I reckon Christmas could come early for Queensland rugby league fans this year.

With the Broncos-Cowboys blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium re-scheduled for the final round of the season on Thursday September 24, there is a possibility it could be the first game to be played in front of spectators since the Covid-19 shutdown.

Obviously there are no certainties in any sector of the community at the moment and while there are still a lot of boxes to be ticked before the crowds can return – including a high take-up of the COVIDSafe app - the NRL has at the very least given the game’s supporters something to hope for.

And even if the Queensland government doesn’t give the go-ahead for the gates of the stadium to be opened, Broncos fans will have plenty to be excited about. If the Cowboys derby had been played in round five as originally planned, Brisbane would have been without up to five key players due to injury and suspension, including Tevita Pangai, Matt Lodge, Brodie Croft, David Fifita and captain Alex Glenn.

All going well, by round 20 both teams could be at near-full strength for what promises to be a worthy continuation of one of the greatest rivalries in Australian sport.

Whether it is in front of packed stands or just the TV cameras, I reckon Queensland footie fans will be unwrapping their biggest present of the year four months early.

What do YOU reckon?