NRL 2023: Which clubs flopped and which flourished this year

Parramatta’s season started with poor retention and was made worse by some on and off field brain explosions – rate every NRL club’s performance here.

Paul Crawley report card for 2023

The NRL report cards are out with our ratings on all 17 teams – and the crystal ball predictions about your team’s hopes in 2024.

Here’s the season’s biggest winners and biggest flops, and what will/needs to change next year.

Paul Crawley delivers his verdict.

NRL REPORT CARDS

EELS

Grade: E

Mid-season standing: 13th

Pre-season prediction: 6th

Last year’s finish: 4th

Best value player: J’maine Hopgood ($250,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Blaize Talagi

Key stat: Just the second Grand Finalist in over a decade to miss the finals in the following season (Cowboys 2018).

Crawley says: You don’t need a team of investigators to come in and work out where it went wrong for the Eels. It started with poor retention that was made worse by some unforgivable suspensions for on and off field brain explosions that could have been so easily avoided. We all saw what the Eels are capable of when they put the cleaners through the Panthers last round.

Crystal ball: No significant signings confirmed but it will be interesting to see if Clint Gutherson stays at fullback or moves to the centres if they can find that “X factor” player they have been searching for.

BRONCOS

Grade: A+

Mid-season standing: 4th

Pre-season prediction: Outside top eight

Last year’s finish: 9th

Best value player: Reece Walsh ($450,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Deine Mariner

Key stat: A win over the Storm will be the Broncos 19th of the season and set a new club record after posting 18 regular season wins in 1992, 1998, 2000 and 2011

Crawley says: The best team in the comp to watch bar none. Most points scored and second least conceded. Few had the Broncos in their top eight to start the year, so to be challenging for the minor premiership says it all. Who said Kevvie Walters can’t coach? Should be the Dally M coach of the year.

Crystal ball: Farewell Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler to the Dolphins and Keenan Palasia to the Titans. But still a squad capable of being a powerhouse for years to come.

RAIDERS

Grade: B

Mid-season standing: 8th

Pre-season prediction: Outside top eight

Last year’s finish: 8th

Best value player: Zac Woolford ($250,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Ethan Strange

Key stat: The Raiders can become the first team in Premiership history with a positive winning record and a points differential of -100 or worse during the regular season

Crawley says: For all those who bag the Raiders for their unpredictability the fact is Ricky Stuart still has them ahead of superstar rosters like the Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Roosters and Eels coming into the last round, which is way ahead of where many had them finishing.

Crystal ball: While Jack Wighton hasn’t had his greatest season, he’s still going to be a huge loss for a squad that already lacks serious star power in key spine positions.

BULLDOGS

Grade: F

Mid-season standing: 15th

Pre-season prediction: Outside top eight

Last year’s finish: 12th

Best value player: Jacob Preston ($250,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Karl Oloapu

Key stat: Conceding 32 points per game this season – eight more than last year and their most since 2008.

Crawley says: For all the hype about Cameron Ciraldo, you just can’t argue the Dogs played better with a worse roster last year under Mick Potter (and finished higher up the ladder). Safe from wooden spoon but still the season’s biggest fail given at least the Tigers and Dragons consistently have a crack. Now the Dogs have to deal with explosive allegations of a player being mistreated at training. Looks like a very unhappy camp.

Crystal ball: Do have some solid signings with Stephen Crichton, Bronson Xerri, Blake Taaffe and Jaeman Salmon. But have lost a stack of players including Jake Averillo and Tevita Pangai, and more will follow.

SHARKS

Grade: B-

Mid-season standing: 3rd

Pre-season prediction: 3rd

Last year’s finish: 2nd

Best value player: Connor Tracey ($300,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Sam Stonestreet

Key stat: Won just one from seven games against the teams currently above them on the ladder, but 12 of 16 against teams below.

Crawley says: Recovered from a shaky start to be equal top spot at one point. But the Sharks’ record against top eight teams stinks, and is especially concerning now given we’re heading into the business end of the season.

Crystal ball: Have enough talent across the park and the Nicho Hynes/Braydon Trindall halves partnership should only get better, as will Craig Fitzgibbon as a coach.

