NRL Trophy

Boom! Just like that, the NRL is back and everything is in place for this season to be a good one. There is always lots of chat at the start of a new season covering a raft of topics. Here though, we’re focussing on who will win it as we take a look at the favourites to win the NRL in 2022. Shall we get cracking?

Number 5. Gold Coast Titans

We kick off our look at the favourites to win the NRL in 2022 with what we would describe as a side with an outside shot. It’s unlikely we’ll see the Titans take the crown in 2022 but if the stars align they probably have more about them than many of the others in the league. One player that we think could be key for them in this campaign is Moeaki Fotuaika. Fotuaika is only young at 22-years-old but he has been on an upward trajectory over the last few years and we expect that to continue here.

Number 4. Sydney Roosters

The Roosters had a fairly respectable season last year before being humiliated by another of the teams we’ll talk about in the postseason. What they achieved becomes even more impressive when you consider the blows they took with forced retirements and injury. It saw a lot of young talent blooded though and with that experience now under their belts they could kick on this year.

Number 3. Manly Sea Eagles

It might have been a decade since the Manly Sea Eagles won the big prizes but write them off at your peril; they’ll be right in the mix this year. If you need an example of what they’re capable of when it all comes together then go and watch their semi-final from last year against the Roosters; it was a relentless onslaught. With Reuben Garrick banking the points and last year’s Player of the Year, Tom Trbojevic, also on the side, they’ll be a threat to anybody.

Number 2. Melbourne Storm

You have to take Melbourne Storm seriously again in 2022 after they finished last season top of the ladder with 21 wins and by far the largest points differential in the league. In the end, they fell at the penultimate hurdle as the eventual winners eliminated them. The Storm was left wondering what might have been with Ryan Papenhuyzen ripping the league up until he suffered a brutal concussion. His absence did see Nicho Hynes get more game time though and that could stand them in good stead this season.

Number 1. Penrith Panthers

Taking the top spot in our look at the favourites to win the NRL in 2022 is the Penrith Panthers. The Panthers won the title in 2021 but that doesn’t mean they won’t come back and do it again; it should be noted though that it would mean the Panthers making the Grand Final for a third year on the spin though, which would be an insane achievement. In James-Fisher Harris, Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary they have a trio of players that are arguably the best in the league in their respective positions. If any team can make it a hat-trick of finals, it’s this lot.

There you have it, our look at the favourites to win the NRL in 2022. If you’re after more detail on the upcoming NRL season then check out this homepage website here.