NRL 2023: Battle for the West, inside Panthers, Bulldogs, Eels, Tigers 2024 signings, burning issues
Penrith may reign supreme as western Sydney’s powerhouse club but can Parramatta or even Canterbury and Wests Tigers challenge the Panthers’ dominance in 2024?
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Thursday’s clash between Parramatta and Penrith isn’t just a grand final rematch, it’s a harsh reminder that the Panthers stand alone as the only genuine western Sydney powerhouse club.
Just when the Eels looked to be closing the gap on Penrith, Brad Arthur’s outfit will miss the finals in 2023.
The Wests Tigers are on course to consecutive wooden spoons, while the Bulldogs have struggled to find their identity under new coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Here’s the state of play in the battle for western Sydney supremacy:
BIGGEST ISSUE
PANTHERS – A bigger trophy cabinet
The Panthers have one hand another minor premiership shield and only Parramatta and North Queensland stand in their way. The reigning champs are also $2.20 favourites to win a third straight Provan-Summons trophy. Call the cabinet maker.
EELS – Recruitment and depth
Injuries and suspensions have exposed the lack of qualityand depth in Brad Arthur’s roster. Josh Hodgson was injury-prone when the club signed him, they took the gamble and lost. It compounded the loss of Reed Mahoney. So did the recruitment of back-rower Jirah Momoisea, who hasn’t come close to filling the hole left by Isaiah Papali’i.
BULLDOGS – Attitude
Cameron Ciraldo’s biggest challenge in the pre-season is instilling some pride back into the Bulldogs jersey. Some of the side’s defensive efforts in recent weeks, reeks of a side that mentally checked out. It’s a worrying sign for a club that’s supposed to be rebuilding.
TIGERS – Instability and infighting
The merry-go-round of head coaches has done more harm than good at Concord. The inability of key figures to get on the same page, especially over recruitment, will continue to be a dagger to the club’s chances of on-field success.
PLAYER THEY SHOULD TARGET
PANTHERS
Wiremu Greig – A bench specialist like prop Spencer Leniu is hard to replace, but Greig has shown he can be an impact player from the pine and is damaging when injected into the contest.
EELS
Joey Manu – If Parramatta want an x-factor then Manu is their man. Has a ready made combination with Kiwi teammate and five-eighth Dylan Brown. The club has the money to spend and should take a swing at the game breaker come November 1.
BULLDOGS
Moeaki Fotuaika – Fotuaika should be Canterbury’s top priority. The Titans workhorse who can play big minutes, provides go-forward and much-needed starch to a pack that has struggled to make an impact.
TIGERS
Kaeo Weekes – The Tigers’ outside back stocks lack quality. But it’s also missing speed and Manly flyer Weekes, who is available as soon as 2024, can remedy that problem.
REASON FOR HOPE
PANTHERS
Penrith’s rich junior pathways do not appear close to running out of talent. Centre Stephen Crichton is Belmore bound and prop Spencer Leniu will be at the Roosters in 2024. The club has replacements like Thomas Jenkins and Jesse McLean in the outside backs, and rising props Lindsay Smith and Liam Henry, who is locked in until the end of 2026.
BULLDOGS
Stephen Crichton could be the missing piece in Canterbury’s spine. With Reed Mahoney at hooker and Matt Burton in the halves, the centre turned fullback will add a much needed touch of class to the Bulldogs in a key position the club has struggled to fill.
EELS
Parramatta’s rejuvenated pathways are beginning to bear the fruit. SG Ball winners Sam Tuivaiti, Joshua Lynn, Charlie Guymer, Richard Penisini and Blaize Talagi are earmarked as the club’s future. Penisini and Talagi are expected to be fast tracked into the NRL system and will complete their first full-time pre-season over the coming summer.
TIGERS
Junior Tupou and Jahream Bula have been a revelation and now a new crop is poised to put the heat on established NRL players. Hooker Tallyn Da Silva will push Jake Simpkin and centre Josh Feledy should factor in selection equations, so too Samuela and Latu Fainu. It would also be remiss not to mention the fight the Tigers have shown in recent weeks, it shows there is still pride in the jersey.
LAST FIVE FINISHES
PANTHERS
Current – 1st
2022 – 1st
2021 – 2nd
2020 – 1st
2019 – 10th
EELS
Current – 11th
2022 – 4th
2021 – 6th
2020 – 3rd
2019 – 5th
BULLDOGS
Current – 15th
2022 – 12th
2021 – 16th
2020 – 15th
2019 – 12th
TIGERS
Current – 17th
2022 – 16th
2021 – 13th
2020 – 11th
2019 – 9th
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