Norths Devils will be playing for an expanded finals series when the Intrust Super Cup kicks off in 2019.
The Queensland Rugby League today released the 2019 draw, featuring a top-eight finals series that will mirror the National Rugby League finals format.
The new finals series, in which teams placed one to four will not face sudden death in the first week, replaces the top-six format.
The Devils’ draw, which begins with a home opener against Burleigh Bears on Sunday March 10, features 23 matches. The draw highlights include (subject to any changes for Channel 9’s live coverage schedule):
- Ten home matches at Bishop Park including six Saturday twilight/evening matches and four Sunday afternoon games
- One clash at Suncorp Stadium against the Northern Pride as a curtain-raiser to Broncos’ NRL clash with the Sharks
- The traditional Old Boys’ Day moves to a Saturday with the annual lunch leading into a 5pm kick-off against Central Queensland Capras in Round 22
- A Country Week clash with Sunshine Coast Falcons
The Devils have begun pre-season training with the core of the talented 2018 group returning for coach Rohan Smith’s second season at the helm.
“This is an exciting draw for us and it builds on our work in 2018,” Devils CEO Terry Reader said.
“We trialled Saturday night home games and we had a very strong response so we’ve kept a good mix of those games for next season.
“We’ll also play one match at Suncorp Stadium as a curtain-raiser to a Broncos match. We had a stirring win at Suncorp Stadium earlier in 2018 so we’ll look forward to going back there.”
The Devils’ season includes trips to Rockhampton, Cairns and Mackay.
The home matches include marquee clashes with the likes of Redcliffe, Easts, Townsville and Souths Logan Magpies.
The regular season finishes on Sunday, September 1, against Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval before the eight-team finals series begins.