2023 was a year of big changes right across the NRL.

From a new team, to the improvement of the Warriors and Knights, to other teams like the Rabbitohs, Eels and Cowboys being on a slippery slope to the bottom, there was plenty to keep track of week to week.

A season like that is always going to bring contrasting ideals for a number of players, and there were some who made major leaps forward on their careers.

For some, it has already new contracts signed, while for others, potential has been fulfilled. For one, you could argue it was a career-saving season.

Here are the ten most improved players from the 2023 NRL season.

7. Jack Cogger (Penrith Panthers)

Cogger had often showed potential throughout the first chunk of his NRL career without ever really realising it, and the move to Penrith had to be a game changer.

It was something of a risk for Cogger - he knew he wouldn't be starting, and would be a fill-in for Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.

Fast forward 12 months though and he became as important to Penrith's premiership as any, playing a role during the finals series and grand final, holding Penrith during a tricky Origin campaign and doing his job whenever he was called upon.

That has now led to Cogger signing a multi-year deal with the Newcastle Knights where he will immediately become one of the club's most important players.