The highly anticipated 2017 NRL draw is due to be released in a few weeks. There won’t be any Monday night games in 2017, with the addition of a Friday 6pm time slot.
Here’s five Raiders games we are hoping to see on the draw when it’s released.
1.
Opponent: Cronulla Sharks
Date: Round One*
Location: GIO Stadium
Starting off the season, at home, against the reigning premiers would be fantastic! It would also provide the Raiders a perfect opportunity to avenge this year’s qualifying final loss.
You can guarantee a massive crowd would turn up for that match, with plenty of Sharks fans travelling down the Hume Highway. Make it happen NRL!
*If Round One doesn't eventuate, Round Two...or Three...or Four...would be fine.
2.
Opponent: Penrith Panthers
Date: Early in the season
Location: Country NSW
The Raiders and Panthers met in Bathurst early in year, producing a thrilling encounter that showed off the passion country fans have for the game.
Both teams play expansive and exciting football that would be perfectly suited to another country clash in 2017. An early season, Sunday afternoon time slot would draw in a big crowd to watch two teams with big aspirations in 2017 go head-to-head.
3.
Opponent: North Queensland Cowboys
Date: Early in the season
Location: GIO Stadium or 1300 Smiles Stadium
Johnathon Thurston won’t around forever. The Raiders missed out on a chance to face the World’s best player this year, but hopefully that changes in 2017.
A match against the Cowboys, with their full coterie of Origin stars, would be a great test early in the season, and give a few Raiders players an Origin audition.
4.
Opponent: Wests Tigers
Date: Anzac Weekend
Location: GIO Stadium
The Wests Tigers brought out the best in the Raiders attacking weapons this year, with both matches extremely lopsided affairs. You can be guaranteed the Tigers will be fired up to rectify that in 2017, setting up the potential for a massive clash between the two sides. A repeat of the Anzac Weekend timing would be great, as it proved extremely popular this year.
There are also plenty of tantalising match-ups to look forward to. How about some of these: Leilua v Idris, Boyd v Woods, Wighton v Tedesco, Austin v Moses and Sezer v Brooks.
5.
Opponent: Melbourne Storm
Date: Late in the season
Location: GIO Stadium
The Melbourne Storm have been one of the benchmark teams of the NRL for the past decade, and that doesn’t look like changing in 2017. Leading into the business end of the season would be a perfect time for the Raiders and Storm to face-off again.
This year’s Round 23 victory over the Storm was one of the most memorable matches at GIO Stadium in a long time, and getting a chance to repeat that again in 2017 would be great.
Agree of disagree with the games we want on the draw in 2017? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know.
