The Broncos are set to win the minor premiership and premiership double for the first time since 2000 in our bold predictions for all 17 NRL teams in 2024.
Meanwhile, Nathan Cleary will claim an elusive Dally M Medal, which is the last trophy he has to tick off his career list.
And the Dragons will finally agree to release Ben Hunt to fast-track a rebuild with a player swap involving the Titans.
Read on for every NRL team’s bold prediction for 2024.
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Wigan host Panthers for World Club Title | 00:39
BRONCOS
Bold prediction: Broncos to win minor premiership and Grand Final double
Analysis: The Broncos let the title slip in 17 minutes after holding a commanding 24-8 lead over the Panthers in the decider and that will burn with them all the way through next season in their charge to redemption. They may have lost Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth to the Dolphins, but the Broncos have a strong squad capable of filling those holes and going one better. Plus Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and the other young stars are only going to get better with more experience. If they can learn their lessons from the heartbreak of the defeat in last year’s decider, the Broncos can use that to galvanise the squad and push them towards a first minor premiership since 2000 and a drought-breaking first title since 2006.
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ROOSTERS SOP: Tedesco in uncharted waters; key to unlocking stacked backline
WALSH: Why legend thinks star fullback deserves to be Broncos’ highest paid player
RAIDERS
Bold prediction: Raiders to get the spoon
Analysis: The Raiders made the top eight last season, but they will be a vastly different team after the departure of their best player in Jack Wighton. Not only the team’s five-eighth and chief playmaker, Wighton drove standards on and off the field and was a key driver of the team’s defensive line with his physicality and aggression. Replacing him is likely to be former Manly young gun Kaeo Weekes, but the 21-year-old has only played 12 NRL games and started just one in the No.6 jersey. He has plenty of talent, but is hardly a like for like replacement at this stage of his career. The Raiders have a strong forward pack but it is also an ageing one and Josh Papalii and Elliott Whitehead are in the twilight of their careers. It would be a remarkable drop, but with the nine teams below them expected to improve the Raiders could find themselves with the most unwanted trophy in rugby league in 2024.
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BULLDOGS
Bold prediction: Drew Hutchison to play No.7
Analysis: The Bulldogs have Toby Sexton as their incumbent halfback after he joined the club late last year, but he is still yet to cement himself as an NRL halfback after 24 games for the Titans and just seven for his new team. The Bulldogs even tried Matt Burton at halfback last year, but he is clearly a running five-eighth or a centre. The Bulldogs have bought a plethora of utilities in Drew Hutchison, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann and Connor Tracey, but fitting them all in the team will be no easy feat. Of the recruits, Hutchison has the most experience in the halves after 75 NRL games for the Dragons and Roosters and he also comes form a winning club, so he knows what it takes to produce results on the field. A combination of two big bodies in Burton and Hutchison in the halves could also help fix the Bulldogs’ biggest problem, which is their defence on the edges.
DOLPHINS
Bold prediction: Wayne Bennett to lead the team to finals
Analysis: The Dolphins proved the critics wrong in their first year and were even in the top four early in the season, before injuries caught up with them at the back end of their campaign. However, you would be a brave person to bet against the master coach leading the Dolphins to a maiden finals appearance in his final year at the club, before handing the reins to Kristian Woolf. Importantly the Dolphins have addressed a key weakness in their edge defence by bringing Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo to the club, while Thomas Flegler will help hold the middle third together. If the Dolphins can improve defensively they have no shortage of attacking players to light up the competition and score plenty of tries. Bennett will have his charges prepared with a big pre-season and ready to rip in early and maintain the rage over the full campaign, which could see them play September footy for the first time in their history.
SHARKS
Bold prediction: Sharks to sign Addin Fonua-Blake
Analysis: The Warriors star has no shortage of potential suitors after agreeing to a mutual release from the final two years of his contract. Fonua-Blake is one of the highest paid props in the game and has met with the Tigers, Bulldogs and Dragons in a bid to return home to be closer to family in Sydney in 2025. However, the Sharks have moved on Connor Tracey to the Bulldogs in a swap deal and Matt Moylan to the Super League freeing up around $1 million in salary cap space to make a play for Fonua-Blake. The Sharks have struggled to fill the void left by legendary forwards Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis, Paul Gallen and now Wade Graham and need some fire and brimstone in the front row.
