NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said some of the other highlights of the 2019 schedule included: 

  • Sunday Sydney derbies – 17 matches between Sydney clubs have been scheduled on Sundays throughout the season;
  • The traditional all Queensland derby between Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys in Round Two (Friday, March 22) at Suncorp Stadium, as well as the return match-up at 1300Smiles Stadium in Round 21; 
  • The Grand Final rematch – between Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters – featuring on Good Friday on the Easter Weekend (Round Six), following the traditional match between the Bulldogs and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Matches will be played from Thursday to Monday over Easter; 
  • ANZAC Round punctuated by the traditional Roosters-Dragons clash being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground; 
  • Traditional rivals facing off twice during the season (Broncos-Cowboys, Broncos-Titans, Bulldogs-Souths, Bulldogs-Eels, Sharks-Dragons, Sea Eagles-Eels, Eels-Panthers, Roosters-Souths, Dragons-Souths).

“We have some blockbuster matches in the early rounds of the Premiership as well as the final rounds,” Greenberg said.

“Sundays in Sydney have been another focus for us. We’ll see 17 traditional derbies between Sydney clubs in family-friendly timeslots throughout the season.
 
“The new Western Sydney Stadium is a game changer and the opening match between the Eels and Wests Tigers should be a wonderful occasion.

“Magic Round will be something unique to sport in this country.
 
“It will be fantastic to see all 16 clubs over one weekend in Brisbane in what will be a real celebration of rugby league." 

Greenberg said while five-day turnarounds are up marginally on 2018, there is more parity across the 16 clubs.
 
“The number of clubs with three five-day turnarounds has been brought down,” Greenberg said.

“We have also attempted to extend the time between five-day turnarounds for clubs – in circumstances where they have multiple.
  
“The RLPA had key priorities which formed part of the guiding principles for the schedule and we have worked hard to implement them.”
 
All 25 rounds were announced today in Sydney, allowing supporters the chance to plan the entire season in advance.
 
The Finals Series will begin on September 13 and culminate in the Grand Final on October 6.

The full  schedule can be found at https://www.nrl.com/draw/