Wests Tigers League Placings : 2000-24

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 Marshall to take over in 2024. The club isn't delivering with three consecutive wooden spoons (last), a level of consistency it wants to avoid. It does prove that this is genuinely the worst team in the league.

South Sydney Rabbitohs League Placings : 2000-24

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 slipped, even missing out on the top eight finals for the first time since 2017, albeit by a whisker. When 2024 imploded, out went JD and in came interim coach Ben Hornby. The end result is well below the team's potential but someone has to be 16th and this year was South's turn. 

Parramatta Eels League Placings : 2000-24

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.

It became too much when 2024 went the same way as the previous season so he was released and replaced by interim coach Trent Barrett. The team is better than 15th place would suggest. 

Gold Coast Titans League Placings : 2000-24

 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 didn't go so well since so he left and Des Hasler took over in 2024. He's an experienced coach and at times his first season in charge showed promise but that wasn't fully delivered on. Still early days.

New Zealand Warriors League Placings : 2000-24

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. 

2024 was a season of hope and disappointment as it progressed. Some games were very good but too many just not quite up to scratch. The packed stadium was at least consistent as the fans turned up regardless. Well done for that. 

Brisbane Broncos League Placings : 2000-24

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 took charge for 2021 but the losses 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 but the bubble burst in 2024 with a visibly frustrated coach turning up at press conferences increasingly in despair. 

St George-Illawarra Steelers League Placings : 2000-24

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 took the reins in 2024. I expected the new coach to improve things and he did to a point. However, there was some frustration that more wasn't achieved. At least there was progress.

Canberra Raiders League Placings : 2000-24

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 but one they have squeaked into the finals then in 2024 they just missed out on a finals berth. Talent is there but they still have a problem playing a full 80 minutes. Sort that and they will do a lot more than what they are presently.

Newcastle Knights League Placings : 2000-24

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. The last two years have been solid but the club wants to be more than that. 

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Placings : 2000-24

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 and made useful progress in 2024. Keeping their game breaker Tom Trbojevic on the field will help. 

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs League Placings : 2000-24

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 needed to get on field results happening and is what happened in 2024. As the graph shows, it's been a few years since the club has been a force in the NRL and there's still work to do but things look promising.

North Queensland Cowboys League Placings : 2000-24

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. From 2022 to 2024 the NQC up and down. Give them a sniff they are devastating but stifle them and they're tamed. 

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks League Placings : 2000-24

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 three seasons at the helm and the result have improved. 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 : 2000-24

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 before a nice jump back up for 2024. 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. 

Penrith Panthers League Placings : 2000-24

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 five 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 keep this success going. 

Melbourne Storm League Placings : 2000-24

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. 

From a 'low' in 2022, another building phase has been effected, becoming again one of the two best clubs in the competition. Will the Melbourne Storm continue delivering at such a high level? They seem to know how to maintain an exceptional standard year after year.