There was no shortage of stunning moments on and off the field that made the 2023 NRL season so memorable for the greatest game of all.
From the Panthers’ Nathan Cleary inspired Grand Final comeback for the ages, to Kalyn Ponga’s come from the clouds Dally M medal win and the Tigers sacking their entire board, 2023 had it all.
Read on for the 23 biggest moments from the 2023 NRL season.
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Luai set to sign $6m deal with Tigers | 00:35
The Tigers had been a basket case for so long that no one could have predicted they would have the courage to make a huge call and sack their entire board and CEO in one fell swoop.
After overseeing years of mediocrity chairman Lee Hagipantelis and CEO Justin Pascoe were blindsided and shown the door with a new board led by Barry O’Farrell and interim CEO Shane Richardson installed.
Remarkably, Hagipantelis’ Bryden lawyers still have a year to run a million dollar sponsorship with the club, which shows just how bold the overthrow plot was.
The Tigers picked up their second straight wooden spoon and have the longest finals drought in the NRL, so it was no surprise a petition from a fan of the club sparked the seismic change of direction.
Rookie coach Benji Marshall will have his work cut out for him as it is in his first season at the helm in 2024, but there is at least a feeling of a clean slate and that could help him turn the Tigers around on and off the field.
Given Richardson is only signed for six months, there it is yet to be seen if the club pulled the right rein, but one thing is for certain change at the top was needed and now Tigers fans await in hope if their club can restore some pride next season and beyond.
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TIGERS SAVIOUR: Richardson took Souths from back-to-back spoons to a title
2. CLEARY’S GRAND FINAL MASTERCLASS
The Broncos had one hand on the 2023 premiership trophy after Ezra Mam’s second half hat-trick gave Brisbane a commanding 24-8 lead with 17 minutes to go in the Grand Final.
However, Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary had other ideas and threw his team on his back to lead an unbelievable comeback that months later still has the NRL world scratching its head.
Cleary set up two tries, produced a superb 40/20 and then scored the match winning four-pointer with a dummy and go to clinch an unthinkable 26-24 victory and a third straight title for the mountain men.
Kevin Walters and Adam Reynolds were at a complete loss as to how their team let the game slip, while even Ivan Cleary admitted halfway through the second half that he doubted his team could come back.
But Cleary Jr was at the peak of his powers on his way to winning a second Clive Churchill Medal and showed why many believe he is the best player in the game.
For the Broncos it will always be the one that got away, while Cleary’s pure belief and will to win, combined with his supreme skills ensured he etched his name into grand final folklore in arguably the greatest comeback in a decider ever.
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3. BURGESS WALKS OUT ON SOUTHS AFTER LATRELL INJURY SPARKS DECLINE
The Rabbitohs were sitting pretty on top of the NRL table, before a calf injury to superstar Latrell Mitchell in Origin camp sparked an almighty season implosion that culminated in an overhaul of their support staff.
Mitchell’s calf injury was meant to keep him out for a fortnight but he ended up missing most of the middle part of the season and without him Souths looked rudderless.
Even when he returned late in the season, Mitchell was below his best and was suspended for the crucial final game of the season against the Roosters, which saw the Bunnies miss the finals altogether.
Assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris were made to pay for Souths’ horror season fade-out with their jobs and Jason Demetriou faced the most turbulent time in his career to date.
Demetriou will want to get things right and return to the top four with his new support staff in 2024 or the rumours Wayne Bennett could return to the club in 2025 won’t go away in a hurry.
4. SUAALII’S $5 DEFECTION TO THE WALLABIES
It’s money that no sane player can turn down, and Suaalii is set to earn a huge payday to make a switch to the 15-man code.
Rugby Australia lured the Roosters prodigy across to their code with a $5 million carrot across three seasons.
Suaalii will now represent the Wallabies in both the British and Irish Lions series and the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
After Australia’s most recent World Cup performance in France, many pundits urged him to backflip on the deal.
But instead Roosters supremo Nick Politis made it clear he would welcome the flyer back to the club with open arms once his contract comes to an end.
So fans of the Tricolours club can expect to see Suaalii wear their famous jersey once again, but they might have to wait until 2028.
5. HUNT RELEASE REQUEST AFTER HOOK SACKED
After not being offered an extension, Anthony Griffin was always racing the clock to save his job at the Dragons in 2024.
After failing to make the finals in his first two seasons, the Dragons needed to start the season on fire and they did anything but resulting in Griffin being the first coach sacked for the season.
The Dragons installed Ryan Carr as their interim coach for the remainder of the season, but Griffin’s departure got several senior players off-side including captain Ben Hunt.
During the Origin series, Hunt finally had enough of the direction the Dragons were going and requested an immediate release from the final two and a half years of his contract.
