The NRL season is finished and dusted, with the Panthers as soon as once more lifting the trophy on the 12 months’s finish.
Ivan Cleary’s males as soon as once more confirmed they’re the competitors benchmark, whereas different NRL golf equipment have a mountain of labor to do to return to finals rivalry.
The seventeenth franchise, the Dolphins, the place spectacular of their debut season whereas the Knights captured the hearts of a area.
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Meanwhile, the Tigers, Dragons and Bulldogs can be determined to enhance forward of the 2024 season.
Read beneath for a full season report card of each NRL membership!
17. WESTS TIGERS
2023 Record: W4 L20
GRADE: F
Analysis: The Wests Tigers someway obtained worse after accumulating the 2022 wood spoon as they dropped from sixteenth to seventeenth this season.
The return of Tim Sheens into the top teaching position, with Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah his assistants, had supporters dreaming of their facet taking part in prefer it was 2005.
But there was little or no to cheer about and the primary win didn’t come till the Tigers shocked the Panthers at residence in Round 9.
They backed it up the following week towards the Dragons they usually thumped the Cowboys in Round 12, however the Tigers misplaced 12 of their subsequent 13 video games to finish the season.
By the time August rolled across the board had determined to half methods with Sheens and promote Marshall 12 months forward of schedule.
They additionally didn’t re-sign playmaker Luke Brooks – regardless of a halves scarcity all through the NRL – and the halfback becoming a member of Manly after 11 seasons at Concord.
16. DRAGONS
2023 Record: W5 L19
GRADE: E-
Analysis: Before a ball had been kicked in 2023, St George Illawarra officers instructed Anthony Griffin he’d must re-apply for his job to earn an extension.
That determination doomed the Dragons from the get-go and by Round 11 they’d received simply two video games and Griffin was sacked.
They bounced again the next week to upset the Roosters however they solely tasted victory two extra instances below interim coach Ryan Carr.
The Dragons then pursued Roosters assistant coach Jason Ryles just for him to knock again his former membership on the eleventh hour to as a substitute be part of the Storm.
That paved the way in which for premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan and after the board was glad he’s a modified man, they signed him on a three-year deal.
15. BULLDOGS
2023 Record: W7 L17
GRADE: E
Analysis: There was actual hope for the Bulldogs below growth rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo and on the again of some big-name signings, and boy did they disappoint.
Things began promisingly when Canterbury upset the Storm in Round 2 after which beat the Tigers earlier than a slim loss to the Warriors and a win over the Cowboys to sit down eighth after Round 5.
But they had been flogged by Souths the next week and issues spiralled additional when just a few days later star recruit Viliame Kikau tore his pec at coaching.
The Bulldogs received simply two video games between Round 6 and 18, a poor stretch that included a 66-0 thumping by the hands of the Knights.
Ciraldo’s males ended the slide with a 36-32 bounce again win over the Rabbitohs however they completed the season shedding six of their previous seven video games.
14. TITANS
2023 Record: W9 L15
GRADE: D
Analysis: The Titans had been disappointing in 2022 and after a poor begin this season, the board misplaced endurance with coach Justin Holbrook. Interim coach Jim Lenihan was on the helm for the rest of 2023 earlier than premiership-winning coach Des Hasler to take over from 2024.
On eight events the Titans led or drew with their opponent on the halftime break earlier than happening to lose the sport. That’s a 3rd of their 24 video games.
After a stable begin to the season which noticed the Titans float across the backside half of the eight, they didn’t end all that nicely and dropped all the way down to 14th.
With their roster, 14th isn’t ok. The Gold Coast possess the most effective ahead packs within the comp in addition to a few stars of their backline within the type of AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell.
With that mentioned, the arrival of Hasler is bound to develop a more durable edge about this group and with their three gun forwards (Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Moe Fotuaika) all re-signing long run, the long run on the Gold Coast seems vivid.
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13. DOLPHINS
2023 Record: W9 L15
GRADE: B-
Analysis: The NRL’s latest facet took the league by storm instantly with a Round 1 win over the Roosters in an enormous upset.
There weren’t excessive hopes for Wayne Bennett’s males of their debut season, however they managed to overachieve regardless of their lack of depth being severely examined within the again finish of the season. It was throughout that span the place the Dolphins misplaced seven straight to full out of finals rivalry. Still, the actual fact they had been within the high eight proper up till Round 14 is a credit score to a facet that many anticipated to complete final.
