The NRL is nearly again and there’s been a lot to speak about this summer time forward of the season opener on March 2.
The Dolphins lastly enter the competitors after a turbulent 16-month recruitment drive that didn’t see coach Wayne Bennett land a single million-dollar man.
Canterbury’s rebuild is nicely and really underway, whereas prodigal sons Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall have returned to the Wests Tigers.
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Anthony Seibold has additionally made a triumphant return at Manly and Kalyn Ponga has moved into the halves for Newcastle.
The Panthers are chasing the primary threepeat since 1983 however they’ve misplaced a few of their greatest gamers to rival golf equipment.
Foxsports.com.au spoke to rugby league nice Corey Parker about a few of the largest speaking factors forward of the NRL trials which begin on Thursday week.
WILL THE DOLPHINS MAKE A SPLASH?
The Dolphins unveiled the legendary Wayne Bennett as their coach in October 2021 to loads of fanfare – however issues haven’t precisely gone to plan.
Time and once more over the previous 16 months Bennett has been strung alongside by star gamers just for them to re-sign on the present membership.
The largest blow got here when playmaker Cameron Munster turned down an additional $1.6 million over 4 years to remain in Melbourne.
Bennett nonetheless poached a number of Storm stars, together with the Bromwich brothers and Felise Kaufusi, however missed his large fish.
“It’s going to be a long year for the Dolphins,” Parker mentioned.
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“I look at the Dolphins and yeah they’ve got a decent forward pack. Not too bad, they’ve got some experience there but the guys that have experience it would be fair to say their best football is behind them.
“I’m talking about Jesse Bromwich, who is terrific, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi are also in that mould. Their leadership will certainly be needed, particularly with such a young group, but there’s no doubt his best footy is behind them.
“Then (Jeremy) Marshall-King, take nothing away from Marshall King at No. 9, who was terrific last year (for the Bulldogs), a bit of a breakout season for himself. But is Marshall-King in the top hookers in the game? Probably not.
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“So you start going through it like that. You go to their spine and (Anthony) Milford’s No. 6 and (Sean) O’Sullivan’s No. 7 and then Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback.
“So just purely based on that it’s a hard argument to say that they’re going to rival many teams now. No one expects them to rival any top teams but I really think it’s going to be a long year for the Dolphins.”
Parker believes it’s going to be extraordinarily tough for Bennett’s Dolphins to keep away from the wood spoon.
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“In 2021, the Bulldogs got a wooden spoon and they won three games. In 2022, the Tigers got the wooden spoon and they won four games, so you’d think whoever’s going to avoid get the wooden spoon in 2023 would have to win at least five games and probably six or seven.
“If that’s the case, who do the Dolphins beat to get their seven wins? Taking nothing away from them, I’m just looking at X’s and O’s there.
“I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Wayne. He obviously gave me an opportunity and coached me for a decade. So I know Wayne very well but the one thing I also know if you haven’t got the best roster or depth in your roster, it makes it very, very difficult.”
CAN SHEENS AND BENJI WIND BACK THE CLOCK?
The Wests Tigers have been fully rudderless after sacking Michael Maguire midway by way of final yr in what proved a sorry saga for all concerned.
They threw the kitchen sink at Cameron Ciraldo, just for the then-Panthers assistant to politely knock again their profitable five-year provide.
Just when all appeared misplaced for the membership, they turned to the person that oversaw their final finals marketing campaign in 2011 – Tim Sheens.
Sheens had returned to the membership six months earlier in a administration place after which out of nowhere the Tigers appointed him coach.
The stroll down reminiscence lane didn’t cease there, with the board decided to get the band again collectively they named Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah his assistant.
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There’s pleasure constructing round Concord that Marshall will be capable of resurrect halfback Luke Brooks whose kind has dipped lately.
They additionally recruited England famous person John Bateman for his second stint within the NRL and legendary hooker Farah will work in tandem with star signing Api Koroisau.
“They’ve got Api Korisau – super talented – arguably the best hooker in the competition alongside Harry Grant, he’ll make a huge difference,” Parker mentioned.
“Now the other big difference I like is (Isaiah) Papali’i, now he’s a no frills, trains hard, has a tremendous attitude to his craft and that will rub off on these younger players.
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“Bateman is another one of those guys who takes no shit, he’ll pull guys up at training for not doing the one percenters.
“They’ll be a better team just by Korisau being there, the pressure that he’ll take off Brooks.
“Brooks has been there 10 years and has never ever tasted finals and he’s getting paid an enormous amount of money, so Korisau is a huge acquisition for that club.
“On the back of that, there’s young talent coming through, so there will be plenty of eyeballs on the Tigers, particularly with Benji and Sheensy and Robbie Farah being back.”
WILL ANOTHER PRODIGAL SON RETURN TO TIGER TOWN?
James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks all made their NRL debuts on the Tigers between 2012 and 2014.
Tedesco is now the captain of the Roosters, Blues and Kangaroos, whereas Moses performed for the Eels within the grand closing final October.
Brooks on the hand is essentially the most skilled participant within the NRL with no finals look to his title.
The Tigers received’t ever have all three enjoying collectively once more however as Meatloaf mentioned – “two out of three ain’t bad”.
Tedesco ain’t going anyplace however Moses is a free agent and Brooks confirmed final week he’s actively recruiting his mate to return subsequent season.
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“I can see it happening,” Parker mentioned.
“He’s a premier halfback, no two ways about that, now you put Mitch Moses next to Api Korisau and they start to look a bit different and then you add Luke Brooks to that.
“Personally, I think they’re down a No. 1, I don’t think Dane Laurie is that player for them and I’m sure they’re looking around.
