NRL ON NINE: ROUND 18
EELS & SEA EAGLES FACE OFF IN THE MATCH OF THE ROUND
The Bulldogs shoot for three wins in a row as Belinda Sharpe becomes the first female match referee in NRL history tonight in Macca’s Thursday Night Footy on Nine.
The Dogs meet a Brisbane Broncos team now in the danger zone and desperate for winning consistency in the run to the finals in Round 18 of the NRL.
For the Dogs, Will Hopoate is in peak form in the centres while new buy Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has slotted in effortlessly as a metre-eating fullback.
In the forwards, Brisbane have a distinct edge with Matthew Lodge, Payne Haas and Tevita Pangai Junior capable of forging a victory.
On VB Friday Night Footy, the Penrith Panthers chase their seventh win on the trot after a horror start to the season. They play a shaky, inconsistent Dragons side desperate for a win.
The Panthers are boosted by the return of Nathan Cleary to steer the team alongside James Maloney, who has been rejuvenated by his heroics for the Blues in Origin. They line up against the unorthodox halves pairing of Corey Norman and journeyman Darren Nicholls, replacing Ben Hunt who is being rested. James Graham is back for the Dragons, who have sorely missed his workhorse performances up front.
Apart from last week’s agonising loss to the Rabbitohs, the Manly Sea Eagles have been on a real tear. They’re chasing a top four spot against the surging Eels in an enticing match-up on Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy.
Parramatta face the daunting task of taming the Trjbojevic brothers, NSW Origin stars “Turbo” Tom and Jake. But having beaten Manly seven times in their last eight clashes, Parramatta will head to Brookvale filled with confidence. Blake Ferguson has been superb for the Eels on the wing and Mitchell Moses continues to impress, making this a clash to savour.
BROADCAST TIMES
Tonight – July 18
Broncos vs Bulldogs
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GO!
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GO!
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GO!
Friday – July 19
Panthers vs Dragons
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GO!
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GO!
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GO!
Sunday – July 21
Sea Eagles vs Eels
Sydney 3.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 3.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 2.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 1.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
FOUR DAYS OF FOOTY LIVE ON NINE
THURSDAY, JULY 18:
MACCA’S THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTY – Broncos vs Bulldogs, LIVE from Suncorp Stadium at 7.30pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Paul Vautin, Andrew Johns, Billy Slater, Ruan Sims, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Danika Mason, Mat Thompson.
MACCA’S GOLDEN POINT – LIVE from Suncorp Stadium following Broncos vs Bulldogs. It explores the big stories to come from the game, and has exclusive behind-the-scenes access to players and coaches on the field and in the sheds.
FRIDAY, JULY 19:
VB FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – Panthers vs Dragons, LIVE from Panthers Stadium at 7.30pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: Erin Molan, Phil Gould, Billy Slater, Peter Sterling, Sam Thaiday, Darren Lockyer, Mat Thompson.
FRIDAY NIGHT KNOCK OFF – LIVE from Panthers Stadium following Panthers vs Dragons. It explores the big stories to come from the game, and has exclusive behind-the-scenes access to players and coaches on the field and in the sheds.
SUNDAY, JULY 21:
SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday at 10.00am AEST, LIVE on Nine. This week: host James Bracey is joined by former Australian netball stars Liz Ellis and Cath Cox, former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, and journalist Andrew Webster.
SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – LIVE from 11.00am AEST on Nine. Host Erin Molan will cover all the Round 18 action so far, with Peter Sterling, Darren Lockyer and Paul Gallen.
SUNDAY FOOTY – Canterbury Cup NSW: Western Suburbs Magpies vs St George-Illawarra Dragons, LIVE from Leichhardt Oval at 1.00pm AEST on Nine for NSW viewers ONLY.
Hosts and commentators: Peter Psaltis, Jamie Soward, Danika Mason.
SUNDAY FOOTY – Sunshine Coast Falcons vs Norths Devils, LIVE from Bernie & John Cronin Memorial, Nanango at 1.00pm AEST on Nine for QLD viewers ONLY.
Hosts and commentators: Mark Braybrook, Scott Sattler, Adam Jackson.
CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY KICK OFF – LIVE from Lottoland at 3.00pm AEST on Nine ahead of Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy. A preview of the upcoming action from the best minds in the game.
CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY FOOTY – Sea Eagles vs Eels, LIVE from Lottoland at 4.00pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Peter Sterling, Andrew Johns, Allana Ferguson, Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Mat Thompson.
MONDAY, JULY 22:
100% FOOTY – 10.30pm AEST on Nine. 100% Footy is the home of the strongest opinions in rugby league from the people who count. Phil Gould returns with Paul Gallen, alongside Ruan Sims, journalist Neil Breen and host James Bracey.
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:
Has the NRL already become a two-horse race this season?
Why it is so rare for players and coaches to part amicably with teams
Gus feels an upset may be on the cards this week
