NRL Christmas Wishes: From Turbo’s Fitness Battle to Roosters’ New Era – What Every Club is Hoping For.
As the holiday season rolls in, the 2024 NRL clubs are busy reflecting on what they need most for the upcoming
season. From fitness battles to fresh starts, every team has its unique set of Christmas wishes that could
determine their fortunes in the year ahead. Here’s a look at what each club is hoping for in this festive season.
Manly Sea Eagles: Turbo’s Return to Fitness
Manly’s Christmas wish is undoubtedly centered around the fitness of their star fullback, Tom Trbojevic. After a
string of injury setbacks, Trbojevic’s fitness is crucial for the Sea Eagles’ title hopes. If he can stay fit and firing
throughout 2024, Manly will be a dangerous proposition. The club is desperately hoping for a healthy Trbojevic
to lead them back to finals contention.
Sydney Roosters: The Dawn of a New Era.
The Roosters enter 2024 with a fresh perspective, looking to build a new chapter after the retirement of some of
their seasoned stars. Their Christmas wish is to find success through a new generation of players, particularly in
the halves. With James Tedesco still leading the charge, they hope for a seamless transition into a future led by
younger, dynamic talents. A new era is on the horizon, and they’re hoping it starts with a bang.
Penrith Panthers: Another Premiership Push.
Penrith, the reigning champions, are on a quest for another NRL title. Their wish is to keep their core group
healthy and continue their dynasty, with a special focus on building depth across all positions. The Panthers’
powerful pack and ever-improving backs will be vital as they chase back-to-back titles, and they’ll need their
senior players to remain in peak form.
Melbourne Storm: Rejuvenation with a Focus on Youth.
While the Storm remains a strong contender, their wish for Christmas is a smooth transition to younger, future
stars. The retirement of some key players has opened up space for the next generation to step up. Melbourne
hopes to continue its consistency, while also nurturing fresh talent to ensure the club remains a dominant force
in the NRL for years to come.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: A Strong Forward Pack.
Souths are eager to take the next step in 2024, with their Christmas wish focusing on a more powerful and
consistent forward pack. While they have explosive backs like Latrell Mitchell, the team needs its forwards to lay
the foundation for success. More dominant performances upfront will allow their playmakers to shine and,
hopefully, lead them back to a Grand Final appearance.
Cronulla Sharks: Finals Consistency.
The Sharks’ primary wish is to maintain their form throughout the entire season, especially in the finals. After a
solid showing in 2023, Cronulla is aiming to build on their progress and secure a top-four finish. Consistency is
key for the Sharks, who are eager to avoid any late-season collapses and challenge for the ultimate prize.
Parramatta Eels: Championship Glory.
For the Eels, their Christmas wish is simple – to win their first Premiership since 1986. The club has shown
glimpses of brilliance over recent seasons but has yet to make the big leap. With a strong squad in place, the Eels
are hoping for a few things to break in their favor and a sustained run of good form to secure that elusive title.
Canberra Raiders: A New Halfback to Lead.
The Raiders are in need of a reliable halfback to steer the team around the park. Their Christmas wish is to
unearth a new playmaker who can guide their talented forward pack and backs to more consistent performances.
With Jack Wighton’s departure, the Raiders will be looking for someone to fill the void and help them return to
the finals.
Gold Coast Titans: Defensive Stability.
The Titans are wishing for a major improvement in their defensive structures. They’ve been plagued by
inconsistent defense in recent years, and for the team to make a push for the playoffs in 2024, they’ll need to
tighten up their defensive schemes. A more resilient defense will allow their attack, led by AJ Brimson, to have
the space to shine.
New Zealand Warriors: Playoff Return.
After years of frustration, the Warriors’ Christmas wish is a return to the NRL finals. They’ve shown promise in
recent seasons but need to find the right balance between attack and defense. A full-strength squad and more
consistency will be key for them to end their postseason drought.
North Queensland Cowboys: Maintaining Momentum.
The Cowboys’ rise in 2023 surprised many, and their wish for Christmas is to maintain their momentum. They
are eager to prove that their 2023 success wasn’t a fluke. Building on their solid foundation, the Cowboys are
hoping for more contributions from their spine and forwards to cement themselves as a perennial contender.
Wests Tigers: Team Unity and Improvement.
The Tigers’ primary Christmas wish is to form a cohesive team that can finally break free from their recent
struggles. With a new coaching structure in place, the Tigers are hoping for a strong start to 2024, finding a
winning formula that allows them to move up the ladder and challenge for the finals.
Newcastle Knights: Solidifying their Spine.
The Knights have a promising squad, but their wish centers on having a solid, injury-free spine. With Kalyn
Ponga at fullback, they are hoping for consistency in their key positions, which will allow their backs to fire. If
their spine can stay healthy and firing, Newcastle has the potential to surprise many.
St George Illawarra Dragons: A Strong, Talented Forward Pack.
The Dragons are looking to add depth to their forward pack and address the imbalance between their attack and
defense. They wish for a powerful and reliable front row to complement their backs, giving them a much-needed
edge in the coming season.
Canterbury Bulldogs: Strong Leadership and Consistency.
The Bulldogs are focused on finding strong leadership and consistency, especially with some of their marquee
signings now settling into the squad. Their Christmas wish is for their new recruits to gel with the team and help
them take the next step in 2024, aiming for a playoff berth after several seasons of struggle.
Sydney Roosters: The Dawn of a New Era.
A club renowned for its success, the Roosters are eager for a new era led by emerging talents. They wish for a
smooth transition after the departures of key veterans and aim to find fresh talent to guide them into a new
championship window, starting in 2024.
As each club prepares for a new year, their Christmas wishes reflect their goals, dreams, and challenges ahead.
Whether it’s fitness, fresh faces, or a chance at glory, the NRL season promises to be filled with excitement and
anticipation.
