The NSWRL have today confirmed the official draw for the 2019 UNE SG Ball Cup season.
The opening round will throw up a mouth-watering clash with last year’s premiers Penrith Panthers and minor premiers Sydney Roosters facing off at Panthers Stadium.
The Panthers and the Roosters were the only teams to remain unbeaten after the 2018 season but failed to meet in the finals.
The Roosters were bundled out in the second week while the Panthers overcame a hiccup against the Newcastle Knights in the first week to beat Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the decider.
The competition has been expanded to 17 teams with Victoria Thunderbolts making a return to the UNE SG Ball Cup for the first time since 2014.
The teams have been divided into two pools based on finishing positions last season, with one pool consisting of nine teams and the other pool consisting of eight teams. The eight-team pool has a bye to make up the extra game.
The UNE SG Ball Cup will run for nine rounds from Saturday 9 February until Saturday 6 April followed by a four-week finals series.
Please note that fixture details are subject to change throughout the season.
