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Jasper Bruce and Scott Bailey

Des Hasler's Brookvale Oval return set for July

Des Hasler, who's taken wrongful dismissal action against Manly, faces his old club twice next year. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Des Hasler will have to wait until July for his return to Brookvale and will be made to face Manly twice as part of his new club Gold Coast's 2024 schedule.

Hasler coached the Sea Eagles to premiership victories in 2008 and 2011 but had his second term in charge cut short after the 2022 rainbow jersey saga triggered seven straight losses.

The 62-year-old, who was made to front the media throughout the ordeal, has commenced legal proceedings against Manly, with his wrongful dismissal case to be heard in court next month.

The dispute sets up highly-anticipated clashes between the Titans and Sea Eagles, confirmed on Monday to be taking place in round seven and 20 next year.

Gold Coast will first host Manly on Saturday April 20, before travelling to Brookvale Oval for a free-to-air match on Sunday July 21.

Sea Eagles recruit Luke Brooks is poised for a boisterous reception when he finally meets his former side Wests Tigers on the road in round 25.

Brooks joined Manly after failing to inspire a finals berth across his 11 seasons at the Tigers, whose one chance for revenge comes at spiritual home Leichhardt Oval.

"A lot of ex-players get booed there," Brooks said.

"I wouldn't mind playing there again. It'd be good."

Luke Brooks.
Luke Brooks returns to Leichhardt Oval in August for Manly after over a decade in Tigers colours.

Elsewhere, Jack Wighton will be back in Canberra with new club South Sydney in round 21 for the sides' only meeting of the season.

Wighton became synonymous with the Raiders across 12 seasons and 242 games but now joins a Rabbitohs outfit desperate to atone for their poor finish to 2023.

Canterbury's marquee signing Stephen Crichton faces his former side Penrith just once as well, at BlueBet Stadium on a Friday night in round 10.

Cronulla's only premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan faces the old firm with his new side St George Illawarra in rounds nine and 25.

The first clash will take the new Dragons boss back to Shark Park on a Sunday afternoon in early May before his side hosts Cronulla in August at WIN Stadium.

"It all adds to the tribalism, the banter, the excitement, the anticipation," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said of the player and coach movements.

"Our fans love it and you'll see we've got some big traditional rivalries and then you get some new ones that are formed based on player movements or coach movements. There'll be plenty of banter."

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