Apart from Origin, the big blockbuster event in Brisbane this year will be the double-header (Saturday, 12 May) featuring the Storm hosting the Titans and Manly playing Brisbane in a throwback to the Broncos’ win over Manly in their first-ever match in the NSWRL premiership 30 years ago.

Meanwhile, if you haven’t been to Melbourne yet to watch a rugby league game, State of Origin I might be a good excuse to head south. Mate Against Mate happens there Wednesday, 6 June this year.

Saturday June 9 will also prove a big day for the league, with matches scheduled for Christchurch in New Zealand (Sea Eagles vs Warriors) and Darwin in the Top End (Parramatta vs North Queensland).

TIO Stadium in Darwin. (Photo by Getty Images)

A few weeks later, the Roosters return to Adelaide to take on the Melbourne Storm on Friday, 29 June. Cooper vs the Storm for the first time, anyone? After taking in the South Australian capital, you can shoot up to Cairns and catch the Bunnies vs Cows game on the Sunday of that weekend.

Speaking of North Queensland, as the season winds down, perhaps this would be the time to catch one of Thurston’s last games at Townsville's 1300 Smiles. There’s a match there on Thursday, August 9 against the Broncos. Apparently those match-ups go off like a frog …

Your year-long odyssey could end at the home of rugby league (fight me, Queenslanders) - ANZ Stadium in Sydney for the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, September 30. So there you go, 13 centres in seven months. That’s a lot of frequent flyer miles. Be sure to pack your fuel card, too.

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The Roosters return to Adelaide Oval in 2018. (Photo by Getty Images)