NRL season preview: Penrith remain the team to beat as bright lights of Las Vegas fade

As the bright lights of Las Vegas begin to fade, the NRL’s 2024 season kicks off in full on home soil this weekend amid healthy optimism around the game even while a number of significant issues exist.

The NRL’s finances are as sound as they have ever been with revenue at a record $701.1m and net assets beyond $260m, leaving the league in resoundingly good shape. There was a 25% rise in crowds and 14% increase in linear TV audiences last year, while Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys has already revealed a vision to expand in the Pacific as well as further afield in the US.

But just two matches into the season and the league is already having to deal with racism allegations against a player, with the investigation into Spencer Leniu’s remarks ongoing but the NRL judiciary likely to hand down a lengthy suspension if the Sydney Roosters forward is found guilty.

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There is also impending legal action on the horizon for the NRL with the state leagues set to take HQ to court over funding issues, a headache the league was hoping to avoid after their long and drawn out battle with the Rugby League Players Association over the latest CBA. Imminent changes to sports betting marketing, ongoing CTE-related data and major concerns around officiating, particularly the new blocking rules on field goal kicks, all need to be tackled in 2024.

While there is significant talk and investment around promoting the sport in America, taking advantage of the sharp growth of the code in New Zealand should be a priority. Last year was a seminal one for rugby league in New Zealand, the momentum built by the Warriors combined with the declining interest in provincial rugby union helping the “Wahs” become the most popular sporting brand in the nation.

The Wahs fever shows no signs of abating this year especially with the return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck after the former Dally M Medal winner endured a brief spell in union, playing three Tests for the All Blacks. Both of the Warriors’ pre-season games this year sold out and they have become a national brand for the first time in their history, marking this as the time for the NRL to double down in New Zealand.

It was, of course, a coaching change that rocketed the Warriors up the table with Andrew Webster the silver bullet. Gold Coast, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers will all be hoping for a similar ascent with their hirings of Des Hasler, Shane Flanagan and Benji Marshall. The Titans and Dragons have invested in experienced, premiership-winning coaches, while the Tigers have put their faith in a club icon. The Dragons and Tigers are the two teams favoured to finish bottom so Flanagan and Marshall have their work cut out for them.

At the pointy end of the table, Penrith are in rarefied air as they look to become the first team since the famous “Never Before, Never Again” Dragons teams of the 1950s and 60s to win four straight premierships. The talent drain continues with Stephen Crichton the latest superstar to depart but it matters little to the premiership favourites who have a pipeline of talent ready to fill in. The announcement that beloved five-eighth Jarome Luai would leave at the end of the season to join the Tigers only provides the motivation to make history with their talent-laden roster.

The one team that can arguably match the Panthers in terms of pure talent is the Roosters, who have recruited with typical astuteness in bringing in star winger Dominic Young and enforcer Leniu. Trent Robinson’s side certainly stood out as the sharpest team in Las Vegas and have enough depth that international Angus Crichton missed selection for the opener.

If one club have matched the Roosters in terms of recruitment, it was the Dolphins. The second-year outfit have picked up international prop Tom Flegler and two star centres led by Herbie Farnworth. Wayne Bennett will step aside at the end of this year and hopes are high that the Dolphins will send him out with a finals appearance, but the season-ending injury to Tom Gilbert will pose a significant impediment.

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While the Roosters and Dolphins were outstanding with their recruitment, Brisbane have been one of the biggest losers in the player transfer market. Four of the Broncos’ 17 from last year’s grand final have departed and depth is a major worry. Factor in the rarity of a losing grand finalist returning to the decider and the Broncos face an uphill battle.

The most heart-warming story heading into 2024 is the return of Ryan Papenhuyzen. The speedy Melbourne full-back has been chopped down by injury, missing 50 games across the last three years. He makes the best spine in the NRL whole as the Storm look to recapture past glories.

Season 2024 is already upon us after the Las Vegas venture put the NRL front and centre. Now it is time for the game to get down to business and build on the hype.