Commercially, they had been a terrific success. The ‘Phins Up’ catchphrase was heard advert nasuem in each pub and membership in Queensland and wholesome crowds packed Suncorp Stadium, Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe and Sunshine Coast Stadium for his or her residence video games.
12. SEA EAGLES
2023 document: W11, D1, L12
GRADE: C-
Analysis: There was optimism at Manly this season which got here from the arrival of latest coach Anthony Seibold.
Unfortunately, it was largely a disappointing season for the Sea Eagles with accidents to key gamers plaguing their season.
Tom Trbojevic was the primary damage subject with the gun fullback’s season ending with a pec damage suffered in State of Origin Game II.
$800k man Josh Schuster got here below the microscope on numerous events this season, with teammates calling out his work ethic and conditioning. He completed the season taking part in reserve grade and is about for a everlasting shift to the second row subsequent season.
Haumole Olakau’atu had an enormous season and was most likely a bit unfortunate to not be rewarded with a Blues jersey whereas flyer Tolu Koula was monumental over the ultimate few rounds.
11. COWBOYS
2023 document: W12, L12
GRADE: C+
Analysis: It was a disappointing 2023 marketing campaign for North Queensland. After virtually reaching a grand ultimate in 2022, the Cowboys weren’t capable of again it up this season and missed the highest eight fully.
The play of Scott Drinkwater (4th in Dally M voting), the fixed enchancment of Tom Dearden, the emergence of a few younger forwards, and a six-game profitable streak in the course of the season had been the highlights, however that wasn’t sufficient to beat a dreadful 2-5 begin, inconsistent play from halfback Chad Townsend, a noticeable drop off defensively and the crippling late season suspension to Valentine Holmes.
On paper, the Cowboys have the group that ought to see them taking part in finals footy.
They did have a disrupted pre-season in 2023, so I’m positive coach Todd Payten will tackle the teachings realized this 12 months and have his group match and firing come Round 1, 2024.
10. EELS
2023 document: W12, L12
GRADE: C
Analysis: This season was labelled a “waste” by co-captain Junior Paulo, and it’s onerous to disagree with him.
Grand finalists this time final 12 months to lacking the highest eight subsequent time round. That’s a catastrophe.
Parramatta did must face extra adversity this 12 months. The misplaced a few weapons in Reed Mahoney and Marata Niukore to rival golf equipment.
Ryan Matterson made the odd determination to take a three-game suspension in the beginning of the 12 months as a substitute of a $4k effective. The recruitment of Josh Hodgson fell flat with the veteran hooker unable to search out type earlier than a career-ending damage.
The Eels had a tricky draw they usually had been on the again foot early within the season, dropping to as little as fifteenth after a 1-4 begin.
They would win 5 in a row halfway by way of the season to catapult them into the eight, however suspensions and accidents to Dylan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Mitch Moses and Maika Sivo would curtail their 2023 marketing campaign they usually’d lose 5 of their final seven.
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9. RABBITOHS
2023 document: W12, L12
GRADE: D
Analysis: The Eels and Cowboys missed the eight the season after making a grand ultimate and preliminary respectively, however South Sydney nonetheless had probably the most disappointing 12 months out of any group within the NRL.
At the start of the 12 months, this stacked squad had been one of many premiership favourites, however a as soon as promising season went downhill rapidly after Round 11.
Remarkably, the Rabbits had been high of the desk at that stage, however a calf damage to Latrell Mitchell throughout Blues camp despatched Souths on fairly the spiral.
They would lose 9 of their final 13 video games to only miss the eight, together with a loss to the Roosters within the ultimate spherical which acted as an early elimination ultimate of kinds.
In the midst of the horror again half of the season, membership legend Sam Burgess walked out of the membership, many key gamers had been terribly out of shape and an in-game mind fade from Mitchell resulted in him lacking the must-win Roosters conflict.
8. RAIDERS
2023 document: W14, L10
GRADE: B
Analysis: An odd season for the inexperienced machine and most Raiders followers would agree.
Ricky’s males received 14 of 24 video games however there have been lots who didn’t suppose the Raiders deserved their spot within the high eight.
Perhaps these folks have a case. Canberra limped into the finals after shedding 5 of their final seven video games and completed the season with a for and towards of -137, which was the fourth worst of the 17 groups.
With that mentioned, the Raiders nonetheless managed to play further rugby league this season for the fourth time in 5 seasons and went near upsetting the red-hot Knights in an elimination ultimate.
