The five biggest NRL premiership chances as Origin window commences

The first half of the 2023 NRL season is all but in the books, and crazy season is here with byes, Origin withdrawals and clubs up against it over the next six weeks.

As it stands, the 2023 season is turning into one of the closest in recent memory. After 11 rounds, just eight competition points separate the top 16 teams, withfour teams tied at the top of affairs, and teams from eighth through to 14th separated by just two points.

Form is one thing, but the race for top eight spots could change by the week moving through the second half of the season, particularly during the always volatile Origin window.

Working an NRL premiership favourite is a tough game to play given the season to date, but with Time2Play, there is plenty of value available for punters.

And with our list of the favourites, there is no reason to not be in the know.

Here are the teams most likely to take out the premiership from here.

Penrith Panthers

The Panthers have won two premierships on the trot, and while plenty will suggesting going three in a row is bordering impossible, they haven’t shown many signs of a drop off this year, despite the loss of Apisai Koroisau.

The New South Wales Origin dummy half has certainly put a dent in their attack at times, but at the mid-way point of the year, they have won some big games and built into their work nicely.

An almost certainty to make the finals, if they can peak at the right time, then there is no reason to suggest that with their mountain of finals experience throughout the side, Ivan Cleary’s side won’t make it a three-peat.

South Sydney Rabbitohs

It really feels as if the Rabbitohs are approaching the end of their premiership window, but that said, it’s certainly not over yet.

The men from Redfern have made the preliminary finals for the last five seasons, but only have a single grand final appearance to show for it. 

That said, the experience in this side, and the X-Factor ability of Latrell Mitchell, makes them a threat to anyone in the competition, and if they can get it right in September, then a premiership over a possibly fatiguing Penrith side isn’t out of the question.

Melbourne Storm

The Storm are the NRL’s consistent package, and even after a series of exits at the end of last year, they are still sitting at the pointy end of the table as the 2023 season plays out.

They have, frankly, suffered some poor losses and at times it’s felt as if they haven’t been at their best, but this side still are to welcome back Ryan Papenhuyzen. Put him in a spine featuring Jahrome Hughes as well as Queensland Origin stars Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, and you’d be brave to write them off.

Brisbane Broncos

The Broncos have been this seasons biggest surprise package, although, maybe, it was always coming.

They sit up the right end of the table as the Origin period kicks in, although will lose a lot of players to the arena and, combined with aiming to stop last year’s fade out from repeating, have a big task ahead of them.

Still, Reece Walsh’s arrival from the New Zealand Warriors has sparked plenty in attack, while their defence has, for the most part, appeared stronger. 

They wouldn’t have been in many picks for the grand final at the start of the year, but the Red Hill-based outfit are certainly fighting their way into that discussion now as the middle of the season approaches.

Cronulla Sharks

The Sharks finished in the top four last year before being bounced out of the finals in straight sets, and, likely, the same questions will apply to the men in black, white and blue this time around too.

Nicho Hynes is still the club’s most important player, and while there have been some mixed results this year, it’s clear Craig Fitzgibbon’s side need him to be at his absolute best if Cronulla are to be in the premiership discussion.

That’s a lot of pressure placed on one man, but it’s something he might be able to handle alongside a team who should be better for last year’s finals run.