The 2013 Draw – dissected

The 2013 NRL draw has been released, with the Sharks to kick off their campaign with a home game against the Gold Coast Titans on March 10.

With a 6.30pm kickoff, during daylight saving time, hopefully on a sunny Sunday, there is the prospect of a large crowd, plenty of excitement and a great deal of expectation considering the Sharks 2013 recruitment drive.

And it was the new boys who took most interest in the 2013 draw when a copy was circulated around the change rooms at Toyota Stadium on Friday moments after its release.

Luke Lewis scanned the pages looking for when his new team clashed with his old one, When Lewis discovered it wasn’t until round 20 when the Sharks were due to host the Panthers, he was left somewhat disappointed.

Lewis was hoping his Panthers reunion may have some a little sooner.

Beau Ryan made an enquiry about one opponent, but it wasn’t the opponent everyone may have expected. Rather than enquire about when the Sharks and Tigers were set to clash, Ryan was more interested in when his new team would take on the club he represented during his junior days, the St George Illawarra Dragons.

As it turns out Ryan won’t have to wait long, with the Sharks to face their local rivals in round four.

Then it was Chris Heighington, another of the Sharks high profile new recruits casting an inquisitive eye over the draw, inquisitive as to when the Sharks would tackle the Tigers.

Upon the realization that it wouldn’t be until round nine he just shrugged, but upon being informed about the venue, was somewhat disappointed to hear he wouldn’t be receiving a special Tigers Leichhardt Oval reception, with the game scheduled to be played at Alliance Stadium (SFS).

In dissecting the 2013 draw, which is there for all to see by clicking on the link on the sharks.com.au website, a few details make interesting reading.

• The Sharks play the Titans, Panthers, Storm, Cowboys and Broncos just once during 2013

• Of those teams they play only once, two are at home (Titans, Panthers) and three away (Storm, Cowboys, Broncos)

• The Sharks will get their frequent flyer points up as they make all away trips out of Sydney, excepting to the Gold Coast. The Sharks play the Warriors, Raiders, Knights, Storm, Broncos and Cowboys on the road at some stage during 2013.

• The local derby matches against the Dragons are in Round 4 at Toyota and in Round 23 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong

• The Sharks have two Monday nights scheduled – both against Souths. In Round 2 away at ANZ Stadium and in Round 11 at home

• They have three Friday games, again two against the same opponent in the Wests Tigers, as well as a round 18 match-up in Brisbane against the Broncos.

• Sunday is the most popular day for Sharks games. They have 9 games in all on a Sunday.

• Of those Sunday games, three are to be played in the new timeslot of 6.30pm, a home games in round 1 (v Titans) and two away matches in round 13 (v Storm) and round 16 (v Cowboys)

• In the first 20 rounds the Sharks have just one Saturday night home game scheduled, that being against the Dragons at 7.30pm in Round 4.

• Possibly recognizing the talent in the Sharks line up, their byes coincide with State of Origin matches in 2013. Their first Bye comes in Round 12, with SOO 1 to be played the following Wednesday, and second in Round 15, the weekend prior to SOO 2.

• And finally, get your ticketed membership organised if you want to catch all the home game action as the Sharks have only one scheduled free-to-air Channel 9 game at Toyota Stadium, on a Friday night against the Tigers in round 17. (They also play the Bulldogs at Bluetongue in Gosford in round 7, which is a Sharks home game). In total they have four free-to-air matches (2 away, 1 home, 1 in Gosford)