NRL Draw: Your club's must-see game in 2024

From local derbies to grand final rematches, every team in the Telstra Premiership will have circled several key games on the calendar following the official release of the 2024 NRL draw this week.

For each club, certain games come with just that little bit of added meaning and, as fans, they're must-watch games that you absolutely don't want to miss.

Broncos – Round 6 v Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium (H)

Brisbane's first meeting with former players Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler and you can expect the latter in particular to be fired up and keen to make a point against Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan. Both games between these local rivals were good last year and you can bet your bottom dollar Suncorp Stadium will be packed to the rafters on April 12.

Raiders – Round 21 v Rabbitohs at GIO Stadium (H)

After playing 12 seasons and 242 games in Canberra, this will be Jack Wighton's first trip to his former kingdom at GIO Stadium as an opposing player. How the crowd reacts to their former favourite son remains to be seen, but between that and the clash between two fiery forward packs, this has the makings of a classic.

Bulldogs – Round 5 v Roosters at Accor Stadium (H)

The Bulldogs have played well every time they've faced the Roosters over the past three seasons, winning one of those clashes and being within eight points in the two they lost. Last year they went down in a thriller 25-24. This rivalry match tends to bring out the best in both sides and Canterbury's first home game at Accor Stadium for 2024 will hopefully see another enthralling game.

Sharks – Round 9 v Dragons at PointsBet Stadium (H)

A mouth-watering clash awaits in Round 9 as the Sharks come up against their local rivals and face Shane Flanagan – the man who coached them to a premiership in 2016 – for the first time in his new role at the Red V. Last year Cronulla won both contests against St George Illawarra comfortably, but the Dragons will be keen to make a statement against their neighbours in Round 9.

Dolphins – Round 1 v Cowboys, Sunday at Suncorp Stadium (H)

With the Broncos in Las Vegas, the Dolphins will be the first side to run out at Suncorp Stadium in 2024 when they take on Queensland rivals in the Cowboys in a Sunday afternoon game sure to attract a strong crowd. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow starred in his first outing against his former club in 2023, before Todd Payten's men got their revenge later on in the season – setting the stage for another fascinating clash to kick-start 2024.

Titans – Round 22 v Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium (H)

A crowd of over 42,000 got along to witness the last meeting between these two sides and you can expect this huge local derby match to be keenly followed once again with the family friendly 3.00pm Saturday timeslot. Barring something disastrous for either team, there should be plenty to play for at this point of the season too.

Sea Eagles – Round 20 v Titans at 4 Pines Park (H)

Des Hasler's first trip to 4 Pines Park since he departed Manly at the end of 2022 comes on a Sunday afternoon in Round 20. The Titans ran out 26-10 in their sole meeting last season. The Sea Eagles faithful will no doubt be in full voice as both Hasler and long-time Manly playmaker Kieran Foran return in opposition colours.

Storm – Round 5 v Broncos at AAMI Park (H)

Melbourne's incredible winning run over the Broncos – which at that stage spanned 14 games and seven seasons – ended at the worst possible time in week one of the 2023 finals. It was dramatic too, with Brisbane hammering them 26-0. That won't sit well with anyone at Storm HQ and it adds extra spice to what has always been a great rivalry. Melbourne will be well-rested after the bye in Round 4 and will be eyeing off a crucial two points against a team expected to be in the mix once again for top-four honours in 2024.

Knights – Round 1 v Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium (H)

While the Las Vegas double-header will officially kick start the 2024 season, Newcastle will play the first Australian game when they welcome the Raiders to McDonald Jones Stadium – a fixture that saw the Knights edge past the Green Machine in an extra-time thriller in week one of last year's finals series. Newcastle enjoyed one of the strongest average home crowds of any team last year and they'll be hoping for similar support as their season begins on Thursday night prime time.

Cowboys – Round 8 v Panthers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium (H)

North Queensland beat the premiers in Townsville last year thanks to a stunning solo effort from Scott Drinkwater who marched to the line pointing his finger at the helpless Penrith defenders deep into golden point. The Panthers well and truly got one back with a 44-12 win in the final round that ended the Cowboys' season, but there should be a bit of spice to this match-up again in 2024.  

Eels – Round 4 v Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium (H)

Forget about the fact Wests Tigers haven't been a finals contender for a long time, because their games against the Eels of late have been outstanding anyway. Eight points has been the biggest winning margin in their last three meetings, with the blue and gold winning two of them. CommBank Stadium will be pumping for this one on Easter Monday. 

Panthers – Round 3 v Broncos at BlueBet Stadium (H)

What other game could it possibly be? The first meeting of these two sides after they played out a classic grand final in 2023, with plenty on the line for both sides early in the new campaign. In the corresponding game last season the Broncos tipped Penrith over in Round 1 to make an early statement of intent but it was Ivan Cleary's men who had the last laugh when it mattered most.

Rabbitohs – Round 9 v Panthers at Accor Stadium (H)

The first of two games against Penrith in 2024 which comes off a tough trip to Melbourne the week prior for a match on ANZAC Day. Picking up some wins against contending teams through this period will be important for a Rabbitohs side who started well but dropped off badly through the second half of last year. Their Round 9 clash against Penrith will be the Rabbitohs' only fixture at Accor Stadium between Round 7 and Round 15, making it a crucial home game for Jason Demetriou's side.

Dragons – Round 8 v Roosters at Accor Stadium (H)

The last two editions of the annual ANZAC Day game between the Dragons and Roosters have been brilliant, with a field goal the difference in 2023 and just a two-point margin in 2022. Even when they have been struggling in recent seasons, St George Illawarra have lifted for ANZAC Day, and the contest rarely disappoints.

Roosters – Round 3 v Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium (H)

These great rivals don't have to wait long for a crack at each other in 2024, with their Round 3 meeting coming after they both travel to Vegas earlier in the month. Another chapter is ready to be written in the Book of Feuds and whoever wins will have bragging rights for the next five months, with their second meeting of the regular season not coming until Round 27. 

Warriors – Round 8 v Titans at Go Media Stadium (H)

The players and club leaders have been asking for an ANZAC Day game on home soil and they get in in 2024 against the Titans, who they played the last time they hosted a game on this day of remembrance back in 2015. The occasion means it's a special game anyway, while it also marks the last of a four-game stretch the Warriors play against sides who finished outside the eight last year. 

Wests Tigers – Round 3 v Sharks at Leichhardt Oval (H)

Benji Marshall's first game as game as a head coach is one not to be missed. The former superstar kicked a field goal to beat the Sharks at this venue back in 2012 and it's also the same opponent and place which marked Robbie Farah's final game five years ago with a heartbreaking loss that knocked the club out of finals contention. Wests Tigers didn't score a win until Round 9 last year and Round 6 the year before – a trend which the club can ill afford to continue if they're going to reverse their fortunes in 2024.