The expectations weren’t excessive for this group in 2023, and their largest profitable margin was solely 12, however like we’ve seen earlier than, they’re a decent squad and are by no means a straightforward opponent.
Corey Horsburgh and Hudson Young had been rewarded with debut Origin jerseys and centre Matt Timoko had a profession 12 months.
Losing Jack Wighton is a blow and there may be now a gaping gap within the halves on the minute, with the Canberra nice spurning the one NRL membership he has ever recognized to take much less cash and signal with the Rabbitohs.
7. ROOSTERS
2023 document: W13, L11
GRADE: B
Analysis: The Roosters saved the perfect for final in 2023 and made an unthinkable cost in to the finals off the again of a five-game profitable streak.
Trent Robinson’s facet then knocked off the Sharks within the first week of finals earlier than having their hearts damaged by the Storm and winger Will Warbrick.
After a patchy begin to the 12 months, marquee recruit Brandon Smith returned to his harmful self and performed an integral position in his facet’s finals look.
Meanwhile, after a doubtlessly career-worst begin to the season, James Tedesco additionally discovered his ft and exploded on the enterprise finish of the 12 months.
The emergence of each Siua Wong and Terrell May was one other large constructive for the Roosters.
However, with many pundits tipping the Tricolours to compete for the title, the Roosters underachieved in 2023.
They did nonetheless have a big quantity of turbulence all through the season, with Sam Walker dropped earlier than being recalled.
Meanwhile, Robinson’s Joey Manu halves experiment didn’t work out whereas backrower Angus Crichton was additionally sidelined attributable to damage and psychological well being points.
Overall, the Roosters did nicely to salvage finals soccer after a chaotic starting to their 2023 marketing campaign.
6. SHARKS
2023 document: W14, L11
GRADE: B –
Analysis: The Sharks are but to win a finals recreation below Craig Fitzgibbon.
After going out in straight units in 2022, Cronulla misplaced by a degree to as soon as once more flunk out of the finals in week one in 2023.
It actually wasn’t clean crusing within the Shire, with Nicho Hynes taking an enormous confidence hit after he was dropped after solely a single Origin look.
The Sharks’ talisman returned to type by the season’s finish and was robust, however it wasn’t sufficient to safe an elusive ultimate victory.
However, the stress has been heaped on Hynes’ shoulders lately and the eighth Immortal Andrew Johns believes it’s time the Sharks hit the open market.
He defined Cronulla want a roster rebuild and to usher in gamers able to orchestrating factors, with Hynes doing the majority of playmaking duties.
“They are missing an X-factor player and they have gone out in straight sets the last two years,” he mentioned.
Elsewhere, an damage to first-choice fullback Will Kennedy on the back-end of the season didn’t assist, whereas Dale Finucane additionally spent prolonged intervals sidelined attributable to suspension.
Their strike centre mixture of Jesse Ramien and Siosifa Talakai had an up and down 12 months and the previous NSW consultant was even dropped at one level.
While it wasn’t all clean crusing in Cronulla, in solely his second season in cost, Craig Fitzgibbon as soon as once more completed within the high eight, giving followers hope they’ll enhance in 2024.
5. KNIGHTS
2023 document: 14W, 9L, 1D
GRADE: B +
Analysis: Rugby league is nicely and actually alive within the Hunter.
Adam O’Brien’s Knights captured the hearts of the area as soon as once more in 2023, making the finals off the again of a magical 10-game profitable streak.
Newcastle then went on to beat the Raiders within the first week of finals earlier than happening to a robust Warriors facet of their residence turf.
Knights followers watched in awe as Kalyn Ponga set the competitors alight within the again half of the season.
His type was so good he surged residence to beat out heavy favorite Shaun Johnson for the Dally M Medal by a singular level.
Elsewhere, the backbone trio of Phoenix Criossland, Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings punched nicely above their weight.
Each participant did every little thing they wanted to do to unlock their star fullback and within the course of turned fan favourites on the Knights.
For O’Brien, his facet’s return to type couldn’t have come at a greater time after it was revealed membership powerbrokers had held conferences with potential coaches.
Now he’s set to stay on the helm for an prolonged interval and hopefully springboard off what was a dream season for Newcastle.
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4. WARRIORS
2023 document: 16W, 8W
GRADE: A
Analysis: The Warriors had been broadly tipped to be within the wood spoon race come the season’s finish.
