Every NRL team's strength for 2023

Last week, we looked at each team's weakness. Feeling far more positive today, it's time for each team's strength. It goes without saying that certain teams have multiple strengths, so we've just chosen the one we believe stands out most. Below is each team's strength heading into the 2023 NRL season: Penrith Panthers Superstar halves combo The Panthers' entire squad is a strength, but in my view, it is within the superstar halves where Penrith hold the biggest advantage. Nathan Cleary is arguably the best player in the game. He shrugged off his biggest criticism, the perception he doesn't perform in big games, with two brilliant performances in Grand Finals as well as a near flawless World Cup Final. Jarome Luai can find an off-field headline but is a marvelous footballer. Most importantly he is the perfect foil for Cleary. They are arguably the game's best partnership. Parramatta Eels Prime halves pairing The Eels lost two huge name players heading into 2022. I don't think it's any coincidence they were freeing up cap space with their halves in mind. Dylan Brown had a career-best season in 2022 and graduated into the game's true elite. His re-signing is a massive coup for the club. Mitch Moses was magic last season and looks every bit a Premiership winning halfback. Most importantly, both players are approaching the prime of their careers. Together! If the Eels can keep these two together for the next four/five years, surely there's more success to come. North Queensland Cowboys Modern day forward pack The Cowboys may not have the biggest name forwards in the game, Jason Taumalolo aside, but they have a near perfect, modern day pack. Reuben Cotter may be the perfect 2023 prop. He's big, aggressive, skillful, fast and has a motor for days. Jeremiah Nanai may be the game's next multi millionaire given his rapid rise. Most fans couldn't pick Griffin Neame out of a lineup but he fits perfectly into the 2022/23 forward system the Cowboys have created. South Sydney Rabbitohs All star spine Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damian Cook are three of the game's megastars. Lachlan Ilias overcame a bumpy start in his debut season to establish himself as an absolute weapon. Yes, I mentioned previously that Walker and Mitchell can be quiet in big games, but when they are on there aren't many teams who can stop them. Perhaps the perception of being "quiet" is unfair and a product of what they can achieve, but if any of their spine is in the top three players on the day, they win. Sydney Roosters Perfect mix Of youth and experience The 2023 Sydney Roosters boast a game day squad that nearly no other side can match. They're overloaded with talent, and the perfect mix of youth and experience. They've added Brandon Smith to an already jam packed spine. Tedesco and Keary are perfect spine partners for the rapidly rising Sam Walker. Crichton, Radley and Manu are all at the peak of their powers. Joseph Suaalii and Daniel Tupou are a perfect example of the Roosters getting the balancing act right. Cronulla Sharks Young stars The Sharks major stars are Nicho Hynes, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Sifa Talakai and Jesse Ramien. Their ages are 26, 23, 25 and 25 respectively. Cronulla massively over produced in 2022, at least compared to expectations. They're building a side around their young crop of superstars. They're all young, fast and fancy free. Throw in the likes of Teig Wilton (23), Blayke Brailey (24), and Briton Nikora (25) and the majority of the Sharks line-up are in their athletic prime. Wests Tigers Top class forward pack There are no prizes for naming the Tigers big strength heading into the new season. They have overseen a brilliant recruitment spree that has seen their pack transform into one of the game's best. 2022 stand out Joe Ofahengaue will be joined by David Klemmer, Isaiah Papali'i, John Bateman, Api Koroisau and potentially Nathan Brown. Throw in the ridiculously talented Stefano Utoikamanu and you have arguably the game's best run on 8 through 13. Blore and Twal are more than handy off the bench also. They shouldn't lose too many games in the middle The Dolphins Wayne Bennett This may sound like a shot at the players but that couldn't be further from the truth. Wayne Bennett has a well earned reputation of getting the best out of his players. He was the perfect appointment to oversee the introduction of a new side. His being there gives the club their best chance of being competitive right off the bat and set up for future success. The Dolpins have signed a host of young players, many of whom are yet to debut. Having Wayne Bennett