The NRL draw for the 2023 season has been revealed and rugby league fans will be marking Round 4 in their calendars with a number of grudge matches scheduled.
While the Rabbitohs and Roosters face off in Round 3, Round 4 will see the Panthers and Eels clash in a huge grand final rematch.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins and Broncos will establish their Brisbane rivalry as the new kid in town attempts to topple the established powerhouse.
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The Cowboys and Titans line-up in the other Queensland derby, while the Dragons and Sharks deliver another chapter of the ongoing local clash.
Elsewhere, Anthony Seibold will face the Rabbitohs in a bitter encounter after he walked out on the club in 2018.
Anthony Griffin’s coaching future could also be decided in a local derby against the Sharks after halfback Ben Hunt admitted his job depended on the Red V’s start of the season.
The Panthers will also be out for revenge after Ricky Stuart’s explosive post-match comments regarding Jaeman Salmon as they line-up in Round 5.
Here’s a breakdown of all the big grudge matches heading into the start of the 2023 season!
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CIRALDO VS SEIBOLD
ROUND 1 — Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs: Saturday March 4, 3:00pm AEDT
Cameron Ciraldo will make his coaching debut for the Bulldogs up against Anthony Seibold who makes a stunning return to the NRL after being appointed head coach of the Sea Eagles.
Ciraldo was the hottest property on the coaching market after a successful stint as Panthers assistant and Phil Gould got his man, handing the 38-year-old a mammoth five-year contract.
Seibold only managed less than two years of his bumper five-year deal with the Broncos before departing Red Hill, admitting he was at rock-bottom during his time in Brisbane.
Seibold will be desperate to make a positive start to his rugby league return, while Ciraldo has new recruits Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney and Ryan Sutton at his disposal.
SIN BIN SUNDAY REMATCH
ROUND 3 — Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs: Friday March 17, 8:05pm AEDT
The last time these two Sydney rivals faced off referee Ashley Klein dished out a record-breaking seven sin bins in a clash dubbed ‘sin bin Sunday’.
In the elimination final Souths were able to get the best of Trent Robinson’s side and progress through before eventually being bundled out in the preliminary final.
Pundits argued whether the clash was gripping must-see entertainment or a farce that was bad for the game.
Whichever way you see it, there will be no doubts both teams will be out for blood in this encounter.
GRAND FINAL & WESTERN SYDNEY DERBY
ROUND 4 — Parramatta Eels vs Penrith Panthers: Thursday March 23, 7:50pm AEDT
It was a grand final clash for the ages as the Panthers and Eels faced off in an all-western Sydney derby.
Ivan Cleary’s side delivered one of the most comprehensive finals performances in rugby league history to dismantle Parramatta and win 28-12.
Both teams have lost a host of players for the 2023 season, but this clash is set to be fiery as the Panthers return to CommBank Stadium.
Penrith will be without Apisai Koroisau (Tigers), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins) and Charlie Staines (Tigers) while Brad Arthur’s side have lost Marata Niukore (Warriors), Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers), Oregon Kaufusi (Sharks), Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Ray Stone (Dolphins), Tom Opacic (Hull KR), Hayze Perham (released).
BRISBANE DERBY’S DEBUT
ROUND 4 – Dolphins vs Brisbane Broncos: Friday March 23, 8:05pm AEDT
The first instalment of the Dolphins and Broncos’ Brisbane rivalry is set to be a blockbuster and Wayne Bennett couldn’t help but stoke the fire as his side started pre-season.
“Two Brisbane clubs together, it will be a bit like Manchester City and Manchester United and so many competitions around the world where you have that sort of derby,” Bennett said.
Kevin Walters’ side slipped out of the finals in a shock finish to what was a strong campaign, bringing heavy criticism.
While Adam Reynolds delivered in his first season at Red Hill, he wasn’t able to stop his young squad from fading as the Broncos finished 9th.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are without a marquee recruit but have a number of experienced names including the Bromwich brothers and Felise Kaufusi.
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SEIBOLD’S SOUTHS GRUDGE MATCH
ROUND 4 — South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles: Saturday March 25, 7:35pm AEDT
Anthony Seibold takes on the club he walked out on to take a lucrative five-year deal with the Broncos.
The now Manly head coach left the Redfern club in a shock decision following the 2018 season with a year remaining on his contract.
Seibold had guided the Rabbitohs to third place after the regular season and a preliminary final.
Souths fans haven’t forgotten how Seibold deserted the club and Jason Demetriou’s side will be out for revenge.
GRIFFIN ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
ROUND 4 — St George Illawarra Dragons vs Cronulla Sharks: Sunday March 26, 6:15pm AEDT
This huge derby against the Dragons local rivals could well decide Anthony Griffin’s future.