Hunt cited a desire to return home to Queensland with his family as the chief reason, but he also wanted to win a premiership before retiring and felt his chances of doing so at the Dragons were next to nil.
Reports of a short-term deal with the Broncos before a two-year deal with the Titans were dashed when incoming coach Shane Flanagan refused to release Hunt.
However, if the Dragons can’t improve dramatically from their 16th place finish next season, the drums might be out and Hunt could pursue a release request yet again.
6. FREDDY OUT, MADGE IN AS NEW BLUES ERA DAWNS
Brad Fittler’s future was always up in the air once the Blues lost the unlosable Origin opener after leading in Adelaide only to concede two late tries, despite the Maroons being down to 12 men.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Lindsay Collins’ stunning late four pointers inspired by Cameron Munster turned the match on its head and put the Maroons in the box seat to win the series.
The Blues went on to be smashed in the second game in Brisbane as Fittler lost his third series in four years inside two games.
He may have turned things around to win the dead rubber in style but it was too little too late and Fittler chose to walk after only being offered a six-month extension for the 2024 series.
Fresh off leading New Zealand to a record 30-0 victory over the Kangaroos to clinch the first Pacific Championship, Michael Maguire was head hunted to replace Fittler.
Maguire had hoped to keep his New Zealand post, but was ultimately made to choose between the two jobs and was announced as the new Blues coach on a multi-year deal.
Time will tell if Maguire can beat Billy Slater’s Maroons juggernaut, but NSW needed a change and despite Fittler’s service to his state, the Blues needed fresh blood and a new voice in Maguire.
In May Tevita Pangai Junior made his Origin debut in a selection decision that shocked many.
Fast forward to August and the Bulldogs enforcer announced he would be hanging up his boots at the end of the 2023 season.
His departure freed up $750,000 for the Canterbury-Bankstown club’s rebuild, with Pangai Junior having a year left on his lucrative deal.
In October he had his first fight as a full-time boxer, defeating Frank Amato by majority decision to make his record stand at 3-0.
It remains to be seen whether Pangai Junior will forge a successful boxing career, but at least it will be an entertaining watch.
8. HOLBROOK OUT, DES IN FOR THE TITANS
Rugby league fans were only just wrapping their heads around the chaos of Origin Game II on Thursday June 22.
Queensland secured a series win but there was a storm brewing on the Gold Coast and Justin Holbrook was sensationally sacked by Titans bosses.
Holbrook explained he “did not see this coming at all” when he broke his silence and had “no inkling” he was about to be axed.
But in came Des Hasler who has been tasked with turning the Titans into a premiership-contending outfit after he was ousted at the Sea Eagles in 2022.
Not many saw this one coming, but it’s good to see Des’ flowing locks back in the NRL.
9. PAPENHUYZEN’S LUCKLESS INJURY BLOW
It was one of rugby league’s most anticipated rugby league returns.
Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen finally returned to the field late in the 2023 season after a horror knee injury kept him sidelined for 13 months.
But only three games into his NRL comeback, one of the game’s biggest names suffered yet another horror blow.
Attempting to make a tackle on Broncos prop Tom Flegler in his side’s qualifying finals loss, breaking his ankle.
The vision broke the hearts of rugby league fans across the country and was one of the worst moments of the 2023 season.
10. RYLES SNUB SPARKS FLANNO RETURN
Following Anthony Griffin’s sacking the Dragons were desperately searching for a coach to turn the struggling club around.
Former NSW and Kangaroos forward Jason Ryles looked to be the man tasked with sparking an almighty resurgence and Red V powerbrokers even tabled a mammoth offer.
Ryles was on the verge of signing a four-year $3.2 million deal in May, and the deal was all but done.
That was until Ryles had a sudden change of heart and instead accepted a job with the Storm with a view to being Craig Bellamy’s successor.
But it turned out to be a decent result for the Dragons, going from an untried coach to Shane Flanagan who is a tried and tested NRL mentor.
‘Flanno’ is the man the Dragons have hired to spark a finals return and the former Sharks boss is already making moves, with his sights now set on Addin Fonua-Blake.
11. WIGHTON DEPARTS THE NATION’S CAPITAL
Jack Wighton stunned the Raiders when he opted to test the open market instead of take up his player option for the 2024 season.
He sparked a feeding frenzy for his services and Raiders chief executive David Furner said he would “do everything” he can to retain the gun five-eighth.
In the end, the Raiders lost their talisman who hadn’t played NRL for any other club than the green machine.
Wighton signed with the Rabbitohs, joining close friend Latrell Mitchell to play in the centres under Jason Demetriou.
The move sent shockwaves through the NRL, while he also snubbed a $4 million, four-year offer to join Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins.
