Shock Origin shake-ups looming; wild twist in finals race: NRL Crystal Ball

Shock Origin shake-ups looming; wild twist in finals race: NRL Crystal Ball

We’re just days away from the 2024 NRL season kicking off and our Fox League experts have put down their predictions for the season ahead.

There’s a recurring theme that Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic will win the Dally M, but a dark horse has also been tipped.

The premiership winner predictions have mostly fallen within party lines and ex-players have voted for their old clubs.

But the rookie of the year nominations and the bold predictions differ greatly as the experts go out on a limb looking into their crystal balls.

Round 1

Read on to see all the predictions from the Fox League experts on: premiers, wooden spoon, Dally M, most tries, rookie of the year and a bold prediction.

Jason Saab stars on US television! | 00:59

MICK ENNIS

Premiers – Manly

Wooden Spoon – Wests Tigers

Dally M Medal – Tom Trbojevic 

Most Tries – Brian To’o

Rookie of the Year – Jesse McLean

Bold Prediction – I expect another extremely tight competition. We will see a real reshuffle to last year top 8, with Manly, Parramatta and Souths to return to final series. 

Season over for Gilbert before Round 1 | 00:28

COOPER CRONK

Premiers – Sydney Roosters

Dally M Medal – Tom Trbojevic 

Most Tries – Dom Young 

Rookie of the Year – Sualauvi Fa’alogo

Bold Prediction – It’s going to be the closest and most competitive seasons we have seen in a long time. There will be up to 12 teams in contention right up to the last round, the last game and it might come down to golden point to see what the make up of the finals series will be. 

Former NRL star flies high for Salford | 00:46

BRYAN FLETCHER

Premiers – Sydney Roosters

Wooden Spoon – Dragons

Dally M Medal – Reece Walsh

Most Tries – Alofiana Khan-Pereira  

Rookie of the Year – Tom Duffy

Bold Prediction – Jack Wighton to come out of retirement of rep footy and wins the 3rd game for the Blues. NSW 2 – QLD 1 

Walsh open to possible NFL switch | 00:33

COREY PARKER

Premiers – Broncos

Wooden Spoon – Wests Tigers

Dally M Medal – Scott Drinkwater

Most Tries – Dom Young / Dallin Watene-Zelenizak

Rookie of the Year – Xavier Willison 

Bold Prediction – Kalyn Ponga takes back his Maroons No. 1 jersey from Reece Walsh.

Kalyn Ponga didn’t play Origin in 2023. GettySource: Getty Images

NATHAN HINDMARSH

Premiers – Sydney Roosters

Wooden Spoon – Wests Tigers

Dally M Medal – Nathan Cleary

Most Tries – Dom Young 

Sivo cops 3-game ban for MONSTROUS hit | 00:36

YVONNE SAMPSON

Premiers – Broncos

Dally M Medal – Nathan Cleary

Most Tries – Jamayne Issako

Rookie of the Year – Ethan Strange

Bold Prediction – The NRL’s bold USA ambitions will unearth a talented American newcomer to sign a development deal with a club. 

Jason Saab stars on US television! | 00:59

BRAITH ANASTA

Premiers – Roosters

Wooden Spoon – Dragons

Dally M Medal – Nathan Cleary

Most Tries – Dom Young 

Rookie of the Year – Sualauvi Fa’alogo

Bold Prediction – Tevita Pangai Junior to return to rugby league for either the Broncos or the Dolphins. I said it on NRL 360 last year and I still believe he will return from boxing to league this season 

Ben Hunt of the Dragons. GettySource: Getty Images

STEVE ROACH

Premiers – Broncos

Wooden Spoon – Dragons

Dally M Medal – Tom Trbojevic 

Most Tries – Dom Young 

Rookie of the Year –  Tallis Duncan (played seven games in 2023 but in my mind still a rookie )

Bold Prediction – Manly to storm into the top 4 off the back of new spine combination – Croker one of the under rated players in the game, Cherry-Evans, Brooks and Turbo.

‘Let’s GO’ – NRL debut new ad for 2024 | 01:04

GREG ALEXANDER

Premiers – Penrith

Wooden Spoon – Dragons

Dally M Medal – Nathan Cleary

Most Tries – Dom Young 

Rookie of the Year – Joash Papalii (Dogs)

Bold Prediction – Souths rebound from missing the eight in 2023 to playing in the decider.

Raiders fall short to determined Cowboys | 01:34

LARA PITT

Premiers – South Sydney Rabbitohs

Wooden Spoon – Wests Tigers

Dally M Medal – Reece Walsh

Most Tries – Dominic Young

Rookie of the Year – Tyrone Munro

Bold Prediction – It’s Hammer time as Phins secure finals. The Dolphins make waves in their second season with new signings Herbie Farnworth and Thomas Flegler providing extra star power to make finals a reality. And it’ll be their star fullback who finds full flight in 2024. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be the No.1 fullback in the competition as master-coach Wayne Bennett spends all season trying to keep a lid on things.