2025 Draw Debrief: Friday Night Lights

There's nothing better than putting your feet up after a tough week at work and tuning in to a Friday night NRL blockbuster.

From Allianz Stadium to AAMI Park, the stars come out to play under the Friday night lights.

NRL.com takes a look at five Friday night classics to circle in the calendar for 2025.

Click here for the full 2025 Draw

Friday Night Lights

Round 1 Friday March 7 - Rabbitohs v Dolphins at CommBank Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm AEDT 

Update: In official news announced on Tuesday afternoon, the venue for Friday night's game has shifted to CommBank Stadium due to the impact of Cyclone Alfred in south-east Queensland. The Round 17 match between the Dolphins and the Rabbitohs will now become a Dolphins home fixture.

Supercoach Wayne Bennett won't have to wait long to take on his former club, with South Sydney facing the Dolphins on the opening Friday night of the season. The Dolphins prevailed when the two sides played last season, claiming a 36-28 victory in Redcliffe, and they are eager to secure another fast start to the 2025 campaign. The Rabbitohs will unveil a new-look side next year, with Round 1 an early chance to prove Bennett will trigger a much-improved season, but the absence of Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell makes it tough.

Round 3 Friday March 21 - Broncos v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm AEDT, 7.00pm local

The Queensland derby is the first match many Broncos and Cowboys fans circle on the calendar and 2025 promises to be no different. A big crowd will pile into Suncorp Stadium for the showdown, with Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh ready to take centre-stage. North Queensland are out to silence the home fans as they look to build on last season's trip to the semi-finals. While they finished higher on the ladder, the Cowboys dropped both games to the Broncos last season and they will be out to turn that around next year. 

Round 4 Friday March 28 - Dolphins v Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm AEDT, 7.00pm local

The Broncos will line up in back-to-back derbies in the opening month of the season and the Round 4 clash provides Michael Maguire's men an early chance to avenge a 40-6 loss to the Dolphins that ended their 2024 finals hopes. The victory was the Dolphins' first over Brisbane and new coach Kristian Woolf is eager to ensure his side maintains their advantage over their cross-town rivals. 

Round 5 Friday April 4 - Rabbitohs v Roosters at Accor Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 8.00pm AEDT

Sparks always fly when South Sydney and the Roosters lock horns in the oldest rivalry in rugby league. A bumper crowd is set to turn out to watch what is sure to be an enthralling contest. Who could ever forget 'sin bin Sunday' in the 2022 finals series when tensions spilled over and one of the most controversial chapters in a 117-year history was written? More drama is guaranteed this time around.

Round 8, Friday April 25 - Roosters v Dragons at Allianz Stadium (Nine/Fox) - 4.00pm AEST

ANZAC Day is one of the most important days on the nation's calendar and the Roosters' clash with St George Illawarra is an emotional affair as the game stops to commemorate those who have served our country. The match has produced plenty of memorable moments since its inception in 2002, the Dragons holding a tight 12-11 advantage in the head-to-head battle. The 2024 edition was rocked when St George Illawarra centre Moses Suli was knocked out off the kick-off, with the Dragons eyeing their first victory since 2022.