NRL watchability ratings: Re-ranking teams 1 to 17 on star power, style and drama

There were high hopes for this powerful club leading into the season, but it has been a total fizzer, writes PAUL CRAWLEY.

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So which team is the NRL’s most watchable and who puts you to sleep?

Before this season kicked off we rated every team over six different categories including star power, playing style, box office appeal, heroes and villains, potential for drama and jerseys.

Six months down the track we have updated our list with some of the big name clubs crashing down the order, while we have a new leader, along with the team previously ranked last now among the game’s most watchable on the back of a charge up the ladder no one could have predicted.

Here are Paul Crawley’s rankings from 17-1.

Who are the NRL’s biggest excitement machine, and who puts the fans to sleep? Paul Crawley reveals his updated ‘Watchability’ rankings.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: When I was a kid I got a Dragons jumper the year they won the comp in 1979 and wore it around like I was the king of the universe. You can only imagine what young Dragons fans would be thinking today. From going into the season with a coach that was always going to get punted, to a captain who mid-season wanted to jump ship, it’s just lurched from one embarrassing disaster to the next. At least now the club is heading in a much more positive direction with the appointment of Shane Flanagan who himself might have a chequered past but at least he knows what winning looks like.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: What a fizzer this has turned out to be. We wrote at the start of the year how excited everyone was about Phil Gould’s Canterbury rebuild on the back of Cameron Ciraldo’s arrival along with Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau. But the Dogs are down with the season’s biggest flops. They’re still a huge club with considerable power so they will always generate plenty of headlines, even if mostly for the wrong reasons. At least they have Gus through his role in the media who can still throw out not so subtle jabs at rival clubs to get the hounds off his trail.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: What the Titans lack in overall blockbuster appeal they sure make up in thrill-a-minute fun. From Jayden Campbell to AJ Brimson and this young excitement machine Alofiana Khan-Pereira, they play with the freedom of kids in the park. Throw in the wrecking machines Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita and this team is capable of anything. Put the mad scientist Des Hasler among them next year and the Titans might finally get the respect that comes with consistent winning.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: When Tom Trbojevic is flying the Sea Eagles are a treat to watch. But the moment Turbo went down watching Manly kind of lost its lustre for anyone who doesn’t walk around in a maroon and white jumper. They still have shown plenty of resolve staying in the finals fight on the back of Daly Cherry-Evans’ inspirational leadership, while Josh Schuster, Jason Saab, Tolutau Koula and Haumole Olakau’atu give X-factor that creates plenty of expectation and anticipation, even if it often leaves you walking away feeling a little flat.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: Have struggled all season to beat top-eight teams but really hit the skids since Nicho Hynes’ NSW cameo appearance. It’s such a shame because up until Freddy Fittler got involved the Sharks were playing terrific attacking footy that made you just feel good because their leading man is such a wonderful young role model. But recently it’s been more like watching a horror movie.

