There's always next year: Long-range fearless predictions for 2023 NRL season

After the 2022 NRL premiership, it's time to start talking about the next season.

The Panthers will make it three straight wins in the NRL. The Dolphins will have their inaugural season in their new stadium.

This side is just phenomenal, with stars right across the park and still to come through. They are on track to make their fourth consecutive grand final and take out the title three years running.

There are no Viliame Kikau, Api Koroisau or Cameron Ciraldo.

Powderfinger's lead singer Bernard Fanning dedicates the song ‘Passenger’ to Jerome Luai at their concerts.

Mitch Kenny will replace Api at Belmore. He will play in the number nine position.

There are early predictions for the 2023 NRL season.

There are long-range fearless predictions for 2023 NRL season.

The best case scenario for Parra in 2023 is 3/4th place.

The team had a good year and made the Grand Final. They have some big shoes to fill with the departure of players like Reed Mahoney and Isaiah Papali’I. Their inconsistency could be their biggest undoing.

Brad Arthur has been in charge of the team for nine years without winning a premiership.

Shaun Lane is turning into a superstar. Shaun Lane will step up in Papali’i's absence.

The early prediction for the 2023 NRL season is 5th.

Best case scenario: Premiers. Unlucky not to make the grand final, can go all the way in 2023.

They will make it to the premils again, but they could slip through their fingers.

Kyle Feldt is under pressure to perform well after the Cowboys released The Hammer.

Reece Robson is one of the best number nines in the game. He should have been a hooker for NSW.

Premiers are predicted for the 2023 NRL season.

The team that Adam Reynolds left is in good shape. They can easily make the eight but won't go as far as 2022.

Worst case scenario for the 2023 NRL season is 7/8th.

Cody Walker needs to stop with the aggression and prove he can still play good footy.

Lachlan Ilias has performed well since taking over as halfback for you know who.

Burrow finished 6th in the NRL last season.

Craig Fitzgibbon and Nicho Hynes were instrumental in their side's success this season.

The worst case scenario for the team is 5/6th place.

Nicho Hynes is under pressure to prove that he is as good as everyone thinks he's good.

Lachlan Miller is ready to rise in the NRL.

The team made a big improvement from season 2021. They will have another solid year but won't go all the way just yet.

The best case scenario for the NRL team in 2023 is third place.

They won only two games from eight at the start of the season. They could miss September football.

Ricky Stuart has been in the hot seat for nine seasons with no trophy.

Hudson Young didn't get a rep jersey this year. He will be one of the Green Machine's best in 2022 and even bigger in 2023.

The Raiders will finish 4th in the NRL in 2023.

They are one of those teams that are hard to write off. They seem to have an endless supply of stars to jump in for departing or injured players.

Brandon Smith, Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers are leaving the team. They are still a while away from looking like real title threats again. Worst case scenario, they finish 11th.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona is under pressure to keep up his 'interesting' tackling and running styles.

Josh King has come on leaps and bounds since leaving the Knights at the end of 2021.

Craig Bellamy is expected to finish 10th in the final.

The Roosters are one of the best teams in the NRL. They are full of superstars and have one the most successful coach in history.

The team was a bit of a let down this season.

Brandon Smith is expected to perform well for the Sydney Roosters.

Joseph Suaalii is ready to rise.

The tricolours finished 9th in the NRL this year. They will miss the finals in 2023.

The team that won the NRL championship this year is expected to make the finals next year.

Worst case scenario for the 2023 NRL season is 12.

Adam Reynolds is under pressure. He was under the same pressure this year.

Ezra Mam has the potential for greatness.

Broncos are going to be a mixed bag this season. They should make the finals.

They are one of the most frustrating sides to watch because they can be so good one week and horrible the next. They came close to making the eight this year and could scrape in next year.

The team needs Ben Hunt to do everything. If he doesn't do that, they will miss the finals by a long way.

Zac Lomax is under pressure.

Talatau Amone will be looking to build on his rookie year for the Red V.

Early prediction: 11. Dragons fans will not play in the finals this year.

The team's best case scenario is 12. Last season they lost to the Cowboys despite leading by 16 with seven minutes to go.

Worst case scenario for the NRL season is the pride jersey fiasco.

Des Hasler is under pressure. If he doesn't improve the team in the off-season, he won't make it until the end.

Tommy Turbo missed a lot of football this season. He will be ready to put on his best season for his beloved Sea Eagles.

The team that has been struggling all season is going to finish last.

Matt Burton, Kikau and Ciraldo will play together in the NRL next season.

They won't finish lower than this season, but they could lose a few close matches to end up in the exact same spot.

Tevita Pangai Junior needs to step up this year.

Jake Averillo found a home at fullback in the second half of the season and never looked back.

The finals are coming to Melbourne. The early prediction is 7.

They have the potential to be a great side with players like Big Tino, Jayden Campbell and now Kieran Foran joining the ranks.

The worst case scenario for the NRL team is losing David Fifita.

David Fifita is mediocre.

Jayden Campbell is a promising young player.

The early prediction for the NRL season of 2023 is 15.

They were hit hard by injury in 2022 and didn't have the troops to get the job done. Will go a bit better if everyone is healthy.

The worst case scenario for the NRL team is 15th place.

Adam O'Brien will be under the most scrutiny if the team falls over again.

Adam Elliott had a great year at the Raiders but couldn't end it on his terms due to injury. He will thrive in the same town as his Queen, Millie Boyle.

This one hurt to write, but my boys still have a long way to go to get back to the glory days.

The team is based back at home and they have bought well with the likes of Marata Niukore, Te Maire Martin, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.

Worst case scenario: Last. Warriors on paper never seem to match who they see on the field. Euan Aitken and Reece Walsh are big losses.

Shaun Johnson is under pressure at the Warriors.

Mitch Barnett will be looking to improve on his disappointing season.

They show some promise but will still struggle for consistency under new coach Andrew Webster.

The best case scenario for the NRL team in 2023 is ninth place. Koroisau and Papali’i are brilliant buys and the Sheens/Benji/Farah coaching combo could prove magical.

The NRL season is going to be very disappointing. A lot needs to happen in the off-season to avoid another disaster.

Luke Brooks is under pressure at halfback for the Tigers.

Daine Laurie is a young player who could be one of the best in the NRL next season.

It will take a few more seasons to climb higher up the ladder.

The Storm have some good players and they will have a good season.

Worst case scenario for the NRL season is last.

The whole club is under pressure.

Sean O'Sullivan will play for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL in 2023.

Wayne Bennett's team will probably win the NRL comp in 2023.