NRL 2023: Power Rankings, Brisbane Broncos, NRL ladder, Kevin Walters, Dolphins, Wayne Bennett, Brisbane derby, Brad Arthur, Parramatta Eels
The Broncos and Dolphins are sitting on top of the NRL ladder heading into their mouth-watering inaugural clash at an already sold-out Suncorp Stadium.
Canterbury are in the top eight for the first time in years and are joined by five other clubs which didn’t play finals last year.
The Roosters are starting to find the form which had most pundits tipping them as premiership fancies in 2023, while the Panthers enjoyed the bye.
Parramatta remain winless after a third straight loss but it’s the Wests Tigers who look most determined to clinch the wooden spoon after another dreadful performance.
Read on for the Power Rankings after Round 2.
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17. WESTS TIGERS
Last week’s rank: 17th (no movement)
Analysis: We didn’t think it was possible but the Tigers are somehow worse than last year and in case you forgot, they won the wooden spoon in 2022.
They followed up their abysmal showings against the Titans and Knights with a shocker against the Bulldogs.
A flurry of late tries flattered the 26-22 scoreline but make no mistake, Tim Sheens’ side are going backwards at a rate of knots.
The Tigers’ attack only came to life when Adam Doueihi shifted to fullback and Brandon Wakeham went into the halves.
But a petulant Sheens refused to “justify” the move when asked about it in his post-game press conference.
The coach looks increasingly like a man incredibly angry with himself for taking on the top job, instead of enjoying retirement, at this basket case of a club.
England international John Bateman finally played his first game for the club and while he brought aggression, his performance was riddled with errors.
It’s almost impossible to see the Tigers winning any of their next four games - against the Storm, Broncos, Eels and Sea Eagles.
16. KNIGHTS
Last week’s rank: 13th (down two spots)
Analysis: The Knights were missing a host of stars but they were still made to look second rate in last 20 minutes by side playing just their third NRL game together.
The Dolphins scored four unanswered tries in the final 20 minutes to run out comfortable 36-20 victors.
Kalyn Ponga and Jayden Brailey don’t appear to be returning from their concussions any time soon and the suspended Jacob Saifiti still has another four weeks on the sideline.
Under the circumstances, Newcastle were brave for 60 minutes against the Dolphins but it’s hard to see where their points come from moving forward.
It’s looking like another long season for Adam O’Brien’s men who look a million miles from the team that made back-to-back finals series in 2020 and 2021.
They next face the Raiders, Sea Eagles, Warriors and Panthers, who are all last-start winners.
15. EELS
Last week’s rank: 12th (down three places)
Analysis: The Eels have started the season 0-3 and the last time they did that they won the wooden spoon.
Parramatta created plenty in attack but once again decided defence was optional in a 34-30 loss the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval.
It was an almost identical scoreline to a week earlier and once again with the game on the line Mitchell Moses couldn’t stand up and deliver the win.
They finally get backrower Ryan Matterson back this week follow his highly-publicised three-game ban which he took instead of paying a $4000 fine.
But they’re still without Shaun Lane and Bryce Cartwright is struggling to fill the void in attack.
The Eels are starring down the barrel of a 0-5 star with their next games against the Panthers and Roosters - facing both teams fresh off their bye.
But the losing should finally stop in Round 6 when they meet the Tigers who wouldn’t beat the bye at the moment.
Sattler dies at the age of 80 | 01:45
14. DRAGONS
Last week’s rank: 11th (down three spots)
Analysis: The Dragons were in the contest with the Broncos for 70 minutes on Sunday, but folded in the closing stages to conceded a staggering 22 points in the final 10 minutes.
After a solid win over the Titans and a largely competitive performance against Brisbane, who have been in red hot form, the Red V can’t be unhappy with how their season has started.
Ben Hunt has been solid across two games, while the young pairing of Jayden Sullivan and Tyrell Sloan have played starring roles in both games.
Sloan looks a new man in 2023 and could be a key players under Anthony Griffin, who is fighting for an extension with the Dragons.
Griffin’s side come up against their cross-town rivals this weekend, the Sharks, and will be desperate to deliver a competitive performance at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in front of their home crowd.
13. RAIDERS
Last week’s rank: 16th (up three spots)
Analysis: The Raiders season was looking grim coming into their clash with the Sharks in Round 3.
Canberra were without a win and Ricky Stuart’s men were quickly slipping behind the eight ball, losing gun winger Nick Cotric during the week’s training.
However, the Raiders showed grit and determination at GIO Stadium, beating one of the competition favourites 24-20.