DOLPHINS

Grade: C+

Mid-season standing: 6th

Pre-season prediction: Bottom 4

Last year’s finish: N/A

Best value player: Jamayne Isaako ($320,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Jack Bostock

Key stat: Won seven of their first 12 games, but just one of their next 11.

Crawley says: Went a hell of a lot better first up than almost everything thought they would, and won admiration for their never-say-die attitude. Have been cruelled by a lack of depth, injuries and suspensions.

Crystal ball: Addition of Herbie Farnworth, Thomas Flegler and Jake Averillo on the back of Tom Gilbert’s return should have them pushing top eight next year.

TITANS

Grade: D

Mid-season standing: 10th

Pre-season prediction: Outside top eight

Last year’s finish: 13th

Best value player: Alofiana Khan-Perreira ($220,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Thomas Weaver

Key stat: Lost four games this season when leading by double figures.

Crawley says: Provide edge-of-your-seat entertainment but it often comes at a cost because those four fade-outs listed above tell the story of what could have been for an incredibly talented squad that just lacks the killer punch.

Crystal ball: Thought it was fun watching the Titans this year? Wait until the mad scientist Des Hasler gets his hands on big Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell – and teaches them what it takes for sustained success.

SEA EAGLES

Grade: D

Mid-season standing: 9th

Pre-season prediction: 8th

Last year’s finish: 11th

Best value player: Lachlan Crocker ($300,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Key stat: Won six (with one draw) of 11 games with Tom Trbojevic on the field, but just four of 12 without him.

Crawley says: The reality is Turbo played seven games last year and 11 this year and the end result under Anthony Seibold is they dropped a spot down the ladder. Last year they also had to contend with the aftermath of the rainbow jersey fiasco.

Crystal ball: Gain Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Jaxson Paulo. But it was madness extending Josh Schuster on $800,000-a-season to switch him to back row.

STORM

Grade: A

Mid-season standing: 5th

Pre-season prediction: 2nd

Last year’s finish: 5th

Best value player: Will Warbrick ($180,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Sua Fa’alogo

Key stat: 13th consecutive finals appearance – 11th of those in the top four.

Crawley says: Not the clinical force they once were but still another incredible coaching effort from Craig Bellamy to finish top four given all the forward experience they lost on top of playing most of the season without Ryan Papenhuyzen.

Crystal ball: Don’t have any significant signings but as long as Bellamy is around the Storm will continue to be a premiership threat.

KNIGHTS

Grade: A

Mid-season standing: 12th

Pre-season prediction: Outside top eight

Last year’s finish: 14th

Best value player: Dominic Young ($250,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Dylan Lucas

Key stat: Won eight straight games – their best winning streak since their club record 11 in 2001-02.

Crawley says: What a comeback story on the back of Kalyn Ponga’s inspired run, and every player lifting alongside the superstar fullback. Credit also to Adam O’Brien who at one point was a dead man walking but right now is the perfect time to be hitting the Knights up for an extension.

Crystal ball: Now the Knights know what they are capable of, they should only get better next season. Lose Dominic Young and Lachlan Fitzgibbon but gain fellow English recruits Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan) and Will Pryce (Huddersfield) along with Jack Cogger and Jed Cartwright.

COWBOYS

Grade: D+

Mid-season standing: 14th

Pre-season prediction: 7th

Last year’s finish: 3rd

Best value player: Reuben Cotter ($400,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

Key stat: Won just five of their first 13 games and were conceding over 25 points per game. Have won seven of next 10, conceding under 17 per game.

Crawley says: Any way you look at it this has been a huge disappointment for one of the NRL’s most talented squads. If they miss the finals after finishing third last year they have only themselves to blame for a poor start.

Crystal ball: Will have much the same squad running around next year with Viliami Vailea from the Warriors the only confirmed signing.

PANTHERS

Grade: A+

Mid-season standing: 1st

Pre-season prediction: 5th

Last year’s finish: 1st

Best value player: Izack Tago ($250,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Isaiah Iongi

Key stat: The Panthers could be the first team in over 30 years to concede less than 14 points per game in four straight seasons – the last side to do so was Penrith in 1988-1991.

Crawley says: The back-to-back premiers are still the team to beat, although the shoulder injury to Jarome Luai could not have come at a worse time. But if any squad can overcome the loss of one key spine player, it’s the Panthers.