“The Bulldogs have pulled out of the race for Mitch… You never forget where you first started and he loves the club so you’d think if there was an opportunity to go back I think they’d be in the box seat.”
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ARE THE BULLDOGS BACK IN BUSINESS?
Phil Gould instantly went to work rebuilding Canterbury when he was appointed their basic supervisor midway by way of 2021.
Gould, who performed for and coached the Bulldogs within the Eighties, went after a few of the largest stars within the sport, however his largest signing was rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo.
NRL sides have been attempting to lure Ciraldo away from Penrith for years however knocked again membership after membership stating he was ready for the fitting alternative.
Gould one way or the other satisfied Ciraldo that Belmore was that chance – lower than 12 months after the Bulldogs claimed the wood spoon.
The Dogs have signed Reed Mahoney (Eels) and Viliame Kikau (Panthers), with Stephen Crichton becoming a member of subsequent yr.
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“They’ve got a crafty No. 9 (Mahoney), backrowers who can really turn a game and a No. 6 (Matt Burton) who has got his best football in front of him,” Parker mentioned.
“The challenge for Ciraldo will be, despite all the excitement of who’s coming and who might be coming, it’s what he can do with what he has right now.
“From my dealings with Ciraldo he’s a terrific guy, but defensively is where they have to focus and I’ve got no doubt he’ll implement that.
“There’s a difference between singing everyone and singing quality. They’ve got Crichton coming next year, they’ve got Kikau now, Pangai Junior, Reed Mahoney.
“How’d they get Reed Mahoney from the Eels, that’s incredible, particularly in a position that’s so hard at the moment.
“I spoke about the talent the Dolphins lack, well the Bulldogs have certainly picked up a bit.”
WILL PONGA TO THE HALVES RESCUE NEWCASTLE?
Newcastle have been chasing their third straight finals berth for the primary time for the reason that Johns’ period, however 2022 proved a season to overlook.
They lacked playmaking path from the get-go after abruptly shedding their halfback Mitchell Pearce to the Super League final summer time.
Their greatest participant, Kalyn Ponga, performed simply 14 video games as a result of an injury-plagued marketing campaign because the Knights limped to a 14th positioned end.
Under-pressure coach Adam O’Brien has moved the star fullback into the halves for 2023 and Parker warned he should choose and stick.
“First and foremost Ponga needs to stay on the park and O’Brien just needs to stick solid with what they want to do,” Parker mentioned.
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“I get it, they were trying to chase wins and alleviate pressure etc but they need to stick with their plan and that means leaving Ponga in the halves all year.
“There’s no two ways about it, Ponga can play, but the biggest challenge for any half is defence.
“Ponga is going to be in the front line, he’s going to have big strong, bustling edge backrowers trying to run over him every game and we’ve seen some of the results of Ponga in heavy contact.
“Can it be the difference? Absolutely. Will it be? Wel time will tell.”
WILL SEIBOLD MAKE THE MOST OF HIS SECOND CHANCE?
Anthony Seibold shocked the rugby league world by making an unbelievable return to the NRL head teaching ranks in November.
Siebold had been sacked by the Broncos simply 15 months earlier in one of many messiest coach exits this century.
The 48-year-old landed a job in rugby union below then-England coach Eddie Jones with no NRL return in sight.
But after the delight jersey saga finally noticed Des Hasler sacked at Manly, Seibold rose from the ashes in probably the most unlikely returns.
Parker was an assistant below Seibold on the Broncos and threw his unequivocal behind the Sea Eagles new coach.
“Everyone has an opinion on Anthony Seibold but I have one first-hand because I worked alongside him, he’s a tremendous coach,” Seibold mentioned.
“An astute, smart, individual of the game. Can he be a good coach again? Absolutely. No two ways about that.
“The timing and some of the dealings that went on in Brisbane probably wasn’t right at the time.
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“But there’s no question at all in regards to Anthony Seibold in terms of what he can do from a coaching perspective.
“He’s well groomed, let’s not forget he won coach of the year at the Rabbitohs in his inaugural season, took them to a prelim final.
“Yes it didn’t work in Brisbane, he’s been coaching alongside Eddie Jones in rugby, he’s got plenty of experience in all different areas right around the world. He’ll be fine.”
Manly stuttered within the again finish of the season after the delight jersey saga and missed finals, however Parker backed Seibold to information them again to the playoffs.
“Like everyone their depth is going to be tested but they’ve got a style of football Manly that works,” he mentioned.
“Defensively, and I know Seibs is big on defence, they’ll be thereabouts, they’ve got enough quality in their team to win enough games to play finals.”
HAVE THE PANTHERS LOST TOO MUCH FIREPOWER FOR A THREEPEAT?
No crew has received three straight titles within the NRL period and the final crew to do it was Parramatta in 1983.
Peter Stirling guided the Eels by way of that dynasty and there’s an argument that Nathan Cleary has simply as a lot affect, if no more, on the Panthers.
Penrith will begin this 2023 the premiership favourites after contesting the previous three grand finals and profitable back-to-back premierships.
They’ve misplaced star hooker Api Koroisau (Tigers) and second-rower Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), however their conveyor belt of expertise stays unrivalled within the NRL.
“I was going through their team the other day and to be honest, what have they really lost?” Parker mentioned.
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“Kikau is a huge loss, don’t get me wrong, but they replace him with a pretty experienced (Scott) Sorensen, Korisau is a big loss but Mitch Kenny started the grand final so he’s no slouch, he knows what to do.
“(Hooker) Soni Luke will come into that area too, they’ve got huge wraps on Soni Luke and watching him through the World Cup I understand why.
“They’re going to be there abouts again, they just are. I don’t know if it’s theirs to lose but they’re certainly going to be right there. They’ve been in the last three grand finals and won back-to-back, why can’t they do it again?”
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