CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTIONS
On the eve of the 2023 NRL season, our experts have cast their eyes over all the teams – and players – to determine who is going to have the biggest impact. And some of their assessments might surprise you!
PHIL ROTHFIELD
Manly to make the top four. They’ve been outstanding in the trials, even without Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic. This side has some of the best emerging youngsters in the game and new coach Anthony Seibold won’t be afraid to use them. They are also especially strong with their edge forwards, emerging star Haumole Olakau’atu and new signing Kelma Tuilagi.
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS
An NRL club reaches out to Michael Cheika. Fresh from his success at the World Cup with Lebanon, Cheika will come on the radar of at least one NRL club after he finishes his rugby commitments with Argentina.
BRENT READ
Billy Slater performed miracles last year with the Maroons. Another series win could spell the end for Brad Fittler, who is in the last year of his deal with the Blues. Even if Fittler does survive, don’t be surprised if the NSWRL reaches out to Craig Bellamy. There is every chance the Storm maestro stands down from Melbourne at the end of the year, meaning he will be freed to help the Blues. Bellamy has unfinished business in Origin.
PETER BADEL
Jason Taumalolo to play Origin for Queensland. The ARL Commission will bow to pressure and change eligibility rules that allow Poms and Kiwis to play State of Origin. New Zealand-born Tongan Taumalolo will look good in Maroon.
DAVID RICCIO
Adam O’Brien needed convincing that Kalyn Ponga should be moved from fullback to five-eighth. If the Knights are struggling to find their rhythm by mid-year, I won’t be shocked if Ponga is moved back to fullback.
PAUL CRAWLEY
Latrell Mitchell to inspire NSW to State of Origin victory, the Rabbitohs to historic NRL premiership, and top it off with the Dally M Medal. Now 25, Mitchell is in the prime of his career. We already know that on his day he is a one-man wrecking machine capable of tearing apart any opposition. But the time has come for him to back that freakish talent up with week-to-week consistency. If he does, there will be no stopping the Bunnies being No.1 this season.