By Patrick Avenell

It’s hard to believe it’s been 158 days since the Melbourne Storm saluted in the 2012 NRL Grand Final. Tonight at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, the 2013 campaign will begin with the Sydney Roosters hosting the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Suppliers and retailers in the electrical industry have long used the popularity of rugby league as a promotional vehicle: the Lucky Goldstar Magpies, WOW! Sight & Sound Broncos and Sanyo Panthers are but three classic examples.

As matches kick off tonight and across the weekend, marketing managers will start taking notice of how their brands are performing (as well as how the teams are going on the field). For some, like long-standing North Queensland Cowboys sponsor Harvey Norman, it is a well-trodden path; for others, like first timers Changhong, it is an exciting time it that brand’s development.

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The first brands to get a taste of the action are De’Longhi and Kenwood — these sponsors of the South Sydney Rabbitohs will looking forward to exposure never before seen for a season opener. Souths is travelling the short trip from Redfern to take on the Roosters — complete with Sonny Bill Williams — in a match expected to be a 40,000-plus sellout and a ratings juggernaut.

On Friday night, the Brisbane Broncos, famous for their sponsor’s curse (Powers Brewing, Traveland, Ansett, 131 Shop and WOW have all fallen on hard times), will be taking on the Kaspersky Manly Sea-Eagles.

Saturday afternoon at 5:30 is go time for the Changhong team — no doubt watching from their new corporate box at Parramatta Stadium — when the Eels take on the Vodafone New Zealand Warriors. Parramatta also have a minor sponsorship deal with Toshiba.

In a repeat of the 1990 and 1991 Grand Finals, the Penrith Panthers will be taking on the Huawei Canberra Raiders in the sunshine at the foot of the mountains, while down south in the windy city, the Storm will commence their title defence against 2010 champions St George Illawarra Dragons.

Current.com.au wishes happy travelling and a scandal free season to all the industry sponsors.

Patrick’s Top 8 Prediction

1. Canberra Raiders
2. Melbourne Storm
3. Newcastle Knights
4. Manly Sea-Eagles
5. North Queensland Cowboys
6. South Sydney Rabbitohs
7. Canterbury Bulldogs
8. Wests Tigers