at training will be absolutely priceless for young and more experienced alike. Newcastle Knights Potential to be realised You cannot convince me that Kalyn Ponga is yet to realise his fullest potential. Jackson Hastings, Jayden Brailey or Bradman Best neither. Dom Young had a majestic World Cup after a brilliant end to his 2023 club season. Jack Hetherington could be absolutely anything. It's a big ask but if those players can all improve in 2023, the Knights may leave plenty of pundits with egg on their face. Brisbane Broncos Game breakers This Broncos side is stacked. Looking at pure player ability, this club should walk into Finals and possibly even push for a spot in the Top Four. They boast some of the game's most exciting players and players who can blow games apart at any time. Reece Walsh can be a top class fullback, Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth have the potential to form the game's best centre pairing while Payne Haas and Selwyn Cobbo can win games with a single run. Gold Coast Titans Freakish abilities I'm still shaking my head at the Titans 2022 season. Any side containing the likes of Aj Brimson, Tino Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita should be there at the business end of the season. Jayden Campbell could be special. He has shown signs that he is ready to explode onto the scene. The aforementioned Brimson is one of the game's most underappreciated players. David Fifita is unstoppable, when he wants to be. If the Titans brass can convince him as such, there is no one in the competition who can match him. Canberra Raiders Super pack Joseph Tapine is the best prop in the game. Huge call but I will die on this hill. That said, his front row partner in Josh Papalii may also be in the discussion. Hudson Young will play Origin in 2023. Elliott Whitehead has ball playing skills that remind me of a peak Wade Graham. Corey Harawira-Naera is a monster. If Corey Horsburgh and Zac Woolford can continue their rise then this Raiders pack will be hard to stop, no matter who the opposition. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Matt Burton I tried to refrain from simply naming individual players here but in this case I have no choice. The Dogs biggest weapon is Matt Burton. Whether that be his running game, his last ditch tackling efforts or the game's biggest boot, the best way to shut the Dogs down is to blunt Matt Burton. The Dogs will need to provide him far more in terms of supporting cast in 2023 but if Burton is on, he is very, very difficult to contain. Melbourne Storm Game's best spine There are some brilliant spines in Rugby League, some even mentioned here, but none are better than the full strength Storm. Unfortunately it looks as though Ryan Papenhuyzen will miss the opening month in 2023 but at full flight you simply cannot match Pap, Munster, Hughes and Grant. Cam Munster is the best player in the game, in my opinion, while Hughes is the only half I'd put up against Cleary. Harry Grant is so far ahead of any other hooker in the competition. New Zealand Warriors Chips on shoulders The Warriors head into 2023 being told to expect a long season. I'm on record as saying I can't see where the points come from. If there's one thing this Warriors side loves it is showing up the critics. They outperformed any expectations in unprecedented circumstances the past few seasons. Luke Metcalf was told he wasn't good enough to break into the Sharks outfit. Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad were let go to free up cap space. Expect all three to bust their guts to repay the faith in the Warriors. St George-Illawarra Dragons Ben Hunt Again, I tried to avoid this but Ben Hunt is the man when it comes to the Red V. I recently stated he may be the only man, but what a weapon to hold. Hunt would not have looked out of place with the Dally M medal around his neck in 2022. Given his side missed Finals by a mile, that says a lot. Ben Hunt will keep the Dragons in the Finals race far longer than they have any right to be this season. Just like last season ... and the season before that. Manly Sea Eagles A fresh start The biggest positive heading into the 2023 season is that it's not 2022 anymore. The Sea Eagles were a horror show on and off the park last year. They've gone to big lengths to shake things up and right the wrongs. Des Hasler is out and Anthony Seibold is in, which will bring a new culture and hopefully new ideas. Tommy Turbo will spend the off-season in America in efforts to find full fitness again. Sometimes you just need to look forward and not backward. A fresh start was needed in a big way and will provide instant improvement.