The off-season may have just officially started, but rugby league fans are already looking towards 2025.
The highly anticipated NRL draw has just dropped, meaning fans of every team are now mapping out their calendars, booking their trips and getting in their predictions.
I'll leave the strength of draw breakdowns to others, instead today focusing on playing hype man.
As a lover of the greatest game of all, all (almost) rugby league fixtures are must-watch. That said, some stand out above the rest.
Obviously this is an opinion piece and not a prediction on the ten best games for next year. Let us know which games you are most looking forward to.
Below are the top 10 fixtures to look forward to in 2025:
1Penrith Panthers vs Melbourne Storm (Round 3)
The Grand Final 'rematch' is more often than not the most anticipated game of the next season.
Again it looks as though the Panthers and Storm will set the pace for 2025. Truthully this game is a marquee fixture whenever it is played.
Throw in the fact that Penrith denied the Storm in the Decider last season and this, once again, is the game I am most looking forward to.
I love the Round Three fixture. It's early enough that we're starving for it but it's far enough in that both teams will have two games under their belts. Perfect!
Bronx v Bunnies for me. Which of the underperformers will come good ? Unfortunately, round 10 is a bit late. We should have found out before then which is a pretender and which is a contender.