Cronulla look to have been handed a rails’ run to the finals with the easiest draw of 2024, in contrast to the journeys both Melbourne and the Rabbitohs will go on next year.

While all form forecasting comes with a hearty grain of salt several months out from the season, the Herald has analysed the schedules of all 17 sides and ranked each with a score based on where they finished in 2023.

All-conquering Penrith are naturally awarded a difficulty factor of 17 for each opposing side, with second-placed Brisbane scored as 16, third-place finishers Melbourne 15, and so on. All the way down to 2023 wooden spooners Wests Tigers, scored as 1.

It is an imperfect science that does not take in home-and-away games, the impact of State of Origin or five-day turnarounds.

It’s by no means a death knell either - last year the Broncos were ranked as having the hardest draw by this masthead, and they were but a Nathan Cleary masterclass away from winning the whole thing, which is just as well for the Storm, Rabbitohs and Bulldogs - who all find themselves at the pointy end of our rankings below.

If Craig Bellamy’s side were looking for favours from the schedule, they’ve got none. Have to play all three fellow top-four teams from last season, twice, and will put their two-decade-long winning run in round one on the line against the Panthers. They then face the Warriors, Knights and Broncos in a difficult start to the season. The only solace is perhaps playing the Roosters after the final State of Origin match.

Difficulty: 1st

QOSHE - Every NRL club’s schedule ranked from toughest to easiest - Adam Pengilly
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Every NRL club’s schedule ranked from toughest to easiest

12 1
13.11.2023

Cronulla look to have been handed a rails’ run to the finals with the easiest draw of 2024, in contrast to the journeys both Melbourne and the Rabbitohs will go on next year.

While all form forecasting comes with a hearty grain of salt several months out from the season, the Herald has analysed the schedules of all 17 sides and ranked each with a score based on where they........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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