TITANS
Bold prediction: Jayden Campbell to win battle for No.1
Analysis: The Titans have potentially one of the most electric players in the NRL in Jayden Campbell, but unfortunately he plays the same position as origin star AJ Brimson. Campbell was touted as a potential five-eighth, but new coach Des Hasler wants Kieran Foran in the No.6. Brimson has a better chance of switching positions to the centres and Campbell’s best spot is clearly fullback given his smaller frame and the lesser defensive demands at the back. His running game is also dynamite, especially in broken play and he can chime in all over the field when he sees an opportunity in the No.1. Brimson would also give the Titans a second fullback and a strike centre at the same time, which would give them another dimension and plenty of speed in attack.
SEA EAGLES
Bold prediction: Luke Brooks to break finals drought
Analysis: After 205 games over 11 seasons at the Tigers, Luke Brooks never tasted final football, but that is about to end in his first season at Manly. The Sea Eagles may have missed the finals in 2023, but they were without star player Tom Trbojevic for most of the season. Brooks has been brought to the club to play five-eighth and help take the pressure off skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in attack. With DCE steering the ship, Brooks can focus on his running game and owning his side of the field, which should help Manly improve in attack. Manly have recruited well and look set to be one of the big movers on the ladder and that should help Brooks break his finals duck at the age of 29.
STORM
Bold prediction: Craig Bellamy to retire with a Grand Final appearance
Analysis: One feels Craig Bellamy would have already hung up the coach’s whistle were it not for a burning desire to taste premiership glory one last time. The Storm made the preliminary final last year, but were comprehensively beaten by the Panthers showing the gulf between the two sides. However, Bellamy will use that defeat to drive the Storm in the pre-season and they will be ready for an assault on the title in 2024. The fact Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes returned to training early shows the Storm have eyes on the top prize in 2024. The Storm will go all the way to the Grand Final, but the Broncos will be too strong for them in the decider. Still, Bellamy will go out on the biggest stage and go down as one of the greatest coach’s of all time.
KNIGHTS
Bold prediction: Jack Cogger to start at halfback
Analysis: It would be a tough call to drop either of incumbent halves Jackson Hastings or Tyson Gamble after they inspired the Knights to 11 straight wins and a semi-final berth in 2023. However, the Knights didn’t sign a halfback in Jack Cogger for no reason and they clearly see him as a potential starter in the No.7 jersey. Cogger has come a long way since his first stint with the club and would have learnt plenty on his way to a maiden premiership with the Panthers last season alongside superstar No.7 Nathan Cleary. Newcastle have identified Cogger as a player who can help ease the pressure on Kalyn Ponga having to do everything in attack. If Cogger can help direct the team at halfback it will allow Hastings to shift to five-eighth and Gamble to provide able back-up should injuries strike.
COWBOYS
Bold prediction: Valentine Holmes to win top point scorer
Analysis: Valentine Holmes won the point scorer race in 2022 as the Cowboys surged to the preliminary final, but the club fell away badly last season in attack and defence to miss the finals. Holmes also copped a long suspension, which hurt his chances of matching the feat in 2023. However, Todd Payten will have identified the areas the Cowboys need to improve and they will be back in the mix for a title push in 2024. Holmes impacts the scoreboard in so many ways with his try-scoring ability, sharpshooting from the tee and he also slots field goals from all over and from range. If the Cowboys can get back in the finals, Holmes will score plenty of tries and kick the goals needed to return to the top of the point scorer’s mountain.
EELS
Bold prediction: Brad Arthur to be sacked after missing the finals
Analysis: He may have led the Eels to the 2022 Grand Final, but the Eels slumped to miss the finals altogether last year in a disappointing season. Arthur wasn’t helped by a suspension to Dylan Brown, but he will have his full compliment in 2024 and has to lead the Eels to the finals or his future at the club will be on thin ice. 2024 will be Arthur’s 11th full season at the club and while Parramatta have been consistent and played finals footy most seasons they have only looked like breaking their title drought just once. If Arthur can’t get the side firing in 2024 then it might be time both parties went in different directions to bring a fresh Voice into the club with a new vision on how to get the club its first title since 1986.
PANTHERS
Bold prediction: Nathan Cleary to win the Dally M Medal
Analysis: Nathan Cleary is at the peak of his powers and has owon almost every accolade in the game, but the Dally M Medal has so far eluded him. Injuries in recent seasons at crucial times haven’t helped him, but the biggest hindrance to his chances of winning the game’s highest individual honour has been Penrith’s success. The three-time premiers have such a good team that the Dally M points are often evenly split among a number of Panthers stars including Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards, Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris to name a few. However, so dominant was Cleary in the grand final that after another off-season of honing his craft, 2024 could be the 26-year-old’s best season yet. If Cleary can stay on the field he will bank plenty of votes and the Panthers will again be a top four team, which should see him crowned with his maiden Dally M Medal in Grand Final week.
