Get ready for an action-packed start to the NRL season, with three blockbuster matchups heading your way this week on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The Roosters and Broncos face off on Thursday Night Footy, followed by a Friday clash between the Dolphins and Rabbitohs, before Sunday Arvo Footy wraps up with the Storm taking on the Eels.
With top-tier commentary from rugby league legends and exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage, this is one weekend of rugby you won’t want to miss.
From Nine:
NRL Round 1 goes up a gear this week with three mouth-watering match ups – Roosters v Broncos, Dolphins v Rabbitohs and Storm v Eels – all live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now, from Thursday, March 6 at 7.30pm AEDT.
First up, two heavyweight clubs will collide on Thursday Night Footy between the Roosters and Broncos at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. The Roosters have been written off after a raft of injuries to key players and roster changes, but three-time premiership winning coach Trent Robinson and captain James Tedesco will be ready to lead the chooks to a statement victory at home against a fancied Broncos side.
New Broncos coach Michael Maguire has the likes of Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and the returning Ben Hunt at his disposal, which has many considering them Premiership threats.
The Dolphins will meet their former coach Wayne Bennett in his Rabbitohs return on Friday Night Footy in Sydney. The Rabbitohs will be without their Origin superstars Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, but there has been no one more successful than supercoach Bennett at playing the underdog card.
His former protege turned Dolphins head coach Kristian Woolf, will be hoping for some backline brilliance from the freakishly fast Hamiso Tabui-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth. Go behind the scenes with the Dolphins in RISE OF THE DOLPHINS: Episode 1 following Dolphins v Rabbitohs in all markets on Channel 9, now available to stream on 9Now.
Sunday Arvo Footy launches from AAMI Park, Melbourne where Craig Bellamy and the Storm aim to extend their run of 22 straight Round 1 victories. Standing in their way is a fresh Parramatta Eels line up, coached by former Storm assistant Jason Ryles.
On the field, the Storm are out to atone for finishing runners up last season when Cam Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes look to send an emphatic statement to the rest of the competition.
In commentary exclusively for Nine’s Wide World of Sports is the best in the business. Hosted by James Bracey and Danika Mason, the expert commentary line up for 2025 features rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns and fellow premiership winners Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Phil Gould, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler, Paul Gallen, Darren Lockyer, Millie Elliott and Sam Thaiday. Plus women’s internationals Ruan Sims and Allana Ferguson, sideline reporters Marlee Silva and Emma Lawrence, with Lawrence to also host the Sunday Footy Show.
This unrivalled lineup of commentators, boasting 52 Grand Final appearances as players and coaches combined, will provide viewers with insight and analysis all the way through the 2025 season with exclusive access into the dressing sheds after the game.
Calling the live action will be Mat Thompson, Brenton Speed and Peter Psaltis.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: NRL ROUND 1 ON NINE
Thursday, March 6
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – ROOSTERS v BRONCOS
Sydney 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 6.30pm on 9GemHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 4.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Friday, March 7
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – DOLPHINS v RABBITOHS
Sydney 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 6.30pm on 9GemHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 4.30pm LIVE and FREE on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
RISE OF THE DOLPHINS: Episode 1 – Following Dolphins v Rabbitohs in all markets on Channel 9, Available to stream on 9Now.
Rise of the Dolphins continues the story of Australia’s newest rugby league team, the NRL Dolphins, as they navigate their final season under the legendary NRL coach Wayne Bennett.
Sunday, March 9
WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS – This Week: Roz Kelly, Mark Taylor, Cate Campbell and Morgan Turinui.
Sydney / Brisbane – 10.00am on Channel 9. Melbourne / Adelaide / Perth 12.00pm on Channel 9
THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW – Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and new host Emma Lawrence.
Sydney / Brisbane 11.00am on Channel 9
Melbourne 11.00am / Adelaide and Perth 10.30am on 9Gem
SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – STORM v EELS
Sydney 3.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 3.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 3.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 2.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 12.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Monday, March 10
100% FOOTY –9.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now in Sydney/Brisbane, following Married At First Sight.
It’s business time in the 2025 NRL season. Phil Gould and Paul Gallen are joined by the most capped Queensland Maroons player of all-time, Cameron Smith, when he joins the show full-time. Host James Bracey will steer the ship while 9News rugby league reporters Danny Weidler and Michael Chammas bring the latest breaking news each week.
NRL ON NINE DIGITAL THIS WEEK: AVAILABLE ON 9NOW AND YOUTUBE
Marlee and Me – Valentine Holmes: Marlee Silva is joined by one of the NRL’s most dynamic and versatile players. Born in Townsville with proud Samoan heritage, he made his mark early with the Cronulla Sharks, playing a key role in their historic 2016 premiership win. Known for his speed, skill, and game-changing ability, Val has represented Queensland and Australia at the highest level. His journey also took him to the U.S.A, where he pursued an NFL dream before returning to the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys. Now a leader on and off the field, he continues to inspire with his passion and dedication to the game as he makes his debut with the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2025.
Immortal Behaviour returns for 2025 with new host Allana Ferguson joining the eighth Immortal Andrew Johns. This week they’ll review the second year of Vegas, look at the contenders for the Premiership, who might be the breakout star of 2025 and where will the pressure hit first across the competition.
Immortal Behaviour, on 9Now and YouTube every Thursday at 5.00pm from March 6.
