NRL 2023: predictions, Dally M Medal winner, grand finalists, premiers, wooden spoon, breakout star, Mal Meninga, Cooper Cronk, Braith Anasta, Steve Roach, Bryan Fletcher

The 2023 NRL season kicks off tonight with a blockbuster clash between the Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm at Commbank Stadium.

It’s that time of year when everybody is casting their predictions for the season ahead and making sure they’ve signed up for their tipping comp.

We spoke to five rugby league icons and got their predictions for the 2023 Dally M Medal winner, grand finalists, premiers, wooden spoon and breakout star.

Read on to see the tips from Mal Meninga, Cooper Cronk, Braith Anasta, Steve Roach and Bryan Fletcher.

MAL MENINGA

Grand final: Titans versus Raiders would be a good one for me.

Premiers: That’s a hard one but Titans hopefully.

Dally M Medal: I think Nicho Hynes will be up there against just based on where he left last year. He had a terrific year last year and I like the look of Cronulla, I like their composure and just that they’re a well-oiled machine, everyone does their job really well.

Wooden spoon: It’s hard for an expansion side but the Dragons have that turmoil internally, I hope they clear it up quickly and if they don’t they could be in for a long year.

Breakout star: What about an old fella coming back to play his best football, I reckon Klem (David Klemmer), under Sheensy he’ll love the system and he loves playing with the football, he’s a kid at heart so he’ll love playing the style of footy that Sheensy wants him to play and I think he’s in for a big year.

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STEVE ‘BLOCKER’ ROACH

Grand finalist: Roosters v Cowboys. I like what Todd Payten’s done up there. He learnt off Tim Sheens and he was a wonderful ball-player himself when he played, he’s clever. They were shandy away from making the grand final last year. I can just tell when I watch scrum-based plays, they put plays on. Everyone else just does the normal boring thing every week just to control the ball but they actually play with the footy. I reckon they’ll play in the grand final.

Premiers: I think the Roosters will win. They’ve gone out and bought the well, they’ve got the best fullback in the competition. They had a bit of a hiccup last year with injuries, but I think they’ll be better than they’ve ever been. Brandon Smith will add that little bit of energy around the play the ball and he’ll whack blokes.

Dally M Medal: I’ll go Nicho Hynes back-to-back because I think Cronulla will be big improvers again.

Wooden spoon: Dragons. They just melted in the middle (in the trials). I don’t know whether they look athletic enough for me, the way the modern game is now. I don’t know how they train or anything, but just watching them. I watched them played in the Charity Shield and Souths were walking back after they were scoring going ‘how easy was that?’ I personally don’t think it’s the coach. The coach doesn’t go out there and play for them, you’ve got to have that will and want in yourself to go out there and be good at what you do. I think they’re going to struggle.”

Breakout star: Another Cowboys young gun.

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COOPER CRONK

Grand finalists: Roosters v Melbourne… Easy to say.

Premiers: Roosters. I think they learnt a lot from last year and their style holes up over a long period of time.

Dally M Medal: Harry Grant. He’s going to touch the ball a lot, I think the Storm are going to be there or abouts and will win a lot of games. He just seems to be in a sweet spot. He had a big year last year for his own confidence in terms of Origin and World Cup and he’ll be playing longer periods of time.

Wooden spoon: Dragons. I thought the middle forwards defensively missed the mark.

Breakout star: Reed Mahoney

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BRYAN FLETCHER

Grand final: Bunnies v Chooks for the first time in 115 years.

Premiers: Bunnies

Dally M Medal: I’m going to give it to Latrell.

Wooden spoon: I’ve got to say I’ve had a bet, I’ve had a bet on the Dragons.

Breakout star: Reece Walsh

BRAITH ANASTA

Grand final: Roosters v Souths

Premiers: Roosters

Dally M Medal: Latrell Mitchell