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 and continues with the bottom four teams to slide into September footy!

8TH
TITANS

Your smokey for the 2023 finals.

Like their recruitment and the overall look of their squad.

They have brought in guys like Kieran Foran, Aaron Schoupp and Sam Verrills to bolster their side but their established stars like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and AJ Brimson are going to be even better too.

Round 1 approaching 👀 pic.twitter.com/9f6Lvx1Fzk

— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) February 27, 2023

Big Story #1
Can the sleeping giant David Fifita awaken from his slumber?

Big Story #2
If he doesn’t have a dig, how quickly can the Titans offload him?

Ready for more Fifita x 2 action? 🤌 pic.twitter.com/ty4BtRNIR1

— Gold Coast Titans (@GCTitans) February 25, 2023

Player to Watch #1
AJ Brimson

Player to Watch #2
Sam Verrills

7TH
STORM

The logjam we’ll see for spots 4-8 means some of the bigger clubs of recent times might find themselves sliding a little further down the table.

A hot new bombshell has entered the Storm villa 👀🤩 pic.twitter.com/8BdzEc7TOK

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 20, 2023

Nobody is writing the Storm off but they need Ryan Papenhuyzen back and firing to slide in alongside stars like Cam Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes.

Their overall squad depth looks a little weaker than usual too.

Big Story #1
Will 2023 finally be the year Craig Bellamy hangs up the clipboard?

Big Story #2
Nelson Asofa-Solomona quits rugby league to play for the Wallabies.

One week to kick off pic drop 📷🔥 pic.twitter.com/Adyh7X0CPn

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) February 23, 2023

Player to Watch #1
Cameron Munster

Player to Watch #2
Harry Grant

6TH
EELS

Don’t mind the look of Parramatta even with the losses to their squad but the Eels just don’t jump out at you when you run through their team list.

Feel the vibes 🙌 #PARRAdise pic.twitter.com/gWC70teJgw

— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) February 23, 2023

In saying that, Mitch Moses could have the season of his life and the Eels roar into the finals but as always… it’s Parramatta.

Until they win the big one they’ll always have detractors.

Brad Arthur believes Mitchell Moses is the man to lead the Eels to the premiership promised land, despite his contract saga now extending into the start of the NRL season. @samdjodan #9News pic.twitter.com/cuxM9nWVjI

— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) February 28, 2023

Big Story #1
Questions raised again about Brad Arthur’s ability to take Eels to the next level.

Big Story #2
Can 33-year-old recruit Josh Hodgson’s body hold up?

Player to Watch #1
Mitchell Moses

Player to Watch #2
Shaun Lane

5TH
COWBOYS

Flip of the coin between North Queensland and a couple of other clubs as to which one just misses out on a top four finish – that’s how close it will be.

Your team for 2023! pic.twitter.com/KgievbJinG

— NQ Cowboys (@nthqldcowboys) February 26, 2023

Todd Payten is a very astute young coach and will want his Cowboys to be better than they were in 2022.

Everything they worked for last season can’t be lost this year.

Big Story #1
Cowboys to finish with best home record of the season.

Big Story #2
North QLD legends and 2015 heroes James Tamou and Jake Granville to retire.

Sneaky 😏 pic.twitter.com/EtaW4s1iJ2

— NQ Cowboys (@nthqldcowboys) February 18, 2023

Player to Watch #1
Jeremiah Nanai

Player to Watch #2
Tom Dearden

@woodward_curtis