Canberra boss’ stunning NRL draw claim over ‘very lucky’ Broncos

Canberra boss Don Furner has called out the NRL for favouring the Broncos, claiming the league “orchestrates” the draw to favour them.

The NRL fixture list was released on Friday and the reigning premiers were handed what can only be described as a dream draw.

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Brisbane will play a whopping 14 games at Suncorp Stadium in the 2026 season.

And once again, they will play their Suncorp Stadium Magic Round clash as the ‘away team’.

In what is a real headscratcher, the New Zealand Warriors will be the home team when they play Brisbane in Round 11.

It effectively gives them a bonus home game. As does the fact that their derby with the Dolphins is also played at their home fortress.

If that isn’t enough, the Broncos will also start their title defence off with three of their opening four games at home.

Last year they similarly got the rub of the green, as the away team for Magic Round and from March to June, they only had to play two five-day turnarounds.

And their favourable schedule has once again left the Raiders furious.

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In the first 17 rounds of the 2025 season, the Raiders were on the road 10 times, travelling a total of 14,960km.

In comparison, during that same period, the Broncos only had to commute 6200km.

So it is no surprise that the Raiders’ bye in next year’s Magic Round, as well as the Broncos’ draw, left Furner seeing red, as he unleashed on the NRL and questioned why Brisbane always seems to receive fixture favours.

“I think they end up playing 14 games at home because they also play Redcliffe there,” he told Code Sports.

“They are very, very lucky, but I can’t wait for the year they miss out on Magic Round.”

Asked if it’s a surprise the Broncos have had each of their Magic Round games classified as away games, Furner added: “No, that’s orchestrated for them.”

But he wasn’t the only one dumbfounded by the Magic Round draw, with Queensland legend Corey Parker angered that the Raiders were given the bye.

“I’m having a dig at the NRL. The minor premiers, the best team, the most consistent team throughout the course of the season last year, are not there,” he said on SEN.

“(It is) an absolute disgrace … to not see the Raiders, who were the best team last year

“Why aren’t we seeing the minor premiers this year, on the big stage here at Suncorp next year. I think it’s ridiculous.”