Instead New Zealand turned the most well liked ticket on the town and ‘Up the Wahs’ chants unfold like wildfire because the Warriors captured the hearts of a nation.
Under rookie coach Andrew Webster, New Zealand got here solely 80 minutes away from that includes of their third ever grand ultimate.
He did that with out making any main signings after he arrived, working with the squad he had at disposal and getting the gamers to purchase in.
Shaun Johnson’s resurgence was one of many tales of the 12 months, going one level away from profitable the Dally M after there have been requires him to retire in 2022.
Meanwhile, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Addin Fonua-Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Tohu Harris had been all glorious.
The Warriors’ surge was a sight to behold for all followers of rugby league and rapidly started to rival and overshadow the rival 15-man code.
Now it’s as much as the group from throughout the Tasman to construct off their glorious marketing campaign and proceed to construct, searching for their elusive first ever premiership.
And with famous person Roger Tuivasa-Sheck arriving, Webster’s facet may get even higher.
3. STORM
2023 document: 16W, 8L
GRADE: A –
Analysis: It wasn’t the Storm’s finest season they usually had been unusually inconsistent in 2023.
Under Craig Bellamy, the Melbourne outfit are at all times within the finals race however lacked their normal ruthlessness this marketing campaign.
The Storm narrowly reached the preliminary finals and would have bowed out by the hands of the Roosters if it wasn’t for a second of Cameron Munster and Will Warbrick brilliance.
However, they needed to proceed to compete this season after shedding a mountain of expertise, with a number of veteran forwards leaving.
The Bromwich brothers, Felise Kaufusi and Brandon Smith all left the Storm and Bellamy did his finest to fill the gaping holes left.
Backrower Trent Loiero was tasked with filling one backrow spot, whereas the emergence of Eli Katoa was one large constructive for Bellamy.
But elsewhere, the entrance row trio of Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Christian Welch and Tui Kamikamica didn’t pack and punch when wanted towards the Panthers within the preliminary ultimate.
Bellamy additionally juggled his first selection centre pairing this season, with common starter Justin Olam shedding his place within the facet in the course of the 12 months.
However, Bellamy nonetheless steered his group solely 80 minutes away from a grand ultimate and the Storm will solely enhance in 2024.
2. BRONCOS
2023 document: 18W, 6L
GRADE: A +
Analysis: They could have gone all the way down to a crimson scorching Panthers facet within the grand ultimate, however the Broncos’ 2023 marketing campaign was nothing in need of outstanding.
After flunking out of the finals race in 2022, Kevin Walters’ males got here again with a vengeance and had one hand on the premiership trophy.
While they conceded the most important ever grand ultimate comeback in NRL historical past, the Broncos can be higher for the expertise, boasting one of many youngest groups within the competitors.
The youthful backbone pairing of Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam had been glorious all through 2023, whereas Adam Reynolds wound again the clock at halfback.
Elsewhere, forwards Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas offered the perfect one-two punch within the recreation whereas Billy Walters performed out of his pores and skin.
At the top of the day, if Broncos followers had been instructed they might be minutes away from profitable a title as the start of 2023, they’d be ecstatic.
Brisbane can maintain their heads up excessive and can undoubtedly be competing for premierships in years to come back, if they’ll retain all their key gamers.
1. PANTHERS
2023 document: 18W, 6L
GRADE: A +
Analysis: The Panthers had been out to reply an enormous query coming in to this season.
Can Ivan Cleary’s males turn into the NRL’s finest ever group? The brief reply is sure.
After beating the Broncos to document the most important ever grand ultimate comeback victory, Penrith matched the Eighties Eels group.
They had been the final to document three-straight premierships, however the Panthers had been capable of document their titles within the wage cap period.
Both Ivan and Nathan Cleary additionally now have firmly positioned themselves within the dialog for the sport’s finest coach and halfback.
Nathan’s efficiency within the ultimate 20 minutes of the grand ultimate left rugby league legends and followers alike shocked.
Once once more, Penrith confirmed why they’re the NRL’s benchmark and are additionally displaying no indicators of slowing down.
Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu will depart forward of the 2024 season, however historical past reveals that Cleary will exchange them with one other participant and be simply effective.
Speaking after being introduced the Clive Churchill Medal, Nathan Cleary mentioned “we are just getting started”.
Those 5 phrases will strike worry in to the hearts of Penrith’s opponents and now the Panthers can be gunning for a unthinkable fourth premiership in-a-row.
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