Early grand final rematch in 2013 draw

Updated November 23, 2012 16:12:50

Melbourne will face Canterbury in a grand final rematch in round three of the 2013 NRL calendar, which was announced on Friday morning.

This re-run of the Storm's 14-4 victory in September, is one of four Thursday night matches in the opening weeks of the season, which along with the 13 Sunday twilight games gives the schedule a new look.

The season begins on Thursday March 7 when the Sydney Roosters face the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Storm open the season at home to the Dragons, while the Bulldogs face the team they are attempting to lure Jonathan Thurston away from, the Cowboys.

Interim chief executive Shane Mattiske, who will hold the post until David Smith takes up his position as David Gallop's permanent successor, believes the draw will enabled the NRL to showcase the game better than ever before.

"This has been the most extensive draw process we have ever undertaken and the result is a great outcome for the game," Mattiske said.

"Not only do fans now have certainty around when their team is playing but we have also managed to deliver a schedule of week in week out blockbuster games and new trial timeslots."

The calendar will also see matches played in Perth (Rabbitohs v Warriors), Darwin (Titans v Panthers), Mackay (Bulldogs v Knights) - all in Round 17 - and Mudgee (Eels v Titans) in Round 11.

Fans from various clubs are unhappy with the 2013 draw.

Canberra appears to be one of the biggest losers out of the draw. It will feature in only one free-to-air television game in the first 20 rounds. Raiders chief executive Don Furner said the club has been treated unfairly.

Both the Panthers and the Knights will go through the first 20 rounds without a Friday night game.

At the other end of the spectrum Bulldogs fans are complaining they have too many Friday night games. The Bulldogs have 12 Friday night and two Thursday night games, all of which will be shown on free-to-air television.

The Broncos have 11 Friday night games but fans are disappointed there are no Sunday afternoon games in Brisbane for the first 20 rounds.

The Wests Tigers have missed out on hosting any Sunday games at Leichhardt Oval while Manly is scheduled to play seven Monday night fixtures over the first 20 rounds.

Mattiske said it was hard to accommodate all requests.

"Canberra's had it clear that they would like to be on free to air television," he said.

"We're working with our broadcast partners."

Asked whether the NRL would move towards having fixed dates for all rounds, such as in the AFL draw, Mattiske said waiting to select the best games in the blockbuster spots served both the fans and the broadcasters well.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, sydney-2000

First posted November 23, 2012 11:15:16

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Stakes high in Idris-Cooper rematch

Posted May 13, 2011 08:08:00

Canterbury giant Jamal Idris has the perfect opportunity to secure a New South Wales State of Origin jersey on Friday night by proving he has learned a lesson dished out by St George Illawarra veteran Matt Cooper.

A hobbling Idris was soundly beaten by his opposite number at the SCG five weeks ago as Cooper bagged two tries and the Dragons won 25-6.

It looked a case of master and apprentice, although Idris was nursing a bad cork and has since seen his star rise with an impressive Test debut against New Zealand.

Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore expects to see a more even battle against Cooper in tonight's Olympic stadium blockbuster, which is expected to draw a crowd of up to 40,000.

"Jamal individually, and I think us as a team, need to show tomorrow night that we've learned from that," he said.

"He wasn't a hundred per cent that day, Jamal, so we'll see a different performance from him.

"The opportunity is there for our blokes to come up with good performances individually but ... their main concern is to turn up and get the job done for the Bulldogs."

Idris switched from his customary right centre position to the left to replace Greg Inglis against the Kiwis and scored a powerhouse try combining his trademark speed and size.

It now seems to be a case of Blues coach Ricky Stuart doing what it takes to find a place for him before he names his Origin I side on Sunday night.

The 20-year-old sat out training as a precaution on Monday nursing a wrist problem but has since completed every session.

Friday's match looks to be the perfect encore to last week's City-Country clash for Stuart, who will also take a keen interest in the battle between hookers Dean Young and Michael Ennis and in how young Dogs prop Aiden Tolman fronts up against Michael Weyman, Dan Hunt and Trent Merrin.

"I'm sure that there'll be some guys in calculations," Canterbury captain Andrew Ryan said.

"There's been some guys that have been in the team before and Jamal was in the Test team so I guess he'd be in those calculations.

"A fair few of our guys who have been in good form were in City-Country (game) as well so I'm sure they're right in the mix."

Canterbury's only three losses this season have come against the NRL's top three sides - the Dragons, Melbourne and Brisbane - and the Bulldogs are desperate for the mental lift a win over one of the contenders will give them.

"It's certainly something that we've talked about," said centre Josh Morris, who is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing Origin audition in Albury.

"They've won seven in a row now and are really steaming ahead so, if we can go out there and put a good 80 minute performance in and see where we're at, hopefully we can get the win and gain a lot more confidence."

St George Illawarra, which has won the past five encounters between the neighbouring clubs, this week named Kyle Stanley as Mark Gasnier's (ankle) replacement, while full-back Darius Boyd will return from a hamstring injury.

The Dragons will wear their Illawarra Steelers style away jerseys to celebrate 100 years of league in the region.

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, nsw, belmore-2192, canterbury-2193, sydney-2000, wollongong-2500

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