NRL: Warriors to host Dragons in 2017 season opener - report

AAP

10 Nov, 2016 10:52 PM2 mins to read

Warriors centre Solomone Kata looks to fend his Dragons opposite in their 2015 preseason trial. Photo / Photosport

The Warriors are set to open their 2017 NRL campaign with a home game against St George Illawarra, according to a report out of Australia.

The schedule of round one matches has been leaked to the Daily Telegraph with the Warriors hosting the Dragons at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday March 4, however the NRL told AAP the draw has not been finalised.

Premiers Cronulla are understood to kick off the season with a blockbuster home clash with Brisbane on Thursday night on March 2, while preliminary finalists North Queensland and Canberra will meet in a Saturday night game in Townsville.

"We'll be in England for the World Club Championship but we get home nine days before the Broncos game and we'll be ready for them," Sharks coach Shane Flanagan told News Corp.

"It will be a great game and a great way to launch the season."

Meanwhile, Canterbury fans will need to overcome Sydney peak hour traffic to see their side's 2017 NRL season opener.

The Bulldogs will reportedly host Melbourne at Belmore Sports Ground at in a round one fixture on the first Friday night of the new season.

It is a Canterbury decision to play at Belmore and not at ANZ Stadium, the Bulldogs home ground, according to News Corp Australia.

The clash precedes South Sydney hosting Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium - 10km from Belmore - as part of a Friday night double-header.

Belmore is 15km west of the CBD and it could take city workers negotiating Friday evening traffic more than an hour's travel to get to the Bulldogs' spiritual home.

In previous seasons Friday night double-headers, games would be played concurrently in a 10.05pm (NZT) timeslot, with one televised on a delay.

EXPECTED KEY ROUND ONE GAMES OF THE 2017 NRL SEASON

Thursday, March 2
Cronulla v Brisbane