NRL 2023 club-by-club preview & predictions – Part 2

In part two of our 2023 NRL season preview, we look at the teams that finished in the bottom half of the final eight: Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canberra Raiders.

ALSO: NRL 2023 CLUB-BY-CLUB PREVIEW – PART I

Melbourne Storm

One thing you can bet on with confidence is that the Melbourne Storm will start the season firing as coach Craig Bellamy is meticulous when it comes to preparing his side for battle.

And, if the Stormtroopers can repeat their blistering 2022 start of seven wins from their first eight games, they will put themselves in a strong position to challenge for a top-eight spot yet again.

A finals series without the Storm hasn’t happened for the past 12 seasons, so it would be ridiculous to write them off this season despite a host of player exits.

There’s no doubt, though, season 2023 will be a challenging year for Bellamy with the ongoing hamstring issues of star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who only recently returned from a rehab stint with reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles in Philadelphia.

Knowles had good success treating South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell for a chronic hamstring, and Papenhuyzen has reported excellent progress in the 10 days spent working out with him.

Melbourne have an incredible finals record having made the big dance for the past 12 seasons.

But there’s definitely a feeling number 13 could be unlucky for them after losing the Bromwich brothers, Jessie and Kenny, and Queensland Origin forward Felise Kaufusi, who have all been lured to the Dolphins.

Another long-term pack member, veteran Dale Finucane, has left to join the Sharks.

The biggest loss, though, could prove to be livewire utility Brandon Smith.

He has packed his bags and headed to Bondi Junction to play for the Sydney Roosters, leaving Bellamy to put together a new-look pack for the first time in several years.

Fortunately, the Storm have fended off approaches from rival clubs keen to get their hands on rampaging forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who will lead the Melbourne pack the only way he knows how – up the middle.

Bellamy has recruited experienced but fiery forward Tariq Sims, who will no doubt be under strict instructions to stay on the field more this season following a bad run of suspensions.

Bellamy has also signed talented young back-rower Eli Katoa, who many believe is destined for big things after he was released from his contract by the Warriors.

As we said, it would be foolhardy to dismiss Melbourne, given the quality players they still have in many key positions.

If Papenhuyzen’s US trip proves a success and he can shake off his hamstring troubles, and if Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster turn it on in the halves, it is safe to say teams will struggle to contain the Storm in attack.

And let’s not leave out gun hooker Harry Grant from the equation with his ability to break down defences out of dummy half.

Melbourne’s backline has a lot of points in it with Reimis Smith and Justin Olam in the centres and aerial expert Xavier Coates on the wing certain the be among the competition’s leading try-scorers.

Melbourne missed the leadership, drive and clean-up work of forward Christian Welch last season after he suffered a devastating Achilles injury in the very first game of 2022.

Welch is a natural leader who gets his hands dirty, does the one-percenters and takes the dirty hit-ups.

So, in summary, Melbourne still have the players to challenge for the finals in 2023, provided Papenhuyzen stays healthy and the new-look Storm pack rises to the challenge ahead.

Playing roster: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nick Meany, Reimis Smith, Justin Olam, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Harry Grant, Christian Welch, Eliea Katoa, Tariq Simms, Tui Kamikamica, Tyran Wishart, Dean Jeremia, Jack Howarth, Jayden Nikorima, Joe Chan, Jordan Grant, Marion Seve, Tepai Moeroa, Grant Anderson, Cole Geyer. Development players: Sualauvi Faalogo, Tristan Powell.

This is my table

Sydney Roosters

The Sydney Roosters are usually in everyone’s top eight and in many top-four predictions for a good reason – they have a great coach and a lot of high-quality players.

That won’t change this year – especially with the addition of former Storm terrier Brandon Smith, who will add a new dimension to the Roosters’ attack with his direct and aggressive running.

If Smith strikes a quick combination with Roosters No.7, Sam Walker and a few other players, it could pay big dividends.

The Roosters are stacked with talent, especially in attack with three of the game’s most potent ball-runners in fullback James Tedesco, winger Joseph Suaali’i and the player many regard as the best in the business, Joey Manu.

Tedesco was simply brilliant for Australia in the recent Rugby League World Cup, and you can expect ‘Teddy’ to be involved in everything again this season.

The NRL is stacked with incredible fullbacks, and for a time last year there were questions being asked if Tedesco was still the best number one in the game.

But consider these figures and the answer is a resounding ‘yes’.

Last season Tedesco ran almost 5,000 metres, averaging just over 215 metres per game – the second-best in the NRL.

He set a tackle-break record of 166 and finished with 13 tries (12 in his last 15 games), 12 try assists and 17 line-breaks.

Suaali’i wants Tedesco’s number one jumper, but for now, the exciting 19-year-old will have to bide his time on the wing, or maybe in the centres, until he gains more experience.

Manu has some freakish talents, and this could be the year he confirms his stature as a future great of the game.

Once again Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who turned 34 last month, will do the heavy lifting and play the enforcer/intimidator role he relishes for the Roosters.

‘The Beast’ carts a heavy judiciary rap sheet into 2023, but he’s an old dog who is unlikely to change his ways after 274 appearances for the Roosters since 2010.

He will get good backup from fellow starting prop Lindsay Collins, who is built from concrete and a genuine hard-man who fearlessly carries the ball into the defence.

With running back-rowers like Victor Radley and Angus Crichton, it is no wonder why the Roosters are so popular with tipsters.

You get the feeling coach Trent Robinson has been plotting towards another premiership for the Bondi mob, and given the development of some young players and the arrival of Smith, there’s every reason for Roosters fans to be optimistic about 2023.

