We’re officially two-thirds of the way through the 2023 NRL regular season which means we’re back for the second time with our tri-annual power rankings.
I put my South Sydney Rabbitohs at the top of the list after nine rounds played but we’ve seen a bit of movement on the premiership ladder since then. There’s still some competition for a spot in the top eight but with every week that passes, it feels more and more like our finalists may have already been decided.
As always, this list is only my opinion and I’m sure every fan has an argument for their club to be ranked higher… or lower.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
1) Penrith Panthers
The back-to-back premiers continue to go from strength to strength.
They have had a blessed run with injuries over the past two seasons but have proven their depth to successfully navigate the absence of James Fisher-Harris, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Taylan May at times this season.
Regardless of the personnel available, Penrith’s systems continue to hold up. They play a high-percentage, patient and confident brand of football in attack, and back it up with an historically-good defence.
As much as it hurts to admit it, they’re once again the team to beat in 2023.
2) Melbourne Storm
It’s been an uncharacteristically inconsistent season for Craig Bellamy’s men, but they’ve shown enough when asked to be considered heavyweights again this year.
They’ve overcome a huge turnover in the forward pack but seem to have found their feet in recent weeks. Players like Josh King, Trent Loiero and Tariq Sims have found a role in this side to provide a platform for one of the best spines in the NRL.
They mightn’t be the ultra-consistent Storm of old, but they can still beat just about anyone on their day.
3) Brisbane Broncos
It felt like the wheels were falling off again last week when Reece Walsh, Tom Flegler and Jordan Riki were all sidelined, but the Broncos pulled it together against The Dolphins in Round 18.
Payne Haas is the latest injury concern for Kevvie Walters to manage, but if they can get through the next nine rounds and into the finals series, they’ll be a force to reckon with.
Adam Reynolds is playing career football and has an embarrassment of riches to play to in attack. Every single player in this backline is capable of winning a game on their own – just like Selwyn Cobbo did in Round 18.
4) Parramatta Eels
The Eels endured a slow start to the season – so much so that many ruled them out of finals contention early on. We were confident at RLWriters though that the Eels would come good, and they have.
Their defence has improved each week to complement what is currently the best attack in the NRL. Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson are in career form and have impressed to overcome the absence of Dylan Brown in the last few weeks.
The Eels have good depth in the forwards and have found a style that works for them, getting the most out of their strike edge forwards and playing to their strengths through the middle third.
5) South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney dropped off a cliff in Round 12, conceding 30+ points per game after playing with the second best defence in the NRL over the opening 11 rounds.
Injuries played their part in this decline – Jai Arrow, Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Tom Burgess and Keaon Koloamatangi have all missed considerable game time this year – but they were back to their best against the Warriors in Round 18.
If they can rediscover their defensive form, the Bunnies will come close to a Top Four berth thanks to a friendly upcoming draw.
6) North Queensland Cowboys
What a resurgence from the Cowboys. State of Origin has kickstarted their 2023 campaign with Tom Dearden, Valentine Holmes and Jeremiah Nanai all going to another level since spending time in the Maroons camp.
All the hallmarks of their successful ’22 season are back on show – kick pressure and chase, linespeed, completions and dominance in yardage.
It’s not an easy path into the Top Eight from here but they’re every chance of playing finals footy on current form.
A Round 21 fixture with Parramatta could have a serious impact on both club’s finals prospects.
7) Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders have quietly climbed their way into fifth spot on the premiership ladder courtesy of nine wins and two byes over the last 13 weeks.
Their attack is still middling but the Raiders gritty, grinding approach to their football is keeping them in contests every week. There’s no real standout player in Canberra’s squad this year. Instead, everyone is doing their job and sticking to their systems.
They never make it easy for their opposition and are forming a habit of winning tight contests – Canberra have won their last nine games by an average of just four points.
As the saying goes, the good teams find a way to win.
8) Cronulla Sharks
Their attack is up there with the best in the competition but Cronulla’s defensive resolve and resilience is still the question.
Nicho Hynes is central to that. He’s in just his second year as an NRL halfback and is still developing as a game manager and general play kicker.
The Sharks consistently make light work of lesser teams but their record against Top Eight calibre opposition is still wanting.
There’s no question they’ve got the ability, but winning tight, low scoring games against top opposition is the next challenge for Craig Fitzgibbon’s men.
9) New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors have been one of the more enjoyable sides to watch this season. Andew Webster has immediately improved what has always been a quality side, albeit an inconsistent one.
Their resilience under pressure has impressed to currently rank as the third best defensive team in the competition.
In attack, the Warriors are playing to their strengths. Tohu Harris and Shaun Johnson are combining effectively to move the ball across the park and into areas for their strike players to have positive involvements.
If they can stay fit and continue on their current trajectory, I’m tipping the Wahs to feature in this year’s finals series.
