THE 10 BIGGEST GAMES HEADING INTO THE 2018 NRL SEASON:

1. Sydney Roosters v Melbourne at Allianz Stadium, round 16

After 14 years in a purple jumper, Cooper Cronk will come up against his former club for the first time. His move to Bondi Junction is the biggest defection in recent NRL history. How will both sides fare?

2. Sydney Roosters v Newcastle at Allianz Stadium, round three

Cronk’s arrival at Bondi Junction forced Mitchell Pearce out the door and up the M1 to the Knights. Pearce will be hungry to prove a point and his battle with Cronk shapes as a classic.

3. Parramatta v Gold Coast at ANZ Stadium, round 21

After turning his back on the Gold Coast, Daly Cherry-Evans has been booed every time he sets foot back in Queensland. So you can imagine how Jarryd Hayne will be greeted following his return to the blue and gold.

4. Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, round one

What a way to start the season. How will James Tedesco be received by Wests Tigers fans? And what can Ivan Cleary’s side produce against the premiership favourites in what shapes as a new era.

5. Cronulla v Brisbane at Southern Cross Group Stadium, round 15

There’s serious heat between the Broncos and Sharks over the way Jack Bird’s shoulder injury was handled. Expect Wayne Bennett and Shane Flanagan to trade more barbs in the lead-up and it’s sure to spill over on the field.

6. North Queensland v Newcastle at 1300SMILES Stadium, round 20

Kalyn Ponga’s decision to sign with the Knights went down like a lead balloon with Cowboys management and he will face his former side for the first time late in the season. Mitchell Pearce will also come up against Johnathan Thurston for perhaps the last time.

7. Cronulla v Penrith at Southern Cross Group Stadium, round seven

Both clubs appear to be winners out of the James Maloney-Matt Moylan player swap. But who will claim bragging rights?

8. Cronulla v St George Illawarra at Southern Cross Group Stadium, round two

The southern Sydney derby is always a blockbuster. But following Josh Dugan’s defection to the Sharks, there will be extra spice this year.

9. Wests Tigers v Canterbury at ANZ Stadium, round 12

Like James Tedesco, it will be interesting to see the way Aaron Woods is welcomed by the Wests Tigers faithful. He was booed by the Leichhardt Oval crowd when he announced he was moving to the Dogs and expect the same to happen again.

10. Canterbury v St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium, round 14

James Graham didn’t want to leave Belmore but saw the writing was on the wall when they signed good mate Aaron Woods. There’s no harder competitor than Graham and expect him to be breathing fire for the Dragons.