Every year loyal fans peruse the new NRL draw at their earliest opportunity, salivating at certain match-ups that offer either a long-standing rivalry or a more recent but equally compelling narrative โ and 2023 is no different.
We've browsed the full list and done the hard work for you โ these are the 10 games you can't miss in 2023.
MORE NRL FIXTURE NEWS
ยป Full 2023 NRL fixture list
ยป Pre-season fixture list
ยป When are every team's byes?
ยป Who does your team play twice in 2023?
4. Round 2: Wests Tigers v Newcastle Knights, Leichhardt Oval, Sunday March 12
Two Sunday arvo Leichhardt games in a row will have Tigers fans dreaming of a more positive start to the year, but Knights fans will be feeling a similar way after both teams faltered and stumbled their way to poor finishes in 2022. Both have been the subject of plenty of media scrutiny and both have made significant off-season changes, but this will be our first chance to tell whether either outfit is capable of reversing their fortunes from last year.
Where will Kalyn Ponga play? Will he live up to his potential even if he's moved to the halves? Then there's the question of Luke Brooks, who has been heavily linked with the Hunter club during the off-season despite Tim Sheens' refusal to let him go. If he does stay, is this the year Brooks can finally guide his team to the finals? Both of these teams have a host of questions hanging over them and both will see this game as an opportunity to provide an answer.
Some interesting games for sure, but Raiders v Dragons? Really?
Wests v Newcastle – to determine favouritism for the spoon?
I’d drop either of these and replace them with Manly v Whoever in the 2023 Pride Round. Who will turn out for the Eagles? Will social media pillory the players even more mercilessly than this year?