10) Gold Coast Titans
Brilliant at their best and woeful at their worst, the inconsistencies have continued for the Titans in 2023.
Kieran Foran and David Fifita have been a shining light for the Gold Coast so far. Fifita is finally fulfilling his potential and the variety in which he is impacting games is pleasing. He’s become a genuine pass option on that left edge, helping Alofiana Khan-Pereira to 15 tries from 14 games in his debut season.
Losing Sam Verrills to begin the year might end up the difference between the Gold Coast playing finals or not. He’s a classy dummy-half and is getting the best out of this Titans pack since returning from injury in Round 14.
11) The Dolphins
Despite a miracle start to life in the NRL, The Dolphins have slowly come back to the pack as injuries, suspensions and fatigue take their toll.
Wayne Bennett is still working hard to instil key qualities into this football side, but a lack of quality personnel has hamstrung them at times this season.
Jeremy Marshall-King’s latest injury will hurt. He’s been a revelation at dummy-half and The Dolphins don’t have the cattle to replace him.
It can still be considered a successful debut season without a finals appearance, however. Players like Isaiya Katoa, Valynce Te Whare, Connelly Lemuelu and Ray Stone will all be better for the experience and can put the club in a positive position to begin their 2024 campaign.
12) Sydney Roosters
I’ve held on for the best part of 18 weeks but now is the time to let go.
The Roosters are showing signs of improvement and are trending in the right direction, but time has run out for Trent Robinson’s troops.
Their defensive resolve in Round 18 deserved a win but with the game in the balance and a fresh set on Manly’s line, the Roosters failed to fire a genuine shot.
Injuries have decimated their squad at times this season but there has still been enough quality in this roster to win more games than they have.
The challenge now is to finish the year with a winning formula and set themselves up for season 2024.
13) Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Tom Trbojevic’s horrid run with injuries continued this season and it unfortunately spelled the end of Manly’s finals prospects. The talismanic fullback is so important to his team’s success and even some career form from Daly Cherry-Evans hasn’t been enough to overcome Trbojevic’s absence.
They’ve made moves in the transfer market and seem to be building towards next season already. A transition into the forwards for Josh Schuster seems likely and can be a positive one for the talented 22-year old.
The bones of a finals calibre side are here for Anthony Seibold to work with but unfortunately too much still hinges on the fitness and form of Tommy Turbo.
14) Newcastle Knights
I labelled them a gritty, effort-based team earlier in the season and the same holds true after 18 rounds played.
The Knights perform fairly in most key stats areas but have lacked class in key positions at times this year. Phoenix Crossland, for example, has done a tremendous job filling in at hooker but he’s no Jayden Brailey.
Jackson Hastings has proven a wonderful buy for the club. His direction and game management is elite and he’s been a big part of Bradman Best’s revival this season.
Between Hastings and Kalyn Ponga the Knights have enough strike to beat half the competition, but with a 1-and-7 record against current Top Eight sides, they’ve still got a ways to go.
15) St George-Illawarra Dragons
A disaster season for the Dragons that has gone from bad to worse.
Anthony Griffin was a ticking time bomb and St George haven’t improved since moving their head coach along. The circus that has surrounded Ben Hunt ever since has crippled the club further and left them treading water with nine rounds remaining.
With an eye to the future, there are positives to come from the likes of Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan spending extended time in first-grade this season.
They will be better for the run in 2024 when Shane Flanagan takes over but it’s going to be a long, slow slog until then.
16) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
It feels like the Bulldogs have gone backwards this year but it’s not all disastrous if you dig a little deeper.
Viliame Kikau, Luke Thompson, Tevita Pangai Jnr and Raymond Faitala-Mariner – all starting forwards in Canterbury’s first choice 17 – have missed considerable game time this year. You take out four-fifths of any team’s starting pack and they’re going to feel the loss.
The individual form of Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton has suffered as a result, but they’re just trying too hard in an undermanned team.
I’m not prepared to judge Cameron Ciraldo on this season alone. We need to see what he can do with a full-strength side before we decide on his coaching credentials.
17) Wests Tigers
Unfortunately for the Tigers, another wooden spoon appears to be waiting for them in Round 27.
Apisai Koroisau, Adam Doueihi and Luke Brooks were all big losses, but the Tigers didn’t show enough with them on the field then to suggest they’d be making a difference, now.
Their defensive resilience is non-existent and hasn’t been helped by a revolving door policy in the backline. The Tigers have failed to develop combinations and cohesions across the park, resulting in a few blow-out scorelines already this season.
The emergence of Jahream Bula is a shining light in a dark season. Between he, Fonua Pole and Junior Tupou, the Tigers have some next-gen talent to build around in season 2024.
Where do you think your club deserves to be ranked and who have you got making the finals this year?
Let us know in the comments!
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Written by Oscar Pannifex | rugbyleaguewriters.com