NRL 2023: Key position battles and best 17 at every club

After having their forward stocks pilfered by the Dolphins, the Storm have spots up for grabs. But who will Craig Bellamy hand a starting jersey to? Key positional battles at each club.

The key positional battles at every NRL club

For some, it’s one positional battle, while for other clubs there’s a few pieces of the puzzle still to put together. Here’s a look at the club-by-club positional battles ahead of the 2023 NRL season.

RABBITOHS

Positional battles: Centre, Wing

Analysis: From sin bins to send offs and a six-match suspension for an ugly tackle on Penrith’s Spencer Leniu, winger Taane Milne’s ill-discipline is a liability. Milne will only miss the opening game of the competition after serving the bulk of his ban for Fiji at the Rugby League World Cup. But this opens the door for Isaiah Tass and Izaac Thompson, who are vying for centre and wing spots, respectively. Tass has proven his NRL credentials and rookie Izaac Thompson was solid in two games on the wing. Then there’s the matter of young guns Tyrell Kalo Kalo and rising winger Josiah Karapani, who can only be denied for so long. Karapani excelled when given a shot at NSW Cup level with his footwork and ability to break the line. The 20-year-old is nipping at the heels of Milne and Thompson.

Best 17

1. Latrell Mitchell

2. Alex Johnston

3. Isaiah Tass

4. Campbell Graham

5. Izaac Thompson

6. Cody Walker

7. Lachlan Ilias

8. Tevita Tatola

9. Damien Cook

10. Thomas Burgess

11. Keaon Koloamatangi

12. Jai Arrow

13. Cameron Murray

14. Siliva Havili

15. Daniel Suluka-Fifita

16. Davvy Moale

17. Jacob Host

Will the Rabbitohs give Josiah Karapani (L) a go or stick with Taane Milne?

SEA EAGLES

Positional battle: Centre

Analysis: Reuben Garrick knocked back a deal to play fullback at Newcastle to take up a new four-year extension with the Sea Eagles, and the promise to play a new position. And if Tom Trbojevic is fit to start the season then Garrick will partner Tolu Koula in the centres. Where that leaves Brad Parker and Morgan Harper is up in the air. But it also opens the door for powerful youngster Christian Tuipulotu to claim Garrick’s vacant wing spot.

Best 17

1. Tom Trbojevic

2. Christian Tuipulotu

3. Tolu Koula

4. Reuben Garrick

5. Jason Saab

6. Josh Schuster

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

8. Josh Aloiai

9. Lachlan Croker

10. Taniela Paseka

11. Haumole Olakau’atu

12. Kelma Tuilagi

13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Karl Lawton

15. Toafofoa Sipley

16. Sean Keppie

17. Cooper Johns

Will Reuben Garrick’s move to centre cost Morgan Harper?

BRONCOS

Positional battle: Hooker

Analysis: Billy Walters never gives anything less than 100 per cent and because of that you can’t ask anything more from him. But you also can’t hide from the fact Walters is more a utility than a specialist dummy half, and as a result this remains the one obvious weakness in this current Broncos roster. If Cory Paix can get an injury-free run he has the talent to be the long-term answer at nine, while the club has high hopes for Blake Mozer (although he considered more of a long-term project).

Best 17

1. Reece Walsh

2. Corey Oates

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Selwyn Cobbo

6. Ezra Mam

7. Adam Reynolds

8. Thomas Flegler

9. Billy Walters

10. Payne Haas

11. Kurt Capewell

12. Jordan Riki

13. Pat Carrigan

14. Cory Paix

15. Keenan Palasia

16. Kobe Hetherington/TC Robati

17. Brendan Piakura

Broncos: Billy Walters v Cory Paix.

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BULLDOGS

Positional battle: Fullback/halfback

Analysis: How Cameron Ciraldo manages the fullback and halfback situations could be the key to the Bulldogs’ season. With Jake Averillo and Kyle Flanagan looking over their shoulders as Canterbury chase Penrith centre Stephen Crichton to play fullback and Parramatta playmaker Mitchell Moses for 2024, Ciraldo still needs to get the best out of the incumbents until the cavalry arrives. Another option might be to move Averillo back to the halves to challenge Flanagan, and give young speedster and Lebanon international Jacob Kiraz a crack at fullback.

Best 17

1. Jake Averillo

2. Jacob Kiraz

3. Braidon Burns

4. Paul Alamoti

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Matt Burton

7. Kyle Flanagan

8. Tevita Pangai Junior

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Luke Thompson

11. Viliame Kikau

12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

13. Max King

14. Fa’amanu Brown

15. Ryan Sutton

16. Franklin Pele

17. Andrew Davey

Bulldogs: Jake Averillo v Jacob Kiraz in battle to be number 1.

