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:
8Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers (Round 14)
A Western Sydney derby game is always one to circle on the NRL calendar. Especially when half of a team's line-up used to play for the opposition.
Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva made the short move and will run out for the Tigers, while Isaiah Papali'i went the other way.
Throw in Apisai Koroisau's post Grand Final comments and Daine Laurie's Grand Final celebration photos and you have yourself a series of storylines.
A new look Penrith side will expect a win but an equally new look Tigers team should be up and fully firing by the time Round 14 rolls in.
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.