Canberra stayed strong in defence to stop the Sharks from storming over the top to steal victory, an effort that Stuart would be proud of.
Now the Raiders face the decimated Knights and will be hoping to come away with another big win.
12. STORM
Last week’s rank: 6th (down five spots)
Analysis: Bellamy’s side slumped to a second defeat in a row to teams who finished outside the top eight in Round 3, going down 38-34 to the Titans.
Melbourne led going into the second half but conceded two quickfire tries off the back of uncharacteristic errors.
Bellamy was clearly frustrated with his side’s performance and was scathing of the Storm’s attitude in the post-match press conference.
“With all due respect, our problem at the moment is the care factor seems very, very low,” Bellamy said.
In some positive news, young gun halfback Jonah Pezet was strong on debut, showing he is a more than capable option to back option when Hughes and Munster are unavailable.
The Storm face the Tigers this week, and with a dominant performance can bounce back and kickstart their season. With Munster set to return we expect the Storm to surge up the rankings.
11. TITANS
Last week’s rank: 15th (up four spots)
Analysis: After a disappointing loss to the Dragons in Round 2, the Titans bounced back in a big way.
Holbrook’s side were able to best competition heavyweights the Storm, taking their opportunities early in the second half and holding on late to seal an unlikely victory.
Winger Khan-Pereira was excellent and showcased his dazzling footwork with a try to burn Warbrick in the left corner.
Question marks surround playmaker Kieran Foran after he was bizarrely pulled from the field by Holbrook, clearly fuming at the decision.
However, only positive signs can be taken from their game in Round 3 and the Gold Coast will be desperate to push on against the Cowboys on Saturday evening.
10. SHARKS
Last week’s rank: 7th (down three spots)
Analysis: The Sharks delivered a disappointing performance against the Raiders in Round 3, a side who were yet to win a game coming into the clash.
A brain fade from front rower Royce Hunt proved crucial, handing Canberra the winning four-pointer and failing to plug a hole in their defensive line.
From then on Craig Fitzgibbon’s side were up against it and scraped a late four-pointer but were unable to score a deciding try in the final nine minutes.
Fitzgibbon was scathing of the referees failing to penalise Corey Horsburgh for holding Hunt in the scrum in the 50th minute, but also didn’t hold back on his player.
“Royce shouldn’t have retaliated like that, especially not while we were defending our goal line,” he said.
The Sharks have a chance to bounce back this week against their rivals, the Dragons, and Fitzgibbon will be desperate for a response. Nicho Hynes’ return should deliver that. Don’t write them off yet.
Bunnies back concussion protocol | 02:40
9. COWBOYS
Last week’s rank: 8th (down one spot)
Analysis: The Cowboys got off to a flyer against the Warriors at home, but folded badly to finish without a try after the 13th minute.
New Zealand came away with a 26-12 victory at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with Todd Payten left shaking his head.
North Queensland now sit 15th after three rounds after stunning the NRL world to slot into 3rd last season.
Payten cited a “lack of trust” as the reason behind his side’s early season woes, but the Cowboys can be excused for some rust in the first three rounds after a huge 2022 campaign.
North Queensland face the Titans in Round 4 — a game they will be hoping back change their fortunes. They remain a genuine contender.
8. WARRIORS
Last week’s rank: 14th (up six spots)
Analysis: The Warriors have been one of the surprise packages of the 2023 season and sit fourth after three rounds, a far-cry from their 15th placed finish last year.
New Zealand, under new coach Andrew Webster, are playing free-flowing football and look dangerous in attack with Shaun Johnson returning to dangerous form.
The Warriors also came away with a gutsy win against the Cowboys in Round 3, bouncing back from a defeat against the Roosters a week prior.
New Zealand scored an impressive five tries to down one of the premiership contenders in a statement performance.
Young gun Taine Tuaupiki was also solid in his NRL debut, proving to be a solid back-up for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Luke Metcalf.
7. BULLDOGS
Last week’s rank: 10th (up three spots)
Analysis: While the Bulldogs scored their second victory in a row over the Tigers, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing at Belmore.
The Tigers were able to score three tries in only four minutes to bring the game back a four-point clash, crumbling in defence in the second half.
Despite the late fade, Canterbury-Bankstown sit in eighth after three rounds, scoring wins over the merger club and the Storm.
Matt Burton delivered a strong performance in the halves in Round 3, with young gun centre Paul Alamoti also forging a strong partnership with Josh Addo-Carr on the left edge.
The Bulldogs face the Warriors abroad this week, in a test of where both teams are at early in the season.
