After enduring a shortened, COVID-19-affected season, the 2021 Telstra Premiership draw has been finalised with a full 25-round schedule once again.
With mid-year State of Origin back on the agenda along with more games in regional areas and packed stadiums once more, it's time to start planning for what lays ahead next season.
With borders reopening and biosecurity restrictions easing, fingers crossed the 2021 NRL season can get back to normal as much as possible so fans can fill the stadiums to cheer their team on in their pursuit of grand final glory.
Team by team, here's all the key points in a snapshot for the 16 teams looking to climb the ladder and play for a chance at lifting the premiership trophy.
(click on each club's name to view that team's full rundown for 2021)
Better. Faster. Stronger.
Brisbane Broncos
Here is all you need to know about the Brisbane Broncos' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Cowboys, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sharks, Storm, Titans
Teams they play once
Bulldogs, Dragons, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Tigers, Warriors
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday – 6, Friday – 8, Saturday – 7, Sunday – 3
2021 NRL Telstra Premiership draw
Turnarounds
5 days – 2, 6 days – 7, 7+ days – 14
Kick-off
A couple of Friday night blockbusters to start the season for Brisbane, first at home against an Eels side they've struggled against of late and then a local derby against the Titans on the Gold Coast. They'll be confident of a win over the Bulldogs at home in round 3 before a run of tough games against the Storm, Rabbitohs, Panthers and Eels again – a month that will include trips to Melbourne, Sydney and Darwin.
Toughest stretch
That early stretch from round four is hardly a breeze (Storm, Rabbitohs, Panthers, Eels) and Brisbane also have a tricky run of games around the start of the State of Origin series, with matches against the Roosters, Storm, Dragons (minus Origin players), Raiders and Rabbitohs starting from round 11.
Canberra Raiders
Here is all you need to know about the Canberra Raiders' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Dragons, Eels, Knights, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Storm, Titans, Warriors
Teams they play once
Broncos, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Tigers
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday – 5, Friday – 4, Saturday – 13, Sunday – 2
Turnarounds
5 days – 3, 6 days – 5, 7+ days – 15
Kick-off
Canberra should start favourites in each of their first four games, beginning with a home clash against Wests Tigers. Matches against the Sharks, Warriors and Titans follow before a couple of tricky contests against top-four contenders Penrith in round five and Parramatta in round six.
Toughest stretch
An eight-game stretch throughout April and May looms as the trickiest period for Canberra, with a run of matches against opponents including Penrith, Parramatta, South Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne and the Roosters.
All six teams played finals football this year and should be contenders again next season, with the run culminating in a trip to Perth to face the Tricolours ahead of a round 13 bye.
Canterbury Bulldogs
Here is all you need to know about the Canterbury Bulldogs' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Dragons, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Wests Tigers, Titans
Teams they play once
Broncos, Cowboys, Raiders, Roosters, Storm, Warriors
Day-by-day breakdown
Friday – 2, Saturday – 11, Sunday – 10, Monday –1
Turnarounds
5 days – 0, 6 days – 5, 7+ days – 18
Kick-off
A trip to Newcastle in round one followed by a home clash against 2020 minor premiers Penrith, a trip to Suncorp Stadium then a home clash against the Rabbitohs provides Trent Barrett with a stern examination of his off-season preparation.
Toughest stretch
Perhaps thankfully, the toughest parts of the year for travel and the toughest parts of the year for opposition fall at separate times.
For sustained games against top opponents the toughest run comes from round 15 with the Eels, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Sharks in consecutive weeks – all top-eight sides in 2020 bar Manly, who, as mentioned, were the Dogs' chief tormenter in 2020. At least those games are all at ANZ Stadium or Bankwest Stadium.
Cronulla Sharks
Here is all you need to know about the Cronulla Sharks' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Dragons, Knights, Panthers, Raiders, Storm, Warriors
Teams they play once
Eels, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Wests Tigers, Titans
Day-by-day breakdown
Friday - 7, Saturday - 9, Sunday - 8
Turnarounds
5 days – 0, 6 days – 8, 7+ days – 15
Kick-off
It's a big first few weeks: a local derby against the Dragons and clashes with 2020 finalists Canberra and Parramatta. A trip to the Sunshine Coast for a "home" match against North Queensland rounds out Cronulla's opening month.
