Salford Red Devils League Placings : 2000-23

Salford was a tad late to the RL party only joining in 1896. This was after being suspended by the Rugby Union for professionalism and then demoted to the bottom of the RU Lancashire League. The 1930's was the club's golden era, considered the best side in the game at the time. Salford was the first club to be invited to tour France in late 1934 to promote Rugby league in the country. They won all six matches in style so the French Press gave them the name Les Diables Rouges (The Red Devils).    

The 21st century hasn't been without issues for the club, perhaps even lucky to be playing in the elite division. I won't mention all the coaches as they have had quite a few. The noughties started with decline and relegation in 2002. Back in 2004 with Karl Harrison as coach they had a few OK seasons but down again in 2007. 

Back up in Super League after a year in the Championship wilderness, they lasted four seasons before a return trip down again. Back again in 2009, they repeated the pattern except they got a reprieve in that while coming last in 2013, relegation had been temporarily suspended. Several more years of survival and a couple of good seasons have been the club's lot since. 

In 2012, the club moved from its long-term residence at The Willows to the Salford City Stadium. While a much improved facility, it wasn't as convenient for locals to attend and away supporters who travel there complain on forums about how difficult it is to access. It seems this lack of convenience has hurt attendance numbers.

At the beginning of 2013, it was made public that there was a winding-up notice against the club. Successful businessman Marwan Koukash stepped in and took the club over. His style of operation was different from other owners, which at times led to his being criticised. He left the club in 2017, handing ownership back to the fans after failing to get more supporters turning up to watch matches. The following year, he wrote off a debt owed to him by the club. 

For 2022 and 2023 Paul Rowley has done a reasonable job of keeping the club competitive on a relatively small budget. They can't quite match it with the best sides over a season but they have been above the relegation scrap. Their fan base is steadily growing too. 

UK League One : 2023 Season

The League One (third tier) league struggles financially and casualties are mounting. For this season the West Wales Club pulled out of the competition at short notice and now the London Skolars are voluntarily dropping to a regional division for the 2024 season. At least the longer notice of this allows more time for planning. 

Dewsbury and Workington dropped from the division above (Championship) and ten sides battled for success, especially the two places allocated for promotion. Dewsbury secured one with immediate promotion back up. 

The teams placed from second to sixth went into a playoff scenario for the other berth. Hunsel was granted a bye round as they came second. Third played fourth and fifth sixth.

Doncaster were comfortable winners over Oldham while in the elimination match North Wales upset last year's Championship side Workington. 

Hunslet returned to the fray but the week off did them no good, going down to Doncaster. In the elimination second round match, underdogs North Wales just made it past Oldham.

The solitary third round tie pitted second placed Hunslet against sixth placed North Wales. Yet again the team based in the Principality won a sudden death match to defy the odds for a crack at promotion.

This time North Wales had to concede defeat and Doncaster make their way to the Championship (see picture after winning try). North Wales have had a tough year over access to their home ground so the disruptions of that must have galvanised to side. 

Super League Attendances : 2023

The 27 round of games have been played and for this year the average was 9,253. Comparing that with 2022, when there were 8,347 per match, a useful 10.7% increase. 

Leeds leads the chart with 13,800 average attendees and a 6.6% increase. Very good considering the team has performed erratically and didn't even make the playoffs. Hull FC and Warrington were another two that finished lower than expected but both did OK with the number turning up to watch. 

The Leigh Leopards had a totally unexpected successful season. They won the cup and made the finals. Not bad for a team with relegation written all over them. Their attendance figure compared to the team they replaced (Toulouse) was up 46% and measured against their 2022 season in the Championship (division two) was up 140%! 

The only clubs to register a fall in numbers were Castleford (-4.9%)  and Wakefield (-6.4%) but with a stadium upgrade in progress at Wakefield, understandable. They were also the two worst performing sides, both fighting over the relegation spot. It was a shame one had to miss out.

I thought I'd include the effect relegation had on the attendance at Toulouse. It fell 34.6%.  

Leeds Rhinos League Placings : 2000-23

One of the original clubs to form the game of Rugby league, they took the word Rhinos as late as 1996. Perhaps their most successful period comes during the period under discussion here. The year 2000 had Dean Lance at the helm but was soon replaced by Daryl Powell who took the club to second spot on the table. He was relieved from his post to make way for Tony Smith.

That ushered in a five year spell where the team didn't finish below third place and were top in 2004. They also won the grand final twice, in 2004 and 2007. This after years of being in the trophy wilderness. Then in came Brian McLennan who took a second consecutive grand final in 2008. In 2009, the league title was theirs. Brian resigned then resigned to return to New Zealand.

Another Brain Mc arrived in the form of Mc Dermott. League form started to slip but two grand final victories were attained in 2011 and 2012. Heady stuff. A Challenge Cup in 2014 was the only silverware for a couple of years, before achieving the league, cup and grand final treble in 2015. 

After that, retirements of some key players hurt them and consistency eluded the club. 2017 was an exception with a second in the league and a grand final in the bag. After a poor 2018, Brain McDermott was relieved of his post and David Furner reigned for a brief spell before Richard Agar took the coaching role. 

Currently, Rohan Smith is in charge and to say it hasn't gone to plan is a fair statement. The current squad is solid but lacks the class required to test the best teams going around. Not a bad skyline mind as in the early part of the century, they were the team to beat. 

Huddersfield Giants League Placings : 2000-23

Huddersfield was a founding Rugby league club back in 1895. In fact, the meeting that led to the formation of the game started in this very city, at the George Hotel. You can read about the historic Hotel becoming a national RL museum by clicking here. 

The Giants are a team that came back in the early noughties but recently receded again. In the year 2000, the club had been merged with the Sheffield Eagles. This ill-fated venture thankfully only lasted one season, with John Kear being the coach. From 1998 to 2001, they was no promotion-relegation so Huddersfield had a reprieve. 

Back as the Huddersfield Giants, they took on coach Tony Smith in 2001 and tried to rebuild. Relegation followed but they remained fully a professional club and were back in 2003 and stayed there. Tony Smith left for Leeds and in came Jon Sharp. Four years of reasonable placings came to pass but his position was terminated during the 5th season with a poor 10th placing.

Nathan Brown took charge in 2009 and a much improved 3rd placing was achieved. The club won the Club of the Year, Coach of the Year and Man of Steel award. The next three years witnessed a slight annual decline in the finishing position. The coach lost his post and in came Paul Anderson. This resulted in the club winning its first league leader's shield in 81 years. 

Just when things were going so well, it all turned to custard in 2016 with a bottom placing. Rick Stone was then made the new coach and results improved but not that much. Out he went and in came new coach Simon Woolford but it didn't really lift things. He resigned and was replaced by Salford's Ian Watson. 

Since then, things have been up and down. The squad they have should have done better but if they can recruit well then who knows. The town is not a RL stronghold by any means and it is generously assisted by its owner, without whom the club may have left the elite league years ago.

Queensland Competition : 2023

The Queensland RL competition is a well run operation, especially considering the distances involved. It also involves a team from PNG but they are based in the state. 

League: This year the Burleigh Bears (Gold Coast) won the league from Souths Logan and Brisbane Tigers (both Brisbane sides). The Central Queensland Capras (Townsville) came fourth, a big improvement from last place in 2021. 

The Norths Devils won the league and grand final in 2021, followed up by a grand final victory in 2022 but couldn't even make the finals cut for this season. The Ipswich Jets didn't get off the ground.

The finals: The top eight moved into a knock out finals format. Depending on where a team finished in the league determines who gets placed where. The higher the finish the greater the advantage in progressing. 

Round One: Redcliffe and Northern Pride lasted just one round, Burleigh and the Brisbane Tigers qualifying for a bye next round. 

Round Two: Souths Logan and the Sunshine Coast fell at this hurdle.

Round Three: Wynnum-Manly were taken to the cleaners and the Capras were edged by the Tigers to end their respective seasons.

Grand Final: The Tigers upset the favourites Bears in a tight match. To see the final highlights, copy and paste the following URL: 

https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2023/09/18/grand-final-highlights-tigers-v-bears/

Three Year Summary: Over this period, I allocated points for what teams achieved over these seasons. From the we see the Burleigh bears are the most successful, ahead of the Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins. The Western Clydesdales returned for 2023 so are understandably the lowest on the chart. 

Hull FC League Placings : 2000-23

Yet another original side from 1895, Hull FC with a nickname of the All Blacks which has long since fallen into disuse. The ground was on Airlie St so the nickname Airlie birds came into vogue. In modern times the moniker Sharks was chosen but didn't last long for whatever reason. It's a club that has rarely hit great heights despite a strong following, recent cup wins their main claim to success. 

Shaun McRae was the coach from 2000 to 2004 with solid league placings during that time. John Kear arrived and the league table results looked OK but a poor start to the season in 2006 had Peter Sharp appointed. He went through the same situation as John Kear and was replaced by Richard Agar. 

Peter Gentle lasted a couple of years as coach before Lee Radford came in for 190 games in charge. 2016 brought a league leader's shield to the club as well as Challenge Cups for 2016 and 2017. He was let go in 2020 and a caretaker coach filled in until Brett Hodgson came onboard in 2021. Quite a good 21st century with a few poor seasons. 

Unfortunately, the last two seasons will have disappointed the faithful. New coach brina Smith was unable to work any magic to get more out of his charges than he did. The poorest result since 2014 and the fact that the two sides that finished below them were quite frankly very ordinary, which saved them from relegation. 

UK Super League Table : 2023

As a season goes, it wasn't a predictable one. St Helens were warm favourites after winning last year's league and then the World Club Challenge against Penrith but came in third. I didn't expect the Catalan Dragons to go so close to taking out the league title but a loss to Wigan late in the season was the difference.

Even bigger surprises eventuated. Hull KR made the top four when I didn't see them in the top six, one of the teams therefore that progresses to the playoffs. They also made the Cup final. The Leigh Leopards were the biggest surprise. They were dead certain relegation candidates but have made the final playoff series and won the 2023 Challenge Cup as proof they were the real deal in 2023.

Warrington looked promising and early on in the season the team was delivering but then faltered. Still, they are in the finals. Huddersfield, Salford and Leeds were finalists last year but surprisingly were off the pace. 

The bottom three were the only thing that was really predictable this year. In the end, it was Wakefield that had to leave the top flight. After a nicely upgraded stadium was finally delivered but then relegation. If spending on that rather than recruiting players cost them, it was a price worth paying when one takes the long term view. 

Castleford Tigers League Placings : 2000-23

The Castleford Tigers (or Cas as they are affectionately referred to) have been around since 1926. There was a team in the town earlier but not connected to the current iteration. Even the current entity was apparently around prior to 1926 but only went professional then. The trophy cabinet hasn't needed to be that large as the club has only ever experienced fleeting glory.

The 21st century commenced with a sound 5th place but descended into relegation in 2003. A season back in 2006 was not productive and with the Catalan club exempt from demotion Cas took its place. Back in 2008 and last again but spared another yo-yo type drop with licencing deciding who plays in the elite competition. 

Mercifully for the fans, when relegation was reintroduced, Cas' hasn't become a victim of that scenario. Under the guidance of coach Daryl Powell, a much better Manhattan skyline can be seen in the graph below. 2017 even brought a league title and grand final appearance to the club. This was his last at the club as he moved to the Warrington Wolves in 2022.

Lee Radford came and went with Andy Last taking the reigns for 2023. The club was looking over its shoulder most of the season, hoping that dreaded relegation would be avoided and so it was...just. 

The last (pun not intended) few years have been poor with results declining and unless something is done to arrest that, it may be heading south sooner rather than later. 

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats League Placings : 2000-23

A club with a long, proud history going back to 1895 when the game began. Unfortunately, it's been some time since silverware graced their hall of fame cabinet. In the year 2000, local lad and former player Andy Kelly was ending a four year role as coach, replaced in 2001 by John Harbin. He stayed a season then moved on. Peter Roe passed through briefly and a dual partnership with Shane McNally and Adrian Vowles became must the former and he helped the side to respectable 2004 result. 

On his sacking Tony Smith came in before he was shown the door and John Kear got the poisoned chalice, I mean coaching job. He remained for a colossal 153 games and had some success too in 2009. The club went into administration in 2011 and Richard Agar emerged as the coach for 2012.  A wooden spoon and a revolving door policy for coaches resumed before local man Chris Chester was appointed. 

One issue that wouldn't go away was Wakefield trying to get a better ground to play at. It became a long running saga with one proposal after another biting the dust. Finally, for the 2023 season a substantial upgrade to the ground commenced. 

The disappointing reality the club came last in the league and automatic relegation to the championship resulted. It could argued the club has been dicing with this for some time as the Manhattan below shows. Still, when they do return, they will have a stadium worthy of that status. 

Penrith Panthers League Placings : 2000-23

Way out west of Sydney at the foot of the Blue Mountains resides a community with a strong passion for the game and their club. Founded in 1967, it took until 1985 before making it into a finals series. Royce Simmons as a former player (238 first grade matches for the Panthers) was the coach from 1994 until 2001, a total of 187 matches. His coaching career wasn't stellar (41% win record) but they stuck with him.

After collecting the wooden spoon in 2001, in came John Lang from Cronulla. After a slow start to 2002, momentum built and in 2003 Penrith took the league (minor premiership) and grand final. It slipped from there and ended in 2006. In came Matthew Elliott and after getting the wooden spoon (again in 2006) built nicely for the second place in the league. It wasn't sustained and after Steve Georgallis finished the season for Matt, Ivan Cleary arrived from a successful stint at the NZ Warriors. 

