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NRL fans will be cross-checking their work schedules and social calendars as well as busily RSVPing ‘NO’ to many weddings now that the 2023 draw has been released.
To help ease the burden, we have compiled the three games that each supporter cannot miss next season.
They lost to their little brother in both of their 2022 games, and are always trying to get the upper hand back after the 2015 Grand Final.
With their last roll of the dice to play in the 2022 finals series, the Broncos lost to a Dragons side who had nothing more to play for than pride. They will want to make up for that embarrassing end to the season.
The Broncos were thrashed 60-12 in Round 23 while they were desperately trying to hold on to a spot in the top eight. They will be looking to make amends.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
From Stephen Crichton dragging the Raiders players into a team hug, to the Penrith fans mocking the Viking Clap, and of course the love triangle between Ricky Stuart, Jaeman Salmon and that ‘Weak Gutted Dog’ – there will be so much hatred from the Green Machine when these two come together.
The Raiders were on an unstoppable wave to the finals, knocked over the Storm in week one but couldn’t match the might of Parramatta in week two.
Canberra fans were filthy after their side lost 21-20 in Round 8 after a very dubious penalty, and add to that seeing Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad in Warriors colours will only add to the intensity of this one.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
With one of their best fight-backs, Canterbury won 21-20 in their last round battle with Manly, after finally taking the lead with just 90 seconds left on the clock thanks to a Burton field goal.
The Dogs were smashed 44-0 last year by the Storm last season, and the Foxx will be out to get some points against his old side this time around.
Viliame Kikau links up with ex-teammate Matt Burton to try and take down their old side. Grab the popcorn!
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Sharks took home a thrilling 21-20 golden point win over Souths in Round 3, but the Bunnies knocked them out of finals contention. We all know which one would have hurt more.
Lost 32-30 in that epic 92-minute final which saw them face the Bunnies, and for some reason Sharks fans just don’t like Chad Townsend.
After the Sharks’ stellar season, the premiers were the only side they couldn’t take down in 2022. They will be wanting that ‘W’ really badly in 2023.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
This local derby will continue to fester, despite the introduction of The Dolphins.
They are no longer the newest NRL franchise and need to beat New Kids on the Block. How embarrassing would it be in The Dolphins finished higher on the ladder?
The Titans will be guided around the park in 2023 by beloved Manly son Keiran Foran – he will be wanting to pull out all the stops against his former club.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Despite what they say, there is always some spite when a new coach comes up against his former club. Anthony Seibold will be playing it cool, but deep down will be wanting a win against the Broncos.
It all began to unravel for Manly after going down to the tricolours 20-10 while wearing THAT pride jersey in Round 20, as they didn’t win a game after that for the rest of the season.
The Brookvale crowd is still in shock after their boys were leading the Cowboys in Round 15 by 14 points with seven minutes to go, only turn around and lose 28-26.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Parramatta took home both wins from 2022, including that unforgettable Round 3 win at the death when a Mitch Moses field goal hit the post, was regathered by Ray Stone who then stepped Jahrome Hughes to score the winning try and regrettably do his ACL.
Actually, all NRL fans will be looking forward to seeing Brandon Smith take on his old club after the debacle that followed his signing to the Roosters!
The ‘Battle of Brookvale’ lives on with every game between these two. No doubt the 2023 edition will be just as glorious.
(Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)
After signing on Newcastle bad boy Mitch Barnett, the Warriors will be looking at him to go hard against his former club.
And on the flip-side, they will be eager to see how former fullback Reece Walsh goes coming up against them in his first season away from New Zealand.
The team will still be ruing the letting a 26-12 lead slip through their fingers with six minutes to go in the last match of the season. They eventually lost 27-26 in golden point in front of their home fans who were desperate for something to cheer about.
Gold Coast Titans (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
The Chief and Spudd battles, as well as that epic 1997 grand finals, will always ensure there is fire between these two sides. But with the Knights getting smashed by Manly in both their 2022 games will see Newcastle out for revenge.
The battle between not only opposing number nines but brothers Jayden and Blayke Brailey always makes this clash exciting to see who gets to brag to mum about coming out on top.
Something tells me that State of Origin fight between Dane Gagai and Matt Burton isn’t quite done with.
(Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)
After years of losing to their Big Brother, Cowboys fans are loving all of their recent success against the Broncos, and will be looking to keep that going.
All three players who left the Cowboys at the end of the season headed to The Dolphins. They will be looking forward to coming up against Connelly Lemuelu, Tom Gilbert and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
That preliminary finals loss still stings. Nothing will make up for it, but they will be ready to make Parramatta pay.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The most obvious, but the most exciting. They lost the grand final to them, according to James Fisher-Harris the Eels are the sons, and Jarome Luai is still asking ‘Who’s your daddy?’ The next installment of the battle of the west will no doubt be standing room only.
One of Parramatta’s hoodoo teams, the Eels gave the Tigers their first win of 2022 going down 21-20 in the 79th minute in Round 6, and they will be looking to get the two points here.
Another big-name ex-player up against his old club, the Eels will be ready to take on Reed Mahoney in his new colours.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
The Daly Cherry-Evans vs Nathan Cleary battle may be the biggest new halves rivalry we have seen in years.
With Api Koroisau and Charlie Staines now calling Concord home, the Panthers will be out to show them some tough love after leaving the foot of the mountains.
Former assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo is ready to step into the hot seat at Belmore and show Ivan Cleary who was the real brains behind the operation.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Not only are they the longest-standing arch-rivals, no one is ever going to forget THAT semi-final game where about 100 players were put in the sin bin. These two just HATE each other. And so do the fans!
Ha! Same here! Souths lost the grand final in 2021, and were knocked just one week before in 2022. It’s always spiteful when these two do battle, this match will be no different!
The Bunnies lost both games to them this season – they will be wanting to get one up on Adam Reynolds.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
This local derby is always a beauty, with 2023 set to be no exception.
Both teams won games against each other in 2022 thanks to crazy penalties at the death. Expect some fireworks when they meet again.
The annual ANZAC battle this season was a sensational game clouded in controversy when Rooster Daniel Tupou wasn’t sent off for his high tackle on Mikaele Ravalawa. The Dragons got the ANZAC biscuits 14-12, then the Roosters returned serve with a 54-26 walloping in Round 18.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Roosters fans will be highlighting this one just as much as the Bunnies fans. It’s going to be brutal!
How bonkers was that spiteful game from Round 25 earlier this year? The battle between Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will once again be worth the price of admission alone.
Sam Verrills has made the move to the Gold Coast, and his old teammates will be ready to give their friend a great big hug when they meet again.
They will still be setting after getting dudded by the video ref back in Round 19. And having ex-captain James Taumo back in Townsville will just add more fuel to the fire.
Luke Garner was a big loss for the battling Tigers, and seeing him running out for high-flying Panthers will no doubt ruffle their fur.
The drama that went as long as Days of our Lives was the ‘will he stay or will he go’ tug of war between the Tigers and the Eels over Isaiah Papali’i. The Tigers won in the end, and they will be ready to let their new recruit show everyone why they fought so hard to get him.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Wayne Bennett against the Broncos is always must-see viewing.
The newest franchise took the Bromwich Brothers and Felise Kaufusi away from Melbourne, but couldn’t land their biggest catch in Cameron Munster. Who will get the last laugh after this match?
Drama with the Panthers accusing The Dolphins of stealing juniors before a ball has been kicked. Just glorious.