The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis has given his assessment on the 2024 NRL schedule and determined which team has the easiest and hardest draw for the upcoming season.
The big takeaways from the 2024 schedule is that the St George Illawarra Dragons will miss out on Magic Round, the Warriors will host an Anzac Day match in New Zealand and Manly and South Sydney will kick off the season from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on March 3.
Given they have the least amount of games against top eight sides from 2023 and matches against historically poor teams, Crarayannis believes the Cronulla Sharks are the big winners from the 2024 draw.
“Cronulla again have been gifted the easiest draw,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“They only play nine games against teams that made the finals in 2023.
“They only have two five-day turnarounds as well which is a huge advantage.
“They have been blessed with an easier draw.”
“They also play the bottom four teams out of last year twice,” SEN’s Greg Alexander noted on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“They play the Tigers, Dragons, Bulldogs and Titans eight times whilst some teams only come up against those sides four times.
“That’s a big one in favour of the Sharks.”
The Sharks have been accused of being flat track bullies in recent years and a 3-8 record against top eight sides in 2023 has not done a lot to dispel that notion.
Carayannis believes the Melbourne Storm are the big losers to come out of the draw in 2024 and has declared Craig Bellamy’s men have the toughest schedule.
“When you look at the sides they have to play, they play 12 teams from the 2023 finals,” Carayannis added.
“They have three five-day turnarounds.
“Their Round 1 clash is intriguing because they will put their invincible record (in Round 1) on the line against the Penrith Panthers.
“It’s a tough ask for Melbourne.”
The Storm host Penrith at AAMI Park in their first round match whilst the Sharks travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors.