NRL 2024 Hot Takes

By Stephen Gallagher

With the National Rugby League’s ‘Round Zero’ kicking off on Sunday in Las Vegas – I’ve been thinking about some hot takes and some not-so-hot takes to share with the rugby league fraternity who frequent Sportsfreak.

The best part about this is that I am a big fan of having to eat my words, so whether I get any of these right or any of wrong – it’s all about watching the footy along the way.

1 – QUEENSLAND DOMINATE THE TOP EIGHT 

Yep, hot take number one goes to all four Queensland based sides. The Titans from the Gold Coast, Brisbane’s Broncos, the Cowboys from North Queensland and The (wherever The is) Dolphins will all make the top eight in 2024.

Panthers, Roosters, Sea Eagles, Knights will be the other four teams to make the top eight…which leads me to hot take number two….(and three)

2 – THE MELBOURNE STORM WILL MISS OUT ON THE TOP EIGHT

This is the stupidest thing I’ve said today. I’ll probably say something stupider tomorrow and end up in the HR office at work tomorrow….but yes – The Melbourne Storm will miss the top 8 for the first time since they absolutely rorted the salary cap in 2010.

This will spell the end of Craig Bellamy, and start a somewhat rebuild with Jason Ryles as head coach for 2025.

3 – THE KNIGHTS WIN THE COMP

As one of the hottest sides in looks for 2024 (only the Brisbane Broncos can match them in looks), the Knights are going to do something special this season. They’re going to win the whole bloody thing.

CRAZY! I know, it feels weird typing this – but I just have a hunch that they are only going to be stronger and build on the success they had late last season.

Kalyn Ponga will go back-to-back Dally M Player Of The Year.

4 – THE WESTS TIGERS WILL AVOID THE WOODEN SPOON

Look, this isn’t a hot take, they won’t be as shit as they have been the previous two seasons. That will be nice for their fans. Still won’t make the top eight, however.

5 – THE CANBERRA RAIDERS WILL NOT AVOID THE WOODEN SPOON

(I’m only saying the Raiders will win the spoon because I am too much of a coward to say the Dragons).

I dunno, something about this Raiders season feels a little off. I’m not sure they have the creativity in the halves, or the competency in the backs to be as consistent as they have been in the last couple of years. Will be a tough one for Sticky his band of merry men.

6 – ALEX TWAL WILL SCORE THREE TRIES THIS YEAR

The 27-year-old, in his 8th season at the Wests Tigers, will be a try-scoring machine this season.

After finally scoring a meat pie against the Melbourne Storm in Round 16, his 116th Premiership game – the floodgates will open for the big man.

I see him dotting down at least three times this year.

7 – THE NRL VEGAS EXPERIMENT WILL PAY OFF

I don’t think Allegiant Stadium will sell out – but I think all the media coverage, all the schmoozing, all the high-profile names touching a Steeden will only help grow this game. I’m excited to see this all play out this Sunday. My ‘NRL Round Zero’ preview will be up later this week.

8 – THE COMMENTATORS WILL START GENUINELY ATTEMPTING TO PRONOUNCE THE NAMES OF PLAYERS RIGHT

This is a selfish one from me – but as someone who put a lot of work into an NRL Pronunciation Guide for 2023 and 2024 – I think things will start moving and we’ll start hearing players’ names said right, and it will be beautiful.

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