The incredible turnaround of the North Queensland Cowboys in 2022 has surprised almost everyone.
Somehow, the side that finished 2021 in 15th spot as the competition's worst defensive side has just booked itself a home preliminary final.
North Queensland have languished in the bottom eight since 2018. But head coach Todd Payten has managed to change their fortunes.
With the 2022 Cowboys in mind, we will explore eight other times in which teams have been able to climb from one end of the ladder to the other in a single season.
4. Sydney Roosters - 2013
The Roosters had endured two September's without the prospect of finals football, finishing 11th in 2011 and dropping to 13th in 2012.
It was time to make changes in the Eastern Suburbs and that started with head coach Brian Smith who was sacked with a year left on his contract.
At the end of 2012, the club also parted ways with its captain Braith Anasta who had been with the club since 2006.
In their place, the Roosters made a litany of acquisitions including Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney and Michael Jennings.
They also signed up some experience in bringing Sam Moa and Luke O'Donnell back from the Super League.
Their biggest signing however was that of Trent Robinson in his first head coaching role in the NRL.
Robinson had led the Catalans Dragons to consecutive preliminary finals before signing with the Roosters and brought his winning ways back from France.
Under the captaincy of Anthony Minichiello, the Roosters claimed the minor premiership with 18 wins and 6 losses.
They met the Manly Sea Eagles on grand final night and walked away with the Provan Summons trophy, winning 26 - 18.
The tricolours also cleaned up at the 2013 Dally Ms, with Robinson claiming coach of the year, Maloney top point scorer and Roger Tuivasa Sheck and Boyd Cordner making team of the year.
Panthers 2003: 12th to minor premiers and premiers seems to eclipse several of these.
Knew I would miss at least one. Where would you rank it amongst the others then?
It.s your article, so I don’t want to be presumptuous. I’m also a Panthers’ supporter, so I will acknowledge my bias. It perhaps ranks somewhere between 3 and 5 – They didn’t have the bounce-back effect of internal drama like the Roosters in 3, but didn’t necessarily climb as far. However, they were also wooden spooners two years prior and sat in fifteenth in the second week of the 2003 season. Based on that, I’ll leave it to you to judge… but it certainly ranks 5 at least and I would argue higher.
If I am honest the criteria for the rankings were kind of hard to pin down. Is it more impressive to come from 9th – 12th to win a prem or 13th – 16th and play deep into finals? Also how much do you factor in previous years in a one-year turnaround? Guess to some degree it’s quite subjective. Without delving too deep into the 02 Panthers I would say 03 Penrith is comparable to 13 Roosters so probably 4th or 5th.