 at 6.05pm)

Round 9: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Saturday May 2 at 5.30pm)

Round 10: BYE

Round 11: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday May 17 at 4.05pm)

Round 12: Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Saturday May 23 at 5.30pm)

Round 13: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Sunday May 31 at 6.15pm)

Round 14: BYE

Round 15: Sharks at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch (Saturday June 13 at 5.30pm)

Round 16: Cowboys at Go Media Stadium (Sunday June 21 at 2.00pm)

Round 17: Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday June 27 at 3.00pm)

Round 18: BYE

Round 19: Tigers at Leichhardt Oval (Friday July 10 at 8.00pm)

Round 20: Dragons at Go Media Stadium (Saturday July 18 at 5.30pm)

Round 21: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Saturday July 25 at 5.30pm)

Round 22: Titans at Cbus Super Stadium (Saturday August 1 at 3.00pm)

Round 23: Panthers at Go Media Stadium (Friday August 7 at 6.00pm)

Round 24: Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Sunday August 15 at 7.30pm)

Round 25: Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium (Saturday August 22 at 5.30pm)

Round 26: Knights at Go Media Stadium (Sunday August 30 at 2.00pm)

Round 27: Sea Eagles at Go Media Stadium (Sunday September 6 at 2.00pm)

Teams they play twice: Dolphins, Sharks, Panthers, Knights, Broncos, Dragons, Tigers, Titans

Games vs top eight: 10

Games vs top four: 5

Games vs outside eight: 14

Games vs bottom four: 7

Fixture difficulty: 10th

Pros: The Warriors have an opportunity to get off to a flyer with three of their first four games at home. In games after Origin rounds, Andrew Webster also faces the Panthers and Cowboys, with a chance their representative players sit out. Throw in the mix a soft run home, facing the Rabbitohs, Knights and Sea Eagles, with two of those in New Zealand, and it’s a solid draw for the Warriors.

Cons: New Zealand have only one Origin bye and face the Dragons and Sharks in the games without any potential Origin representatives, two teams who last season didn’t have a wealth of players featuring for NSW or Queensland. The only other negative is drawing the Storm and Broncos on their turf, with two trips scheduled to Suncorp.

WESTS TIGERS

Round 1: BYE

Round 2: Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval (Saturday March 14 at 3.00pm)

Round 3: Rabbitohs at Polytec Stadium (Saturday March 21 at 7.30pm)

Round 4: Warriors at Go Media Stadium (Friday March 27 at 6.00pm)

Round 5: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Monday April 6 at 4.05pm)

Round 6: Knights at Campbelltown Stadium (Sunday April 12 at 4.05pm)

Round 7: Broncos at Campbelltown Stadium (Saturday April 18 at 7.30pm)

Round 8: Raiders at Leichhardt Oval (Thursday April 23 at 7.50pm)

Round 9: Sharks at Sharks Stadium (Sunday May 3 at 4.05pm)

Round 10: Storm at AAMI Park (Sunday May 10 at 2.00pm)

Round 11: Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium (Saturday May 16 at 3pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Bulldogs at Commbank Stadium (Saturday May 30 at 5.30pm)

Round 14: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Sunday June 7 at 2.00pm)

Round 15: Titans at Leichhardt Oval (Sunday June 14 at 4.05pm)

Round 16: Dolphins at Leichhardt Oval (Saturday June 20 at 3.00pm)

Round 17: Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium (Sunday June 28 at 4.05pm)

Round 18: Dragons at WIN Stadium (Saturday July 4 at 5.30pm)

Round 19: Warriors at Leichhardt Oval (Friday July 10 at 8.00pm)

Round 20: Bulldogs at Accor Stadium (Saturday July 18 at 7.30pm)

Round 21: Raiders at GIO Stadium (Saturday July 25 at 3.00pm)

Round 22: Eels at Commbank Stadium (Sunday August 2 at 4.05pm)

Round 23: BYE

Round 24: Dragons at CommBank Stadium (Sunday August 16 at 4.05pm)

Round 25: Roosters at Allianz Stadium (Sunday August 23 at 4.05pm)

Round 26: Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Saturday August 29 at 7.30pm)

Round 27: Panthers at Commbank Stadium (Sunday September 6 at 4.05pm)

Teams they play twice: Warriors, Bulldogs, Panthers, Cowboys, Knights, Raiders, Dragons, Eels

Games vs top eight: 12

Games vs top four: 6

Games vs outside eight: 12

Games vs bottom four: 6

Fixture difficulty: 9th

Pros: The Tigers remain in NSW for majority of the season, with only five games outside their home state and one of those being a trip to Canberra. Benji Marshall’s outfit also enjoy back-to-back games at Leichhardt Oval against the Titans and Dolphins and they have a reasonable start to their season, with only one team from last season’s top eight in their first five games.

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