Apart from 2014, it wasn't hugely a profitable time at the club so Anthony Griffin was engaged in 2016. The results were good but a falling out led to his departure in late 2018. Ivan Cleary was welcomed back in 2019 and has done good things with the team. 

The Origin series rattled them in 2021, losing many players to that competition. As Australian clubs whinge about losing players for international matches, the silence is deafening when it comes to a domestic competition doing the same thing. It comes down to what you value and what you don't. 

The last four years have been super consistent, managing Origin better and improving the depth of the squad working to keep them at the top of the pile. They are the new Melbourne Storm and with a strong junior programme should be able to maintain this. 

Brisbane Broncos League Placings : 2000-23

No one doubts the record of the mighty Brisbane Broncos. Having a whole city to draw on was helpful but also the State of Queensland was there to be tapped into. Not that the Broncos were the only side to do so but being the local club must have helped. 

The success came but then so did other Queensland clubs although the city of Brisbane still only has one team. That should have been enough to stay very competitive but it's not enough to have talent on hand. It has to be found and nurtured. Having too much choice can be a negative too.

In the year 2000, the Broncos won the league competition, named the Minor Premiership. Wayne Bennet was the coach then and a very successful one too. However, as you can see below, while the club was regularly making the top eight and therefore the finals series, there was a gradual decline in where the club finished. 

The timeline along the bottom of the graph shows Wayne Bennett's tenure came to an end in 2008. In came Ivan Henjak, who lasted two seasons, the second of which the team missed out on a top eight spot. After him came Anthony Griffin. An immediate spike up to third in 2011 was a short lived shot in the arm. A poor 11th in 2013 was followed by an improved 2014 but he went anyway. 

In came Wayne Bennett for another stint, this time four years. They made the finals each season without actually winning the minor premiership. That ended with Anthony Seibold taking charge in 2019. A solid first year gave no indicator of a wooden spoon the following season. 

Now past player Kevin Walters has taken charge for 2021 but the losses have kept coming. A review of all operations and personnel of the club was undertaken. How that was to unfold and whether it would see a return of better days was uncertain. 

However, 2022 saw an improvement and one place short of a finals spot while 2023 had the team coming second. The improvement since 2020 has been nothing short of amazing. 

Melbourne Storm League Placings : 2000-23

The Melbourne Storm arrived in 1998 and hit the ground running. It benefitted from a unique situation of the Perth Reds and Hunter Mariners folding just before as a result of the Super League truce, where it got many of its players from. It made the finals series in its first year and won the grand final in just its second season. 

The first coach was Chris Anderson, whose tenure in that position lasted three years. Actually, seven games into 2002 can be added to that before he was relieved of his position due to poor results. Mark Murray took the helm but things only got worse, missing the finals for the first time not once but twice.  

Wayne Bennett's assistant coach at the Brisbane Broncos became the new coach in 2003. Craig Bellamy has held that post since then. Things immediately improved and the club hasn't missed the finals since, apart from 2020. What took place at the club was spending over the salary cap, which was intentionally disguised. 

The upshot was that in 2010 when it became known it resulted in three minor premierships from 2006 to 2008 being taken from the club and all wins in the 2010 season were not counted. Two premierships were also annulled. The amazing thing was the club has continued on its successful way, with a record of consistent achievement that's unseen in a sport with a salary cap in place. Now adhered to of course.  

It's a club that is based in a city with no history of Rugby league and therefore not a provider of talent to support the player roster. It has required a most effective scouting regime, finding players from mainly Queensland and New Zealand. The consistency and effectiveness of this side of the operation are staggering. 

2023 was another good year although in the past two years they have fallen slightly in terms of being the pacesetter for others to follow. Will the club continue delivering at such a high level? I think not but will still be a very competitive side. 

New Zealand Warriors League Placings : 2000-23

The NZ Warriors (formerly the Auckland Warriors) have a huge talent base to work with but that doesn't always translate into success. NRL clubs from across the Tasman have been coming over for years and tempting young lads with potential to join them. Most of the players don't make the cut, many end up playing in lower league competitions in Australia. 

For those that are retained by the Warriors, the club hasn't delivered to the level it should have done. Initially, money that could have been pumped into the club had to pay travel expenses for all teams. Not a way to help a new franchise. Early on, some of the officiating was decidedly against them but that is a thing of the past. Travel isn't helpful but other clubs have overcome that hurdle. Management at times has been average to put it kindly.

