The last time the Rabbitohs were given a home game to kick off the NRL season was 2020 when they defeated the Sharks 22-18 at ANZ Stadium.
In 2021 it was an opening game loss to the Storm away at AAMI Park then in 2022 a defeat by the Broncos at Suncorp but the wait for a home opener won’t happen until at least 2024 after the NRL scheduled a round one clash with the Sharks at PointsBet Stadium aka Shark Park.
The Rabbits will take on the Sharks again in round 23 at Optus Stadium, Perth.
It’s true that Covid can be blamed for our home opener absence and this new 17 team draw is a difficult balancing act but if Souths aren’t at home in round 1 next year fans are entitled to ask why?
Souths are away again in round 2 to the Panthers but return home to Trellianz Stadium in round 3 to meet their ‘Evil Empire’ arch rivals the Roosters.
The Bunnies first ‘offical’ home game will be a round 4 clash with a Manly side that evaporated in the 2022 run home.
Other teams that Souths meet twice during the season are Roosters, Panthers, Dragons, Tigers, Storm, Broncos and Bulldogs.
Teams that Souths meet once are Sea Eagles, Knights, Cowboys, Dolphins, Warriors, Eels, Raiders, Titans.
Fans (like me) hoping to visit Townsville to see the Rabbitohs play the Cowboys in the new QLD Country Bank Stadium for the first time since 2020 will have to wait until at least 2024 after the round 17 Cows game was scheduled for Accor Stadium.
The Bunnies have 3 byes – Round 16, 20 and 26 and face the Storm in Magic Round 10.
A favourable end to the season sees the Rabbits take on the Dragons, Knights, Bye and the Roosters.
The draw is out and there’s high hopes that our team will again be there at the business end of the season, good luck boys!
By Steve Mavin
Add comment