12. WALSH’S MAMMOTH JUDICIARY LOSS
Reece Walsh’s judiciary hearing took hours before the young gun fullback was ultimately suspended for three games.
He was found guilty of contrary conduct after being heard saying “What the f*** do you mean, c***” following an obstruction penalty in his side’s loss to the Titans.
The judiciary panel ruled his spray was aimed at referee Chris Butler, not his teammate Pat Carrigan despite his best efforts to prove his innocence.
Carrigan and Titans gun David Fifita took the stand, hoping to help out their Queensland teammate and get him off ahead of Origin Game III.
But instead the Gold Coast backrower delivered damning evidence with a simple slip of the tongue.
“Walshy then said what he said to the ref, I mean Patty, the ref was behind him,” Fifita said while under cross examination.
Walsh’s suspension saw him miss Game III for the Maroons who had already secured a series win.
13. AUS GOVERNMENT’S $60M PNG SHOW OF FAITH
The NRL have reportedly began planning to introduce an 18th franchise into the competition in the coming years.
One of the leading contenders to be granted an NRL license, the PNG Kumuls, were handed a huge $60m boost in the form of Australian government funding.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape asked the Australian Government for an NRL team by 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of his country’s independence.
Anthony Albanese then announced he would back the push, hoping to counter China’s growing influence in the region and strengthen international relations.
The next NRL license will reportedly be announced by 2025, but the winning association would then enter the competition in 2027.
A PNG team would be massive for the Pacific nation who are madly in love with rugby league.
14. KIWIS’ 30-0 KANGAROOS TROUNCING CAPS TEDDY’S REP WOES
It was a representative year to forget for James Tedesco.
The NSW and Kangaroos captain lost both the Origin series and the Pacific Championships in 2023.
Now the pressure will be on the champion fullback to retain his No.1 jersey in the representative arena after an already loud push for him to ousted last season.
But pressure makes diamonds, so rugby league fans can expect the Roosters star to bounce back in 2024.
Meanwhile, for the Kiwis it was a triumphant year capped by a flogging of their Trans-Tasman rivals.
Their 30-0 win was revenge for a World Cup semi-finals loss in 2022 and an 18-point drubbing only a week earlier.
Michael Maguire’s men reigned supreme, keeping the Kangaroos scoreless for the first time since 2005.
International rugby league is back, and their next clash will be sure to produce some fireworks.
15. MAM’S STUNNING GF HAT-TRICK
It was dubbed the best grand final performance of all time… until Nathan Cleary turned it on late in the second half.
However, Broncos fans enjoyed the taste of being premiership winners for at least 50 minutes when young gun Ezra Mam scored three quickfire tries to snatch a 24-8 lead.
What makes the effort even more staggering was that his first four-pointer came in the 44th minute, and his third only 10 minutes later in the 54th.
Mam made himself a household name in the 2023 grand final and likely earnt himself a huge payday, currently being a free agent.
However, the Broncos have reportedly handed him a four-year, $3 million dollar contract to keep him at the Red Hill club long term.
The sky is the limit for this young gun and he will be desperate to go one better alongside his Brisbane teammates in 2024.
16. BROOKS OUT, LUAI IN FOR TIGERS
They may have happened at opposite ends of the season, but the futures of Luke Brooks and Jarome Luai sparked a seismic shift for the Tigers roster.
In the end of an era, Brooks finally put an end to the unfair criticism of his career in gold and black and switched to the Manly Sea Eagles on a four-year deal.
In true Tigers fashion their decision to place a time-frame on Brooks’ contract call ultimately led to him leaving the club feeling he deserved more time.
However, Brooks leaving for Manly could be the best thing to happen for both parties, given it gives both club and player a fresh start to build for the future.
The Tigers brought in veteran Aidan Sezer and young guns Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu, but the money freed up by Brooks’ departure gave them a shot at luring three-time premiership winner Luai to the club.
The reported five year six million deal for Luai isn’t signed, sealed and delivered yet, but if rumours of an early Panthers exit come true the Tigers have won the lottery after failing to land a marquee player for so long.
But even if they have to wait for 2025 to get Luai, the huge signing could be the catalyst for change and bring new stars to the club in the future, while giving the Tigers a player to build their team around.
17. NRLW STUNNED BY LONGEST EVER BAN
Eels skipper Kennedy Cherrington was handed a four-game ban, the longest in NRLW history, for a grade three dangerous throw.
The judiciary conceded there was no ill intent in the tackle and took into account her immediate concern for Knights gun Laishon Albert-Jones.
However, they had no choice but to hand down the bumper suspension, with defence pleading for a 2-3 game ban which they claimed equated to 6-9 games in the NRL due to the length of the competition’s respective seasons.
