Scott ‘Boo’ Bailey’s best sporting cartoons that made us laugh and cry in 2023

With a sense of humour as sharp as his pencil, no one was safe from Scott ‘Boo’ Bailey’s cartoons in 2023. From Eddie Jones to Phil Gould, there was no drawing a blank.

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December 24, 2023 - 4:00PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

NRL

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Scott ‘Boo’ Bailey is proof the pen is mightier than the sword.

And his sense of humour is just as sharp, as News Corp’s resident sport artist delivered his unique take on and off the field in 2023.

From Luke Brooks’ farewell barbecue gift from the Wests Tigers, to Phil Gould and his not-so-secret lunches, Eddie Jones’ fast footwork to leave the Wallabies, to the Matildas captivating a nation and the sad passing of Tina Turner, Boo’s cartoons took a hilarious and heartfelt look at the world of sport.

His It’s A Funny Game column is your weekly Friday fix of funnies, while his posters are instant collector’s items.

We’ve collated the brilliance of Boo in 2023, with more in store next year.

Usman Khawaja’s message of peace blew up, as Eddie Jones’ Japan defection was completed. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Mark Nawaqanitawase’s name was on everyone’s lips. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Some of Boo's best for 2023. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Rod Churchill's criticism of Latrell Mitchell and drama over a wrestling punishment at Canterbury training came under the spotlight. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Up The Wahs went into the finals, while South Sydney, and former Qantas boss Alan Joyce, departed. Big week. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Racism reared its head, and was quickly put in its place. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Manly's bus went into foreign territory. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

The Bears were woken in North Sydney, while sombreros were in fashion in Sydney's east. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Parra's 0-3 start to the season proved costly. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Arise, King Reyno. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Ding, ding, ding! Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Where Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii stacked up. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

It was Hammer time in 2023. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

It was a tough week, that included a Redfern farewell. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Big Red, Corey Horsburgh. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Old Wayne, new colours. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Hook walked the plank. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Sometimes rugby league gives us a headache. Plus, there was a fresh take on Phins up! Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Mitchell Pearce wasn't answering the call, while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's rugby switched ruffled feathers. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Better than all the rest. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Aussie UFC star Alex Volkanovski. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

The CBA stoush turned ugly, and the NRL grand final was finally confirmed to be heading to Sydney. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Blue Wiggle Anthony Field wanted to buy-in on the Tigers, bring back Balmain and let the Magpies fly solo. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Daly Cherry-Evans joined the 300 club. Onya, Chez. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Things with Jason Ryles went south, as Billy Slater made the right calls in Origin selection. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

The Roosters sent Ryles packing, as we farewelled Tina Turner. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Sometimes fists fly in league. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Jarrod Croker reached 300 games in his final NRL season. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Look who found his form. David Fifita. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

What a bargain buy Zac Hosking was for Penrith. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Rylesy was meant to be the white knight. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Ben Hunt unsuccessfully tried to leave St Geore Illawarra, and some pre-game entertainment came under fire. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Reporter Brent Read was in sports-lovers heaven in 2023. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Souths sprung a signing coup, while Haumole Olakau'atu was a hair-raising prospect. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

The Rabbitohs pulled Jack Wighton out of their hat, while the NRL announced the latest instalment in the hit movie franchise ‘The Hangover’. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

The chosen one, Reece Walsh. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Aussie boxer Harry Garside's stint on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here made headlines. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

The dreaded Wests Tigers review was heavy reading for the board and CEO. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Jarome Luai, the only marquee free agent the Dragons didn't throw money at. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

The Bears are the most non-travelled would-be expansion side in the NRL, while Ronaldo Mulitalo was crowned rugby league's fastest man, at the same time Eddie Jones showed a clean pair of heels getting out of Australian rugby. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner's future was a point of conjecture. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Phil 'Gus' Gould continued his habit of indulging in not-so-secret meetings. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

Paul Sironen bid farewell to the Tigers, while Penrith revealed their off-field exploits managed their achievements on the park. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

It's A Funny Game even went to the Everest. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

And we landed on Madge Maguire. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.

The Tigers were never too far from the action, and Jarome Luai's injured shoulder was an issue at the back end of the season. Artwork: Scott 'Boo' Bailey.