What's The Buzz 2023 predictions: Phil Rothfield reveals the biggest storylines to watch for

After a controversy filled 2022, can Manly under new coach Anthony Siebold make a swift ascent up the ladder in 2023? Check out all of Buzz Rothfield 2023 predictions.

Buzz is expecting Manly to be a big improver in 2023.

If you thought 2022 was a big year of sport (and it was), just wait for 2023.

Buzz Rothfield has unveiled his annual predictions for the new year in sport, with some massive calls made for the next NRL campaign.

Plus, which of our national sides will we be talking about most in 2023?

Scroll down for all of Buzz’s predictions and to have your say.

Can Joey Manu and the Roosters knock Penrith off its perch?

TOP OF THE POPS 

Only one side can knock off the mighty Penrith Panthers – and that’s the Roosters.

The addition of Brandon Smith will add enormous grunt to their middle, where they already have Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Victor Radley, Matt Lodge and Lindsay Collins.

Then they’ve got the big three in the backline, James Tedesco, Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii, who will more than likely get more football as a centre.

The other bonus is the expected further improvement in halfback Sam Walker.

He’s had another off-season to develop his physique, he’s now 20 years of age and he’s only four appearances off 50 first grade games.

This Roosters team just doesn’t have a weakness.

Will Manly be a big improver under Anthony Seibold?

BIGGEST IMPROVERS

I can see the Manly Sea Eagles giving the competition a real shake,

though much depends on Tom Trbojevic and his hamstring.

If he’s OK, they basically have two “new” players in the squad – Turbo and a super-fit Josh Schuster, both of whom were largely absent last season.

I’m also a fan of new coach Anthony Seibold and his right-hand man Shane Flanagan.

Seibold won Dally M coach of the year at the Rabbitohs but flopped at the Broncos. As with his previous club Newcastle, Wayne Bennett had left the Broncos in poor condition.

The Manly Sea Eagles needed a freshen-up and new ideas.

They are an outside chance for the top four.

Buzz thinks Luke Metcalf will prove a shrewd signing for the Warriors.

WOODEN SPOON 

The bookies have got the Dolphins as favourites and that’s understandable.

Wayne Bennett is no longer the player magnate that he once was. Their squad lacks an X-factor and depth.

They’ll be competitive until midway through the season but struggle at the back end.

However, the New Zealand Warriors are my pick to finish with the spoon.

No one knows a lot about their coach Andrew Webster.

A lot of their signings are good but not great players.

One exception is halfback Luke Metcalf.

He played mostly at Newtown last year, unable to get a crack with the Cronulla Sharks.

He has explosive speed and can read a football game.

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BUZZ’S PREDICTED NRL LADDER

TOP 8 

1 Roosters

2 Panthers

3 Storm

4 Rabbitohs

5 Sea Eagles

6 Cowboys

7 Eels

8 Sharks

BOTTOM 9 

9 Raiders

10 Bulldogs

11 Broncos

12 Dragons

13 Titans

14 Knights

15 Tigers

16 Dolphins

17 Warriors

Isaiah Longi playing for Wavell in 2020.

ROOKIE WATCH

There are a couple of special kids you’ll be hearing plenty about.

I’ve picked out two – one from the Panthers nursery that keeps on producing champions and one from St George-Illawarra who they have pinched from the Waratahs.

At Penrith, keep an eye out for Isaiah ‘Izzy’ Longi.

This kid is special. He played under-19s for Queensland and is a specialist fullback. However, he can play in the halves or at hooker.

The Panthers think so highly of him, they have locked him up until the end of 2025 to keep him out of the reach of rival NRL clubs.

Savelio Tamale is a young star on the rise.

At the Dragons, look out for young centre Savelio Tamale.

He is an 18-year-old schoolboy rugby star.

Many thought he’d play for the Waratahs and then the Wallabies.

He’s big, strong and fast.

They say he has the composure of a Joseph Suaalii or Sam Walker to make first grade at 18.

COACHING CHAOS 

Who will be the first sacking? Adam O’Brien at the Knights, Justin Holbrook at the Titans or Anthony Griffin at the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Of these sides, I’m most worried about the Knights, though Jackson Hastings is a good signing to play at halfback.

It’s the culture at this club that worries me more than anything else.

Peter Parr was supposed to come in as general manager of football and fix the place.

Adam O’Brien could be one of the coaches feeling the heat.

He had an opportunity to do that when skipper Kalyn Ponga and Kurt Mann went on a bender late last year – while out injured – and they were photographed leaving a toilet cubicle.

So what happened? Nothing.

The Knights will not challenge for the title until they have a leadership group that finds the above sort of behaviour unacceptable in a professional sporting organisation.

ORIGIN PRESSURE 

One of this year’s big stories will be the NSW Blues and Freddy Fittler fighting to save his gig. For starters, hopefully he will pick the right team.

First man in has to be winger Josh Addo-Carr, inexplicably overlooked last season.

He was the best player for the Kangaroos in their World Cup triumph and brings enormous energy and character into representative teams.

The Blues will also get Latrell Mitchell and Tom Turbo back to add the enormous punch that was missing in the last series. NSW also has Joseph Suaalii ready to play State of Origin, probably as a winger. Seriously, on paper, we should win three-nil.

Buzz wants Josh Addo-Carr recalled for Origin next year.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTY

The World Cup in England has shown us that the international rugby league game is at its strongest for decades.

Every year, October should be set aside for Test matches.

The likes of Samoa and Tonga have brought in so much passion and excitement.

PNG and Fiji are improving but need more football.