NRL judiciary counsel Lachlan Gyles SC said: “this is the worst tackle in the history of the NRLW that I can remember” during the hearing.
The Warriors became a worldwide hit during the 2023 season.
Their catchphrase ‘Up the Wahs’ spread like wildfire off the back of a stellar season across the Tasman under rookie coach Andrew Webster.
It was published in the New York Times, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr got in on the act and New Zealand’s biggest phone provider even changed their network name to ‘Up the Wahs’.
The Warriors were truly the feel-good story of last season and were only one game away from reaching the grand final.
Webster’s Warriors were widely tipped to be competing for the wooden spoon, but instead Mt Smart Stadium became a fortress and tickets to NRL games in New Zealand were selling like hot cakes.
Here’s to another year of the Warriors success as everyone’s second favourite team push for finals once again in 2024.
19. KNIGHTS STELLAR STREAK AS PONGA PIPS SJ
The Knights enjoyed a stellar surge to close out the year, winning nine games straight to finish in fifth.
Newcastle eventually bowed out of the finals at the hands of the Warriors, but Adam O’Brien’s side put the pride back into the Knights jersey.
Kalyn Ponga was a central figure and strung together arguably some of the finest NRL performances seen over the past three seasons.
His red-hot form saw him do the unthinkable and win the Dally M Medal, beating out favourite Shaun Johnson despite missing a lengthy period due to a Round 2 head knock.
Ponga finished on 56 votes, and was chasing Shaun Johnson by eight points after Round 23, clawing back the lead in the final round.
20. KIWI FERNS STUN JILLAROOS TO BREAK SEVEN YEAR CURSE
In a seismic shift in women’s rugby league, New Zealand ended seven years of heartbreak to stun Australia 12-6 in a monumental upset in the Pacific Championships.
A year after they were thrashed by 50 points in the World Cup final, a new-look Kiwi Ferns side got their revenge despite spending the majority of the match defending their own line.
The shock result came just two weeks after the Jillaroos beat their rivals by six points in Townsville, with Dally M Medal winner Tamika Upton saving them that night with two tries.
The loss is a massive wakeup call for the Jillaroos who now face some big selection calls with their ageing squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Kiwis wrecking ball Mele Hufanga has emerged as the most destructive centre in the world after another dominant display.
They were embarrassed in last year’s World Cup final, but the future is bright for New Zealand who made bulk changes to that squad and reaped the rewards.
The upset victory sets up an intriguing rivalry between the two best teams in women’s rugby league in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup.
21. BROWN SUSPENSION CONTRIBUTES TO EELS SEASON FROM HELL
It was a season to forget for the Eels, who, a year removed from a grand final appearance in 2022, missed the top eight completely last season.
The regress was a combination of things, including injuries to key players and a tough draw. What proved to be most vital however was the suspension to star five-eighth Dylan Brown.
Brown was suspended for seven games from the NRL after pleading guilty to sexual touching without consent at a pub in Double Bay.
Eels coach Brad Arthur admitted Brown’s behaviour and subsequent suspension was unfortunate.
“There’s never one incident you can blame for a whole season, but that did put a real dampener on things,” Arthur said.
Entering the Dolphins’ debut NRL clash against the Roosters at a near-capacity Suncorp Stadium, no one gave Wayne Bennett’s men much of a chance.
Bookmakers labelled them a $4 hope, big odds in a two-horse race.
Not only were the Dolphins billed as a new side, a mix of journeyman veterans, inexperienced youngsters as well as the glaring lack of ‘star power’, they were taking on the Roosters, who many thought would end up in a grand final.
No one told the Dolphins they weren’t supposed to win though, with the NRL’s newest club proving far too good for their more fancied opponents in a 28-18 win.
The performance started a groundswell of support for the Dolphins and the catchphrase ‘Phins Up’ was heard ad nauseam in nearly every licenced venue in Queensland.
23. NICHO’S ROLLERCOASTER REP YEAR
There were some high highs as well as low lows for Nicho Hynes in the 2023 representative arena.
The 2022 Dally M medallist was picked for his NSW debut in Game I but was dropped for Games II and III after missing a crucial tackle that led to a match-winning try.
Hynes’ 12-minute stint for the Blues was placed under the microscope with the Sharks star receiving plenty of criticism as his form tapered off in clubland over the next couple of months.
Thankfully, the star playmaker was able to atone for Australia in the end-of-season Pacific Championships, handing in a starring performance in the first up win against New Zealand.
“Nicho wears his emotions, he really does, and he came out and spoke really openly through the week about the confidence Mal (Meninga) has instilled in him and the belief Mal shows in him makes him rise and the moment he came onto the field it was a confidence Nicho Hynes, it wasn’t a second guessing, do I belong here,” Fox League’s Michael Ennis said.
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