The 2023 NRL season produced some of the best football seen, with one of the great grand finals ever as Nathan Cleary rescued the Panthers in the dying stages.
A number of players emerged as superstars of the game, whether they be rookies or rejuvenated playmakers.
Wide World of Sports' The Mole has taken a look at the season that was and reviewed the good times of 2023.
READ MORE: Cummins leaves legends in awe as Aussies take control
READ MORE: Mayor ignites interstate stink with bizarre sledge
READ MORE: NRL investigating Penrith star's Instagram post
KEEPING ON AWARD
The remarkable Wayne Bennett celebrated his 900th game as coach during the year – a record that may never be matched.
If they ever include coaches in the Immortals, he should be first bloke in.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR
The grand final – unless you happen to be a Broncos fan – a remarkable late escape by Penrith after they seemed dead and buried midway through the second half.
Nathan Cleary led the revival that saw the Panthers become the first team in 40 years to win a premiership three-peat.
FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE YEAR
The arrival of the Dolphins.
After missing many of their major recruitment targets, most critics tipped the boys from Redcliffe to win the wooden spoon.
The side scored an epic win over the Roosters in a memorable debut and competed for much of the season before running out of steam in the run-in to the finals.
Will be a big chance for the top eight next year.
WAH WAH WOW
The Warriors were another team expected to struggle, but showed a new resilience to make the top four, with a rejuvenated Shaun Johnson leading the way.
Rookie Andrew Webster was a popular winner of the coach of year award.
GOOD KNIGHTS
The Knights started the season slowly and coach Adam O'Brien was on the verge of getting the sack mid-year.
But suddenly the Knights started winning – and couldn't stop.
With Kalyn Ponga in brilliant form at fullback, they won nine straight to storm into the finals, playing superb attacking football along the way.
MOST STUNNING SCORELINE
The Tigers won just four games during the season – but one was a mind-blowing 66-18 defeat of the Cowboys at Leichhardt before a delirious home crowd.
A few weeks later the teams met again in Townsville and the Cowboys took their revenge, scoring a record 74-0 win.
VEGAS BABY
The NRL has come up with some crazy decisions over the years, and playing a double-header in Sin City seemed right up there with them.
But it's really happening, has been getting the game great publicity in the USA and should be a ripper start to season 2024.
GAME LOOKING AFTER ITS OWN
Rugby league has always been a code that took great care of its people, and so it was late in the season when people came from far and wide to hold a function for former grand final coach Daniel Anderson.
The popular Anderson became a quadriplegic after a freak accident in the surf but he and his family will have no financial worries after former team-mates and officials dug deep to offer their support.
DAZZLING DOUBLE
After a couple of years in the wilderness, Jamayne Isaako produced one of the year's stunning comeback stories.
Signed by the Dolphins, he scored both the most points (244) and most tries (24) in the NRL – an amazing feat in a team that didn't make the finals!
BIGGEST IMPROVER
Reece Walsh went from a kid with talent to a genuine superstar following his move from the Warriors to the Broncos.
He set the NRL alight with his attacking skills and helped the Broncos to the grand final.
He should be even better next year… scary.
ISLAND BLUES
The inaugural Pacific Island Championship, played immediately after the NRL season, was a great success with minnows like Fiji, PNG and the Cook Islands mixing it with the Kangaroos, Kiwis and Samoa.
It culminated with a memorable New Zealand triumph in the final, thumping the Aussies 30-0.
WOMENS WORLD
The NRLW continued to grow and prosper in 2023, attracting plenty of people through the gates and eyeballs on TV.
Officials reported a 14 per cent growth in participation figures as well.
2023 also saw the first female referees control matches, with Belinda Sharpe and Kasey Badger given the honour in round 27.
TACKLING TYRO
Sharks forward Cameron McInnes set a defensive record that may never be beaten in July, making 81 tackles in 80 minutes against Penrith.
Sadly his team-mates didn't follow his example – Cronulla lost the game 28-0.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.