Toughest stretch
The Shire boys face a difficult period from rounds 8-14 where they'll play premiers Melbourne (away), minor premiers Penrith (away) and preliminary finalists South Sydney (Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium) in succession.
That's followed by a local derby against the Dragons (home), a clash with the vastly-improved Titans at Coffs Harbour, a bye and another date with the Panthers (home).
Gold Coast Titans
Here is all you need to know about the Gold Coast Titans' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Knights, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Storm, Warriors
Teams they play once
Dragons, Eels, Panthers, Roosters, Sharks, Wests Tigers
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday – 2, Friday – 4, Saturday – 10, Sunday – 8
Turnarounds
5 days – 1, 6 days – 6, 7+ days – 16
Kick-off
Head all the way over to Auckland for round one but don't leave Queensland again until round six, with derbies in rounds two and three against the Broncos at home and the Cowboys in Townsville followed by two more home games against the Raiders and Knights. Should be confident of winning at least three or four of those games after the way they finished 2020.
Toughest stretch
The rep period will test out the Titans. With Fifita, Fa'asuamaleaui, Brimson and Moeaki Fotuaika all a strong chance of playing Origin, the Titans have a six-game stretch including five of last season's top eight plus Manly. Those five clubs – the Sharks, Storm, Roosters, Raiders and Eels – inflicted seven losses with zero wins for the Gold Coast in 2020.
Manly Sea Eagles
Here is all you need to know about the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Dragons, Panthers, Warriors, Titans, Wests Tigers, Eels, Cowboys, Bulldogs, Raiders.
Teams they play once
Roosters, Rabbitohs, Broncos, Knights, Sharks, Storm.
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday - 2, Friday - 6, Saturday - 9, Sunday - 7.
Turnarounds
5 days – 2, 6 days – 6, 7+ days – 15
Kick-off
The Sea Eagles will travel to the Sydney Cricket Ground in round one for an away clash against the Sydney Roosters on March 13. Des Hasler's side got the chocolates 9-8 in the only clash between the two sides in 2020. Matches against the Rabbitohs (home), Dragons (away) and Panthers (home) follow.
Toughest stretch
The Sea Eagles face a difficult opening to the season with just two games at Lottoland in the first eight rounds to coincide with clashes against the Roosters, Rabbitohs and Panthers in the opening month.
They're also set to have their State of Origin representatives back up just 48 hours after games in clashes against the Cowboys (round 14) and Dragons (round 18) at Lottoland.
Melbourne Storm
Here is all you need to know about the Melbourne Storm's 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Eels, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Roosters, Sharks, Titans, Warriors
Teams they play once
Bulldogs, Cowboys, Dragons, Knights, Sea Eagles, Wests Tigers
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday – 8, Friday – 5, Saturday – 8, Sunday – 3
Turnarounds
5 days – 3, 6 days – 6, 7+ days – 14
Kick-off
Melbourne have plenty of blockbusters on the schedule and they start with three of them, with Thursday night footy games against the Rabbitohs, Eels and Panthers in the opening rounds. The latter two are on the road before the Storm return home to take on the Broncos before a trip to Perth to face the Bulldogs.
Toughest stretch
That three-game opening run is about as tough as it gets for the Storm, although they do have one of the toughest shedules in the league with home-and-away fixtures against premiership heavyweights the Roosters, Panthers, Raiders, Rabbitohs and Eels.
Newcastle Knights
Here is all you need to know about the Newcastle Knights' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Raiders, Roosters, Sharks, Tigers, Titans, Warriors
Teams they play once
Dragons, Eels, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Storm
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday – 4, Friday – 5, Saturday – 10, Sunday – 5
Turnarounds
5 days – 2, 6 days – 8, 7+ days – 13
Kick-off
Newcastle will be confident of making a fast start out of the blocks with three of their first four games at home and their first five games coming against teams that missed the finals in 2020.
