2024 NRL Big Questions

2024 NRL Big Questions

Oscar Pannifex

Another season means another host of big questions for each NRL club heading into the new year.

Every roster has room for improvement or positions up for grabs, and how these elements are managed can often make or break a premiership campaign.

We’ll revisit these Big Questions at the end of the regular season and see if we can pinpoint where it all went right (or wrong) for each club.

1. Penrith Panthers

After securing an historic three-peat in 2023 the Penrith Panthers are the undisputed kings of the modern era.

How they maintain the rage across another gruelling 30-week NRL campaign would usually be the next question, but Ivan Cleary’s men have shown no signs of fatigue throughout their recent era of dominance.

What changes they make to what is already the best drilled team in the NRL is what I’m interested in.

Do they start planning for life without Jarome Luai? Does Mitch Kenny take on more of a role in the attack? Do we see more of Nathan Cleary’s running game?

The Panthers have evolved steadily since season 2021 and we can expect them to do so again.

2. Brisbane Broncos

This one writes itself; how do the Broncos navigate the losses of Tom Flegler, Kurt Capewell and Herbie Farnworth?

All three (four if you include Keenan Palasia) were key contributors to Brisbane’s 2023 campaign and some of their best in the Grand Final.

The Broncos have better depth than most rival NRL clubs but replacing these four is easier said than done.

What changes Kevvie Walters makes to the Broncos systems – especially down that left edge – with the new faces coming in could define their season.

3. Melbourne Storm

Craig Bellamy’s final year at the helm should inspire a response following Melbourne’s disappointing 2023 campaign.

Disappointing is a relative term – a third placed finish is a pass mark for most clubs – but the Storm will expect improvements this year.

Do they have the depth in this roster to make those improvements though?

Both the forward pack and first-choice backline are only an injury or two away from looking very skinny.

At full strength they’re a genuine premiership threat but injuries will always be a factor in the NRL…

4. New Zealand Warriors

As someone very keen on the Wahs in 2024 I still need to ask the question; was last year a flash in the pan or a turning of the corner moment for the proud New Zealand based club?

Everything about the Warriors impressed last season.

Playing behind the third-best defence in the NRL, Shaun Johnson and Wayde Egan spearheaded an expansive and silky attack that should only improve this season.

With arguably the best roster depth in the competition this time around, everything profiles nicely for the Warriors again in 2024… can they make the most of it?

5. Newcastle Knights

Newcastle found an unlikely winning formula last year with Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings consistently putting Kalyn Ponga into positive involvements across the park.

Despite achieving an impressive fifth-placed finish however, that spine is under pressure in 2024 with Jayden Brailey (when fit) and Jack Cogger genuine options in key playmaking positions.

Newcastle’s ceiling is higher on paper with both Brailey and Cogger in the spine but that doesn’t always translate onto the field.

How the Knights share ballplaying duties around Ponga is my question for this season.

6. Cronulla Sharks

I’m really excited to see Braydon Trindall in the NRL full time this year.

He’s been a favourite of mine since his debut way back in 2020 and gets his chance in the No.6 jumper this season alongside Nicho Hynes.

Trindall is a triple threat (run, pass, kick) to the defence and can take some pressure off Hynes as Cronulla’s primary playmaker.

He looks comfortable switching between first or second-receiver too; a crucial role Matt Moylan played in releasing Hynes on both edges.

If Trindall kicks on, he could be the missing piece to Cronulla’s finals ambitions. That’s my question for the Sharks in season 2024.

7. Sydney Roosters

Following a disastrous 2023 campaign, there are a few questions for the Roosters coming into this season.

Their current spine is stacked with guys who like to play on the ball and who struggled to share the load at times last season.

Can they finally find the right balance in attack between Keary, Walker, Tedesco, Smith and Radley?

And with a forward pack and backline crowded with options, can Easts build some continuity and cohesion on the park this season?

Despite all these questions, most footy fans agree on one thing; if Trent Robinson can get all these moving parts working together the Roosters will be a genuine premiership threat this year.

8. Canberra Raiders

Ricky Stuart is expected to usher in a new era of young stars in Canberra this year, so the big question naturally revolves around their progression.

