Thanks
ROUND 20
Wide World of Sports will celebrate Women in League round with three exciting games LIVE and FREE from tonight on Nine.
Nine’s rugby league expert, Brad Fittler, payed homage to the role that women play in rugby league.
“Not only do women play a major part at both the junior and senior levels, they provide the backbone of rugby league. I personally found the consoling after a win or a loss was the balance I needed to not lose perspective. Pretty much my mum, wife and daughter were my ‘team’ amongst my team. I couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.
Tonight on Thursday Night Football the bitterness between the Broncos and Bulldogs is set to play out once again at Suncorp Stadium. The Broncos are enjoying a strong season, sitting inside the top four and hellbent on avoiding any post-Origin fatigue as they lay their path towards premiership glory.
The Bulldogs are enduring a season well below their expectations but have a history of producing when the chips are down, as the Broncos discovered in their last meeting this season.
Fittler’s player to watch: “Anthony Milford – he is the piece of the puzzle that is most important to the Broncos’ premiership quest. He is instinctive, a dangerous ball runner, and has honed his craft more since Benji Marshall joined the club. The Bulldogs will have their hands full with him tonight.”
On Friday Night Football, the defending premiers, the Sharks, will host the Rabbitohs at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
The Sharks welcome back their representative star playmaker James Maloney and will rely on his guidance, while the Rabbitohs are out to save face in what has been a disappointing 2017 campaign.
To cap off the Round 20 NRL action on Nine, Sunday Afternoon Football gives viewers a front-row seat to Mitchell Moses in his first encounter against the Tigers when he turns out for the Eels after making a mid-season transfer.
A star junior for the Tigers, Moses’ departure divided opinion but he has proved to be a healthy addition to the Eels, who are now posing a premiership threat while the Tigers continue to struggle near the bottom of the ladder. The Tigers will be keen to prove to their fans there is life after loss.
Nine’s Wide World of Sports will continue to provide viewers with unprecedented NRL access, with four nights of Live and Free fixtures every week from Round 22 including the welcome addition of Saturday Night Football for the rest of the regular season.
Broadcast Times
Tonight – Thursday 20 July
Broncos vs Bulldogs
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Friday 21 July
Sharks vs Rabbitohs
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Sunday 23 July
Tigers vs Eels
Sydney 3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 3.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 1.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
RUGBY LEAGUE ACTION THIS WEEK ON NINE
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SIX TACKLES WITH GUS – Nine’s James Bracey discusses the biggest rugby league issues of the week with NRL legend and expert commentator Phil Gould on Six Tackles with Gus. This week: State of Origin fallout and where it went wrong for the NSW Blues
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THE NRL FOOTY SHOW – Tonight, July 20. Erin, Fatty, Darryl and Beau are back straight after the footy, with special guests James Tedesco and Allana Ferguson. Erin delivers a special story with the Kelly Family ahead of the Stay Kind Cup on Sunday. Available LIVE in every city across the country on 9NOW.
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SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday, July 23, at 10.00am. Frank and open debate on all the big issues in the week of sport. Paul Gallen, Candice Warner, Peter FitzSimons and Liz Ellis join Cameron Williams.
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SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – Sunday, July 23, at 11.00am. Hosted by James Bracey who is joined by Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and Adam MacDougall. Sharks halfback Chad Townsend drops by and Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle helps to celebrate Women in League round.
**Check local guides for details. Times will differ.
umm they always do…nothing new.
ROUND 21
On Friday Night Football, the finals feeling will continue with the Eels hosting the Broncos as they fight for a top four finish. The Eels are out to show they are still a serious title threat after escaping with a one-point victory over the Tigers last week and losing key player Clint Gutherson for the rest of the season.
Wayne Bennett’s Broncos have been consistent all season and dismissed any suggestions of a post-Origin hangover with an imposing 42-12 win last week. Both teams like to lead the way with their defence before instinctive play comes to the fore with stars like Bevan French, Corey Norman and Semi Radradra for the Eels and James Roberts, Anthony Milford and Benji Marshall for the Broncos.
To cap off the Round 21 action on Nine, Sunday Afternoon Football travels to the glitter strip where the Gold Coast Titans play the Wests Tigers in what promises to be a fixture with a strong attacking flavour.
The Titans have attacking guns in Jarryd Hayne, Ashley Taylor and dangerous edge forward Kevin Proctor. And the Tigers showed last week they are not to be underestimated, with James Tedesco, Aaron Woods and Luke Brooks out to end the Tigers’ season on a high.
Friday 28 July
Eels vs Broncos
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Sunday 30 July
Titans vs Tigers
Sydney 3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 3.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 1.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
RUGBY LEAGUE ACTION THIS WEEK ON NINE
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SIX TACKLES WITH GUS – Nine’s James Bracey discusses the biggest rugby league issues of the week with NRL legend and expert commentator Phil Gould on Six Tackles with Gus. This week: Sia Soliola’s 5-week suspension, and what teams will make the finals top 8
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THE NRL FOOTY SHOW – Tonight, July 27, after the footy. See Erin Molan, Fatty Vautin, Darryl Brohman, Beau Ryan and Mario Fenech tackle The Footy Show’s very own Australian Ninja Warrior course with commentary from ANW host Ben Fordham and Johnathan Thurston. Available LIVE in every city across the country on 9NOW.
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SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday, July 30, at 10.00am. Frank and open debate on all the big issues in the week of sport. Michael Clarke, Peter FitzSimons, Liz Ellis and Neil Breen join Emma Freedman.
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SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – Sunday, July 30, at 11.00am. Hosted by James Bracey who is joined by Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston and Sam Bremner. Panthers captain Matt Moylan also joins the show as a live studio guest.
