Battlers gifted 'blessed' start as premiers dudded

The draw for the 2024 NRL season has been unveiled and, as always, fans will be debating which team has copped the short straw.

All we have to go off is 2023 form, and the recruits each team has added to the roster.

With the start to the season crucial to sorting the wheat from the chaff, we've run the rule over the opening five rounds, and what it means for every team.

READ MORE: Full 2024 NRL season draw revealed

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BULLDOGS

First five rounds: Eels (A), Sharks (A), Titans (H), Rabbitohs (A), Roosters (H)

Analysis: The Titans at home is definitely a winnable game, while Parramatta and Cronulla weren't exactly world-beaters in 2023 and will need to be wary of a Dogs outfit that now includes Stephen Crichton. The Bunnies and Chooks will prove difficult.

Rating: Tough

TIGERS

First five rounds: Bye, Raiders (A), Sharks (H), Eels (A), Dolphins (A)

Analysis: The NRL has really blessed the perennial battlers with a soft run into the season. Guaranteed two points from the round-one bye, then four games that are all winnable based on form this year. Benji Marshall will be wanting to win at least two of those.

Rating: Easy

SHARKS

First five rounds: Warriors (A), Bulldogs (H), Tigers (A), Raiders (H), Bye

Analysis: A tough start to 2023, travelling to take on the red-hot Warriors across the ditch. But after that there's three easily winnable games for Cronulla, followed by a bye in round five.

Rating: Easy

EELS

First five rounds: Bulldogs (H), Panthers (A), Sea Eagles (H), Tigers (H), Raiders (A)

Analysis: Aside from facing the three-time reigning premiers in round two, the Eels could easily bank four wins before round six. The Sea Eagles and the Raiders may have something to say about that, though.

Rating: Easy

PANTHERS

First five rounds: Storm (A), Eels (H), Broncos (H), Roosters (A), Sea Eagles (A)

Analysis: While it's a bit silly to label any game the Panthers play as "tough" for the three-time reigning premiers, they do face some quality opposition early in the draw. In fact all five of their opening games could be genuine blockbusters, if the Eels and Sea Eagles can find improvement on 2023.

Rating: Tough

RABBITOHS

First five rounds: Sea Eagles (A), Broncos (A), Roosters (A), Bulldogs (H), Warriors (H)

Analysis: After a trip to Las Vegas to launch the season against the Sea Eagles, it's not an easy run for South Sydney. A trip to Brisbane is tough, and they have to back it up against the old enemy in Sydney before also hosting the Warriors.

Rating: Tough

ROOSTERS

First five rounds: Broncos (H), Sea Eagles (A), Rabbitohs (H), Panthers (H), Bulldogs (A)

Analysis: They were dismally off their game in 2023, and if that form continues into 2024 it will be a miserable start for the tricolours. After a clash against the reigning grand finalists in Las Vegas, a tip to Brookvale and clashes with the Bunnies and Panthers await. Round five against the Dogs might come as welcome relief.

Rating: Very tough

DRAGONS

First five rounds: Titans (A), Dolphins (A), Cowboys (H), Sea Eagles (H), Knights (A)

Analysis: They were close to the worst team in the competition in 2023 and so any games could be considered tough for the Red V. But back-to-back trips to Queensland, followed by the Cowboys, Manly, and a trip to the Hunter spells trouble for new coach Shane Flanagan.

Rating: Tough

SEA EAGLES

First five rounds: Rabbitohs (H), Roosters (H), Eels (A), Dragons (A), Panthers (H)

Analysis: A tough trip to Las Vegas is followed by more ominous meetings with the Chooks, Eels, and Panthers. They should beat the Dragons in between.

Rating: Very tough

KNIGHTS

First five rounds: Raiders (H), Cowboys (A), Storm (H), Warriors (A), Dragons (H)

Analysis: They turned Hunter Stadium into a fortress in 2023 and so home meetings against the Raiders and Storm prove very winnable next season. Trips to face the Cowboys and Warriors will be tougher.

Rating: Moderate

RAIDERS

First five rounds: Knights (A), Tigers (H), Warriors (A), Sharks (A), Eels (H)

Analysis: You would expect them to make relatively light work of the Tigers at home, but otherwise Ricky Stuart's men face a tricky start to the season. The Knights, Warriors, and Sharks away will prove tough to win.

Rating: Tough

BRONCOS

First five rounds: Roosters (A), Rabbitohs (H), Panthers (A), Cowboys (H), Storm (A)

Analysis: They were the second best team in the NRL in 2023 and the governing body has handicapped them accordingly, with a mighty tough start to next season. All five opening games will prove tough for Kevin Walters' troops.

Rating: Very tough

TITANS

First five rounds: Dragons (H), Bye, Bulldogs (A), Dolphins (H), Cowboys (A)

Analysis: Gold Coast could easily have eight competition points accrued before the Titans travel north to take on the Cowboys. It's a cruisy start to life on the glitter strip for new coach Des Hasler.

Rating: Easy

COWBOYS

First five rounds: Dolphins (A), Knights (H), Dragons (A), Broncos (A), Titans (H)

Analysis: The Dolphins, Dragons, and Titans should all be very beatable for North Queensland, while hosting the Knights in Townsville certainly gives the Cowboys an advantage there. Travelling to Brisbane in round four will be the acid test.

Rating: Easy

DOLPHINS

First five rounds: Cowboys (H), Dragons (H), Bye, Titans (A), Tigers (H)

Analysis: North Queensland is easily the touhgest opponent in this draw, and the Dolphins get to play that one at home. A bye and three winnable games follow that.

Rating: Easy

WARRIORS

First five rounds: Sharks (H), Storm (A), Raiders (H), Knights (H), Rabbitohs (A)

Analysis: Three of the first five games at home makes a big difference for Andrew Webster's born-again premiership contenders. Trips against the Storm and Rabbitohs will prove difficult, but wins on the road certainly aren't out of the question anymore.

Rating: Moderate

STORM

First five rounds: Panthers (H), Warriors (H), Knights (A), Bye, Broncos (H)

Analysis: With a bye thrown in, Melbourne's first four opponents in 2024 will all be confident they can beat the once-mighty Storm. The Panthers, Warriors, and Broncos should be favourites to win, while Newcastle will also have the advantage playing in the NSW Hunter city. A real test of Craig Bellamy's coaching.

Rating: Very tough