2023 draw snapshot

Here is all you need to know about the Cronulla Sharks 2023 Telstra Premiership draw.

The Lowdown

Teams they play twice

Rabbitohs, Raiders, Dragons, Warriors, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Knights.

Teams they play once

Eels, Roosters, Dolphins, Broncos, Panthers, Titans, Tigers, Storm.

Day-by-day breakdown

• Thursday: 4 games
• Friday: 3 games
• Saturday: 7 games
• Sunday: 10 games

Turnaround time

• 5 Days: 1 game
• 6 days: 5 games
• 7+ Days: 17 games

Byes

Round 6, 13 and 17.

Opening month

The Sharks get a stern test early with games against three top-eight sides from 2022 in the Rabbitohs (home), Eels (away) and Raiders (away) before tackling the Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in the local derby. They have beaten the Dragons in their past five meetings so confidence won’t be an issue against the Red V.

Origin watch

The Sharks have a bye ahead of Origin I, they play the Bulldogs the Sunday before the second Origin and they have Wests Tigers before Origin III. They host the Broncos just two days after the series opener so there could be some tired bodies on both sides depending how many get the nod for Origin. A bye in Round 17 just days after Origin II will be welcomed.

The run home

A massive clash against the Panthers in Round 22 at BlueBet Stadium is followed by a trip to Perth to face the Rabbitohs as part of a double-header at Optus Stadium. They head back to Sydney to host the Titans in Round 24 before a long road trip to Townsville in Round 24 and a much shorter jaunt to Newcastle in Round 26. The Sharks round out the 2023 season with a Sunday afternoon clash against Ricky Stuart’s Raiders at PointsBet Stadium in Round 27.

And another thing...

The Sharks go from Penrith to Perth to Cronulla to Townsville to Newcastle in a torrid month between Rounds 22 and 26 when their frequent flyer miles will get a huge boost and they’ll be hoping their finals chances do as well.

• See the full 2023 NRL Draw here