Playing roster: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Paul Momirovski, Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalli, Luke Keary, Sam Walker, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Brandon Smith, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Nat Butcher, Victor Radley, Drew Hutchison, Terrell May, Egan Butcher, Fletcher Baker, Sitili Tupouniua Billy Smith, Corey Allan, Jaxon Paulo, Jake Turpin, Siua Wong, Naufau Whyte, Robert Toia, Tukupa Hau Taphua.

This is my table

South Sydney Rabbitohs

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will again rely heavily on their big three – Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, and Damian Cook – to orchestrate the Bunnies’ fortunes in 2023.

The trio provide the brains and brilliance behind a strong pack with Tom Burgess and Tevita Tatoa providing the muscle.

Souths have teased their fans for the past five years, finishing in a top-four spot three times since winning the premiership in 2014.

They have won more premierships, 21, than any other club in history, so playing finals football is in their DNA.

But just how they take the next step from top four to premiers is the big question facing Jason Demetriou in his second season at Redfern.

It goes without saying so much depends on Mitchell staying fit and challenging for the title of NRL’s best, but it is certainly not beyond him if he focuses totally on his football.

Few players can do what Mitchell can, whether it’s a no-look pass, a freakish flick pass, busting half a dozen tackles, or coming up with a huge play that lifts his teammates.

He doesn’t have to do it all, though, with Walker a magician at times when he sniffs half a chance and Cook, who when he gets his running game going changes the tempo of how Souths play.

When Cook is running, which he did so well last year, so are Souths.

Halfback Lachlan Ilias will have learned a lot from his debut season replacing Adam Reynolds, and he showed more than enough at times to suggest he will be a good foil for Walker.

Alex Johnston will ensure a lot of tries are scored down his side after defying the critics with another outstanding season in 2022 when he took his try tally to 166 – the most ever by a South Sydney player in the club’s history.

He missed a game last season but, with 30 tries, still led all-comers.

How Demetriou uses Cameron Murray will be interesting.

Murray’s speedy play-the-balls were a feature of Souths’ rolling style a few years ago, but last season he adopted more of a distributing role as a second five-eighth.

Hard-running Liam Knight (ACL ligament) is not expected back until mid-season, so some of the less-experienced forwards may get a few opportunities early.

Playing roster: Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston, Campbell Graham, Isaiah Tass, Izaac Thompson, Cody Walker, Lachlan Ilias, Tevita Tatola, Damien Cook, Tom Burgess, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jai Arrow, Cameron Murray, Blake Taffe, Silivia Havili Jacob Host, Davvy Moale, Ben Lovett, Daniel Saluka-Fifita, Dean Hawkins, Hame Sele, Jed Cartwright, Josiah Karapani, Jye Gray. Development players: Leon Te Hau, Michael Chee Kam, Peter Mamouzelos, Shaquai Mitchell, Taane Milne, Tallis Duncan, Terrell Kalo Kalo, Tyrone Munro.

This is my table

Canberra Raiders

What can Ricky’s Raiders give us this year?

At their best, they are a lethal side.

But, on the flip side, they often give teams a head start, and while they’ve pulled off some memorable comeback wins, they also can fall agonisingly short.

And what about the coach?

Will Ricky Stuart be able to control his emotions if things go sour at some stage of the season?

In many ways, and I apologise to Forrest Gump, Ricky and the Raiders are like a box of chocolates – you never know what you are going to get.

That’s not to say they can’t push, and even beat, some of the top sides; it just means you never know when they are going to turn it on.

Stuart has a few selection issues to solve following the departure of the club’s English international Josh Hodgson due to some personal issues and injuries.

Stuart is most likely to give flame-haired Zac Woolford a shot at starting hooker after he progressed from NSW Cup player to almost a regular with 17 games last season while Hodgson was out injured.

Stuart threw him into first grade in last year’s Magic Round and he played every game thereafter.

He did well with a 12-17 win record at 71 per cent.

No youngster at 26, Woolford formed a good relationship with halfback Jamal Fogarty and five-eighth Jack Wighton — two Raider players who will once again have a big bearing on the club’s 2023 season.

Wighton is one of the game’s most underrated players, so strong and with a great boot that can change a game.

He is a constant threat when sides get a little tired or lazy toward the end of each half.

Canberra don’t lack muscle with veteran Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine and Hudson Young in the middle.

Expect Corey Horsburgh to push for a place in the starting line-up along with Adam Elliott and Pasami Paulo, a Stuart recruit from Newcastle who he rates highly.

Long-serving Raider Jarrod Croker has a battle on his hands to lock down a centre position ahead of Matt Timoko and Seb Kris.

Xavier Savage has locked down the fullback job, while Nic Cotric and Jordan Rapana pick themselves on the wings.

Croker had a tough season in 2022, losing his starting spot before falling victim to a shoulder injury and missing the end of the year.

Die-hard Raiders fans, though, will be hoping the 32-year-old – who is the club’s greatest-ever scorer with 2,244 career points – can get the eight games he needs to become a member of an exclusive club of footballers who have played 300 games for one NRL club.

Currently, he sits on 292 games since his debut in 2009.

Playing roster: Xavier Savage, Nick Cotric, Matt Timoko, Seb Kris, Jordan Rapana, Jack Wighton, Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papalii, Zac Woolford, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Elliott Whitehead, Corey Harawira-Naera, Tom Starling, Emre Guler, Pasami Saulo, Corey Horsburgh, Jarrod Croker, Danny Levi, Albert Hopoate, Ata Mariota, Brad Schneider, Trey Mooney, Clay Webb, Harley Smith-Shields, James Schiller, Matt Frawley, Peter Hola, Semi Valemei, Adrian Trevilyan.

This is my table

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