COWBOYS

Positional battle: Utility

Analysis: Coach Todd Payten finished last season with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as a backline utility on the bench. Tabuai-Fidow’s exit to the Dolphins gives Ben Hampton and Jake Granville a great shot to claim the utility spot. Granville is an astute dummy half but Hampton provides more cover across the spine in the halves and the back five. Forward Reuben Cotter can also slot in at hooker with ease if needed. There’s also youngster Tom Chester, who has been training at centre, but can play at lock and in the halves and will be in the mix for Round 1 selection.

Best 17

1. Scott Drinkwater

2. Murray Taulagi

3. Peta Hiku

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Kyle Feldt

6. Tom Dearden

7. Chad Townsend

8. Jordan McLean

9. Reece Robson

10. Reuben Cotter

11. Jeremiah Nanai

12. Luciano Leilua

13. Jason Taumalolo

14. Ben Hampton

15. James Tamou

16. Griffin Neame

17. Coen Hess

Ben Hampton gives the Cowboys plenty of cover as a utility. Picture: Evan Morgan

DOLPHINS

Positional battle: Halfback

Analysis: Wayne Bennett pillaged Melbourne’s pack luring big name talent up north, but the biggest signing is still the untried but prodigious playmaker Isaiya Katoa. Penrith left Katoa out of their Jersey Flegg side after he signed with the Dolphins until his game breaking ability was needed in the grand final, where he kicked the winning field goal. The question for Bennett is how long can he hold Katoa back? Sean O’Sullivan provided a worthy replacement for Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary and that competence will see him get the nod for Round 1 alongside Anthony Milford, who has 206 games of experience under his belt.

Best 17

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Tesi Niu

4. Euan Aitken

5. Edrick Lee

6. Anthony Milford

7. Sean O’Sullivan

8. Jesse Bromwich

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Thomas Gilbert

11. Felise Kaufusi

12. Kenny Bromwich

13. Ray Stone

14. Kodi Nikorima

15. Herman Ese’ese

16. Mark Nicholls

17. Jarrod Wallace

How long will Wayne Bennett wait until he unleashes Isaiya Katoa? (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC)

DRAGONS

Positional battle: Fullback

Analysis: Tyrell Sloan wanted out of the Dragons twice in the last 12 months but his differences with coach Anthony Griffin have been settled, for now, despite falling out of favour and behind Cody Ramsey and Moses Mbye in the fullback stakes. Ramsey’s pre-season has been hampered by illness (ulcerative colitis), leaving Sloan in the box seat to get the No. 1 jumper for St George Illawarra’s season opener against the Titans. A confident Sloan, knowing he has the backing of his coach, is sure to provide some much needed spark with his speed and skill to a Dragons’ attack that only averaged 19 points per game in 2022.

Best 17

1. Tyrell Sloan

2. Mikaele Ravalawa

3. Moses Suli

4. Zac Lomax

5. Mat Feagai

6. Jayden Sullivan

7. Ben Hunt

8. Zane Musgrove

9. Jacob Liddle

10. Blake Lawrie

11. Jack Bird

12. Jaydn Su’A

13. Jack de Belin

14. Moses Mbye

15. Aaron Woods

16. Tyrell Fuimaono

17. Francis Molo

Dragons: Tyrell Sloan v Cody Ramsey.

EELS

Positional battle: Lock/second row

Analysis: The departure of Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Niukore has left two massive holes, and it is up to new recruits J’maine Hopgood and Jack Murchie to fill them. Hopgood in particular is ready to own the starting lock spot with Ryan Matterson on the edge and Wests Tigers’ target Nathan Brown on the bench. The only reason the 23-year-old former Panther has so far been limited to nine NRL games is because he’s been stuck behind the best No. 13 in the business in Isaah Yeo. He could emerge one of the buys of the year.

Best 17

1. Clint Gutherson

2. Maika Sivo

3. Will Penisini

4. Bailey Simonsson

5. Waqa Blake

6. Dylan Brown

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

9. Josh Hodgson

10. Junior Paulo

11. Shaun Lane

12. Ryan Matterson

13. J’maine Hopgood

14. Jake Arthur

15. Nathan Brown

16. Jack Murchie

17. Makahesi Makatoa

New recruit J'maine Hopgood was named Man of the Match after Penrith’s win over Norths Devils in the 2022 State Championship match.

