League leaves it late

THE Rugby League Gold Coast season will kick off on April 22, six weeks after rival code Gold Coast District Rugby Union.

While the 15-a-side game will play three rounds prior to the Commonwealth Games before taking a break, the RLGC competition will wait until after the showpiece sporting event to get underway. With a later than usual start date, the season is expected to be condensed with no full bye weekend.

The competition will open with a gala day at Bilambil, where all four Round 1 Agrade fixtures will be played.

The Jets were in line to host the season-opener last year until floods intervened, forcing the day to be relocated to Tugun.