RABBITOHS
Bold prediction: Alex Johnston breaks Ken Irvine’s try record
Analysis: Once considered the most unbreakable record in rugby league, Ken Irvine’s mark of 212 tries is suddenly within striking distance of South Sydney flyer Alex Johnston, who is on 187 currently. However, it will still take some doing with Johnston needing 26 tries in 2024 to break the all-time try-scoring record. But Johnston scored 30 tries in 2021 and 2022 and 23 in 2023, so you would be a brave person to bet against him reaching the mark at some point next season. If the Rabbitohs can find some cohesion in attack and improve defensively, Jack Wighton should help the team score plenty of tries in 2024 and Johnston could be the beneficiary. By finals time next season Johnston could be the GOAT try-scoring King of rugby league in Australia.
DRAGONS
Bold prediction: Ben Hunt is released to the Titans in a player swap
Analysis: New Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has managed to convince Ben Hunt to stay at the Dragons for now, but there is no doubt his preference is to return home to Queensland. If the Dragons struggle again in 2024 and Hunt doesn’t help the team win games and push towards the top eight then a divorce might be in both parties’ best interests. Hunt has been consistent over the last couple of seasons, but that has translated into wins for the Dragons. He is also on a massive pay packet that would free up salary cap space to lure one or two quality players to the club. Hunt covets a return to his home state and a premiership above all else and the Titans look to be the most likely landing spot to try and achieve both. The Dragons aren’t winning a title before Hunt’s two-year deal ends, so they might consider letting him go to fast-track their rebuild. The Titans are flush with forwards, but are lacking a halfback, so if they are willing to part with someone like Moe Fotuaika, it could facilitate a swap for Hunt.
ROOSTERS
Bold prediction: Dominic Young to top the try-scorers list
Analysis: Two tries in the finals saw Dominic Young overtake Dolphins’ flyer Jamayne Isaako for most four-pointers in 2023 with 25. Young is set to back that up by winning the top try-scorers gong for two straight years with two different clubs after his switch to the Roosters in 2024. The Tri-colours’ attack wasn’t great early last season, but they finished much stronger in that department to make the semi-finals. With Luke Keary and Sam Walker in the halves and Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii in the centres as well as James Tedesco at the back, the Roosters should offer Young even more opportunities than he had in the Knights backline. And with another pre-season under master coach Trent Robinson and assistant Brett Morris, Young should improve his game and finishing ability even more as he looks for back-to-back try-scorer champion titles.
WARRIORS
Bold prediction: Chanel Harris-Tavita to succeed Shaun Johnson at No.7
Analysis: Shaun Johnson wound back the clock in 2023 in a stunning season to just fall short of a Dally M Medal after his career looked all but over in 2022. Johnson turns 34 next season in what will likely be his final NRL campaign before hanging up the boots after only recently agreeing to play on in 2024. The Warriors had a superb 2023 to make the preliminary final, but we are tipping them to come back to the pack next year as they become the hunted rather than the hunters. If the Warriors struggle they need to start planning for life after Johnson and his heir apparent could be the returning Chanel Harris-Tavita after his gap year. Harris-Tavita was earmarked as the next great Warriors halfback early in his career before shifting to five-eighth and dummyhalf. Refreshed after a year out of the sport, Harris-Tavita will be motivated to prove he still has what it takes. Johnson could even be selfless and give Harris-Tavita the No.7 jersey late in the year as part of a succession plan for the club’s future. The Warriors need to think about who is leading their side’s attack in the coming years and Harris-Tavita looks the best option to fill the No.7 void when Johnson hangs up the boots.
TIGERS
Bold prediction: Jahream Bula to be the most improved player in the NRL
Analysis: The Tigers fullback had a breakout year in 2023 to score five tries in 18 games in his rookie season, while he saved countless others in defence. His performance was rewarded with three Test matches for Fiji at the end of the season. However, the 21-year-old has only scratched the surface of what he can achieve on a rugby league field. Bula has the size, speed and footwork to be one of the best fullbacks in the game and he stays in the game on both sides of the ball. Now think how well he will go when the Tigers start to improve their team around him. With Aidan Sezer and Jayden Sullivan coming into the halves and skipper Api Koroisau controlling the ruck, Bula can take his game to even greater heights in his second season in the top grade. If the Tigers can improve their defence they have the attacking tools to unleash Bula on the NRL like never before and he could find himself a superstar of the game by season’s end.
