As Canberra know only too well, making the NRL finals does not equal more valuable free-to-air TV time.

The Raiders, who have been perennially under-represented on the free-to-air, will not feature in any of the Nine Network's opening 15 games of 2009 - despite finishing sixth this year.

Contrast that with St George Illawarra, who finished one rung below Canberra on the ladder.

Wayne Bennett's new side will run out in front of the Nine cameras in four of the opening five rounds.

Parramatta, who didn't even make the top eight, will feature in three of the opening five weekends on free-to-air - the same number as premiers Manly.

Canberra aren't the only side to miss out, though, with third-placed Cronulla scoring only one game, their grudge match with the Dragons at Jubilee Oval in round three.

Apart from the Dragons, the big winners are Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters who will also feature on Nine in four of the opening five rounds.

Newcastle will have cause to start checking the long range weather forecast with their opening round match at Gold Coast on March 15 scheduled for a sun-stroke-friendly 1pm kick-off.

Most eyes, though, will be on the round one Friday night clash between St George Illawarra and Melbourne as Bennett attempts to improve the Dragons' 2-6 record at Olympic Park and write a new chapter in a rivalry stemming from the controversial 1999 grand final, which the Storm won with a penalty try in the dying minutes.

Nine's opening round Sunday game will be the traditionally fierce derby between the Roosters and South Sydney.

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