The 56-year-old is on the chopping block after Red V powerbrokers reportedly promised young guns Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan he wouldn’t remain in the helm past 2023.
Both players backflipped after initially handing in release requests, while gun playmaker Ben Hunt admitted his coach and close confidant could be shown the door early in the season.
“If we start the year strongly they’ll look at extending him,” Hunt said.
“If we start poorly he is probably gone. That’s just back onto us players and staff to start the year well.
“Everyone is aware of it. It is no secret. We need to get it done.”
PANTHERS’ RICKY REVENGE
ROUND 5 — Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers: Friday March 31, 6:00pm AEDT
The Raiders and Panthers meet again for the first time after Canberra coach Ricky Stuart dished out of the rugby league’s most infamous sledges, calling Jaeman Salmon a “weak gutted dog”.
Stuart was hit with a one-week suspension and a $25,000 fine for the Round 21 post-match comments, and Salmon revealed he was looking at legal avenues prior to the grand final.
While nothing has emerged surrounding the situation since, tensions will certainly be running high for this clash.
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BARRETT FACES HIS REPLACEMENT
ROUND 7 — Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Sunday April 16, 4:05pm AEDT
The Bulldogs showed Trent Barret the door only 10 rounds into the NRL season after winning only two games to start the 2022 campaign.
Phil Gould said “Barrett will be the coach of the Bulldogs long after I’m gone” only two weeks prior, but the 44-year-old’s days were done in Belmore.
Fast forward four months and Barrett secured a role as assistant coach of the Parramatta Eels, sitting alongside Brad Arthur for the 2023 season.
Barrett will face Cameron Ciraldo, the man who took his post, in Round 7 in what is shaping up to be a juicy clash.
SOUTHS VS PANTHERS FEUD CONTINUES
ROUND 8 — South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Penrith Panthers: Thursday April 20, 7:50pm AEDT
The Rabbitohs were once again unable to best the Panthers in last year’s preliminary final, only a year after Ivan Cleary’s side beat Souths in the 2021 grand final.
Jason Demetriou has kept his squad largely intact bar Mark Nicholls (Dolphins), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Jaxson Paulo (Roosters).
Meanwhile, the Panthers have lost some key players including Apisai Koroisau and Viliame Kikau.
When these two sides meet there are always fireworks as the expansive Bunnies attempt to topple the Penrith dynasty.
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SEIBOLD’S BRONCOS BAD BLOOD
ROUND 10 — Manly Sea Eagles vs Brisbane Broncos: Friday May 5, 8:05pm AEDT
Anthony Seibold agreed to walk away from the Broncos less than two-years into a five year deal in August 2020.
Fast forward to the 2023 season and the 48-year-old will play host to the Brisbane side he departed, with many of the club’s best players those he introduced including Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth.
Seibold admitted he had a “really tough time” at Red Hill and is ready to bounce back in Brookvale.
“You have to learn from your mistakes. I have learned plenty. I am human – you don’t always get things right,” Seibold said after being unveiled as Manly coach.
“I could have handled things differently at different times. I am sure plenty of other people around me could have handled things differently as well, but I come with optimism.”
THE CAMERON MUNSTER CUP
ROUND 12 — Dolphins vs Melbourne Storm: Saturday May 20, 7:35pm AEDT
In October this year the Storm announced Cameron Munster had signed a huge four-year $4 million deal to remain in Melbourne in a huge blow to the Dolphins.
While Munster took a $200,000 hair cut to remain loyal and stay a one-club man, the Storm had all-but conceded their gun five-eighth was gone.
The NRL’s newest franchise tabled a huge four-year $5.6 million deal but still couldn’t secure their marquee man.
While Wayne Bennett will play down any bitterness regarding the situation, he will sure use Munster’s huge snub as motivation to try and get the best of Craig Bellamy’s side.
The master coach was also vocal in calling out Munster for dodging the “tough phone call” to inform him of his decision.
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TIGERS’ REVENGE ATTEMPT
ROUND 18 — North Queensland Cowboys vs Wests Tigers: Saturday July 1, 7:35pm AEDT
“That is a robbery. There has been a balaclava, a sawn-off shotgun and someone’s gone to Townsville and robbed the Tigers of two points. That is a disgrace,” NRL great James Graham screamed while calling the Tigers and Cowboys’ thriller in Round 19 on Triple M.
Graham summed the situation up perfectly after a bizarre captain’s challenge gave the Cowboys a chance to steal victory in the final seconds of the clash, with the Tigers leading 26-25.
Coming into that game the merger club had only won three games and were on the brink of the unthinkable before victory was snatched from their grasp.
Tigers powerbrokers searched for avenues to protest the game’s result but their efforts say no change to the result.
Tim Sheens’ men will be out for revenge in this clash.
