I still need to hear a better explanation than traditional rivals playing on fixed dates etc. as to why a full round cannot be played before you play any team twice. Then the team you play a second time coincides with the team you played in round 1. Etc.
It’s never going to be fair not playing every team twice. But you need to come up with something better than the Roosters need to play St George on Anzac Day. Because it’s been a tradition for 22 whole years to get me.
Even if they are desperate for these modern day traditional games to be played. There is nothing stopping these being put into a full draw at the correct week.
Whilst you or I may not place much credence in "traditional dates for derbies" for many supporters it is a real thing. It may just be the history of it, a tradition or some family association etc, but they do care. I know my dad and his army buddies used to catch up for the same game at the same time each year.
Leaving that aside there is the issue of ground availability, not all NRL grounds are available all of the time. Many grounds are used for multiple purposes, not just RL but other sports, concerts, etc. Also SOO interrupts the schedule and currently byes also impact a smooth schedule. Then of course there is the stupid magic round, FMD what a deadshit idea that is.
Since we don't play everyone twice it's not as easy as the second round simplistically copying the first round. The second round schedule has to be very different to the first round..
I don't like the draw as a whole, but it is done by a professional Canadian sports scheduling company, so I can't see any bias or hidden agenda being possible.
Always a Bulldog