It is that time of the year which means every man and their dog are putting together their best guesses – we mean ‘predictions’ – for season 2023.
Curtis Woodward is no different so check out his preview for the new season starting with who he thinks will finish in the middle of the pack and just miss the finals.
13TH
SEA EAGLES
The first thing your writer wants to point out is that this should be the tightest run to the finals from the middle pack since the inception of the National Rugby League in 1998 so 13th doesn’t reflect how hard Manly try in 2023.
There are some issues for Manly to start the year – such as the ongoing health of Tom Trbojevic, is Josh Schuster a legitimate long-term partner to Daly Cherry-Evans? Is Anthony Seibold the right choice as coach for a very insular Peninsula.
Big Story #1
Anthony Seibold doesn’t last the year.
Big Story #2
Major question marks about cap space taken up by Tommy Turbo and his old warhorse brother, Jake.
Player to Watch #1
Kelma Tuilagi
Player to Watch #2
Haumole Ola’kauatu
12th
WARRIORS
There’s a little part of all us that wants to see the Warriors succeed long before their struggles during COVID even took place.
It’s been a hard slog for the club but at least the players are home and they have a new coach that understands the barriers ahead of them.
Better still – there will be wins for the team along the way.
Big Story #1
Massive crowds bring rugby league back to New Zealand.
Big Story #2
Inconsistency on the road plagues their year.
Player to Watch #1
Mitch Barnett
Player to Watch #2
Marata Niukore
11th
BULLDOGS
Canterbury has come along way as a club and everything is in place for them to bring some glory back to the club but not sure it’s 2023.
There was plenty of hype about Josh Addo-Carr and Josh Burton joining last season and there’s even more this season with the additions they’ve made but it takes a while to become a legitimate powerhouse.
The halfback position is still a headache.
Give it another 12 months.
Big Story #1
Bulldogs competitive until Origin period but make a slide late in the season.
Big Story #2
Can Cameron Ciraldo keep Phil Gould off his back?
Player to Watch #1
Matt Burton
Player to Watch #2
Reed Mahoney
10th
WESTS TIGERS
Just can’t see how a brains trust of Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah can’t improve this team considering the players they have brought in.
John Bateman’s recruitment is a worry but let’s see how that plays out.
In a positive, the additions of Api Koroisau, Dave Klemmer and Isiaah Papali’i are huge.
If Adam Douiehi stays fit – they’ll win plenty of games.
Big Story #1
John Bateman’s health.
Big Story #2
If Wests Tigers start losing some games – who takes the blame?
Player to Watch #1
Stefano Utoikamanu
Player to Watch #2
Api Koroisau
9TH
BRONCOS
Love to be wrong but not convinced on the Broncos or if they are over their issues from last season. These guy choked so badly last year that you can’t pencil them in until they actually do it.
The other question mark is over Adam Reynolds and how much footy he plays.
Big Story #1
Pressure builds on Kevin Walters again.
Big Story #2
Is Payne Haas worth the money?
Player to Watch #1
Reece Walsh
Player to Watch #2
Kotoni Staggs
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