10 Bold Predictions For the 2023 NRL Season

There’s 55 days until the NRL season kicks off and Matt Attard has made 10 bold predictions for 2023.

Related: 2023 NRL Writer Predictions

PENRITH TO ACHIEVE GLORY YET AGAIN

You’d be a fool to think what the Penrith Panthers have built over the past five to ten years is about to crumble. They are a team with the best juniors in the league, the best spine and a mighty forward pack, not to mention the bast coach. I’m tipping they will again dominate the competition and take out the title for a third straight year, although perhaps not as easily as 2022.

RESULT: Penrith Panthers won the 2023 NRL Grand Final over the Brisbane Broncos by 26-24 at Accor Stadium on October 1.

Embed from Getty Images

ROOSTERS AND RABBITOHS HOT ON THEIR HEELS

I’m predicting both the tri-colours and the Bunnies to have huge seasons and push Penrith for the minor premiership. It may be so close that it’s decided in the final round. Both teams boast superstars and I think Joey Manu and Latrell Mitchell will be gunning for best player in the competition by seasons end. Lachlan Ilias will be better for last season and will boost the games of his halves partner.

RESULT: Not quite the season for the Rabbitohs who failed to make the NRL Finals. The Roosters stormed into the finals but their campaign ended in week 2 when they were beaten by the Melbourne Storm.

SPENCER LENIU TO WIN PROP OF THE YEAR

Big Samoan powerhouse Leniu is, I believe, the game’s next best prop. He is an absolute weapon and I’m tipping he will come from the bench to earn a starting role at Penrith and collect the prop of the year as he takes out top meter-eater for season 2023.

RESULT: Spencer Leniu won his third premiership medal with the Penrith Panthers in 2023 with another year of contributing from the bench. Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake were crowned props of the year in the Dally M Team of 2023. Leniu will join the Sydney Roosters in 2024.

Embed from Getty Images

JUSTIN HOLBROOK TO JOIN A LIST OF PLAYERS TO DEPART THE TITANS

I can’t see Holbrook lasting another season the Titans. When I look at their roster, they’re missing many key ingredients to a top eight side. Foran will bring experience but much like he did at the Bulldogs I can’t see him making enough of an impact to take them off the bottom of the ladder. Holbrook will depart mid-season and David Fifita will join him in leaving the club, as will several others as they begin a rebuild.

RESULT: Justin Holbook was sacked by the Titans in a surprise move back on June 22, 2023. The club has decided to go with Des Hasler as head coach in 2024. The Titans have been able to retain David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui on a longer term contract.

PAYNE HAAS TO LEAVE BRONCOS

Drama seems to follow Haas unfortunately and I believe Kevin Walters and Ben Ikin will identify that he’s more trouble than he’s worth. I think he will earn a big contract with a Sydney based club and attempt to rejuvenate his career elsewhere in 2024, perhaps earlier if he can gain a release. A change is as good as a holiday, and I think both Haas and the Broncos need it.

RESULT: Despite the speculation that surrounded Payne Haas, he re-signed with the Brisbane Broncos on August 17, 2023.

BULLDOGS TO MISS THE EIGHT BY A WHISKER WHILE TIGERS FALL SHORT

For all the hype surrounding the Bulldogs and their efforts to rebuild over the past 24 months, I think they’ll just fall short as they still look to build a balanced squad. The addition of Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau will give them a huge boost as will the soon-to-be-announced re-signing of Matt Burton. They have some incredible juniors ready to make their mark but they’re still lacking a class fullback and halfback. Similarly, the Tigers have recruited well as they start their re-build journey, but they have a long way to go and will finish 12th.

RESULT: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ended 2023 in 15th spot in Cameron Ciraldo’s first year at the helm with a focus still required on defence after leaking 769 points during the season. The Wests Tigers retained the wooden spoon finishing with four wins in 2023.

Embed from Getty Images

ELIESA KATOA TO BE THE BUY OF THE SEASON

Warriors had a good one on their hands with this 22-year-old backrower but for some reason he never clicked in his 46 games with the club. Craig Bellamy and the Storm signed him for season 2023 and it has flown under the radar. This monster Tongan has all the attributes needed to fill a starting backrow spot and take the competition by storm (excuse the pun) much like Jeremiah Nanai did in 2022. I think he’ll be the Dally M second rower of the year and one of the NRL’s best forwards by seasons end.

RESULT: Buy of the season is always a healthy debate with so many players to choose from including Reece Walsh (Warriors to Broncos), Jamayne Isaako (Broncos to Dolphins) and J’maine Hopgood (Panthers to Eels).

NEWCOMERS THE DOLPHINS TO BATTLE THE TITANS FOR THE WOODEN SPOON

Wayne Bennett may be a master coach, but his roster is weak. It’s a hard task with a new team and although they’ve bought well in some areas, they haven’t been able to recruit any superstars. They lack in many areas and I can’t see them getting many more wins than the Titans. If I had to choose, I’d say the Dolphins will be the wooden spooners but it’ll be a hard fought race against the Titans.

RESULT: The Dolphins flew out of the blocks in 2023 and spent the first eight weeks in the top eight. However, their form dropped to record a further four wins in the season and missed the top eight by eight points.

NSW TO CLEAN SWEEP ORIGIN

Brad Fittler and his selection team made some poor decisions in 2022. It won’t happen again in 2023 and the Blues will win in a series sweep. Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trjboevic will combine with Josh Addo-Carr for at least 6 tries combined in the series as Yeo takes out player of the series.

RESULT: Queensland won the State of Origin series 2-1 which all but ended the tenure of Brad Fittler as head coach of New South Wales. Latrell Mitchell missed the whole series and Tom Trbojevic didn’t fire in his two appearances.

Embed from Getty Images

RAIDERS TO FALL OUT OF THE EIGHT

It seems they’re always favoured to do well since their grand final appearance a short few seasons ago. But Ricky Stuart’s men have not bought well for 2023 and their roster seems weaker than in previous years. While they still have a strong squad it just seems to be lacking in several areas. Hudson Young is one of the game’s best young players, but it can’t all be up to him and Jamal Fogarty. I think they will miss the top eight and look to buy big for 2024.

RESULT: The Raiders finished in eighth spot and were eliminated in week 1 of the finals series against the Newcastle Knights. After round 20 the Raiders were fourth with a differential of -55 and looked like they could achieve a rare feat, making the top four with a negative differential.

Related: 10 Bold Predictions For the 2022 NRL Season

What do you think of our predictions? Make a comment on our Facebook post.