2023 has been a year full of incredible rugby league stories.
When you have a grand final for the ages, sacked coaches - including one at Origin level - a new team entering the competition and big changes across the competition, that is hardly going to come as a surprise to many.
But what were the stories that defined 2023?
Here are the top ten.
8. Dolphins impress but fall short in first season
The Dolphins were always going to be one of the key storylines to watch throughout the 2023 season in what was their inaugural campaign as an NRL side.
And early on, despite a recruitment campaign which was described by most pundits as well below what was required, they shone. In fact, some suggested they could have been a top eight hopeful based on the way they started the season.
But the issue with their recruitment ahead of Season 1 as an NRL team was always going to be depth, and so it proved as injuries and suspensions began to strike across multiple areas of the side.
Whether it was Sean O'Sullivan's long-term absence, Thomas Gilbert's injury or a couple of suspendable offences for Felise Kaufusi, the Dolphins constantly found themselves below full strength, and the result was a team who struggled to win games of rugby league no matter the masterful coaching of Wayne Bennett.
That's not to say the Dolphins didn't unearth some gems. The return to form of Jamayne Isaako was special to watch, and so too was the emergence of young five-eighth Isaiya Katoa among other areas of the side.
Their depth will continue to improve in 2024, partly thanks to some big name signings in Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth, but also because players like Jack Bostock and Mason Teague will improve as they look to become a permanent spot in the first-grade side ahead of Kristian Woolf taking over from Bennett in the coaching chair ahead of 2025.