For all that, since their inception in 1995, they have never picked up a wooden spoon. They have also been to two grand finals, in 2002 and 2011. Eight times they have made the playoffs but not usually finished high enough in the league to reduce travel, which is fatiguing. The higher you finish, the more home games and a chance for more byes. 

Since 2000, we can see by the timeline at the base of the chart the coaches used. In 2000, it was Mark Graham who had taken up the coaching position in 1999. While he was voted the greatest player NZ produced for the first century of the game in NZ, his coaching didn't reach those heights. 

In came Daniel Anderson in 2001 with the best passage of the club's history during his tenure. A poor 2004 had Tony Kemp brought in but lasted 37 games before being replaced by Former player Ivan Cleary. He did well in the 164 matches he was involved in. That was followed by a flurry of coaches, Brian McClennan, Matthew Elliott, Andrew McFadden before a longer run with former player Stephen Kearny. The 79 games he coached matched exactly the number of games he played for the club. 

In 2020, coaching novice Todd Payten came in for 14 games and did very well in trying circumstances. He then decided to move on in his fledgling career and the experienced Nathan Brown has stepped up to the plate in 2021. It was a squad that attacked with some flair but lacked the ability to defend with enough resilience. You won't go too far without the defence in order.

That was sorted in 2023 with the arrival of Jake Webster as coach. The season started slowly and finished a bit weak but a hot patch in between had them finishing an amazing fourth, based around good defence. That exceeded all expectations but after the sacrifices they made during Covid, not begrudged by anyone. 

Newcastle Knights League Placings : 2000-23

Newcastle is situated on the NSW coast north of Sydney. It's a strong RL city with good support on game day, even when the team isn't going well. They certainly had reason to turn up to watch their team in the early 20th century.  

The coach for 2000 was Warren Ryan, in his second and last year for the club. In came Michael Hagan for 154 games over six years. In his first year, he led the team to second place and a grand final victory. He was there for the club's first wooden spoon but the team bounced back the following year. 

After he moved on, Brian Smith arrived but the year was a disaster. The forced retirement of the outstanding player Andrew Johns and an horrific injury toll coupled with personality conflicts all contributed. Things did improve in 2008 but Smith resigned during the season, allowing Rick Stone to take charge. Average results led to Wayne Bennett taking over but again for the most part not the most productive period for the club.

Rick came back but was sacked, with Danny Buderus stepping in as a temporary measure. The second wooden spoon was followed by two more under new coach Nathan Brown. Things did pick up after that but not enough it seems as he was replaced by Adam O'Brien for the 2020 season. A strong 2020 has been followed by a softer 2021 but a bad injury run didn't help the cause.

2022 followed 2021 in a similar fashion but while 2022 started poorly, a nine match winning streak propelled them into the finals with a fifth spot finish. They seem full of confidence as you do when winning becomes a habit.  

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks League Placings : 2000-23

The club on the southeast coast of Sydney city, Cronulla being within the Sutherland Shire. As far as Rugby league is concerned it is a club usually competing well enough but not with much silverware to show for the effort. They were formed in 1967 yet won their first and only premiership in 2016.

We take up the story in the year 2000, when the coach John Lang was coming to the end of a career with the club going back to 1994 and 220 matches. After he resigned, in came Chris Anderson for a controversial two seasons. Stuart Raper followed and after a promising start, things fell away in 2006. His run followed a similar pattern to the former but the club had several incidents that made this a turbulent time. 

Shane Flanagan was the new head honcho and things went up well but he was suspended for a season for his role after a supplements investigation at the club. Peter Sharp came in for half a season, resigned and the rest of the season Cronulla was led by James Shepherd. The wooden spoon was duly secured by the club.

Shane Flanagan came back and a fine spell of success ensued. It all turned to custard when it became known that he had broken the conditions of his suspension in 2014. The club was fined and the coach left. John Morris got the hot seat and did a workmanlike job despite financial issues with the club. His playing career amounted to 300 first grade games and he coached at Cronulla 54 matches. 

His departure during 2021 gave assistant coach Josh Hannay the driver's seat as a caretaker. After some frustrating losses after his appointment, the results have evened out, if not with an overly spectacular ending.  

Craig Fitzgibbon has now had two seasons at the helm and the result has been good. He seems a straight up sort of man who would be good at getting the best from players. I think he's overachieved with what he has at his disposal. 

Sydney Roosters League Placings : 2000-23

Once the Eastern Suburbs club (based in that part of Sydney), now the Sydney Roosters are only one of two founding clubs still plying their trade at the elite level. They have also been referred to as the Tricolours. Winning trophies have been successfully spread across their history. 

