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The Eels will also face the Dolphins in round 17 when the new franchise is coming off the bye. However, the Roosters and Broncos face the most teams coming off a bye, which will occur five times in 2023. The Eels, Cowboys, Titans, Bulldogs and Dragons all have to do it four times, although none have the three-in-a-row scenario facing coach Brad Arthur. The Panthers and Sharks only have to do it once.
Annesley said the introduction of the Dolphins, as well as the unavailability of some grounds during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, added an extra layer of complexity to this year’s draw.
“That’s where compromises need to be made,” Annesley said.
“It’s also about meeting club requests, venue availability, managing major events around the draw, broadcast priorities, rotation of timeslots; these are all factors that play into it.
How often your team plays an opposition coming off a bye
Broncos 5
Roosters 5
Cowboys 4
Titans 4
Eels 4
Bulldogs 4
Dragons 4
Dolphins 3
Warriors 3
Rabbitohs 2
Wests Tigers 2
Sea Eagles 2
Raiders 2
Knights 2
Storm 2
Sharks 1
Panthers 1
Source: Champion Data
“While I acknowledge there are teams this year that will play other teams coming off a bye on a number of occasions, it shouldn’t be forgotten that one of the things we built into the draw this year was an additional bye to try to relieve the workload on players. Turnaround times are also high in the pecking order … nobody wants to have too many five-day turnarounds.”
Parramatta’s 0-3 start is their worst opening to a season since 2018 when they lost six straight en route to the wooden spoon.
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The Eels had three players - Mitchell Moses, Maika Sivo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard - cited by the match-review committee coming out of Thursday’s loss, but all can escape suspension without a fine.
Ryan Matterson, who opted to cop a three-week ban from a grand final incident rather than part with $4000, will come straight back into the side for the Panthers clash.
The Eels were denied what would have been a crucial second-half try when referee Adam Gee ruled a short pass from Clint Gutherson to Campbell-Gillard was forward. Annesley had yet to fully review the incident, but said such calls would continue to be left in the hands of on-field officials.
“There would be uproar whichever decision the Bunker took on that pass,” Annesley said.
“Until we come up with a technology answer, this is just one of those things that has to be left with the match officials.”
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