Every NRL club’s MVP and biggest underperformer in 2023

For every Reece Walsh breakout season, there’s been a Josh Schuster down year. These are the players who have soared to a new level and the big guns who have failed to meet expectations.

The MVPs and underperformers in 2023.

For every Reece Walsh breakout season, there’s been a Josh Schuster down year.

Every Kalyn Ponga redemption story, a Josh Hodgson hard luck one.

A Lindsay Collins dream run? A Brandon Smith nightmare.

There are the players who have soared to a new level this season, while others who have failed to live up to expectations.

The Warriors are the feel-good story of the year, inspired by the comeback stories of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

Veteran captain Tohu Harris believes the reasons are two-fold.

“The coaches and what Webby (Andrew Webster) has done had a huge impact on our team,” Harris told his masthead.

“Being home, the guys are happy which makes a huge difference.”

The Warriors were barely considered top-eight contenders in the pre-season, with several key players having underperformed in recent seasons.

Now, not only are they in for a top-four finish, but are a chance of a home final, for the first time since 2018.

This season was meant to be a swansong for Johnson, but the 32-year-old wound the clock so far back that he bought time on his career with a contract extension.

“The biggest improvement Shaun has had is he’s happy and home with his family and it transfers over to his footy, it’s the most settled he has been in a long time,” Harris said.

“Him and Webby’s relationship and the way the communicate with each other has been unreal and that has allowed Shauny to express himself more.

“This is the most complete I’ve seen him play in his whole career.”

Nicoll-Klokstad and Watene-Zelezniak have also improved drastically.

“Dallin has always been a threat with his speed and how he attacks, his defence has been his biggest difference this year, and capitalising on opportunities,” Harris said.

“I hadn’t played with Charnze before this year, but he is the hardest working person on the field (and) puts his body on the line defensively.

“His effort is what has him as one of our best players.”

Other players, like Collins at the Roosters, Walsh at the Broncos, and Ponga at the Knights, have all taken their games to heights.

Reece Walsh has flipped his way to one of the game’s best players. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

However some haven’t enjoyed the same success.

Injury has cruelled the seasons of Penrith winger Taylan May, Canterbury second-rower Viliame Kikau, and, in Hodgson’s case, forced him into retirement.

Then there are the likes of high-profile signings Smith, who has struggled to make an impact at the Roosters.

Schuster has endured a rollercoaster season, failing to register a single run last week’s loss to the Warriors, resulting in him being left out of this week’s line-up to face Canterbury.

“It’s always a tough call. I’ve been there, a lot of people have been there, so I’m sure he’ll just go away and work hard and try and get back there,” teammate Ethan Bullemor said.

“He’s an incredible player and does work hard. I think Josh can be whatever he wants to be and we all want him to do well.”

Comparing their 2022 season this masthead has evaluated players that have improved, and players stats that have dropped significantly in the 2023 season.

Originally published as Every NRL club’s MVP and biggest underperformer in 2023