Christmas Day has come and gone and now we're on the countdown to my Christmas Day: kick off of Game 1, Round 1 2023.
We've seemingly, finally, settled on a salary cap number for 2023 and beyond, which answers one question heading into the new season.
Many questions remain. In fact each and every side across the competition has at least one major question hanging over their head.
Below we look at each club's burning question as they head into the 2023 season:
Is there enough support for Nicho Hynes?
The Sharks marquee signing for 2022, Nicho Hynes, managed to drag his side to a second placed finish whilst bagging the game's highest individual honour, the Dally M medal.
It was far from a case of a one-man side, however when the business end of the season was reached, the Sharks failed to provide enough support for their superstar number seven.
Matt Moylan had a far improved 2022 but was barely sighted come finals time. Will Kennedy had a terrible time of it upon his return to first Grade.
The Sharks failed to land that aggressive big bopper they obviously needed. Even the best halfbacks in the game struggle behind beaten packs.
Fans will hope young Kade Dykes develops at a similar pace to Jarome Luai or Sam Walker as I'm not sure the Sharks current strongest 17 lends enough attacking help to Hynes.
Dan,
Since you ask me::
Can the Dolphins be competitive?
The Warriors and Knights look like easy-beats. Dragons and Titans not much better. With Wayne and the Wolfman the Fins will be competitive for 13th place as long as the front-office doesn’t emulate Manly and pull some crazy stunts.
Have the Panthers lost too much?
If Cleary stays fit, then they will be OK. I think VK and AK will lose effectiveness outside the Panthers system, and their replacements will know enough of the club style to fit in.
Is there enough support for Nicho Hynes?
Answer is “No”. The more pertinent question is how the coach can train and juggle what is essentially an unchanged squad to create that support. Shock tip – Sharks to miss the eight and Wayne Bennett to sign Nicho for 2025 when he hits the market on November 1 !
Cowboys – Can lightning strike twice?
Change a couple of names and you could have written the same piece for the Sharks. It will be harder for them this year, but having had twelve months playing together they should be good to make the top-four again.
Has the title window closed for the Eels?
Mahoney and Papalihi are massive departures – agreed. The only thing that can save them is Brad Arthur figuring out how to use effectively the four guys on the bench.
Storm – who replaces the existing stalwarts?
Three no-names inspired by Bellamy’s coaching and the Storm system. Top-four team for me.
Roosters – can they avoid a player raid?
Easily, as long as they can convince Manu and Suaalii that playing full-back for a rubbish team is no substitute for earning nearly-as-good money in a team that is permanently playing finals, and always in with a chance of making the GF.
Bunnies – Is making another preliminary final their limit?
Yes, until they understand a champion team will always beat a team of champions (and swap the egotists for team players)
Has Ricky run out of ideas?
Yes
What if Reynolds isn’t 100% fit?
Then Kevvie puts his boy in at #7 and the Broncs win again! Not. I don’t see them having an Ilias coming through, so if Adam is out or playing affected by injury, they will miss the eight.
Can Turbo play a full season?
Looking increasingly unlikely with every year that passes. The salary cap has gone up, so player wages go up, and with Cherry-Evans taking 12% of the Manly cap he will now be on $1.375 Million. Turbo is on a Million, so the club can’t afford to refresh the spine. Even with inspiration from a fresh Anthony Seibold, they will do well to make the eight.
Can the Bulldogs live up to expectations?
The key man is Ciraldo. With his familiarity with VK, he should be able to get the guy focused and firing, better than any other new coach could do. Top-eight team (just) for me.
Is Foran the key to unlocking potential at the Titans?
If you had changed “Foran” to “Townsend” and asked that question twelve months back, people would have been dubious, but as we have seen… Having said that, the Cows had a better coach than do the Titans, so I think that even with Keiran they will struggle.
Will Ponga’s return to the halves work?
No more likely than Foran to turn around a dire team.
Warriors – will their questionable recruitment pay off?
They are suffering from hiring guys like Reece Walsh who would take NZ coin only for as long as they were based in Oz, then bailing out claiming “personal problems”. Team owers/managers showed no spine and let them go for free. Unless they dump Shawn Johnson and bring in Luke Metcalf at #7 they will have a long, unproductive season. But that decision would take more spine than this club has ever shown.
Wests – where do the points come from?
Dunno, Dan
Dragons – can they get their house in order?
Ah, you’re skipping the easy questions :=)