The international body and the NRL need to get together to work on a 10-year strategy and schedule. Sell it to the TV networks, which are looking for good content after the NRL grand final and before the Melbourne Cup and the cricket.

How long does Craig Bellamy have left in the coaches box?

SHOOSHES 

● The relationship between one NRL chairman and his chief executive is at breaking point. Only one will survive the season.

● Huge pressure on the once invincible 2GB Continuous Call team in the ratings, with the ABC closing in on Saturdays and Triple M on Sundays. Trying to be funny doesn’t always work. Sometimes it can get stale. Listeners these days want to be informed. They want strong opinions and analysis.

● Drama at the Wests Tigers between Tim Sheens, Benji and Robbie.

● Everyone is talking about Anthony Griffin, Adam O’Brien and Justin Holbrook being under the pump. You can throw Kevvie Walters into that group as well. He needs to make the finals.

● Which huuuge-name NRL player will be offered an early release from his contract?

● Craig Bellamy is ready to announce retirement from coaching. The great man will stick around as a director of football. Who will be the replacement? Mark Brentnall or Jason Ryles.

Newcastle Knights players celebrate a try in the NRLW Grand Final.

GIRLS GROWTH 

The Penrith Panthers aren’t just happy with an NRL grand final, NSW Cup, State championship, Jersey Flegg and SG Ball trophies.

They now want to enter the NRLW competition.

The women’s comp will expand to 10 teams next year and the Panthers want to be part of it for the following year in 2024. To prepare, the Panthers will launch their own 10-team under-20s women’s competition this year.

This is a great initiative and a huge boost for the game in Sydney’s west. Teams of up to 20 players will be strategically selected to ensure even competition, minimising blowout scorelines and increasing the enjoyment of participants. It will be a 15-round competition from April to August.

It’s shaping as another huge year for Tim Tszyu.

IT’S SHOWTIME 

A massive year for Australian boxing despite the postponement of the Tim Tszyu v Jermell Charlo super fight in Las Vegas. It will eventually happen in April or May and will attract a record audience in Australia in pubs, clubs and on Foxtel’s Main Event. Charlo will start a $1.40 favourite favourite.

KEEP AN EYE ON …

John Bateman is hardly the most loyal player in rugby league. He quit the Canberra Raiders mid-contract to return to England because he was homesick. Then quit Wigan in UK’s Super League – again mid contract – to join the Wests Tigers on a four-year deal. Will he go the distance this time? Will he cope with the day-in day-out pressure at a club that is always under the spotlight?

NRL OFFSIDE

We used to criticise old NRL boss Todd Greenberg for being too close to the players. Now we have the exact opposite. The stars of the game are not happy with Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys. There is absolutely no goodwill between the players and the administration.

The nation is set to get behind the Matildas at the World Cup.

THE BIG SHOW

Nothing will grab the attention of Aussie sports more than the Women’s FIFA World Cup.

Sam Kerr and her Matildas are ranked No. 13 in the world.

If they can play with the same grit and determination as the Socceroos in Qatar, the women are certainly capable of going deep into the tournament.

The US, Sweden, Germany, England, France and Spain are the teams to beat.

To give you an idea of how big this tournament is, the last final – America v The Netherlands – attracted a global TV audience of 1.2 billion.

Australia’s cricketers will face huge tests in India and England.

CRICKET’S BIGGEST TEST 

Our cricketers haven’t faced a tougher schedule for years.

It doesn’t get much bigger than an Ashes cricket series in England in June and July.

But, before that, Pat Cummins leads the Aussies into India for four Test matches. The sports science to keep the players fresh will be as important as runs and wickets. The Poms are going to be hard to beat on home turf. There is not a more aggressive side in world cricket, led by champion all-rounder Ben Stokes.

Paul Gallen will shelve his retirement plans. Picture: Getty Images

SHORTEST RETIREMENT 

The Paul Gallen retirement won’t last. He’s still pounding the Wanda sandhills. He’ll fight either Junior Paulo in February or Sonny Bill in March. Remember where you read it first.

BEST SUMMER READS

Big League Annual

This is the rugby league bible, the result of months of painstaking research by long-time stats guru David Middleton. A complete season record of the highs, lows and the drama of NRL footy.

Tim Paine

The Price Paid

A story of how the golden boy of Australian cricket restored our image after the Sandpapergate scandal then lost his own job in the most humiliating circumstances.

Ash Barty

My Dream Time

The life story of Australia’s most admired athlete, who quit tennis after winning the Australian Open for a more pressure-free existence. The most inspiring story and insight into a champion.

Mat Rogers

A Father’s Son

A dual international who experienced heartbreak with the loss of his father, footy legend Steve Rogers, to suicide. A powerful story about riding a wave of jubilation that sank to depression.

Can Dave Rennie and the Wallabies win back Australian sport fans?

RUGBY WORLD CUP

Home team France will open the tournament against the All Blacks on September 8.

A tournament of this nature would normally eat into the media space dominated by NRL semi-finals in September. Not any more.

The Wallabies are the sixth-ranked nation in the world and would need a miraculous form turnaround to feature in the finals. It’s such a sad state of affairs.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that the Ella brothers, David Campese, Nick Farr-Jones, Simon Poidevin, John Eales, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham and Tim Horan were household names. Outside of the rah-rah diehards, you’d be flat out naming six Wallabies.

AND FINALLY … 

Have a happy New Year.

Just 60 sleeps until the NRL kick-off, Eels v Storm at CommBank Stadium.

Two months until we’re blowing up again about referees, the Roosters’ salary cap, rule changes, the bunker, sin-bins, Storm’s wrestling and everything else. Bring it on.