BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

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 bottom four this year.

17th
KNIGHTS

Something is just not sitting right up there in Newcastle at the moment and the Knights didn’t win any one over with their performance against Parramatta last weekend – going down to the Eels in Gosford 36-14.

The only man under more pressure than Kalyn Ponga up in the Hunter this season is their coach Adam O’Brien so it was surprising to see Ponga rested so early in their final hit out before the season proper. You would have thought O’Brien would be desperate to give Ponga and new recruit Jackson Hastings as much time together on the field as possible.

To add insult to injury, boom youngster Dominic Young has already confirmed he is leaving the Knights for the Sydney Roosters in 2024.

Big Story #1
Adam O’Brien is replaced by assistant and former English Super League coach Brian McDermott.

Big Story #2
Kalyn Ponga on the nose with Knights fans after another disappointing season.

Player to Watch #1
Bradman Best

Player to Watch #2
Jackson Hastings

16th
DOLPHINS

Their first season in the NRL was always going to be their toughest – especially given how little time they had to recruit players for their squad. The Dolphins have a really honest pack with some grizzled veterans that will keep them in games but their depth will be stretched and they will battle through a couple of losing streaks.

The Dolphins’ greatest weapon is their coach Wayne Bennett who will be at his best in front of the media as he defends his players and the club because let’s face it – there will be some tough times but they’ll be better for it and it will only make the club stronger in the coming seasons.

Big Story #1
Signing rumours and whispers as the Dolphins build their squad for next 24 months.

Big Story #2
Wayne Bennett versus the media.

Player to Watch #1
Isaiya Katoa

Player to Watch #2
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

15th
DRAGONS

Just this week on The Red V podcast, yours truly was trying to find some positives to come out of St George Illawarra’s horror off season which has seen rising star Talatau Amone banished from the NRL as he awaits a trial date for reportedly assaulting someone with a hammer over the summer, a serious illness to Cody Ramsey that saw him hospitalised, losses to St Helens and South Sydney and a 6am cat fight between teammates Zane Musgrove and Mikaele Ravalawa in Mudgee.

It appears things are going to get worse before they get better.

Big Story #1
After a bye in round one, the Dragons go 0-4 to start the season and sack coach Anthony Griffin.

Big Story #2
As the young Dragons go on a late-season winning run, club announces several big signings to bolster roster for 2024.

Player to Watch #1
Tyrell Sloan

Player to Watch #2
Jayden Sullivan

14th
RAIDERS

Most of the time trial form means absolutely nothing but there are some worrying signs for the Raiders and coach Ricky Stuart after the side lost both pre-season games at an aggregate of 70-22. Worse still is those games were against the lowly Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs with both those sides desperately trying to get out of the NRL’s cellar.

Canberra has a fairly soft start to the season, facing both the Knights and Dolphins in the opening month. In fact, they’ve probably got one of the softest draws across the board which will make finishing 14th even harder for fans to swallow.

Big Story #1
Jack Wighton to make switch into the forward pack at back end of the season.

Big Story #2
Ricky to smash his 1,000,000th plastic chair in 2023.

Player to Watch #1
Joseph Tapine

Player to Watch #2
Matthew Timoko

@woodward_curtis