Here is all you need to know about the Brisbane Broncos' revised 2020 Telstra Premiership draw.
The Lowdown
Teams they play twice
Rabbitohs, Roosters, Titans, Eels, Cowboys.
Teams they play once
Sea Eagles, Knights, Warriors, Bulldogs, Wests Tigers, Storm, Sharks, Raiders, Dragons, Panthers.
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday - 6 games, Friday - 9, Saturday - 5
The restart
A tantalising rematch against the side that humiliated them in last year's finals, Parramatta - with home-ground advantage this time - is followed by tough games against premiers Sydney Roosters, the Sea Eagles and the unbeaten Knights.
Five key match-ups
Cowboys (Round 20, Venue TBC): Both clubs have slid in recent years but that doesn't mean there is any less feeling when they face off. The Broncos edged the opening encounter as the Cowboys open their new stadium up north and these two meet again in the final round of the regular season as the one-time little brothers of Queensland rugby league look to extract revenge.
Rabbitohs (Round 13, Venue TBC): Wayne Bennett got the better of Anthony Seibold in 2019. The ledger sits 2-1 in Bennett's favour since they traded hot seats, with Seibold clawing one back in round two this year. Wayne will be loath to give up that advantage when these sides meet for the second time in 2020.
The best are coming back
Eels (Round 3, Suncorp Stadium): 58-0. Nothing else needs to be said as to why this one matters.
Storm (Round 11, Venue TBC): Melbourne have had Brisbane's measure ever since Craig Bellamy moved south nearly two decades ago. Their 40-4 thumping of the Broncos in round 20 last year in front of a stunned Suncorp Stadium crowed was their 17th win from the last 19 clashes – easily the most lopsided record in the Queensland club's proud history.
Roosters (Round 4, Suncorp Stadium; Round 16, Venue TBC): There hasn’t been much between them in recent years, and there's always star power aplenty when the two powerhouses come together. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves staring down Brisbane's young props is worth the price of admission alone.
It's game on
Toughest stretch
Rounds 12-17. Just past the midway point of the season the Broncos start a very tricky run. They host the Storm and Sharks before travelling to face the Rabbitohs and Raiders away. A home game against the Dragons presents brief respite before another road trip against heavyweights the Roosters in round 17.
And another thing
If Brisbane overcome the ladder-leading Eels, they will be one of three teams (alongside the winners of Melbourne v Canberra and Penrith v Newcastle) to resume the truncated season at 3-0, which will be a handier than usual head start with 10 wins likely enough to taste finals footy.
You can download the full 2020 Premiership draw or just your team's schedule directly into your calendar with eCal. Download it now
