* PANTHERS V RABBITOHS - ROUND 4

South Sydney will have the chance to exact revenge for their grand final loss to Penrith in this year's grand final. Clashes between the two sides have been riveting in recent times. The thumping from the Panthers in Dubbo was the nadir that allowed the Rabbitohs to undergo a mid-season renaissance and pip their foes in week one of the finals series. That game was overshadowed by the media jousting between the two coaches, with Penrith having the last laugh in the grand final.

* SEA EAGLES V TIGERS - ROUND 9

New Wests Tigers playmaker Jackson Hastings faces his first test against the club that let him go in 2018. Hastings was cast aside by Manly after falling out with captain Daly Cherry-Evans and then coach Trent Barrett. He went away to the Super League where he came good on his prodigious talent to reach two grand finals and win the Man of Steel award. Now aged 25, the time has come for Hastings to show how he has matured in his time overseas.

PANTHERS V EELS - ROUND 9

If there was bad blood with Souths, then Penrith's rivalry with Parramatta is a whole new level. The Eels lost by two points in the semi-finals in a game which was marred by the Panthers' controversial injury stoppage to halt the Eels' go forward. Parramatta coach Brad Arthur accused Penrith of "whingeing" in the media to get favourable treatment with officials.

WARRIORS V PANTHERS - ROUND 15

Over the last two years the Warriors have lived out of their suitcases in Gosford, Tamworth and will base themselves at Redcliffe for the first part of 2022. The Kiwi outfit haven't played at home since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to relocate to Australia for the 2020 and 2021 season. Finally a homecoming - which is dependent on border restrictions - gives them a chance to put the game back on the map in New Zealand.

ROOSTERS V RABBITOHS - ROUND 25

The two sides meet in round three when Latrell Mitchell's ban expires. That promises to be an epic encounter, but the clash later in the season will prove crucial. Both teams have been top-four regulars and it could come down to this match. The venue is officially listed as TBA with the game between two of the oldest clubs in Australia expected to mark the opening of the redeveloped Sydney Football Stadium.

Australian Associated Press