As it always does, the offseason felt like it went for an eternity… and that was with a World Cup tacked onto the end of 2022!
For the first time in the NRL’s history, 17 clubs will contest the 2023 Premiership season, as the Dolphins make their eagerly awaited debut.
Not a lot is expected of Queensland’s fourth club in their foundation campaign, but there is no doubt that they add plenty of intrigue to already thrilling competition.
Penrith are chasing a Premiership hat-trick and Wests will attempt to hand the wooden spoon off to a different club, but all 17 carry renewed hopes and prospects in Round 1, and we are set for another historic, adrenaline-fuelled NRL season.
The Dragons are on the bye this weekend, but I’ve run the rule over all 16 sides that are in action, and you can find my complete NRL Round 1 Tips below!
Eels:
- Ins: Josh Hodgson, J’maine Hopgood, Jirah Momoisea, Jack Murchie, Matt Doorey, Daejarn Asi
- Outs: Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’I, Oregon Kaufusi, Reed Mahoney, Ray Stone, Tom Opacic, Hayze Perham, David Hollis
Storm:
- Ins: Elisa Katoa, Tariq Sims, Joe Chan, Aaron Pene
- Outs: Felise Kaufusi, Brandon Smith, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, David Nofoaluma, Cooper Johns
An excellent start to the season, and both the Eels and Storm are expected to challenge for the top four in 2023.
Each of the last six matches between these two clubs in Sydney have gone under the total match points line, so that is the way that I am looking to tip this one!
Warriors:
- Ins: Marata Niukore, Luke Metcalf, Dylan Walker, Mitch Barnett, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Te Maire Msrtin, Jackson Ford, Brayden Wiliame
- Outs: Euan Aitken, Reece Walsh, Eliesa Katoa, Aaron Pene, Jack Murchie, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Taniela Otukolo, Otukinekina Kepu
Knights:
- Ins: Adam Elliott, Jack Hetherington, Tyson Gamble, Jackson Hastings, Greg Marzhew, Lachlan Miller
- Outs: Mitch Barnett, Edrick Lee, Jirah Momoisea, Tex Hoy, Anthony Milford, Sauaso Sue, Pasami Saulo, Jake Clifford, David Klemmer, Chris Randall, Max Bradbury
The Warriors have plenty of deserved home fixtures in 2023, and they begin their campaign against the Knights on Friday evening AEDT.
I’m expecting improvement from the Warriors this year and the Knights to battle for the spoon, and that is reflected in my betting selection.
Panthers:
- Ins: Luke Garner, Tyrone Peachey, Zac Hosking, Jack Cogger
- Outs: Api Koroisau, Viliame Kikau, Isaiya Katoa, Robert Jennings, J’maine Hopgood, Sea O’Sullivan, Charlie Staines, Christian Crichton
Broncos:
- Ins: Reece Walsh, Jesse Arthars, Jock Madden, Martin Taupau
- Outs: Brenko Lee, David Mead, Te Maire Martin, Ryan James, Tyson Gamble, Jake Turpin, Zack Hosking, Tesi Nii, Karl Oloapu, TC Robati
The two-time Premiers kick off their campaign at home and against the Broncos in Friday primetime, and I am intrigued to see how they respond to the loss of several key personnel.
The Broncos ended their 2022 campaign extremely poorly, and I think it will take them at least a few weeks to warm into it this time around.
Same Game Multi selections:
- Panthers (-12.5)
- Brian To’o First Try
- Total: $10.95 (at publish)
Sea Eagles:
- Ins: Kelma Tuilagi, Ben Condon, Cooper Johns, Nathaniel Roache
- Outs: Keiran Foran, Dylan Walker, Marty Taupau, Andrew Davey
Bulldogs:
- Ins: Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney, Ryan Sutton, Andrew Davey, Franklin Pele, Hayze Perhaps, Fa’amanu Brown, Josh Reynolds, Karl Oloapu
- Outs: Jack Hetherington, Jeremy Marshall-King, Paul Vaughan, Matt Dufty, Joe Stimson, Josh Jackson, Aaron Schoupp, Ava Seumanufagai, Corey Allan
An interesting clash sees the Sea Eagles take on the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs have bought really well, while the Sea Eagles boast arguably the best young talent pool in the NRL, and they looked decent in pre-season.
This is obviously a completely different kettle of fish, but I think that the bookies have got it just about right, and the Sea Eagles can sneak home.
Cowboys:
- Ins: Jack Gosiewski, James Tamou, Gehamat Shibasaki
- Outs: Connelly Lemuelu, Tom Gilbert, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Ben Condon
Raiders:
- Ins: Pasami Saulo, Danny Levi
- Outs: Josh Hodgson, Adam Elliott, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Ryan Sutton
The Cowboys truly were the surprise packets of the 2022 NRL season; tipped by many pundits to finish last, but were ultimately unlucky not to make a Grand Final!
They take on the Raiders in Round 1, who I am personally expecting to languish towards the bottom of the ladder all year.
With that in mind, this one looks pretty clear cut.
Sharks:
- Ins: Oregon Kaufusi, Max Bradbury, Daniel Atkinson
- Outs: Luke Metcalf, Andrew Fifita, Aiden Tolman, Lachlan Miller
Rabbitohs:
- Ins: None
- Outs: Mark Nicholls, Kodi Nikorima, Jaxson Paulo
This looms as one of, if not the standout match of Round 1, though it has been marred somewhat by the injury exclusion of Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes.
Interestingly, the Bunnies have added no-one new to their roster this year, and I actually think that is going to be to their benefit: strong, established combinations and a field-wide understanding.
I think they will get over the line in Round 1 but regardless of the result, this looks sure to be an arm-wrestle.
Dolphins:
- Ins: Entire Squad
- Outs: None
Roosters:
- Ins: Brandon Smith, Jake Turpin, Jaxson Paulo, Corey Allan
- Outs: Siosiua Taukeiaho, Dabuek Suluka-Fifita, Oliver Gildart, Sam Verrills, Renouf Atoni
It’s a sell-out, and the NRL community will be focused on Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the Dolphins’ debut!
Wayne Bennett has assembled an intriguing roster for the club’s foundation season, but if the futures markets are to be believed, they’re not expected to do a lot this year (Over/Under wins line for the season is currently 5.5).
The Roosters meanwhile are serious Premiership threats, and I think they’re every chance of putting on a cricket score.
Same Game Multi selections:
- Roosters (-18)
- Suaali’i Anytime Try
- Total: $3.48 (at publish)
Tigers:
- Ins: Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’I, Triston Reilly, David Nofoaluma back from loan, Charlie Staines, David Klemmer, John Bateman, Will Smith, Brandon Wakeham
- Outs: Luke Garner, Kelma Tuilagi, Zane Musgrove, Jock Madden, James Tamou, Jacob Liddle, Tyrone Peachey, Jackson Hastings
Titans:
- Ins: Keiran Foran, Sam Verrills, Joe Stimson, Aaron Schoupp, Chris Randal, Treymain Spry
- Outs: Jarrod Wallace, Jamayne Isaako, Corey Thompson, Herman Ese’ese, Same Lisone, Greg Marzhew, Paul Turner
Two clubs who I am expecting to improve noticeably this season are the Tigers and the Titans.
So much so, I was tossing up between which to include in my Top 8 on the Neds NRL Punting Podcast.
While both teams will need time to settle some good, new talent, this still looms as a very competitive game.
With the likes of Kieran Foran and Sam Verrills coming into the Titans set-up, I think that David Fifita is primed for a huge season, and he represents value to score a try at any time in Round 1.