With the 2024 NRL season fixtures revealed on Monday morning, the anticipation for the upcoming season can begin to build.
From the first round trip to Las Vegas, to a grand final rematch in Round 3, chances for players to visit their old stomping grounds and blockbusters from one end of the season to the other, there will be a reason to tune into most matches throughout the season.
But Zero Tackle have picked the ten you should be locking into your calendar now.
Here are the matches you can't afford to miss in 2024.
When: Sunday, March 3, 3:30pm (AEDT)
Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
The Roosters and Broncos will play the second game of the double-header in Las Vegas after the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles kick things off two hours prior.
That doesn't mean it's the worst of the two games though.
The Broncos are coming off the grand final in 2022, while the Roosters finished the season well enough after at one point appearing as if they were going to be in a prime position to miss the top eight altogether.
Add to that the nature of this occasion, and the first game of 2024 on free to air TV is one you can't miss.
When: Thursday, March 21, 8pm (AEDT)
Where: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Games between the previous season's grand finalists don't always live up to their elite billing, but this time you feel all the hype the contest between Penrith and Brisbane will deliver.
Brisbane fell short in the grand final despite looking like the more likely of the two teams to lift the trophy during the second half, while Penrith have now won three premierships on the bounce.
That all said, the Broncos are going to be out for revenge and if anything, should improve on 2023. The Panthers show no signs of slowing down, so this should be a belter, provided Brisbane recovery well enough from the Vegas clash.
When: Sunday, March 31, 4:05pm (AEST)
Where: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
The Knights will spend Round 4 where they finished their 2023 campaign - across the Tasman in Auckland in front of a packed Mt Smart Stadium.
The Knights might have fallen short on that occasion, but this is going to be a great early season test as Adam O'Brien's side attempts to prove that 2023 was no fluke.
The Warriors need to get off to a good start as well, so this could be a good test.
When: Thursday, April 25, 4:00pm (AEST)
Where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Anzac Day. We could leave this entry there and that would be enough to explain why it's a must-watch.
It seems that form goes out the back window when the Dragons and Roosters meet on the sacred day every year, with more often than not close encounters being the result.
If the action after the first whistle isn't enough reason to tune in or even attend, then the pre-game is as 50,000 stop in their tracks to the point you could hear a pin drop to remember those who served.
Anzac Day is a triple header in 2024, but the Dragons and Roosters will always hold a special place on the rugby league calendar.
When: Saturday, May 11, 7:35pm (AEST)
Where: AAMI Park, Melbourne
This one might seem somewhat out of place on this list, but really, it isn't.
Melbourne and Cronulla have developed a rivalry which is among the NRL's best, and while Cronulla's trip to Melbourne in 2023 ended terribly on the scoreboard, you can't see that happening two years in a row.
Expect Nicho Hynes and his crew to take the fight to a Melbourne Storm side who could be looking for a new coach by this point, with Craig Bellamy's decision due around April or May on whether he would like to continue for yet another year.
When: Saturday, May 18, 7:45pm (AEST)
Where: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Magic Round often throws up some excellent rugby league, and 2024 should be no different.
The Saturday prime time clash pits the Rabbitohs and Cowboys against each other, and while, on 2023 form, this looks like a game that might not be all that appealing, there could be some serious storylines developing by now.
Jason Demetriou and Todd Payten's jobs could be among them if both sides start the season slowly, but this is a contest between two of 2023s most disappointing sides. Don't be surprised if Magic Round is moving time for both.
When: Sunday, July 21, 4:05pm (AEST)
Where: 4 Pines Park, Manly
There is one reason this game is on the list - Des Hasler.
The former Manly coach, who has had two seasons on the Northern Beaches, makes his return to Brookvale in charge of a Gold Coast Titans side who, if they can handle the start to the season with some difficult matches, might be in the mix for finals.
Manly would hope they are in the same spot as well, so that could well set this game up as one of those four point turnaround make or break contests.
When: Friday, August 9, 8:00pm (AEST)
Where: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
The Western Sydney derby is always one that has more riding on it, but it's easy to suggest the stakes may be even higher come the back-end of the 2023 season.
In short, if Brad Arthur's Eels find themselves falling short of the finals again, he may not have a job in 2025.
Penrith will be on the run in to try and win the minor premiership again though, and this could be the ultimate test for both sides a month out from the knockout rounds.
When: Saturday, August 31, 7:35pm (AEST)
Where: 7:35pm (AEST)
The Sharks and Warriors are two teams expected to be well and truly in the finals race during the final weeks of the season, so this one could be carrying plenty of weight.
If things go as expected, both may be locked into the finals by now, but 2023 saw one of the closest races for the top eight of all time, so don't be surprised if at least one or even both of these teams are relying on the two competition points here to lock up their spot in September.
When: Friday, September 6, 8:00pm (AEST)
Where: Accor Stadium, Homebush
When it comes to final round games, the Rabbitohs and Roosters on the Friday evening is fast going to become tradition.
The two arch enemies are both expected to be in finals contention again, and it's difficult to see either team not wanting to treat this one seriously.