Concern for star who’s ‘gone a season too long’

PANTHERS

Current standing: 1st

Last year’s finish: Premiers

Title hopes: The Panthers aren’t quite the juggernaut they were over the past two seasons after losing key forwards Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau – but are still the team to beat and again boast the best defence in the league.

Best player: Fullback Dylan Edwards leads the NRL in running metres and has also been a superb last line of defence. In the elite class of fullbacks in the NRL.

Needs to lift: Mitch Kenny is a fine defender in the middle but needs to be more of a threat with the ball as he fills Koroisau’s big boots.

SHARKS

Current standing: 2nd

Last year’s finish: 2nd

Title hopes: The Sharks started this campaign patchily but have found form with five wins in their last six games and are one of the big dangers to Penrith’s three-peat hopes. A solid forward pack and plenty of fire power out wide.

Best player: Nicho Hynes missed the first three games of the season and his return has coincided with the Sharks finding their feet. A brilliant playmaker at the peak of his form.

Needs to lift: Wade Graham has been a great ambassador for the Sharks – and the game – but has he gone a season too long? Needs to bring more to the table from the bench when thrown into the fray.

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now

BRONCOS

Current standing: 3rd

Last year’s finish: 9th

Title hopes: The tough times of recent years appear to have hardened the young Broncos, and this season they are playing with a newfound confidence. A team blessed with plenty of pace and power and a good blend of youth and experience – could go far.

Best player: Adam Reynolds holds the keys to the Ferrari and he has been superb directing the Broncos around the park with his passing, kicking and talk.

Needs to lift: Despite the Broncos’ fine season, hooker Billy Walters has managed just two try assists and needs to be more of a threat out of dummy half in the big games.

STORM

Current standing: 4th

Last year’s finish: 5th

Title hopes: Every year the critics say the Storm era is over and invariably Craig Bellamy proves them wrong. Injuries and the departure of Brandon Smith and the Bromwich boys have hit the Storm hard, yet they continue to remain a threat every time they go around.

Best player: Cameron Munster is the Storm X-factor but Harry Grant has been the team’s heartbeat, taking on extra responsibility following Smith’s exit.

Needs to lift: With the Storm losing a host of experience up front over the summer, much was expected of big Tui Kamikamica. He’s produced his best but only spasmodically and needs to find more consistency.

Legends’ call for permanent Ponga switch

RABBITOHS

Current standing: 5th

Last year’s finish: 7th

Title hopes: On their day, the Bunnies can beat any team in the league and won six games straight before consecutive losses to the Eels and Raiders. A team bristling with try-scoring ability, they can lose their cool in a crisis and need to work on that aspect of their game.

Best player: With a stunning 18 try assists, Cody Walker has been the key man in the Rabbitohs’ attack and gives the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, and Alex Johnston time and space to work their magic.

Needs to lift: Halfback Lachlan Ilias has had some good moments but is still learning his craft – it’s not easy for a youngster at No.7 and his kicking and defence are not quite up to speed… yet. But it will come.

DOLPHINS

Current standing: 6th

Last year’s finish: n/a

Title hopes: The Dolphins aren’t just the feel-good story of the season – they are the best thing to happen to the NRL in a decade. Penciled in as wooden spooners before a ball was kicked, they have over-achieved with a no frills roster and look finals bound… truly remarkable.

Best player: Jeremy Marshall-King was shown the door by the Bulldogs when Reed Mahoney came on board – he’s been as good as any No.9 in the comp in 2023.

Needs to lift: Anthony Milford has been an enigma throughout his career – with Sean O’Sullivan out long term with injury, he needs to step up and use his experience to keep the Dolphins on a roll.

Gallen rips New Zealand crowd

RAIDERS

Current standing: 7th

Last year’s finish: 8th

Title hopes: After losing four of their first five games, the Raiders are now one of the NRL’s form teams, having carved out an impressive six-game winning run. Their forwards are steamrolling all comers and there’s plenty of strike power out wide. Dark horse for another grand final.

Best player: Corey Horsburgh has tempered his bad boy image while keeping the aggressive style that has made him a handful to defences. Playing out of his skin this year.

Needs to lift: Nick Cotric can be one of the most damaging outside backs in the comp but a hamstring injury appears to have affected his confidence and he has only managed four games for one try in 2023.

WARRIORS

Current standing: 8th

Last year’s finish: 15th

Title hopes: The Warriors have looked a tougher, more resilient outfit in 2023 under new boss Andrew Webster but still have the odd poor showing in them – last weekend against the weakened Broncos was an example of the Warriors of old. After a good start, they have hit the wall with four losses in their last five games and need to turn it around – fast!

Best player: Addin Fonua-Blake has been a tower of strength up the middle, playing some of the best football of his career and eating up the metres in the trenches to get his team going forward.

Needs to lift: Josh Curran was a revelation last season and was on the cusp of State of Origin selection – he hasn’t been able to replicate that form this campaign.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

The Mole’s team of the week: The stars who lifted to pass NRL’s first big Origin test