Kaeo Weekes, Ethan Strange, Chevy Stewart and Xavier Savage are among the names tipped to feature in first-grade at different stages this year.

How they handle the step up to NRL level will have a big influence on Canberra’s season.

9. South Sydney Rabbitohs

Are my beloved Bunnies pretenders or contenders in 2024?

It has to be asked given the way South Sydney fell off a cliff last year (and the way they kicked off this season in Las Vegas).

Souths are better placed to handle injuries this time around and we know there are points in that backline.

It’s how their pack holds up through the middle and how well they defend their own line that will define the Rabbitohs 2024 campaign.

10. Parramatta Eels

Parramatta will expect to play themselves back into finals form this season there are questions around the makeup of this roster.

There are breakout candidates in the forward pack and along the backline – J’maine Hopgood and Will Penisini were those guys last year- but we’re still waiting to see who will announce themselves in this Eels squad and support a top-heavy squad.

I’m asking who can step up for the Eels in 2024 and be that point of difference this season.

11. North Queensland Cowboys

Is there a changing of the guard happening in North Queensland this season?

The appointment of two new co-captains certainly suggests so, and I’m not ruling out a few more changes from Todd Payten in 2024.

The Cowboys roster is deep in key positions and there will be pressure on senior players to perform given the quality waiting in the reserves…

12. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

I love the makeup of the Sea Eagles squad this year.

There are signs that Anthony Seibold is moving Manly away from ‘Turbo Ball’ and balancing out an expansive, attacking roster.

Luke Brooks is a wonderful acquisition on the left edge and the development of Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolutau Koula will continue to give Manly different options on both sides of the field.

Assuming he stays healthy, how Tom Trbojevic fits into this new-look Manly attack is my question for 2024.

13. The Dolphins

After a promising debut season, expectations are higher for The Dolphins in 2024. How high we should realistically set those expectations is my question.

Wayne Bennett has assembled an impressive roster for his second year in charge but I’m not sure we know where their ceiling is just yet.

With combinations still gelling, we won’t see the best of the Phins until later in the year… what their best looks like is still unknown.

14. Gold Coast Titans

It’s a similar theme for the Titans as it is for the Dragons and Tigers below; just how much does Des Hasler improve this Gold Coast side?

It’s still early days but Hasler has inherited a roster stacked with potential.

There are moving parts to tinker with – AJ Brimson to the centres will be a story worth following – but there’s a lot to like about the Gold Coast… even if it doesn’t all come together for them in season 2024.

15. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

No club has undergone a more significant roster overhaul than the Bulldogs have in recent years.

Cameron Ciraldo has a lot of new puzzle pieces to fit together this season and there are questions over just about every position from 1-17.

The makeup of Canterbury’s spine will be key. It will dictate how they plan to use the ball and how they get the most out of their strike or creative players.

There are genuine options for Ciraldo to consider as he searches for the best version of this Bulldogs attack, but he needs to find it soon.

What that looks like (and how long until we see it) is my question.

16. St George-Illawarra Dragons

Shane Flanagan is expected to help St George rise up the NRL ladder but it’s not an easy climb.

Questions will accompany several big changes at the Dragons over the summer – Jack Bird to the centres, Kyle Flanagan to five-eighth, Zac Lomax to wing/fullback, the signing of Luciano Leilua – and we’ll quickly learn how these changes translate onto the field.

Flanagan feels like a good fit as coach of this squad and St George don’t need to play finals footy right away to confirm this.

My question for the Dragons therefore is how quickly they can start trending in the right direction.

17. Wests Tigers

Benji Marshall will roll out a new-look halves pairing this year in an attempt to improve the worst offence in the NRL from last season.

On paper, Aiden Sezer and Bud Sullivan are a nice fit but the challenge will be turning that potential into quality performances.

I’m expecting a few different looks from the Tigers attack in season 2024 and am interested to see how Api Koroisau and Jahream Bula in particular are involved.

There’s a winning formula in here somewhere if Benji can find it… what that looks like is my question.

 

 

What are the Big Questions you have at your club this NRL season? Let us know in the comments!

Written by Oscar Pannifex | rugbyleaguewriters.com