KNIGHTS

Positional battle: Fullback

Analysis: The old saying is you don’t weaken a strength to strengthen a weakness, but that is exactly what the Knights will do by moving Kalyn Ponga into five-eighth, especially if they don’t end up securing Shark Lachlan Miller. At this point Cronulla is holding its ground by not releasing him, although the Knights remain confident the deal will eventually get done. But if they miss out on Miller it will present a huge worry heading into the New Year with Dane Gagai then left as the most likely option at fullback, and young Kystian Mapapalangi moving into the centres.

Best 17

1. Dane Gagai

2. Enari Tuala

3. Krystian Mapapalangi

4. Bradman Best

5. Dominic Young

6. Kalyn Ponga

7. Jackson Hastings

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Jayden Brailey

10. Daniel Saifiti

11. Tyson Frizell

12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon

13. Adam Elliott

14. Tyson Gamble

15. Leo Thompson

16. Jack Hetherington

17. Brodie Jones

Dane Gagai is shaping as the likely fullback option for the Knights. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

PANTHERS

Positional battle: Back-row

Analysis: Viliame Kikau’s left edge spot is former Wests Tigers second rower Luke Garner’s to lose. Garner knows replacing the Belmore-bound Fijian powerhouse won’t be an easy feat, but after being shuffled between the backrow, centre and used from the bench the 27-year old will get a shot at cementing a place on the edge. He’ll face competition in the pre-season from former Brisbane forward Zac Hosking, who played four NRL games last year, and Preston Riki. But NSW Cup backrower Riki had his contract downgraded to a train-and-trail over the summer and realistically is more of a depth option than a round-one starter.

Best 17

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Brian To’o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Izack Tago

5. Taylan May

6. Jarome Luai

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Moses Leota

9. Mitch Kenny

10. James Fisher-Harris

11. Luke Garner

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo

14. Soni Luke

15. Scott Sorensen

16. Spencer Leniu

17. Tyrone Peachey

Luke Garner playing for the PM's XIII in 2022. Picture: NRL Imagery

RAIDERS

Positional battle: Lock

Analysis: This is a tricky one for Ricky Stuart with no out-and-out lock options, at least by modern standards. Corey Horsburgh has an offload but isn’t a natural ball-player, while Corey Harawira-Naera’s defence can fall by the wayside. Trey Mooney is in the frame for the No. 13 spot but has a skill set suited to a prop. There is also former Penrith junior Hohepa Puru, an agile ball-playing lock who is sturdy in defence. But the former Panthers‘ Jersey Flegg captain, and man of the match in last year’s grand final win, is on a train-and-trial deal and won’t factor until the back end of the season.

Best 17

1. Xavier Savage

2. Nick Cotric

3. Matthew Tomoko

4. Sebastian Kris

5. Jordan Rapana

6. Jack Wighton

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Josh Papalii

9. Tom Starling

10. Joseph Tapine

11. Hudson Young

12. Elliot Whitehead

13. Corey Horsburgh

14. Zach Woolford

15. Corey Harawira-Naera

16. Emre Guler

17. Pasami Saulo

Corey Horsburgh is not a natural lock. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

ROOSTERS

Positional battle: Five-eighth

Analysis: How does Trent Robinson not play Joey Manu at five-eighth? Yes, Luke Keary is a hell of a footballer, a three-time premiership winner and Clive Churchill Medallist. But you just can’t ignore Manu’s form playing fullback and five-eighth at the World Cup showed why the Roosters are doing themselves a disservice if they don’t move him closer to the action permanently. Whether that means Keary or Sam Walker plays in the No. 7 jumper in 2023, that’s another debate entirely. But the reigning Golden Boot winner has surely earned the right to dictate where he plays. And if it is not fullback because of James Tedesco, it has to be in the halves.

Best 17

1. James Tedesco

2. Daniel Tupou

3. Joseph Suaalii

4. Joey Manu

5. Jaxson Paulo

6. Luke Keary

7. Sam Walker

8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

9. Brandon Smith

10. Matt Lodge

11. Angus Crichton

12. Nat Butcher

13. Victor Radley

14. Jake Turpin

15. Egan Butcher

16. Lindsay Collins

17. Connor Watson

Joseph Manu loves being close to the action. Picture: NRL Photos

SHARKS

Positional battle: Fullback

Analysis: The emergence of former rugby sevens star Lachlan Miller and rookie Kade Dykes has cast doubt over Will Kennedy’s job security at the back. Miller backed up his 294 metres on debut with 10 tackle busts at 197 metres when recalled in round 23 at the back end of the season. Unlike Kennedy and Miller, Dykes is signed until the end of 2024 and is also a genuine option in the back. The question for Craig Fitzgibbon is how soon does he pull the trigger on Dykes? Kennedy struggled to reach the heights of his impressive 2021 campaign. But his experience will earn him a Round 1 place.