Picking up the story in 2000, Graham Murray was the new coach with a positive first year 2nd place and a grand final loss. The same level wasn't delivered next season, leading to his being sacked. Ricky Stuart stepped up to the plate and went on to win the grand final in 2002 after a 3rd place in the league. A league win in 2004 was a small consolation for two grand finals losses in '03 and '04. Two poor seasons after that meant a new coach was required. 

Chris Anderson was there and then gone,  replaced by Brad Fittler. In 2007, the Roosters became the first club to play 100 years of first grade Rugby league in Australia. 2008 was positive but the wooden spoon was the reward for their limp effort the following season. Brian Smith had a crack at revitalising fortunes with limited success. 

This heralded the arrival of Trent Robinson. Three consecutive league titles immediately followed and a grand final win in 2013 for good measure. A horror 2016 proved a mere blip as subsequent seasons show. Consecutive grand final wins in 2018-19 were also achieved. 2020 looked promising but a form drop at the wrong time had the season fizzle out to a disappointing end. 2021 followed a similar pattern if not to the same degree. 

Trent Robinson's tenure as coach continues and the results are solid with him although slipping gradually. No one doubts the solidness of the team and the defense of late has been exceptional. They seem just short of the best but can never be underestimated. 

Canberra Raiders League Placings : 2000-23

The Raiders are situated in the capital city of Canberra in territory know as the ACT. They arrived as a club in 1982 and got the name the Green Machine because of the colour of the jersey and I assume the success they achieved. By looking at the manhattan skyline below, we can deduce that they have had their share of ups and downs since the century started. 

Club legend Mal Meninga coached the teams here from 1997 to 2001. It wasn't a period of outstanding achievement and Matthew Elliott was his replacement. Nothing much changed with him and the two succeeding coaches. In came a former star of the club Ricky Stuart. Things did get better and 2016 was a highlight and solid performances in the league did get them to a grand final in 2019. 

The side ended up sitting at a not too flash 10th placing, the team not performing to expectation. Leads were run down and 80 minute performances non-existent, which cost them valuable points that in previous years would have been taken. The way they handled the George Williams affair didn't impress me either.

The last two seasons have had the team squeak into the finals. In 2023 a top four place looked likely but a poor run of form had them perilously close to an early end to the season. They still have a problem playing a full 80 minutes. 

South Sydney Rabbitohs League Placings : 2000-23

South is only one of two founding clubs of the NSWRL from 1908 still in the NRL. That nearly was taken away from them in 2000 when it was decided they failed to meet the criteria for remaining in the competition. Two seasons in the wilderness they fought their way back into the competition. 

The first few years back were underwhelming with three wooden spoons and a couple of close calls. New owners and Jason Taylor becoming the coach seemed to do the trick and things picked up. However, the coach was sacked for an incident at end of season celebrations in 2009. John Lang came in for two unexceptional years and then retired.

Michael Maguire and the change of fortunes was striking. They finished 3-2-3 for three consecutive years and capped that off with the grand final trophy in 2014. Surprisingly, Maguire's contract was terminated at the end of 2017 after 165 matches in charge and Anthony Seibold came in for a season. Despite a good year, he was bizarrely involved in a coach swap with the Brisbane Broncos and Wayne Bennett. The latter has been involved for three seasons, the team twice missing the grand final by a game prior to 2021. 

2022 saw the introduction of Jason Demetriou as coach but things are slipping, even missing out on the top eight finals for the first time since 2017, albeit by a whisker. Still, results will need to improve with the squad the club has. 

Parramatta Eels League Placings : 2000-23

The Eels have had a modest return this century. Some good times, some real lows. Back in the year 2000, coach Brian Smith was well into his 244 match career at the club. It commenced in 1997 and went until 2006 and he remains the longest serving coach. League winners in 2001 and 2005, the first took them to a losing grand final, the second one game short of the final. The last 16 matches in the 2006 season were overseen by caretaker coach Jason Taylor. 

Michael Hagan's 51 games at the Eels produced a 50-50 win-loss record but he chose to leave after two seasons for personal reasons. Stephen Kearney was the new coach in 2011 but his win record plunged to a quarter and culminated in a wooden spoon in 2011. 

Ricky Stuart was then employed to lead the team but a 20% win rate was the disappointing result. Back to back wooden spoons were the outcome, showing changing coaches in quick succession isn't always the answer. Surely more stability with coaches was required.

Brad Arthur was the man chosen or as I refer to him, Mr. Frown. The three year deal he was initially offered has continued to now, his 8th season. He promised no wooden spoons while he was coach, a promise that lasted until 2018. He skillfully shielded his players through a salary cap issue in 2017.