**Check local guides for details. Times will differ.
I saw ch9 showing a promo for Saturday night football. beginning next Saturday.
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I saw that too.
My guess is that FOX will provide a clean feed to Nine, and Nine will use its own graphics and commentary (which is a similar set up to the Friday 8pm and Sunday 4pm games, but in reverse).
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Not enough OB trucks in Brisbane capable of HD playout?
Also, note the use of the older Nine Rugby League graphics! 
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Doubt it, I was at Davies Park two weekends ago for the Norths vs Souths game and they had two of the HD link trucks parked up there for a televised game. Interestingly they also had a cherry picker on the sideline for some better camera angles of the game.
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HD trucks at Robina I would have thought given it’s a rare Sunday game in Qld.
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ROUND 22
Round 22 of the NRL begins tonight with the Eels out to continue on their winning way against the Bulldogs, before Saturday Night Football makes a return to Channel Nine.
LIVE and FREE from ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Thursday Night Football sees traditional rivals Parramatta and Canterbury doing battle, with NSW Origin winger Brett Morris making his return for the Bulldogs.
Parramatta are looking to extend their great run and cement a place in the top eight with a win.
On Friday Night Football, it’s a top eight clash as Melbourne face the gritty North Queensland Cowboys at home. Billy Slater returns for the competition leaders who will have their hands full with a Cowboys outfit that has proven to be tougher than expected without Johnathan Thurston.
JT will be joining the Nine commentary team to give his thoughts on the game, as the in-form Michael Morgan leads the Cowboys.
Nine’s expert commentator, Brad Fittler, says it will be a close battle between two of the premiership favourites:
“Michael Morgan this week mentioned that his respect for Johnathan Thurston has gone up even more considering how much attention he receives in a game, which Michael is now getting in JT’s absence.
“Morgan is playing well but he’s got to get even better, as Melbourne will throw plenty of attack at him.”
Fittler’s player to watch: “Billy Slater. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back from his concussion two weeks ago. Going off past performances, he always responds well after injury. His return could make all the difference for Melbourne tomorrow night.”
Making its long-awaited return to the Nine Network, Saturday Night Football arrives in The Shire as the Cronulla Sharks take on the Canberra Raiders in a game with plenty on the line.
The Raiders have the dangerous Josh Papalii and Jordan Rapana back from suspension as they continue to fight to make the finals. The defending premiers will be tough at home, with Sharks captain Paul Gallen running more than 400 metres in their past two outings, and Andrew Fifita and Wade Graham also impressive of late.
Finally, Sunday Afternoon Football features a compelling father and son battle as the Wests Tigers visit Pepper Stadium to take on the Penrith Panthers.
Young Panthers star Nathan Cleary will be looking to prove a point as he lines up against the team coached by his father Ivan.
The Panthers must also win to keep their finals hopes alive, while the Tigers want another scalp after beating the Titans.
In another family affair, Penrith’s Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will be facing off against his brother and opposing winger Malakai for the first time.
Broadcast Times
Tonight – Thursday 3 August
Bulldogs Vs Eels
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Friday 4 August
Cowboys Vs Storm
Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Saturday 5 August
Sharks Vs Raiders
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 6.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Sunday 6 August
Panthers Vs Tigers
Sydney 3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 3.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 1.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
RUGBY LEAGUE ACTION THIS WEEK ON NINE
SIX TACKLES WITH GUS – Nine’s James Bracey discusses the biggest rugby league issues of the week with NRL legend and expert commentator Phil Gould on Six Tackles with Gus. This week: Father v Son: Ivan Cleary v Nathan Cleary as the Panthers host the Tigers; Did Kenny Edwards do anything wrong?; Was Paul McGregor’s $10,000 fine warranted?; And where does Cameron Smith rank amongst the greats?
THE NRL FOOTY SHOW – Tonight, August 3, after the footy. Fatty Vautin, Erin Molan, Darryl Brohman and Beau Ryan are joined by guest hosts Wally Lewis and James Maloney. Aussie rockers KINGSWOOD perform LIVE. Beau and Panthers star Trent Merrin help out a deserving young footy team. Available LIVE in every city across the country on 9NOW.
SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday, August 6, at 10.00am. Frank and open debate on all the big issues in the week of sport. David Warner, Paul Gallen, Peter FitzSimons and Liz Ellis join Emma Freedman.
SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – Sunday, August 6, at 11.00am. Hosted by James Bracey who is joined by Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Allana Ferguson and Nathan Ross from the Newcastle Knights, with a full review of Round 22 and preview of Nine’s Sunday Afternoon Football.
**Check local guides for details. Times will differ.
Wow.
When was the last time NRL was broadcast on Saturdays on free-to-air?
Wonder if it’ll impact Foxtel’s (usually exclusive) top-rating Saturday night game? Have Nine been promoting it?
The AFL has never not had FTA Saturday broadcasts (in fact, Ten only had Saturdays when they held the rights).
Umm…probably last year, during the finals?
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You have to go back to the 1990s when the ABC broadcast Saturday afternoon matches on FTA during the regular season.
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Do you really not know what I meant? 
I’ll re-phrase:
When was the last time Saturday night NRL was a regular part of the home and away season (albeit this is 5 games I believe)?
Years? Decades?
I’m sure someone will be able to help here.
You probably should’ve said that during your original post!
As for the answer, Johnson is probably right by saying that the last time that Saturday NRL (although back in those days, it was probably still the NSW-RL or the ARL) matches during the regular season were shown on FTA TV was back in the 1990s when the ABC had Saturday afternoon games.
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Thanks!!
Nine used to replay every Saturday afternoon game during the home and away season in 1982-83 as “Saturday Night Football” at 6.30pm.
Ian Maurice was the commentator, and Mike Gibson was the host.
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