With 14 rounds gone, now is a good time to assess each team’s placings at the (roughly) halfway mark of 2023. Who’s destined to go deep into September? Who might just miss out? And who can start preparing for 2023?
PENRITH PANTHERS (8-4, 2 BYES)
Gunning for the first premiership hat-trick in 40 years, Penrith haven’t been as invincible as in past seasons, but still good enough to be equal first in a very tight ladder, and have enjoyed thumping wins over Canberra, Manly Warringah, and the Sydney Roosters. But they’ve also lost to Brisbane (round 1), Parramatta, and the Wests Tigers. Bigger concerns arose after Nathan Cleary’s hamstring injury against the Dragons (out for up to six weeks), but Penrith have survived without him before.
Embed from Getty ImagesBRISBANE BRONCOS (10-4, 0 BYES)
The Broncos have built on an improved 2022, winning their first five. They stumbled with three losses in four games (to Souths, Melbourne, and Penrith), but steadied the ship with a “Baby Broncos” win in New Zealand and also beating the Sharks at Shark Park.
And they have all three byes to come, which they’ll need after the Origin period.
Embed from Getty ImagesSOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (9-5, 0 BYES)
The Rabbitohs are not only one of the frontrunners, they’ve also been one of the most entertaining teams, averaging 25 points a game.
After a 2-3 start, Souths clicked with a six-game winning streak, including important wins over Penrith, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
And they have all three byes to come.
Embed from Getty ImagesCRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (7-5, 2 BYES)
While the Sharks have been a little patchy, they’ve still won enough games to sit in the top four. They hit their straps with three straight wins (rounds 7-9) and recovered from a surprise loss to The Dolphins in Magic Round to win their next two before their second bye.
Embed from Getty ImagesMELBOURNE STORM (7-5, 2 BYES)
It seems like Melbourne’s poor finish to 2022 (missing the top four for the first time in nearly a decade and losing the elimination final to Canberra) was an indication of where they’re headed. The Storm won three in a row from rounds 4-6 (Wests Tigers, Souths, Sydney Roosters), but have only won three games since.
Embed from Getty ImagesCANBERRA RAIDERS (8-5, 1 BYE)
The Raiders have rebounded after their embarrassing round 5 loss to Penrith, winning seven of their last eight (despite regularly sacrificing big leads and barely escaping with wins). And while they have two byes in hand, they need to chip away at their horrible points differential (-49) to be a genuine top four chance.
Embed from Getty ImagesNEW ZEALAND WARRIORS (7-6, 1 BYE)
After nearly three seasons based in Australia, the Warriors have responded to being back home (and new coach Andrew Webster). They’ve won four out of six home games in Auckland, Wellington, and Napier. Arguably the highlight of their seven wins was against over Cronulla-Sutherland at Shark Park. They came from 20-0 down to win 32-30.
Embed from Getty ImagesTHE DOLPHINS (7-6, 1 BYE)
While some doomsayers expected the Dolphins to finish bottom four (or worse), the Redcliffe-based side won their first three games (against the Sydney Roosters, Canberra, and Newcastle). Under Wayne Bennett, they’re shown a remarkable tenacity and have been competitive in most of their games, including coming from 24-0 down to beat the Titans.
Embed from Getty ImagesSYDNEY ROOSTERS (6-6, 2 BYES)
Usually a model of consistency, the Roosters have struggled in 2023. They rebounded from a shock opening loss to the Dolphins to win their next three and seemed well poised with five wins after Round 9 (including a bye). Then they lost three in a row – including a 48-4 hammering against Penrith.
Embed from Getty ImagesMANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (5-6-1, 2 BYES)
After the Pride jersey scandal destroyed their 2022 season, Manly have slowly recovered under new coach Anthony Siebold, though their inconsistency would be frustrating their fans.
After beating Melbourne in Round 7 and the Wests Tigers in round 8, the Sea Eagles dropped three straight: to the Gold Coast, Brisbane in Magic Round, and Cronulla-Sutherland.
Embed from Getty ImagesNEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (5-6-1, 2 BYES)
Despite a nightmare injury toll and regular questions about Kalyn Ponga’s future, Newcastle have been reasonably competitive. They’ve also improved their home record: beating Canberra, the Warriors, the Gold Coast, and Manly. They also drew with the Sea Eagles at Mudgee (with four tries to Dominic Young).
Embed from Getty ImagesPARRAMATTA EELS (6-7, 1 BYE)
Parramatta have struggled after making their first grand final in 13 years, but a shocking draw hasn’t helped. They lost four of their first five games: to Melbourne, Cronulla-Sutherland, Manly Warringah, and Sydney Roosters (three of them by four points) and beat Penrith by a point. They’ve recovered well, with five wins from their last eight.
Embed from Getty ImagesGOLD COAST TITANS (5-7, 2 BYES)
It’s been another frustrating year so far for the Titans. While they’ve beaten Melbourne and Manly Warringah, they’ve had a few second half collapses: including losing to The Dolphins 28-26 (leading 24-0), Canterbury-Bankstown 20-18 (14-0 at half-time), and Souths 46-28 (22-16 at half-time).
Embed from Getty ImagesNORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (6-8, 0 BYES)
While the Cowboys have failed to build on their excellent 2022 (narrowly missing the grand final), the huge win over Melbourne in Round 14 suggests they haven’t given up yet. It’s a quick turnaround considering they were belted 66-18 by the Wests Tigers a fortnight earlier – having previously won two straight against the Roosters and Dragons. And they still have three byes to come.
Embed from Getty ImagesCANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (5-8, 1 BYE)
After an improved 2022, the Dogs looked like improving even further in 2023 and maybe challenging for the finals. But they still haven’t delivered. A 50-16 defeat to Souths on Good Friday started a three-game losing streak, and – despite being competitive in most games – they haven’t recovered. Though they did come from 14-0 down to beat the Titans.
Embed from Getty ImagesWESTS TIGERS (3-9, 2 BYES)
While the Tigers have only won three games, they’ve all come in the last six weeks: including a glorious 66-18 smashing of North Queensland. It’s an encouraging turnaround after losing their first seven games. They also nearly beat Canberra in Round 14 after coming from 18-0 down.
Embed from Getty ImagesST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (3-10, 1 BYE)
The Dragons hit rock bottom after a big loss to North Queensland in round 11 (spoiling Ben Hunt’s 300th NRL game) which saw coach Anthony Griffin lose his job. The Dragons responded for interim coach Ryan Carr immediately, with a last-minute win over the Roosters (having nearly beaten them on ANZAC Day), but losses to The Dolphins and Penrith suggests the Dragons are almost destined for the wooden spoon.
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