Crystal ball: Lose Stephen Crichton and Jack Cogger but have a stack of gifted youngsters waiting for their shot, while Daine Laurie returns from the Tigers.

RABBITOHS

Grade: D-

Mid-season standing: 2nd

Pre-season prediction: 1st

Last year’s finish: 7th

Best value player: Isaiah Tass ($150,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Tyrone Munro

Key stat: Were top of the table after 11 rounds, and were conceding just 13.6 points per game. Since round 12 they have won just four of 12 games and have conceded over 27 points per game.

Crawley says: Rabbitohs players can say until they are blue in the face that they are united. But their recent performances along with the shock exit of Sam Burgess suggests otherwise. Should be top four, not fighting for their life going into the last round with Latrell Mitchell suspended.

Crystal ball: Gain Jack Wighton but the big story next year will be the spotlight on coach Jason Demetriou. Will he find a way to get this squad performing to its massive potential, or will it be his head on the chopping block next, despite his new three-year contract extension?

DRAGONS

Grade: E

Mid-season standing: 17th

Pre-season prediction: Wooden spoon

Last year’s finish: 10th

Best value player: Jacob Liddle ($200,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Savelio Tamale

Key stat: Finish 2023 with their fewest ever wins in their lowest ever ladder position.

Crawley says: An absolute train wreck to start the season with Anthony Griffin’s sacking backed up by skipper Ben Hunt’s demand for a release during the Origin period. But from there the Dragons have fought back with some brave performances. If not for a few dodgy calls they could have a few more wins. Ryan Carr has done a good job.

Crystal ball: Shane Flanagan’s arrival has brought hope but am still not convinced there is a quick fix on the horizon. Hame Sele is the only confirmed signing and the jury’s out on whether Tyrell Sloan can be the long term fullback, or is it time to shift Zac Lomax?

ROOSTERS

Grade: D-

Mid-season standing: 11th

Pre-season prediction: 4th

Last year’s finish: 6th

Best value player: Billy Smith ($250,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Siua Wong

Key stat: Scoring their second fewest regular season points per game (19.4) and conceding their second most points per game (21) under coach Trent Robinson

Crawley says: Are finally starting to play the footy they are capable of but still a massive fail for a powerhouse squad to be this far down the ladder. Wasted too much time swapping and changing the team which only confused everyone.

Crystal ball: Have Dom Young and Spencer Leniu arriving but the same issues are still to be solved. Will Luke Keary and Sam Walker click? Should James Tedesco or Joey Manu be fullback? Can Brandon Smith be an elite dummy half? Will Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Victor Radley learn to keep their cool? One thing’s for certain, the Roosters won’t start next year with the burden of premiership favouritism.

WARRIORS

Grade: A+

Mid-season standing: 7th

Pre-season prediction: Bottom four

Last year’s finish: 15th

Best value player: Luke Metcalf ($250,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Ali Leiataua

Key stat: Warriors are conceding 18 points per game; they have only allowed less in 2011 (17.5)

Crawley says: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Shaun Johnson have turned back the clock, and rookie coach Andrew Webster has done wonders to put the Warriors back on the rugby league map. If it’s not the story of the season it’s in the grand final up against the Broncos’ rise to power.

Crystal ball: Just imagine the Warriors next year with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck back on deck along with Chanel Harris-Tavita. You can guarantee they won’t be in anyone’s bottom four going into 2024.

TIGERS

Grade: E

Mid-season standing: 16th

Pre-season prediction: Bottom four

Last year’s finish: 16th

Best value player: Jahream Bula ($120,000)

Breakout star in 2024: Latu Fainu

Key stat: Have won just eight games in total in the past two seasons (They won eight in 2021).

Crawley says: Another tumultuous year at a club where they just can’t get their act together off the field. But what we can say is that the emergence of Jahream Bula and the exceptional standard Api Koroisau sets every game should at least push the Tigers in a positive direction on the field.

Crystal ball: Somewhere amid all the controversy there is a football team that could turn the corner next year providing Benji Marshall can handle the heat now Tim Sheens has retired, and form a solid relationship with recruitment chief Scott Fulton. Lose Luke Brooks and Daine Laurie while Latu and Samuela Fainu arrive along with Aidan Sezer and Jayden Sullivan.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Which clubs flopped and which flourished this year