The NRL draw for 2017 has been dropped amidst a storm of controversy.

The Cronulla Sharks are furious the NRL ignored the club’s plan to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The Sharks had requested an April 2 match against the Roosters to commemorate the first ever Sharks game against Easts on April 2, 1967.

But the NRL didn’t want a bar of it, instead giving the Sharks an April 1 game against Newcastle.

It isn’t all bad news for the Sharks though with the reigning Premiers featuring in the NRL’s blockbuster first game of the season against the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday March 2 at Shark Park.

The NRL has thrown the kitchen sink into round one with plenty of other blockbuster games, including the Cowboys v Raiders, Sea Eagles v Eels and the Rabbitohs v Tigers which will see Robbie Farah take on his former club.

Here’s how the opening round pans out:

Thursday, March 2

Sharks v Broncos, Southern Cross Group Stadium, 8.05pm

Friday, March 3

Bulldogs v Storm, Belmore Stadium, 6pm

Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers, ANZ Stadium, 8:05pm

Looking forward to a great 2017! Good to have you on board @robbiefarah! #GoRabbitohs A photo posted by South Sydney Rabbitohs (@ssfcrabbitohs) on Sep 15, 2016 at 12:52am PDT

Saturday, March 4

Dragons v Panthers, UOW Jubilee Oval, 4.30pm

Cowboys v Raiders, 1300Smiles Stadium, 7pm

Titans v Roosters, CBus Super Stadium, 9pm

??? From our newest signing at NZ training. #ICYMI @kevproc has today signed a four-year deal with the @gctitans until 2020. All the details on our website. ? #ThruNThru A photo posted by Aquis Gold Coast Titans (@gctitans) on Nov 2, 2016 at 1:19am PDT

Sunday, March 5

Warriors v Knights, Mt Smart Stadium, 2pm

Sea Eagles v Eels, Brookvale Oval, 4pm

Awesome sesh with my doko @kieranforan excited to have him part of the @nzwarriors family… #2K17 #OUA A photo posted by Manu Vatuvei (@manuvatuvei) on Oct 11, 2016 at 1:27pm PDT

One of the main talking points to come out of the 2017 NRL Draw is the introduction of regular 6pm Friday games.

As a footy fan I know that getting to the game by 7 or 7.30pm in Friday night traffic can be a nightmare. So we’re not too sure how fans are supposed to make it by 6pm (other than a Friday sickie or afternoon “doctor appointment”).

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg however isn’t too concerned and is excited by the 6pm Friday night fixtures.

“Fans will be able to see two games live on Fridays and, while the early game may present some challenges in terms of attendances, we think it will be a big hit,” he said.

“Certainly this is a much more family friendly time than the late-night Friday game that we had a couple of years ago.”

So how did your club fare with the 2017 draw?

The NRL.com team have broken it down to give you an idea of which teams did well and which teams got the raw end of the pineapple.

According to their points system (which they explain here), the Rabbitohs have the toughest draw whilst the Doggies have the easiest.

All hail King Klemmer ? #proudtobeabulldog A photo posted by Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (@nrl_bulldogs) on Oct 6, 2016 at 5:46pm PDT

The full list from worst to best can be seen below. The more the points, the worse the draw.

1. Rabbitohs (168 points)

2. Cowboys (164)

3. Knights (162)

4. Raiders (155)

5. Sharks (145)

6. Warriors (145)

7. Dragons (139)

8. Titans (137)

9. Panthers (137)

10. Sea Eagles (132)

11. Wests Tigers (130)

12. Roosters (128)

13. Storm (123)

14. Broncos (119)

15. Eels (115)

16. Bulldogs (110)

So what are your thoughts on your teams draw and the 6pm Friday night game? Don’t hold back, we want to see your banter.

by Michael T. Lynch – contributor