Here is all you need to know about the Canberra Raiders' 2022 Telstra Premiership draw.
The Lowdown
Teams they play twice
Storm, Panthers, Sea Eagles, Knights, Titans, Sharks, Dragons, Warriors, Cowboys
Teams they play once
Rabbitohs, Roosters, Eels, Wests Tigers, Broncos, Bulldogs
Day-by-day breakdown
Thursday 1; Friday 2; Saturday 10; Sunday 11.
Opening month
The Raiders get a home game against the Sharks to kick things off on a Friday evening before a trip to Townsville in round two, back home for the Titans then a Mudgee game against Manly. All four of those and certainly the first three are winnable as the Raiders look for an improved effort in 2022.
Toughest stretch
The Raiders have dodged any particularly gruelling clusters of games, with arguably the toughest patch coming around Origin I with the Rabbitohs at Dubbo in round 11 leading into home games against the Eels and Roosters followed by Brisbane at Suncorp and back home for the Knights.
Top 10 tries for 2021: Raiders
Make it count
Conversely there is no long run of games against lower-tier opposition either. But if the Raiders are in finals contention heading into the final month they will eye a run of games against the Dragons, Knights, Sea Eagles and Tigers as a chance to finish strongly. Manly are tough but that game is in Canberra.
Storyline to watch
Jamal Fogarty looms as a suitable replacement for George Williams in the halves but the Raiders will need to find the spark in both attack and defence that got them into title contention in previous years. Arguably one of the most disappointing sides of 2021, the Green Machine have got the starpower but will need Fogarty and Jack Wighton at their best.