The NRL is back for its historic 30th year on Nine and that epic milestone will be marked tonight with a blockbuster match-up to start the huge 2021 season.

On Hisense Thursday Night Footy from Melbourne, premiership favourites South Sydney collide with the reigning champions, the Storm, in a must-see spectacle.

Amid contract speculation over classy captain Adam Reynolds, the Rabbitohs will be spearheaded by a red-hot Latrell Mitchell, going toe-to-toe with Storm superstar fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen in a battle of NSW Origin hopefuls.

Then on Macca’s Friday Night Footy, the road to redemption begins for the Brisbane Broncos, taking on the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium after a forgettable 2020 season. The Broncos will look to their halves pairing of Anthony Milford and Brodie Croft to steer the ship, while the Eels will field the mostly unchanged side that took them to the finals last year, including destructive wingers Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson.

Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy sees the Wests Tigers travel to Canberra to face the Raiders. The Tigers will be trying to make an early case as finals contenders after missing out for a decade, boosted by promising young Panthers recruit Daine Laurie making his debut at fullback.

The Green Machine welcome back crafty English No.9 Josh Hodgson, who will hope to recapture the stunning form he displayed prior to a season-ending injury in 2020.

HISENSE THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTY – STORM v RABBITOHS, LIVE from AAMI Park
Followed by HISENSE THURSDAY NIGHT KNOCK OFF
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Ray Warren, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Billy Slater, Brad Fittler, Allana Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Danika Mason

Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9Gem
Perth 4.30pm LIVE on 9Gem

MACCA’S FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – BRONCOS v EELS, LIVE from Suncorp Stadium
Followed by MACCA’S GOLDEN POINT
Host and commentators: Erin Molan, Paul Vautin, Brad Fittler, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Peter Psaltis, Danika Mason

Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9Gem
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9Gem
Perth 4.30pm LIVE on 9Gem

CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY FOOTY – RAIDERS v TIGERS, LIVE from GIO Stadium
Preceded by CHEMIST WAREHOUSE KICK OFF
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Ruan Sims, Peter Sterling, Billy Slater, Mat Thompson, Danika Mason

Sydney 3.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 2.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 3.00pm LIVE on 9Gem
Adelaide 2.30pm LIVE on 9Gem
Perth 12.00pm LIVE on 9Gem

SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday at 10.00am AEDT, LIVE on Nine. This week: Host James Bracey is joined by netball legend Liz Ellis, former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, and Sydney Morning Herald columnist Peter FitzSimons, with special guests including US entertainment correspondent Brad Blanks.

SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – LIVE from 11.00am AEDT on Nine. Host Erin Molan will cover all the Round 1 action so far, with Peter Sterling, Paul Gallen and Brad Fittler, plus special guests including Panthers captain Isaah Yeo, and Rabbitohs star Cameron Murray. Journalists Andrew Webster, Michael Chammas and David Riccio join Sterlo for ‘Inside The 10’.

100% FOOTY – Monday at 10.10pm AEDT on Nine. 100% Footy is the home of the strongest opinions in rugby league from the people who count. Phil Gould returns for the new season with Paul Gallen, journalist Danny Weidler and host James Bracey.

WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS RADIO ON 2GB & 4BC

• The WWOS TV brand that sports fans love has its very own radio show. From 6.00pm-7.00pm AEDT Monday to Thursday, host Mark Levy talks with the biggest names in the world of Australian sport, including regular weekly guests:

o Monday: Billy Slater
o Tuesday: Paul Gallen
o Wednesday: Brad Fittler
o Thursday: Ken Sutcliffe

PODCAST – SIX TACKLES WITH GUS

• James Bracey discusses the biggest issues of the week with rugby league legend and expert commentator Phil Gould on Six Tackles with Gus.

This week:
o The sacrifices the Warriors are making to play amid a pandemic.
o Can players’ bodies keep up with the latest rule changes?
o Is rushing teen prodigies into the game stifling their development?

For further information please contact Nine Publicity:
Jason Evans
E jaevans@nine.com.au
P 02 9965 2052

Thursday, March 11, 2021