It is with credit to the Parramatta club that they promised to keep Brad Arthur for the remaining year of his contract in 2019. This was probably due to the way he handled a difficult season the year before. He stayed on coaching after a much improved 2019 and while trophies have eluded the club for some time now, they had four seasons of strong performances. 2023 ended a bit limp though.

North Queensland Cowboys League Placings : 2000-23

The club started in 1995 and the first years were not very successful. Tim Sheens had coached them since 1997, picking up their second wooden spoon in 2000. He departed in 2001 and assistant Murray Hurst took over. 36 matches later and he was on his way too, replaced by Graham Murray. That brought some stability and improved performances. 

In 2004 the side was one game short of the grand final (repeated in 2007) and the following year lost the grand final. He was there for 161 games but was told this was his last season. He resigned shortly afterward and Ian Millward stepped in for the balance of the season. Neil Henry took the reins and after a couple of poor seasons picked up. They were spared the wooden spoon in 2010 due to the Melbourne Storm's salary cap punishment. Finals football ensued but not with much success. 

Paul Green was given the hot seat and delivered. They didn't win the league but did the grand final and the club's first premiership title. Then one short of a grand final in 2016 and losing finalist in 2017 despite coming 8th in the league were notable results. From there the results were poor. 

Eventually, the end of Paul Green's 167 game run ended and Josh Hannay saw out the season. In came Todd Payten for 2021 and the final placing was well below what most would have expected. 2022 was hot and 2023 promised but in the end came up short. Give them a sniff they are devastating but stifle them and they're tamed. 

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Placings : 2000-23

A club with the reputation that they were the privileged, coming from the more affluent north shore of Sydney. The nickname the Silvertails was applied to them, which came from that reputation. The fact that the players at Manly were generally very working class in background didn't matter. It led to some ugly matches between Manly and the Western Suburbs Magpies, where the term originated. 

Manly wasn't looking too flash in the early 20th century. At the time the team was called the Northern Eagles, due to a forced amalgamation of the North Sydney Bears and the Manly club from 2000 to 2002. It seemed to affect results adversely. I've kept the results as Manly's because they were the main part of the joint venture. 

The coach at the time was Peter Sharp, from 1999 until 2003 in total. After he resigned, in came Des Hasler, a stalwart of the club as a player. He had success as the team built momentum up until 2007 and 2008. It slipped before a strong performance in 2011, culminating in a win at the grand final.

He left with some ill-feeling and in came another ex-player of note Geoff Toovey. They had three good years under him but a poor 2015 saw him shown the door. His replacement was Trent Barrett who had a modest run and was replaced by Des Hasler, back for another stint at the job. 

This time around the success hasn't been as it was during his previous tenure. 2021 was good though, they finished higher than I expected. Things turned downward after that and now Anthony Seibold has the job to do. Keeping their game breaker Tom Trbojevic on the field will help. 

Gold Coast Titans League Placings : 2000-23

 The Gold Coast had a team from 1988 to 1998, playing under various names and having to play in NSW to avoid complying with a licence agreement the Brisbane Broncos had. It didn't work but not for the lack of trying. Fast forward a decade and a new Gold Coast team emerged, the Titans. After a season, they got a nice new stadium and the first four years were successful. 

Coach John Cartwright had a decent spell at the club, 186 matches in all, and yes, a club record so far at least. They collected their first of two wooded spoons in 2011. He tended his resignation in 2014 and Neil Henry replaced him. A mixed few years ended with his sacking with issues with some of the senior players at the end of his tenure.

Garth Brennan stepped up to the plate but things didn't go well for him. A poor 2018, followed by the club's second wooden spoon led to his departure. Justin Holbrook arrived in 2020 after a successful time at St Helens in England. The transition from a top side to one struggling was a challenge but the first two seasons brought a definite improvement in finishing 9th. It hasn't gone so well since and Jim Lenihan has taken over. All the best with this task Jim.  

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs League Placings : 2000-23

This club has at times had quite an illustrious history but in this century, while it has had some good moments, it hasn't been consistent. The early part of the 20th century has a definite Manhattan skyline look about it as the bar graph shows. 

Local junior Steve Folkes left behind a successful playing career to become the coach in 1998. The eleven years in that post and the 288 games he oversaw was - as mentioned already - an up and down affair. The chart shows they didn't win the minor premiership (I prefer the league title, the term 'minor' degrades the achievement). He is the club's longest serving coach in history but his last season wasn't an ideal way to bow out, with a wooden spoon.

Kevin Moore came in and with some sound recruitment at the club immediately took them to second place in the league and to a losing grand final. The two following years were less than stellar, leading to his being shown the door. 

