More double-headers for NRL
The NRL has used the template from its successful Brisbane doubleheaders to program three other double-headers in the first 12 rounds of next year’s premiership.
In a bid to improve crowds, which were the smallest aggregate for any home-andaway season since 2004, double-headers also will also played in Perth, Sydney’s ANZ Stadium and Auckland, as well as another in May at Suncorp Stadium.
Premiers Melbourne have been selected as drawcards for a round one doubleheader at Perth’s new 60,000seat stadium and also a round five event at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium which also features runners-up North Queensland.
The NRL will send the same two match-ups around in Suncorp Stadium’s round 12 double-header, with Manly to play the Broncos and the Storm to meet Gold Coast.
The 44,127 crowd for the 2017 Suncorp Stadium double-header was the second biggest home-andaway crowd for the season and in 2016 the biggest attendance other than the grand final, 52,346, rolled up for a match between Manly and Brisbane and one between the Cowboys and the Storm.
The NRL had previously announced South Sydney and Canterbury would take home matches to the Perth doubleheader. Yesterday, it was revealed Melbourne’s first match in their premiership defence would be against Canterbury, with Souths hosting the Warriors on March 10.
In round five, a Wests Tigers home game against the Storm has been taken to Auckland on April 7, with the Warriors playing the Cowboys on the same card.
In their continuing efforts to entice Sydney spectators to travel to ANZ Stadium, there will be a double-header there in round three, with Souths taking on Manly and Parramatta opposing Cronulla.