Winners and losers out of NRL draw

martin gabor

Wed, 20 Nov 2024, 7:12 pm·2-min read

NRL Preliminary Final - Panthers v Sharks — The Sharks are the big losers out of the 2025 draw. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

They’ve long been accused of receiving the softest draw in the NRL, but 2025 looks brutal for the Sharks, one of three clubs to play 13 games against top-eight teams from last season.

Craig Fitzgibbon’s men ended their finals drought and got within 80 minutes of a spot in the decider, but they face a brutal run of games next year that begins in Las Vegas against the defending premiers.

NRL Semi Final - Sharks v Cowboys — The Sharks are the only top-eight team that will play 13 matches against other sides that were in this year’s finals series. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

They then face the Cowboys in Townsville in round 2, with North Queensland out for revenge after Cronulla ended their finals campaign in Sydney.

It’s a stern test for the Sharks, the only finals side from 2024 that will have to play 13 times against top-eight teams next season, while the Eels and Rabbitohs have also been handed horror draws as they look to bounce back in 2025.

Souths start the year against two other teams that missed out on the finals, but it’s a gauntlet after that with matches against the Sharks, Panthers, Roosters, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Storm and Knights in consecutive weeks.

We’ll learn plenty about Wayne Bennett’s team in the opening two months, while it’s a different story for the Bulldogs who only have to play three fellow top-eight sides in the opening 16 rounds.

The Knights have also been blessed with a favourable draw given they only play nine matches against teams that were in this year’s finals series.

The Storm, Panthers, Dragons and Tigers all have 12 games against 2024 top-eight sides while the Roosters, Cowboys, Dolphins, Broncos and Titans have 11 games, and the Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Raiders and Warriors have 10 games.

Latrell Mitchell Signs With The South Sydney Rabbitohs — Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs have been handed a brutal draw for 2025. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

The draw will feature the fewest five-day turnarounds in history, 21, with the Bulldogs and the Eels leading the way with 14 games on free-to-air TV.

The Storm also face a brutal finish to the season with the Panthers, Bulldogs, Roosters and Broncos waiting for them in the final month The minor premiers have their last bye in round 15.

“This is an exciting time for fans as we unveil the season 2025 integrated NRL and NRLW schedules,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“The schedule is bigger and bolder than ever with 32 weeks of jaw-dropping action which will see rivalries, excitement and unparalleled skills at every turn.”