In a confirmation of recent media speculation, the Sharks can announce they have been given the honour of opening the 2017 NRL season, with the reigning premiers to play the Brisbane Broncos in a round one blockbuster at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
To be played on Thursday, March 2, the Sharks will begin the defence of their title and their 50th Anniversary season against a Broncos team which is set to join them in the UK in February at the World Club Challenge series.
The match which will be shown on free-to-air on Channel 9, is scheduled to kick off at 8.05pm.
After claiming their first NRL title in a pulsating premiership decider on the first Sunday in October, the Sharks will go from the hunter to the hunted in 2017, with their opponent’s, beginning with highly respected Brisbane side, intent on taking down the champions each and every week.
Alternatively the Sharks will need to display their championship qualities of 2016 as early the opening round and would love nothing more than to make a bold statement with a first up victory.
Last season the Sharks played the Broncos just once, in a round nine clash at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
In what turned out to be an exciting contest the Sharks raced to a big half time lead before withstanding a spirited Brisbane fightback in a 30-28 victory.
The beaten 2015 Grand Finalists, the Broncos would finish the 2016 season in fifth position, scoring a victory over the Titans in week one of the finals before bowing out to fellow Queenslanders the Cowboys in week two.
The full 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw is set to be released tomorrow. The Sharks website will publish the draw from 11.15am.
Note: The only way to guarantee a seat at the Sharks season-opener against the Broncos is to sign up as a 2017 member. For more information go to the following link CLICK HERE