Boo Bailey's 'Rocky Raid' cartoon for Crawley Files.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: Was it Forrest Gump or Ricky Stuart who said: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get?” Even allowing for the fact the Raiders are way ahead of where almost everyone predicted they would be at the start of the season, performances like they dished up against the Knights last weekend just do your head in. On the flip side you had their golden point loss to the Warriors the previous round which showed exactly why they are never beaten. It’s what makes them such a drawcard, because you never know what you are going to get.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: Five weeks ago Adam O’Brien looked odds on to be the next NRL coach sacked. Now he has heavyweights in the media lining up in his corner for a contract extension after four straight wins. Kalyn Ponga’s form since being overlooked for Origin has been unbelievable, while Bradman Best has gone to another level since his shock Blues call up. But it’s not just Ponga and Best, they’ve lifted to a man right across the park. We had the Knights second last on our list in February. They’re up five spots, and charging home like Winx.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: The world’s most dysfunctional football club has done it again. This had the potential to be 2023’s most watchable comeback story with Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall delivering instant hope on the back of outstanding recruitment and the emergence of young stars led by Jahream Bula. But it quickly turned into yet another turf war with the arrival of recruitment manager Scott Fulton. Fair dinkum, it puts any reality TV show you’ve ever seen to shame with hat-wearing chairman Lee Hagipantelis playing the lead role like he’s a wannabe mafia boss. As much as it makes you cringe, you just can’t look away.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: Have dropped down the watchability rankings like a lead balloon from 2nd to 9th. While the Roosters still have plenty of star power and clout in the big end of town, they have been an absolute basket-case on the field despite a squad that contains James Tedesco, Joseph Manu, Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Victor Radley and, of course, the most talked about off-season recruit of all in Brandon Smith. The only thing that stops the Roosters being at the bottom of our table here is the fact they wield so much power that guarantees they will always be talked about.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: At the start of the year the hot tip was the Dolphins would struggle to win a game and Wayne Bennett was heading for his first wooden spoon. But already the NRL newcomers are up among the most watched teams on TV with a never-say-die spirit that has won instant admiration and respect. While Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has emerged as a genuine superstar, and Jamayne Isaako the competition’s leading pointscorer.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: A bloke yelled out to me recently: “Hey Crawls, when are you going to write a positive story about Parramatta?” I wanted to shout back that we can’t keep writing about 1986 forever.

But seriously, how does a team live up to its potential with so many self-inflicted wounds, dating all the way back to Ryan Matterson’s decision to cop a three-match ban instead of pay a fine? Throw in Dylan Brown, Maika Sivo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s recent suspensions. And while the Eels continue to lead the way with the most points scored this season, it’s no wonder last year’s grand finalists are still in real danger of missing the playoffs.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: While the Storm are not as clinical as they once were, I’d argue they are more loved now than when Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk were in their prime. Because let’s face it, back then the wrestle was always the black mark many fans held against Melbourne. Now all the focus is just on the brilliance of their attack with Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster pulling the strings.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: Every time Scott Drinkwater goes near the ball you find yourself moving to the edge of your seat, while Tom Dearden has become a fan favourite through his ability to create something through sheer desire, and Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson are in the same mould. There was a time not so long ago the Cowboys were considered a tough sell among us journos because they just didn’t have the box office appeal of the Broncos or the big Sydney clubs. Not anymore. I don’t know a footy fan out there who doesn’t love watching them play.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: It’s time to give myself an uppercut. I wrote at the start of the season the Warriors were the NRL’s least watchable side because they turned up every year promising the world but delivering an atlas. I also said Shaun Johnson would be a dud buy because he was past it and only playing for the money. Yet it’s been brilliant watching first-year head coach Andrew Webster unlock the magic. While from an entertainment perspective they also put on a bloody brilliant show at home games from the moment they enter the field in darkness, with the crowd riding this wave of euphoria.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: Who would have thought without Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau this Penrith machine would have marched on without missing a beat, even when Nathan Cleary was injured, or the Panthers had so many players missing through Origin.

The only knock from an entertainment value is they’re too good for their own good, which sometimes makes watching them beat up opposition teams a little predictable. Not that it’s the Panthers fault because the brand of footy they play, with and without the ball, is as close to perfect as you get.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: My fear in pre-season was Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker’s at times volatile tempers could be the Rabbitohs’ undoing. While I don’t want to jinx Souths now, I can’t remember either really losing the plot all season. And while Mitchell’s absence through injury took away some of the hype, how good was it seeing the game’s biggest star return last round. You just know in the countdown to the finals anything could happen now.

CRAWLEY’S VERDICT: It’s great seeing this once mighty club back fighting among the heavyweights. Doing it under one of the Broncos’ all-time favourite players just makes it extra special. We said in February this was going to be Kevin Walters’ crunch year as coach, and he has certainly lived up to his end of the deal. With Adam Reynolds in career-best form, there is just so much X-factor with Walsh, Mam, Cobbo, Staggs and Farnworth. What a backline. What a forward pack. What an excitement machine. That’s why the Broncos now lead the way as the NRL’s most watchable team.

Originally published as NRL watchability ratings: Re-ranking teams 1 to 17 on star power, style and drama