Des Hassler arrived in 2012 and stayed until 2017 with 166 games under his belt. In the first year, they won the league title but lost the grand final. That year he was named coach of the year. Subsequent years were solid but there were diminishing returns as each season passed. His removal after the 2017 season was settled out of court. 

Dean Pay was brought in but his coaching stint didn't match his playing career. A new coach per season isn't an ideal situation but that's what's been happening lately. Present coach Cameron Ciraldo needs to get on field results happening. As the graph shows, it's been a few years since the club has been a force in the NRL.

St George-Illawarra Steelers League Placings : 2000-23

The St George Dragons started in 1921 and the Illawarra Steelers in 1982, coming together in 1998. A case of cradle snatching if ever I saw one. St George is in the southeast of Sydney and Illawarra is in the city of Wollongong, on the coast and not far south of Sydney. The union has been a harmonious one.

The first coach to feature here was David Waite, from 1996 until during the 2000 season. He had some fine success but 2000 wasn't part of that. Andrew Farrar had been the coach at Illawarra and became an assistant coach with the merger. He took control in 2000 when David Waite departed.  

A few seasons of midtable placings led to Nathan Brown taking the helm. He presided over a topsy-turvy ride, up to second on the ladder and down to 13th. Wayne Bennett came and things picked up immediately. Two consecutive league titles and a grand final in 2010 were heady stuff for a team not winning silverware. Wayne moved on and Steve Price came in.

It didn't go well so Paul McGregor arrived for an eventual 151 games. His tenure wasn't that successful but probably consistent with the playing roster the club had. It finally came to an end and Anthony Griffin was appointed for the 2021 season. 

His tenure came to an end during 2023, replaced by Ryan Carr who was a temporary appointment until Shane Flanagan takes the reins in 2024. I expect the new coach to improve things. 

Wests Tigers League Placings : 2000-23

Two of the founding clubs in Sydney were Balmain (later known as the Tigers) and Western Suburbs Magpies. The former had a fine record of winning but its best days passed in due course. The latter was not as successful but they still had their moments. The two entities were not achieving much toward the end of their independent existence so joined forces in 1999 to become the Wests Tigers. 

The first season together wasn't that good and it didn't improve for a few years either. Tim Sheens got them in a better place and even helped them to a grand final victory in 2005. Another surge in 2010 and 2011 didn't realise a grand final appearance and 2012 was a step down. 

Others have come along since and tried to spark a resurgence but mediocracy has been the result. Current coach Tim Sheens had another year to run on his contract but it was cut short to allow Benji Martshall to take over in 2024. The club isn't delivering with consecutive wooden spoons (last), a level of consistency it wants to avoid for next season. 

NRL Attendances : 2023

A fine year of attendance figures was enjoyed in 2023. I went back to 1990 and this was the best average year in that time period and by a reasonable margin. The total is up 21% compared to 2022. Is this because after the restrictions of COVID-19, fans were glad just to get out and enjoy the game atmosphere again. I think partially so but the way figures held up during the season, it was a geniune increase. 

The Dolphins (in red, above) is a new franchise in Brisbane, and looking at the Brisbane Broncos 2023 figure, it doesn't seem to have been negatively impacted at all. The NZ Warriors benefitted from being at home after disruptive issues with COVID-19. Only Paramatta and St George were down in numbers. 

The top four attended sides are all outside of Sydney and the bottom four are all based in that city. All new franchises are being established away from Sydney for that reason.

Australasian NRL Table : 2023

The regular season has concluded and a sport without a finals series would end here, with Penrith declared the top side. However, the teams below shaded in blue move into the playoffs while the rest can sit back and watch the others battle it out.

Penrith over the last four years has had a 1 2 1 1 record. Looking down the rest of the list shows other clubs aren't nearly as consistent. The Melbourne Storm would be the only side that comes anywhere near that recent record. 

The New Zealand Warriors have been operating out of Australia for the last two years, all home games effectively away ones and being separated from families for long periods. The first full year back to normal and they had a surprisingly successful season. Well deserved. The only issue is their form has dipped recently and they may not win a finals match.

Both the Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights were big improvers in 2022. The Paramatta Eels and North Queensland Cowboys were well short of their last season standing. As for unwanted consistency, the West Tigers collected their second wooden spoon in a row. Manly, the Gold Coast and Canterbury were likewise consistent. 

I look at points difference to see how a team performed over the season. On that basis, Canberra is very fortunate to make the playoffs. Had South Sydney won their last game, they would have been playing for at least another round as their goal difference was much better than Canberra's.