A first-up meeting with the Bulldogs is followed by a trip across the ditch to face the Warriors, ahead of home games against the Wests Tigers and Dragons.
Toughest stretch
Newcastle face a tricky stretch from round five with matches against a much-improved Titans side (away) before taking on the Sharks, Panthers, Roosters and Raiders.
There's another tough run of games following State of Origin III, with matches against top-four candidates the Storm, Roosters and Raiders in successive weeks between round 18 and round 20.
North Queensland Cowboys
Here is all you need to know about the North Queensland Cowboys' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Dragons, Titans, Sharks, Wests Tigers, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Roosters, Knights, Warriors.
Teams they play once
Raiders, Storm, Eels, Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Panthers.
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday - 1, Friday - 6, Saturday - 12, Sunday - 5.
Turnarounds
5 days – 1, 6 days – 6, 7+ days – 16
Kick-off
North Queensland will start their 2021 campaign in difficult fashion with an away trip against the Panthers on March 13 before returning home for two games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium against the Dragons and Titans. It will be the only time the Cowboys will meet the Panthers, the 2020 minor premiers, during the regular season.
Toughest stretch
A difficult period looms for the Cowboys during the Origin period with away trips to Sydney and Newcastle prior to hosting Melbourne and the Roosters on home turf. Back-to-back Queensland derbies against the Broncos and Titans await in enemy territory after that.
Parramatta Eels
Here is all you need to know about the Parramatta Eels' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Storm, Wests Tigers
Teams they play once
Cowboys, Dragons, Knights, Sharks, Titans, Warriors
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday – 3, Friday – 7, Saturday – 7, Sunday – 6, Monday – 1
Turnarounds
5 days – 0, 6 days – 8, 7+ days – 15
Kick-off
Parramatta's season opens at Suncorp Stadium against a Brisbane side they've dominated in recent times before a run of four straight Bankwest Stadium games against the Storm, Sharks, Wests Tigers and Dragons.
Toughest stretch
The Eels have repeat games against all five of their fellow top-six teams from last year so there's no shortage of challenges in their 2021 draw.
They will certainly be battle-hardened come finals time if they get there with five of them in the space of seven weeks (along with Manly and the Cowboys) from round 19 to 25, including both 2020 grand finalists in the final two weeks of the regular season.
Penrith Panthers
Here is all you need to know about the Penrith Panthers' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Bulldogs, Storm, Sea Eagles, Broncos, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Eels, Wests Tigers.
Teams they play once
Cowboys, Raiders, Knights, Titans, Dragons, Warriors.
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday - 4, Friday - 9, Saturday - 7, Sunday - 4.
Turnarounds
5 days – 2, 6 days – 6, 7+ days – 15
Kick-off
The Panthers will start their 2021 campaign against the Cowboys at home on March 13 with last season's minor premiers aiming to make it 10 wins in a row at the venue for the first time in club history. With the Bulldogs, Storm and Sea Eagles to follow, Penrith play just one 2020 finalist in the first month of the season.
Toughest stretch
The post-Origin period looms as a crucial period for the Panthers with four away trips including clashes against heavyweights Storm, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Eels.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Here is all you need to know about the South Sydney Rabbitohs' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Bulldogs, Dragons, Eels, Panthers, Roosters, Storm, Wests Tigers, Titans
Teams they play once
Cowboys, Knights, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Warriors
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday - 5, Friday - 7, Saturday - 9, Sunday - 3
Turnarounds
5 days – 2, 6 days – 8, 7+ days – 13
Kick-off
A testing opening month awaits. They'll head to Melbourne to meet the Storm in round one before another away clash against Manly, who were dangerous when at full-strength in 2020. Then Souths will lock horns with arch-rivals the Roosters at home before facing Canterbury in what seems, on paper, their easiest early match-up.
Toughest stretch
Rounds 8-14 loom as a big challenge with successive matches against six of the teams from the 2020 top eight. First up are preliminary finalists Canberra, then premiers Melbourne followed by Cronulla.
