Top five NRL stories of 2022: Penrith Panthers, underrated players, Christian Welch

The Penrith Panthers were unable to win the premiership in 2022. Pamela Whaley delved into their system in one of CODE Sports’ most popular rugby league stories of the year. Christian Welch named his 17 underrated NRL players. Tim Elbra shared the highs and lows of all 54 Western Reds players in his article.

Welch has named his team of NRL's most underrated players. The team includes a ‘nightmare’ fullback, a Kangaroos smokey and a goalkicking prop.

Oregon Kaufusi and Marata Niukore are the best props for Parramatta. Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard get a lot of praise for the platform they give the Eels.

Dylan Edwards was injured and couldn't play in the finals, but he convinced the coaching staff to let him play. Penrith Panthers won the grand final. The team won it in 2012. It was the first time the team had won a grand finale since the 1990s. They won with Christian Welch. Nathan Cleary was spying on the secret fitness test.

Scott Drinkwater will play fullback for the Cowboys. Todd Payten asked him about it in a coffee shop. Drink water wanted to play five-eighth. He will replace Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the number one jersey. He had been injured for four rounds. The Cowboys coach wanted him to confirm his decision.

The Western Reds folded in 1997. They played their final game on August 23, 1997, a 36-16 loss to Canberra at the WACA. The team had internationals, rogues, drug offenders, and a player charged over a tragic death.

Maika Sivo is a Parramatta winger who played rugby league in Gundagai for the Tigers in the 2015 Group Nine season. The team won their first premiership in 32 years. Gundagsi won nine grand finals in 30 years before the last in 1983.