Broncos’ dream start as Souths cop horror run: Every NRL side’s 2024 draw ranked 1-17
The Broncos will get a huge leg-up in their bid to go one better and win the title in 2024, while the Sharks are looking at a soft draw.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs have copped arguably the toughest fixtures list as they aim to bounce back into the finals.
Fox Sports Lab have broken down just how difficult each team’s draw is using the strength of the schedule based off the Lab Predictor’s ratings for each team, which also factors in how teams have historically gone at scheduled venues.
SHARKS (1st *easiest draw)
Games played against
Top eight: 9
Top four: 5
Bottom nine: 15
Bottom four: 8
Who they play twice: Raiders, Bulldogs, Titans, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Warriors, Tigers
Analysis: The Sharks have the easiest draw in the NRL in 2024 according to Fox Sports Lab. It’s a cushy start for Cronulla with games against the Bulldogs, Tigers and Raiders within the first four weeks after opening their season against the Warriors in New Zealand. The Sharks play 15 games against teams who didn’t make the top eight in 2023, meaning they possess the softest strength of schedule in the league. In addition, they have a date with what may be a depleted Broncos side just three days after State of Origin Game I.
ROOSTERS (2nd)
Games played against
Top eight: 10
Top four: 6
Bottom nine: 14
Bottom four: 6
Who they play twice: Broncos, Raiders, Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Storm, Eels, Rabbitohs, Dragons
Analysis: The Roosters begin the season with a tough month including the Broncos in Vegas as well as the Rabbits and Panthers at home. They enjoy a fairly soft draw after the Panthers clash in Round 4, with 12 games out of their remaining 20 coming against 2023 bottom eight sides. The Roosters will play the Storm and Broncos on two occasions but will be licking their lips when they take on two of last season’s cellar dwellers in the Bulldogs and Dragons twice.
KNIGHTS (3rd)
Games played against
Top eight: 11
Top four: 7
Bottom nine: 13
Bottom four: 7
Who they play twice: Raiders, Bulldogs, Dolphins, Titans, Storm, Panthers, Warriors, Tigers
Analysis: The Knights face off with the team they knocked out of the finals in an extra time classic in the Raiders to open their 2024 campaign, in another potential sell-out at McDonald Jones Stadium. Newcastle enjoy four home games in the first six rounds including the Storm (Round 3), Dragons (Round 5) and Roosters (Round 6). The Knights have 11 games against the top eight from last year and 13 against bottom eight opposition. Queensland hopefuls Kalyn Ponga and Reece Walsh will hopefully go head-to-head just three days after the final State of Origin game in a potential battle for a Kangaroos jersey. Old Boy’s day sees the Knights host the Dolphins and former coach Wayne Bennett in the final round.
COWBOYS (4th)
Games played against
Top eight: 12
Top four: 6
Bottom nine: 12
Bottom four: 7
Who they play twice: Broncos, Raiders, Bulldogs, Sharks, Dolphins, Titans, Panthers, Tigers
Analysis: The Cowboys have a horror start to the year in terms of travel with five away trips in the first seven rounds. However, they do have six of their last eight games at home to even that out. Importantly, they avoid road trips to Auckland, Melbourne and Newcastle, while they play just once before an Origin game, which well help given their number of rep stars. The Cowboys’ Round 4 derby against arch rivals the Broncos is one to circle in the calendar.
WARRIORS (5th)
Games played against
Top eight: 11
Top four: 4
Bottom nine: 13
Bottom four: 6
Who they play twice: Raiders, Bulldogs, Sharks, Dolphins, Titans, Sea Eagles, Storm, Knights
Analysis: The Warriors will be tested early in 2024 and be made to prove that last season’s top four finish was no fluke. They play top eight teams Cronulla, Melbourne, Canberra and Newcastle in the first four rounds, but all bar one of those (Storm) will be played in New Zealand. The Wahs will play four weeks straight (rounds 9-12) on the road which will test their resolve, however they’ve managed much worse during Covid-hit seasons. They have the bye in the final round.
RAIDERS (6th)
Games played against
Top eight: 11
Top four: 5
Bottom nine: 13
Bottom four: 6
Who they play twice: Bulldogs, Sharks, Sea Eagles, Knights, Cowboys, Roosters, Warriors, Tigers
Analysis: Ricky’s Raiders have wound up with a pretty good draw once again, as they’ll only play the Storm, Broncos and Panthers once. They do have a tough first couple of months of the season, so if they can manage at least four wins in the opening eight rounds, the Raiders will be in great stead. Canberra will welcome back a favourite son in Jack Wighton in Round 21 when the Rabbitohs comes to town.
DRAGONS (7th)
Games played against
Top eight: 11
Top four: 5
Bottom nine: 13
Bottom four: 6
Who they play twice: Bulldogs, Sharks, Dolphins, Titans, Sea Eagles, Panthers, Roosters, Tigers
Analysis: The Dragons have a tough double road trip to start the season against the Titans and Dolphins. However, they get a good chance to pick up points in the Origin period facing the Panthers and Broncos without their Origin stars. Shane Flanagan’s side face the Panthers just once at full strength, while they only play top four teams the Storm and Warriors once in 2024. The Dragons will be boosted by just one five-day turnaround early in their campaign and enjoy four home games in the last five rounds to finish the season. Unfortunately, they won’t feature in Magic Round, while they face the Panthers and Storm after their last bye in a tough run home. Flanagan’s clash against his old club and the Dragons’ arch rivals the Sharks in Round 9 is one to circle on the calendar.
SEA EAGLES (8th)
Games played against
Top eight: 12
Top four: 6
Bottom nine: 12
Bottom four: 6
Who they play twice: Raiders, Titans, Eels, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Roosters, Warriors
Analysis: Pretty even draw for Manly, with half of their games coming against top eight sides from last season. For the second straight year, the Sea Eagles will use a ‘home’ game against the Broncos during Magic Round in Brisbane, which is sure to annoy the Manly faithful. New recruit Luke Brooks will no doubt circle Round 25 on his draw as that is when he’ll take on the Tigers, his former club.
TIGERS (9th)
Games played against
Top eight: 11
Top four: 4
Bottom nine: 13
Bottom four: 4
Who they play twice: Raiders, Sharks, Dolphins, Knights, Cowboys, Eels, Rabbitohs, Dragons
Analysis: The Tigers enjoy the bye to start the season, but the back-end of the year will be far less easy with one of the most difficult runs home in the competition. Amongst the bye in Round 26, Benji Marshall’s outfit will face the Knights (A), Rabbitohs (H), Sea Eagles (H) and Eels (H). Meanwhile, Luke Brooks will face off against his old club in Round 25, returning to Leichhardt after making the switch to the Sea Eagles. They also face the Dolphins and Dragons twice, whilst only playing four premiership contenders in the Panthers, Broncos, Storm and Roosters a singular time.
BRONCOS (10th)
Games played against
Top eight: 10
Top four: 5
Bottom nine: 14
Bottom four: 5Who they play twice: Dolphins, Titans, Storm, Cowboys, Eels, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Roosters
Analysis: The Broncos have a favourable draw to start the season with seven of their first 12 games at Suncorp Stadium. Brisbane face just three of last year’s top eight teams twice. They also have three home games to finish the season, which could be a huge advantage in the race for the minor premiership. The Broncos have a long stint before their first bye, but then have three in the second half of the draw after Round 13, so they should be well rested for a tilt at going one better than their 2023 Grand Final finish. However, the Broncos will face the defending premiers Penrith twice. Their Round 6 clash with arch rivals the Dolphins featuring former stars Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth will be one to circle on the calendar.
