St George Illawarra are set to be the unlucky 17th team left out of Magic Round, with the Dragons slated to set out the big weekend in Brisbane.

The NRL is set to reveal the full fixture list for the 2024 season early next week, but leaks in the Daily Telegraph have revealed that it will be Shane Flanagan’s men missing from Magic after Newcastle sat out 2023’s event.

The fixtures are repored to be Parramatta v Melbourne, Manly v Brisbane, Canberra v Canterbury, Tigers v Dolphins, Cowboys v Souths, Cronulla v Roosters, Warriors v Penrith and the Titans v Newcastle.

That would be in line with previous years: Manly have generally taken their game against the Broncos to Magic – ceding home advantage in the process – and Cronulla and the Wests Tigers have also chosen to take the cash bonus that comes with being at home for Magic.

Three of the fixtures from 2023 will repeat, with the Bulldogs and Raiders and Warriors and Panthers both clashing again as well as Manly and Brisbane.

“Not playing at Magic Round doesn’t concern me that much,” said new Dragons coach Flanagan.

“It’s disappointing for our fan base. We have a big fan base in and around Brisbane. We play the Titans and Dolphins so I’d expect a lot of the fans will get an opportunity to see their Dragons play. Whilst part of me is disappointed, the rest of me says move on and what’s next.

“When you get the draw it’s about looking at the turnarounds and if you have a block against the top three or four teams. You look at how much travel you have to do and what it’s like through Origin.

“I’m looking forward to coaching against Cronulla and especially getting back to Shark Park. We won a few games there and I plan on winning a few more.”