Trial match dates, times and opponents have been confirmed, with Sharks to play pre-season games on the Central Coast and at PointsBet Stadium in February.
In matches to be played as a part of the pre-season challenge, where last year games were telecast on Fox/Kayo and Sky NZ, the Sharks have a week one clash with the Knights on February 17, before taking on the Bulldogs as the second match of a double header at PointsBet Stadium on February 23.
A trial between the Roosters and Rabbitohs will be the curtain raiser at PointsBet on the day of the Sharks v Bulldogs clash.
The pre-season challenge format and points system will remain consistent with 2023, with $100,000 in prize money up for grabs, a win seeing teams collect 12 pts, a draw six points, with zero points for a loss.
Bonus points also apply, with one point for five or more tries, another point for five or more line breaks and a further point for five or more off-loads.
Following two comprehensive wins over the Knights and Bulldogs, the Sharks were narrowly edged out in relation to the major prize last year after accumulating less bonus points than eventual winners Manly.
NRL rules and policies apply and playing squads are capped at 28 players per week (56 player across two weeks). In 2022 the average player usage was 25 players and 24 players (across weeks 1 and 2 respectively).
The 2023 Pre-Season Challenge attracted 3.57 million viewers over two weeks.
See Sharks match details below.
Week 1
Knights v Sharks, Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Saturday Feb 17
Kick-off - 1:45pm
Week 2
Sharks v Bulldogs, PointsBet Stadium
Friday Feb 23
Kick-off - 8:00pm
**Double header - Roosters v Rabbitohs 6pm
All times AEDT and subject to change.
The NRL Men's and Women's Telstra Premiership draws are expected to be released early next week.
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