The record book may show that the Bulldogs finished last in this year's National Rugby League competition but they are straight back to the top of the tree before a ball's been kicked in the 2003 version.

The NRL released its 2003 draw, with the Dogs - relegated from certain minor premiers to the foot of the ladder after massive salary cap breaches in 2002 - rated the top team for next year.

The Dogs' status was a key issue in determining the make-up of the draw which rates teams according to last year's performances and subsequently which sides play each other twice in the three pool, 26 round draw.

For their part, the Dogs get to avoid two encounters with the teams that actually finished first through to fourth on the 2002 regular season ladder - the Warriors, Knights, Broncos and eventual premiers the Roosters.

The Dogs topped pool A, the Warriors pool B and Newcastle pool C.

Pool A was completed by the Sharks, Parramatta, North Queensland and Penrith and pool B by the Sydney Roosters, St George-Illawarra, Melbourne and the Wests Tigers.

Pool C is completed by Brisbane, Canberra, Manly and Souths.

But while saying there was conjecture about what to do with the Dogs, NRL chief executive David Gallop said there was ultimately only one option on how to rank them.

"It would be flying in the face of reality to construct the 2003 draw on the basis that the Bulldogs were the weakest team in 2002," Gallop said.

"When confronted with this issue, the feedback from the clubs was that the Bulldogs should be ranked No.1 which reflects the true purpose of the pools.

The opening round of the NRL competition starts on March 14 and features the Roosters playing Parramatta at Aussie Stadium, the Warriors up against Newcastle at Ericsson and a Telstra Stadium double-header featuring Souths/Bulldogs and the Dragons/Tigers.

The Broncos, who take on the Panthers at Penrith Park in their opener, will be looking to come home with a wet sail in the final rounds of competition after receiving only two home games in the opening nine rounds.

But the Brisbane side got what it was after - requesting more home games towards the end of the season to allow the club to take full advantage of the re-built Lang Park which is expected to re-open in June.

The Broncos are also looked after at State of Origin time.

The Queenslanders - and also Newcastle - get both their byes in the weeks surrounding the series, which begins in June, in a bid to give a better deal to clubs expecting heavy player losses for the three matches.

Other main points from the draw include:

* Local derbies which featured in concentrated blocks in 2002 will be spread out during the 2003 season

* The grand final being played on October 5 with Gallop indicating that it would again be a night fixture.

* A Test match against New Zealand being played on July 25

In other league news, the NRL announced a three year agreement with the Macquarie Network for exclusive commercial broadcast radio rights.

The contract with the Macquarie Network will not affect the on-going relationship with the ABC who will continue to broadcast matches both in metropolitan areas and regionally.

The Macquarie Network, which has broadcasters Alan Jones and Ray Hadley in its stable, has held the rights since 1999.

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