The Tigers attract near capacity crowds at Leichhardt Ovalon Sunday afternoons. Photo: Getty Images
The Canberra Raiders and Sunday afternoon football at Leichhardt Oval are the big losers of the 2013 NRL season draw, with Brisbane again the big winners.
Canberra will only feature once on free-to-air TV in the first 20 rounds, while there won't be any Sunday play at Leichhardt.
The Brisbane Broncos will play eight of the first 11 games on Friday nights. Photo: Getty Images
No Sunday action at iconic Leichhardt Oval prompted Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah to tweet: "No Sunday afternoon game at Leichhardt. #Speechless".
Over the past five seasons, the Tigers' average crowd for Sunday afternoon football at Leichhardt Oval is 18,937, despite the inner-city venue's capacity limited to just over 20,000.
In 2012, the Tigers will use Leichhardt Oval for three Friday night games (round three v Eels, round 11 v Cowboys and round 19 v Warriors) and one Saturday night game against the premiers Melbourne Storm in round 16.
The average crowd for night games at Leichhardt Oval over the past five seasons drops by more than 5000 to 13,243 while the Tigers attract an average crowd of 14,654 at their other main venue, Campbelltown Stadium.
The Raiders' snubbing comes despite the highly entertaining brand of football they played on their surprise run to the semi-finals this year.
Canberra fans will have to wait until the round 16 clash against South Sydney on June 28 at ANZ Stadium to see their team on Channel Nine.
The Raiders were only seen on free-to-air television twice this year before the final series.
Due to their popularity in Queensland, the Broncos will feature on Friday night football in eight of the first 11 rounds.
Manly have also been awarded a curious draw which will infuriate fans, with the 2011 premiers playing in seven Monday night games on Fox Sports in the 20 rounds scheduled.
Penrith and Newcastle are the only two teams that will not feature in Friday night football over the first 20 rounds of competition.
The 2013 season kicks off with a Thursday night fixture between arch rivals Sydney Roosters and South Sydney on March 7. The first four rounds of the season will feature Thursday night games.
Premiers Melbourne will host Canterbury in the grand final re-match on Thursday, March 21 at AAMI Park.
For the first time the ARLC has released the complete draw for the first 20 rounds of the premiership.
The remaining six rounds will be scheduled at a later date.
AAP and smh.com.au
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