Dolphins set to fight Kaufusi charge | 01:58
6. RABBITOHS
Last week’s rank: 3rd (down three spots)
Analysis: The Rabbitohs went down to their cross-town rivals in a bitter Sydney clash in Round 3, losing 20-18 in a tight affair.
South Sydney sprung into action when it was too late, scoring in the 78th minute before Latrell Mitchell attempted a 40-metre field goal to level the game.
Jason Demetriou’s side now sit 1-2 after three rounds and have lost key troops following the physical clash.
Gun prop Tevita Tatola will sit out for a number of weeks with an MCL injury, while Shaquai Mitchell is also sidelined with a lisfranc blow.
South Sydney have only managed a Round 1 win against the Sharks so far this season, but have faced three of the competition heavyweights early in their 2023 campaign.
Now they face a red hot Manly side, with both teams being contenders to lift the trophy at the season’s end.
5. ROOSTERS
Last week’s rank: 9th (up four spots)
Analysis: Trent Robinon’s men recorded a huge victory in Round 3, beating their bitter rivals 20-18 and holding out the Rabbitohs late surge.
It was a statement victory for the Tricolours after starting their campaign with a huge hiccup against the Dolphins.
The Roosters were also not at their best against the Warriors in Round 2, but with a big response in Round 3 — Robinson’s side have struck fear into the hearts of their rivals.
The Roosters now enjoy the bye this week after a physical cross-town derby and will enjoy the much-needed rest before they prepare for their Round 5 clash with the Eels at Allianz Stadium.
4. SEA EAGLES
Last week’s rank: 5th (up one spot)
Analysis: Manly showed they are a force to be reckoned with, scoring a big victory over the Eels in Round 3.
Anthony Seibold’s side won 34-30 at Brookvale, with a late Haumole Olakau’atu try sealing two points from a horror J’maine Hopgood error.
The Sea Eagles are yet to lose a game in 2023, having won the inaugural pre-season challenge prior to the regular season.
Tom Trbojevic is firing, but is yet to hit top gear, while young gun Josh Schuster delivered an attacking masterclass against Parramatta.
The former backrower assisted his fullback twice, with a deft chip over the top the highlight of his first appearance of 2023. He is firming as key to the Sea Eagles chances of going all the way this season.
Manly are well and truly stamping their claim as premiership contenders and another win over the Rabbitohs will see their stocks soar.
3. DOLPHINS
Last week’s rank: 4th (up one spot)
Analysis: Wayne Bennett’s NRL newcomers continue to defy the odds.
Just when you thought they might finally show signs of weakness, the Dolphins responded, scoring four second half tries, two in the final five minutes to take a 36-20 win over the Knights.
Even without key dummy-half Jeremy Marshall-King, the Dolphins look dangerous, with both Sean O’Sullivan and Isaiya Katoa performing as the competition’s youngest halves pairing.
Connelly Lemuele continues to shine alongside the veteran forward pack made up of former Storm enforcers.
Tom Gilbert has also been a true workhorse at lock and the Cowboys will be regretting their decision to let him go.
The NRL’s 17th franchise are stamping their claim to play finals football but face their toughest test yet in Round 4, coming up against their Brisbane rivals.
2. PANTHERS
Last week’s rank: 2nd (no movement)
Analysis: The Panthers got a week to rest and recover with the bye in Round 3 in a timely boost with both Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai suffering niggling injuries in Round 2.
After a disappointing start to the year against the Broncos, the reigning premiers bounced back with a big win over the Rabbitohs.
Ivan Cleary’s men held a 10-0 lead going into halftime and the 16-10 final scoreline wasn’t reflective of Penrith’s dominance in that clash.
The Panthers still remain favourites to lift the trophy come the season’s end and face a huge grand final rematch on Thursday.
Cleary’s men will be desperate to hand their cross-town rivals an 0-4 start to the season and keep them lodged to the bottom of the table.
1. BRONCOS
Last week’s rank: 1st (no movement)
Analysis: The Broncos looked clunky for 70 minutes against the Dragons, before surging into action with both Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh playing starring roles in a 40-18 victory over the Dragons.
The Red V had Brisbane’s measure going into halftime, but a late surge from Kevin Walters side saw the Red Hill club score a staggering 22 points in 10 minutes.
The Broncos could be the real deal in 2023 and sit atop of the ladder after three rounds, equal with the Dolphins.
Key forwards Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan have been excellent for the Broncos, while Adam Reynolds has been consistent once again.
If the Broncos can beat the Dolphins in a cross-town grudge match this week, they will extend their lead at the top of the ladder and then enjoy a softer draw in the coming weeks.
