The Dolphins and Knights under Thursday night lights, Nathan Cleary and the Panthers at their new home on Friday and the rest of the west on Sunday in Eels v Tigers, will head up NRL Round 2 on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Live and free from Thursday, March 13 at 7.30pm AEDT, The Knights fortress in Newcastle hosts Thursday Night Footy when the Dolphins come knocking for their first victory of the season. Revenge is also on their minds for being denied a finals spot at the same site in the final round of 2024.
You can take your pick of the tasty individual match ups across the park. Freakish fullbacks Kalyn Ponga and Hamiso Tabui-Fidow, twin brothers Jacob and Daniel Saifiti, and star centres Bradman Best and Herbie Farnworth.
On Friday Night Footy the battlelines will be drawn at CommBank Stadium in the middle of Sydney where the NRL’s giants of the East, the Sydney Roosters, meet the giants of the West, the Penrith Panthers.
Since their last premiership victory in 2019, the Roosters have been winless against the Panthers when they look to the leadership of energetic captain James Tedesco to show them some hope for their 2025 season. Fronted by Nathan Cleary, the men in black are back after an opening round win in Las Vegas and have set their sights on kicking off their two-year home ground stay at CommBank with an emphatic victory.
Sunday Arvo Footy pits the Eels against the Wests Tigers. Both teams are keen to get off the mark and secure their first win of the season, but this task will lay in the hands of the two big name playmakers, Tigers new signing Jarome Luai and Dylan Brown of the Eels.
Opposite ends of the spectrum have been seen in their last two matchups. The Eels piled on 60 points in the final round of the 2024 season to hand the Tigers the wooden spoon, while the Tigers won a field goal thriller in an Easter Monday classic.
In commentary exclusively for Nine’s Wide World of Sports is the best in the business. Hosted by James Bracey and Danika Mason, the expert commentary line up for 2025 features rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns and fellow premiership winners Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Phil Gould, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler, Paul Gallen, Darren Lockyer, Millie Elliott and Sam Thaiday. Plus women’s internationals Ruan Sims and Allana Ferguson, sideline reporters Marlee Silva and Emma Lawrence, with Lawrence to also host the Sunday Footy Show.
This unrivalled lineup of commentators, boasting 52 Grand Final appearances as players and coaches combined, will provide viewers with insight and analysis all the way through the 2025 season with exclusive access into the dressing sheds after the game.
Calling the live action will be Mat Thompson, Brenton Speed and Peter Psaltis.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: NRL ROUND 2 ON NINE
Thursday, March 13
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – KNIGHTS v DOLPHINS
NSW 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
QLD 6.30pm on 9GemHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Friday, March 14
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – PANTHERS v ROOSTERS
NSW 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
QLD 6.30pm on 9GemHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Sunday, March 16
WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS – This Week: Roz Kelly, Mark Taylor, John Millman and Chloe Dalton.
10.00am on Channel 9
THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW – Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and new host Emma Lawrence.
11.00am on Channel 9
SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – EELS v TIGERS
3.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Monday, March 17
100% FOOTY – 9.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now, following Married At First Sight.
Phil Gould and Paul Gallen are joined by the most capped Queensland Maroons player of all-time, Cameron Smith to weigh in on the big issues. Host James Bracey will steer the ship, while 9News rugby league reporters Danny Weidler and Michael Chammas bring the latest breaking news each week.
NRL ON NINE DIGITAL THIS WEEK: AVAILABLE ON 9NOW AND YOUTUBE
Marlee and Me – Will Warbrick: One of the most exciting rising stars in the NRL. Hailing from New Zealand, Warbrick comes from a proud Māori background and first made his mark in rugby sevens, winning a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. His transition to rugby league with the Melbourne Storm has been nothing short of impressive, showcasing his athleticism, strength, and natural try-scoring ability. With a unique journey across two codes, Will brings a fresh perspective to the game and continues to grow as a key player in the NRL.
NRL ROUND 2 2025
FROM THURSDAY MARCH 13 AT 7.30PM AEDT
LIVE AND FREE ON CHANNEL 9HD AND 9NOW
