Overall I'd say that the 2023 NRL season was a huge success.

We had an all time great Grand Final, we may have seen the greatest era in the game's history, a multitude of future stars emerging and the introduction of a brand new club.

I'd also like to think that we learned a few things a long the way.

10 things to be exact!

Below are those very ten things that we learned in 2023:

6. We're not ready for an 18th team

Although I really enjoyed the Dolphins entry into the competition in 2023, I think it's fair to say that we don't yet have the talent depth to justify an 18th team.

The gap between the top sides and the bottom sides is now massive.

The Dolphins chased every marquee player under the sun but really failed to land one, at least until the late signing of the Hammer.

NRL Rd 4 - Dolphins v Broncos
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 24: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of the Dolphins celebrates scoring a try during the round four NRL match between the Dolphins and Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on March 24, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Throwing another side in there would further stretch the player pool and ensure another relatively easy beat side.

We saw the horror lack of depth in the Dolphins squad. They started well, until members of their best 17 suffered injuries. Then they were in free fall for the rest of the season.