NRL action on Nine goes up another gear this week with two NRL powerhouses colliding at Suncorp Stadium, the Panthers hunting the Rabbitohs, and the 2016 Grand Final rematch to top it off.

It starts with the Broncos versus Roosters on Thursday Night Football. Nine’s Wide World of Sports will deliver its live and free coverage with exclusive access inside Suncorp Stadium when two of the toughest defensive teams shape up for a bruising display.

The Broncos are battle-hardened after playing all of last season’s top four teams already in 2017, but they need a quality attack from Ben Hunt, Anthony Milford and Darius Boyd to beat the Roosters, who are one of the competition favourites with gun players like Mitchell Pearce and Boyd Cordner in top form.

Nine’s rugby league expert, Wally Lewis, says: “Two very talented rosters are on display so I expect this one to be a tight game with the home-ground advantage spurring the Broncos home.

“It seems strange that the Broncos let the win against the Bulldogs slip last weekend after being in control for most of the game. This week they’ll need their playmakers to step up if they’re going to beat the Roosters.”

Lewis’s player to watch is Anthony Milford: “Over the last couple of weeks his defence has been questioned and the Roosters will exploit that. His attack is yet to reach its potential this season too, but don’t be surprised if he does produce his best tomorrow night. Never underestimate a great player.”

Friday Night Football pits the Panthers against the Rabbitohs at Pepper Stadium where the visitors must disarm Panthers’ attack weapons Nathan Cleary, Te Maire Martin and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. 

The Panthers have proven their attacking capability with some big wins already in 2017 but are coming off a loss and will be without their captain, Matt Moylan. The up-and-down Rabbitohs remain competitive and will be confident of scoring an away win in what shapes as an intriguing contest.

On Sunday Afternoon Football, all current form will be thrown out the window when the Sharks travel to AAMI Park in Melbourne to take on the unbeaten Storm in the 2016 Grand Final rematch.

The Storm have been unstoppable this season, and even more lethal with the return of Billy Slater and the addition of speedster Josh Addo-Carr. The Sharks will bring their uncompromising style of play to AAMI Park and the same winning ingredients that broke their premiership drought last season.

The announcement of Cooper Cronk’s departure from the Storm at season’s end will only add to the drama, so be ready for an enthralling match-up on Sunday Afternoon Football – LIVE and FREE on Nine.

Broadcast Times

Thursday, April 6
Broncos vs Roosters

Sydney                    7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane                  7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne               7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM 
Adelaide                  7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth                        5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM

Friday, April 7
Panthers vs Rabbitohs

Sydney                    7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane                  7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne               7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide                  7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth                        5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM

Sunday, April 9
Storm vs Sharks

Sydney                    3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane                  3.30pm LIVE on Nine 
Melbourne               3.30pm LIVE on 9GEM 
Adelaide                  3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth                        1.30pm LIVE on 9GEM

RUGBY LEAGUE ACTION THIS WEEK ON NINE

• SIX TACKLES WITH GUS – Today. Nine’s James Bracey talks the biggest rugby league issues of the week with NRL legend and expert commentator Phil Gould on Six Tackles with Gus. 

• THE NRL FOOTY SHOW – Thursday, April 6. Fatty Vautin, Erin Molan, Beau Ryan and Darryl Brohman are back with the footy on Thursday night. Paul Gallen and Tommy Raudonikis join the panel LIVE. James Bracey has a special story from the launch of the Stuart Kelly remembrance game, plus last week’s wrap-up from rugby league locally and abroad in Between the Sticks.
Available LIVE in every city across the country on 9NOW 

• SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday, April 9, at 10.30am AEDT, LIVE on Nine. Frank and open debate on all the big issues in the week of sport. This week Collingwood netball’s Sharni Layton and Candice Warner join the show alongside Peter FitzSimons, Neil Breen and Emma Freedman.

• THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW – Sunday, April 9, at 11.30am AEDT, LIVE on Nine. Our experts dissect all the action so far in round six, with Brad Fittler, Wally Lewis and Glenn Lazarus joining Peter Sterling.