Best 17

1. Will Kennedy

2. Sione Katoa

3. Jesse Ramien

4. Siosifa Talakai

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Matt Moylan

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Toby Rudolph

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Royce Hunt

11. Briton Nikora

12. Wade Graham

13. Dale Finucane

14. Teig Wilton

15. Cameron McInnes

16. Braden Hamlin-Uele

17. Oregon Kaufusi

Will Kennedy is under mounting pressure to keep his spot. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

STORM

Positional battle: Back-row

Analysis: Newcomers Tariq Sims and Eliesa Katoa, along with Trent Loiero, will battle it out for the back-row spots vacated by Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi. Katoa has a point to prove but won’t be given a walk-up start. Sims’ state and international experience will give him an edge over Katoa, while Loiero continued his development, from the bench, with 17 games last season. The 21-year-old is shaping as a mainstay in the Storm’s pack as a starting backrower. Rookie Jack Howarth and Super League recruit Joe Chan are worthy contenders but won’t usurp Sims, Katoa or Loiero in the opening rounds.

Best 17

1. Ryan Papenhuyzen

2. Nick Meaney

3. Reimis Smith

4. Justin Olam

5. Xavier Coates

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

9. Harry Grant

10. Christian Welch

11. Tariq Sims

12. Trent Loiero

13. Josh King

14. Tyran Wishart

15. Tepai Moeroa

16. Tui Kamikamica

17. Eliesa Katoa

Trent Loiero is a development project for the Storm. Picture: Hamish Blair

TIGERS

Positional battle: Fullback

Analysis: The big question here is whether Tim Sheens will stick with Daine Laurie in the No. 1 jumper, or give former Panther Charlie Staines first shot at fullback, and shift the incumbent custodian to the bench utility role? Given the Tigers finished with the wooden spoon, Sheens is entitled to make some changes if he thinks it can spark them into action. But with Laurie off contract at the end of 2023, it will also be interesting to see how this plays out. It’s hard to imagine how he could go from starting fullback to a bench utility and be happy about it.

Best 17

1. Charlie Staines

2. David Nofoaluma

3. Starford To’a

4. Brent Naden

5. Ken Maumalo

6. Adam Doueihi

7. Luke Brooks

8. David Klemmer

9. Api Koroisau

10. Alex Twal

11. John Bateman

12. Isaiah Papali’i

13. Joe Ofahengaue

14. Daine Laurie

15. Fonua Pole

16. Shawn Blore

17. Stefano Utoikamanu

Daine Laurie could be set for a positional change. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

TITANS

Positional battle: Fullback/five-eighth

Analysis: Kieran Foran’s experience is going to be a huge boost for the Titans, but it has still caused a major headache in respect to who should be his halves partner. Does Justin Holbrook play AJ Brimson at five-eighth and Jayden Campbell at fullback, like most expect will happen? Or would it be safer – and better for the team – if Brimson moved back to fullback for now, allowing either Tanah Boyd or Toby Sexton to be educated alongside Foran? Young Tom Weaver is the other young half rated a tremendous talent. But as promising as young Campbell also is, he is not in the same league as Brimson at this stage. And there is no doubt Brimson is a better fullback than he is a five-eighth. Tough decisions are coming.

Best 17

1. AJ Brimson

2. Phillip Sami

3. Brian Kelly

4. Aaron Schoupp

5. Jojo Fifita

6. Kieran Foran

7. Toby Sexton

8. Moeaki Fotuaika

9. Sam Verrills

10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

11. David Fifita

12. Beau Fermor

13. Isaac Liu

14. Tanah Boyd

15. Joe Stimson

16. Jaimin Joliffe

17. Erin Clark

Jayden Campbell may be the big loser from the arrival of Kieran Foran. Picture: NRL Photos

WARRIORS

Position battle: Centre

Analysis: New coach Andrew Webster has plenty of options at centre but the club’s commitment to rising star Viliami Vailea has him locked in to start the season. The rookie proved a potent weapon in attack with seven tries from 10 games. Rocco Berry and Adam Pompey are vying for the second spot, but with the latter having 19 games at centre in 2022, Pompey will get the nod. Marcelo Montoya finished the season at centre and is a viable option there if Webster prefers Edward Kosi on the wing.

Best 17

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

3. Viliami Vailea

4. Adam Pompey

5. Marcelo Montoya

6. Luke Metcalf

7. Shaun Johnson

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Wayde Egan

10. Tohu Harris

11. Marata Niukore

12. Mitch Barnett

13. Josh Curran

14. Dylan Walker

15. Jazz Tevaga

16. Bunty Afoa

17. Jackson Ford

Originally published as NRL 2023: Key position battles and best 17 at every club