Minor premiers Penrith and third-placed Parramatta are next before a bye leading into a clash with Newcastle where Souths will likely have players backing up from State of Origin I.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Here is all you need to know about the St George Illawarra Dragons' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Bulldogs, Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Wests Tigers, Warriors
Teams they play once
Broncos, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Storm, Titans
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday – 1, Friday – 7, Saturday – 5, Sunday – 10, Monday – 1
Turnarounds
5 days – 2, 6 days – 6, 7+ days – 15
Kick-off
After going 0-4 to start last season, it's imperative for the Dragons to spring from the blocks. There are some tricky games over the opening six weeks. Cronulla are bound to issue a strong challenge in the round-one local derby before St George Illawarra head to Townsville to face North Queensland.
They're at home in round three against Manly, who should be back to full strength, before two tough away clashes with Newcastle and Parramatta. The Warriors will be awaiting them in round six.
Toughest stretch
St George Illawarra's brutal run home could steel them for a finals assault or knock them out of the running. In the last six rounds, they're set to play prelim finalists South Sydney – twice (round 20 and 25) – and Canberra (round 21), plus minor premiers Penrith and a Roosters team burning to reclaim their championship title.
A clash against North Queensland in round 24 could provide some respite, but they beat the Dragons in 2020. The good news for Griffin's men is that four of the games will be at home.
Sydney Roosters
Here is all you need to know about the Sydney Roosters' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Broncos, Cowboys, Dragons, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm
Teams they play once
Bulldogs, Sea Eagles, Sharks, Wests Tigers, Titans, Warriors
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday – 4, Friday – 6, Saturday – 10, Sunday – 4
Turnarounds
5 days – 2, 6 days – 9, 7+ days – 12
Kick-off
The Roosters host Manly at the SCG to get their season underway on a Saturday evening before away games against the Tigers and Rabbitohs then return home to face the Warriors in round four.
Six of the Roosters' matches at the SCG are subject to the venue's availability - Round 1, Round 16, Round 19, Round 20, Round 21, Round 24.
Toughest stretch
The Roosters' tougher games are fairly well spread out but they have a challenging run into the finals. Over six weeks they host the Eels, Panthers and Rabbitohs and travel to Brisbane, Wollongong and Canberra. They have two five-day turnarounds in the final month.
Warriors
Here is all you need to know about the Warriors' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Titans, Knights, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Dragons, Storm, Cowboys, Wests Tigers, Sharks.
Teams they play once
Roosters, Eels, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Broncos.
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday - 0, Friday - 7, Saturday - 5, Sunday - 12.
Turnarounds
5 days – 3, 6 days – 4, 7+ days – 16
Kick-off
The Warriors will start their campaign against the Titans at Mt Smart Stadium, where they've won nine of 12 clashes at home between the two sides, followed by another home game hosting the Knights six days later. The Raiders and Roosters (both away) complete a tough first month.
Toughest stretch
The Warriors' five-week block after their round 13 bye looms as critical with home clashes against the Storm (Round 14), Dragons (Round 16) and Panthers (Round 18) and away trips to Newcastle (Round 15) and Cronulla (Round 17).
Wests Tigers
Here is all you need to know about the Wests Tigers' 2021 Telstra Premiership draw.
Teams they play twice
Bulldogs, Cowboys, Dragons, Eels, Knights, Panthers, Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles, Warriors
Teams they play once
Broncos, Raiders, Roosters, Sharks, Storm, Titans
Day-by-day breakdown
Friday – 5, Saturday – 6, Sunday – 12, Monday – 1
Turnarounds
5 days – 0, 6 days – 8, 7+ days – 15
Kick-off
The heat will be turned up on the Tigers from the get-go. They've drawn 2020 heavyweights Canberra (away) and Sydney Roosters (home) in the opening two weeks before matches against fellow finalists Newcastle (away) and Parramatta (home) to conclude an onerous first month.
Toughest stretch
As mentioned above, the Tigers face a thorough examination of their credentials in the first month.
But they'll also have to navigate a difficult patch from rounds 13-16 with games against Penrith (home), Parramatta (away), Melbourne (away) and South Sydney (home). At least there's a bye at the end of that block.
