NRL 2022 predictions: Maroons and Ezra Mam to have big years
It’s going to be a good year to be a Maroons fan according to the Courier Mail’s NRL writers, singling out one young talent to stamp his authority on the finals.
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It’s going to be a big year for Billy Slater and his Maroons according to our rugby league experts, and one has even tipped a rookie playmaker to lead the Broncos back to the promised land of the NRL finals.
This is what our writers expect to see in 2022:
CHRIS HONNERY
Premiers: Sea Eagles
Top eight:
Sea Eagles
Panthers
Storm
Rabbitohs
Eels
Roosters
Titans
Broncos
Wooden spoon: Tigers
Dally M Medal: Payne Haas (Broncos)
Ken Irvine Medal: Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
Rookie of the Year: Ezra Mam (Broncos)
Bold prediction: Ezra Mam claims Broncos No. 6 jersey and helps Broncos to a finals berth
PETER BADEL
Premiers: Panthers
Top eight:
Panthers
Roosters
Storm
Sea Eagles
Eels
Rabbitohs
Sharks
Broncos
Wooden spoon: Tigers
Dally M Medal: Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
Ken Irvine Medal: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm)
Rookie of the year: Jeremiah Nanai (Cowboys)
Bold prediction: Rookie Maroons coach Billy Slater to bring the Origin shield back to Queensland
BRENT READ
Premiers: Storm
Top eight:
Eels
Roosters
Storm
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Rabbitohs
Titans
Broncos
Wooden spoon: Tigers
Dally M Medal: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm)
Ken Irvine Medal: Joseph Suaalii (Roosters)
Rookie of the year: Tolutau Koula (Sea Eagles)
Bold prediction: Billy Slater leads Maroons revival — Queensland sweep Origin series
COOPER CRONK
Premiers: Roosters
Top eight
Roosters
Storm
Eels
Panthers
Sea Eagles
Rabbitohs
Sharks
Knights
Wooden spoon: Warriors
Dally M Medal: Cameron Munster (Storm)
Ken Irvine Medal: Xavier Coates (Storm)
Rookie of the year: Xavier Savage (Raiders)
Bold prediction: The Billy Slater era as Queensland coach will deliver the Maroons a 3-0 Origin series win.
TRAVIS MEYN
Premiers: Storm
Top eight
Storm
Roosters
Panthers
Eels
Sharks
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
Knights
Wooden spoon: Tigers
Dally M Medal: James Tedesco (Roosters)
Ken Irvine Medal: Xavier Coates (Storm)
Rookie of the year: Xavier Savage (Raiders)
Bold prediction: Broncos improve but miss NRL finals for third straight year.
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