It's that time of year again when the highly-anticipated NRL draw is released, and certain fixtures get the fans talking. Wheather their complaining about their team's 5-day turnarounds, or the fact that their team has to play top four teams regular-basis.
We have broken down next year's draw to outline the games that you simply cannot miss.
1. Round 1: Dragons vs Broncos
UOW Jubilee Stadium, 7.50pm (AEDT) Thursday, March 8
The Round 1 battle between Dragons and Broncos will be played out at WIN Stadium, and is the 2018 season opener. It will be a bitter-sweet match-up for the Broncos as they face their former combatant Ben Hunt for the first time since he's signed a five year deal with the Wollongong club.
The game also marks the Dragons debut of James Graham and Jack Bird's debut for the Broncos.
2. Round 2: Sharks vs Dragons
Southern Cross Group Stadium, 4pm (AEDT), Thursday March 15
A fiery local derby gets hotter as former Dragon Josh Dugan lines up to face his former club at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Dugan departed Dragons, as he believed that Cronulla was the destination to fulfil his desire of becoming a "world-class player".
3. Round 3: Cowboys vs Storm
AAMI Park, 7.50pm (AEDT) Thursday, March 22
It's the Grand Final rematch, however, it's a little more than that. Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott watched on as their Cowboys side were outplayed in the decider, and will seek vengeance against their Queensland mates.
Jordan Mclean will line up for Cowboys against the club he won a premiership with last season.
4. Round 4: Tigers vs Eels
ANZ Stadium, 4pm (AEST), Monday April 2
It doesn't get much better than an Easter Monday showdown between the two arch-rivals, Parramatta and Wests.
Former Tigers youngster Mitchell Moses will get a crack at his old club and Alex Twal will show the Eels the talent they let go of.
5. Round 8:Â Dragons vs Roosters
Allianz Stadium, 4.10pm (AEST), Wednesday April 25
A mouth-watering ANZAC day rematch after the series of events which occurred last time these two powerhouses met.
The iconic Mitchell Pearce field goal will be long-remembered and another chapter will be written in the rivalry of two of the oldest clubs in the competition.
6. Round 12: Tigers vs Bulldogs
ANZ Stadium, 4.10pm (AEST), Sunday May 27
The Tigers host Canterbury at ANZ Stadium in Round 12 next year. It's touted as one of the biggest grudge matches of 2018.
Bulldogs junior and fan-favourite Josh Reynolds departed Canterbury to link up with Wests, being replaced by Kieran Foran, who will go head-to-head with Reynolds.
Wests Tigers junior Aaron Woods will face his former beloved club for the first time since he departed.
New Tigers recruit Corey Thompson may have the chance to play the club that he made a grand final appearance at. The Round 12 showdown, will be one that shouldn't be missed.
7. Round 14: Dragons vs Bulldogs
 ANZ Stadium, 4pm (AEST), Monday June 11
The Dragons were all but set to play in the finals series until an unexpected Bulldog's comeback occurred. The Dragons were left soul searching, and devastated that their dream was cut short.
The Round 14 Queens birthday show-down between the Dragons and Bulldogs marks the first game for James Graham against his old club. The Dragons would want sweet revenge for the pain that the Belmore club inflicted on them in the closing rounds of last season.
Perhaps former Bulldogs captain James Graham will seek vengeance against the club that squeezed him due to salary cap issues.
8. Round 16: Roosters vs Melbourne
Allianz Stadium, 8pm (AEST), Friday June 29
Two premiership heavyweights, two successful clubs. This match will surely ignite, with speculation that Cooper Cronk could end up at Bondi next season. Cronk confirmed that he's playing on next year, so Roosters are in the box-seat for his services.
The two State of Origin fullbacks, James Tedesco and Billy Slater battle it out in front of the Roosters-faithful.
If Cronk links up with the Chooks, we could see a halves showdown between himself, and his proceeder Brodie Croft. Regardless of Cronk's signature, the Round 16 showdown will be an unmissable match.
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