By Tyrese Nader
This rugby league decade has provided a display of the Penrith Panthers’ professionalism, a new club with another two incoming and presenting new and highly touted recruits and juniors.
Existing rivalries combined with the ferocious rise of new ones have made each game a near edge-of-your-seat thriller. In saying this, the top 10 rivalries of the Rugby League decade come with surprises and business as usual.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.10: Titans v Eels
An unexpected top 10 entry, but both these clubs have been involved in some thrillers, more prominently in the earlier parts of the decade. If you like an attacking brand of footy, you can always count on a try heavy and athletic display whenever these two clubs face off.
Notable games: 2022 Rd1 Eels win 32-28, 2022 Rd5 Eels win 26-20, 2023 Rd10 Titans win 26-24.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.9: Cowboys v Panthers
Through the Panthers’ premiership dominance there has always been the one bogey side which has created an unexpected bump through the start, middle and end of each season. The Cowboys have made a habit of doing so, claiming the chocolates on plenty of occasions, albeit not easily.
Notable games: 2023 Rd16 Cows win 27-23, 2025 Rd5 Cows win 22-18, 2025 Rd10 Draw 30-30.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.8: Dragons v Bulldogs
It’s not very common that two clubs who have been involved in the game for such a long time and hold such a strong mutual hate for each other have only just developed a serious rivalry. When it comes to inner-Sydney rivalries, both clubs take pride in claiming bragging rights over the other and both opposition supporter bases let each other know about it.
Notable games: 2022 Rd12 Saints win 34-24, 2023 Rd9 Dogs win 18-16, 2025 Rd20 Dogs win 20-18.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.7: Dolphins v Broncos
When the Dolphins were announced as the NRL’s 17th club all expectations were that they would be new big dog, overtaking the Broncos. Both clubs have provided a transfer market frenzy, record crowds and attacking flair across their short rivalry.
Notable games: 2023 Rd4 Bris win 18-12, 2023 Rd18 Bris win 24-16, 2025 Rd24 Bris win 38-28.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.6: Eels v Storm
If 2009’s premiership controversy wasn’t enough, Parramatta has established itself as a team the Storm have seemed to have trouble with this decade. These two teams have developed such a grudge between each other, both on and off of the footy field.
Notable games: 2021 Rd2 Parra win 16-12, 2022 Rd25 Parra win 22-14, 2023 Rd1 Storm win 16-12.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.5: Rabbitohs v Panthers
Grand finals, multiple preliminary final heartbreaks and long-range thrillers. While South Sydney have not been so successful recently, their early decade form against the Panthers is something to hold their heads high on as they have matched them on many occasions.
Notable games: 2020 Prelim Final Penrith win 20-16, 2021 GF Pen win 14-12, 2023 Rd8 Souths win 20-18.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.4: Broncos v Panthers
Two juggernauts who have put the competition on notice each time they’ve hit the peak of their form. Yearly consistency is the nod the Panthers have over the Broncos but this match-up itself has been established as prominent must-watch Friday night television.
Notable games: 2023 Rd1 Bris win 13-12, 2023 GF Pen win 26-24, 2025 Prelim Final Bris win 16-14.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.3: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Two of the NRL’s longest-running clubs and without a doubt the best rivalry the game has ever seen. Player transfers through first grade to juniors, sin bins and outstanding entertainment. Both teams have expanded their rivalry and it doesn’t look like stopping.
Notable games: 2022 Rd25 SYD win 26-16, 2022 Finals Wk1 Souths win 30-14, 2025 Rd5 Souths win 20-14.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.2: Broncos v Storm
The NRL’s two most-prized possessions. The history, finishes and absolute hate these clubs have for each other is one the average footy fan froths on. Through the grudge, they hate to admit it but they share a great mutual respect for each other, above it all.
Notable games: 2023 Rd11 Storm win 24-16, 2024 Rd5 Storm win 34-32, 2025 GF Bris win 26-22.
Embed from Getty ImagesNo.1: Panthers v Storm
The two most successful clubs of this NRL decade. They have both played in multiple grand finals, are consistently top four finishers and display professional gamesmanship. Both teams have dominated and will most likely do the same the next couple of decades.
Notable games: 2020 GF Storm win 26-20, 2021 Prelim Final Pen win 10-6, 2024 GF Pen win 14-6.
Featured image: Russell Crowe delivers his verdict on South Sydney’s arch-rivals the Roosters. Photos: Fox Sports/YouTube
