November 11, 2024, 7:04 am

NRL | 2023 NRL Finals Week 1 Stats in Depth

The sharp end of the 2023 NRL season is here, and surely that deserves one of our dives into data with our 2023 NRL Finals Week 1 Stats in Depth.

Our look into the first week of the NRL finals goes into each team’s record in the finals since 1998, H2H with this week’s opponent, key player match ups for stats, and some general 2023 NRL season stats. All that and more awaits.

If you have the time. You’ll need it.

READ MORE: NRL FINALS WEEK 1 TIPS  

2023 SEASON FORM v TOP EIGHT SIDES

The below are some visuals and facts for the top eight sides against the other top eight sides. A useful metric given that these teams will need to beat each other to win the title. Which side was best against the other top eight sides from 2023? Well, Penrith is the answer to that question. The Panthers only loss against this year’s top eight was v Brisbane in Round 1. But it is reasonably tight for the rest. Canberra and the Roosters come into NRL Finals Week 1 on the back of a losing run of three or more against the top eight sides.

Trouble for Cronulla as they are yet to beat the other top eight sides away from home. Some other key stats are that Melbourne on average scored the most points v other top eight sides, and Penrith’s defence got the Heart Foundation tick of approval for leanness. Averaging under 10 points a game against. Brisbane are the only top eight side who never left the top eight. And five of the eight teams have been in the bottom four at some stage.

NRL 2023 Fonals Week 1 Tips - Summary Form2 Top 8 only LADDER POSITION FOR TOP EIGHT SIDES IN 2023  

FINALS WINNING RECORD FROM 1998

Here is the Finals wining record for all teams since 1998. And the top team may surprise you.

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Team Stats - Final Win %    

 

MATCH BY MATCH STATS

BRISBANE BRONCOS v MELBOURNE STORM

The Broncos threw away a chance at a minor premiership last weekend, and if the intention was to avoid the Storm is week one of the finals, it didn’t work. Their punishment is another game against the Storm, a team who the Broncos have a dreadful record against. Melbourne have won 14 times in a row v Brisbane, and the Broncos’ record at Suncorp Stadium is even worse, without a win at home since 2009. You could argue Melbourne haven’t been at their best this season, but still the wins v Broncos roll on. Can the electric Broncos hold it together against the rumbling thunder of the Melbourne Storm?

 

FINALS RECORD (including Finals H2H)

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Finals Record - Melbourne

KEY PLAYER H2H STATS

The first player stats match up sees the fast and furious Reece Walsh up against the cool and collected Nick Meaney. Followed by two of the NRL’s most experienced playmakers in Cameron Munster and Adam Reynolds. Wrapped up by a H2H comparison of two men mountains in Payne Haas and an even bigger NAS.

 

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - BRIMEL- Forward

   

PENRITH PANTHERS v NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

The Warriors bandwagon flies into Penrith but they face an uphill task at the foot of the mountains. Penrith have lost just one game against the rest of this season’s top eight. Plus Penrith have won six finals games straight and taken two premierships. Coincidentally, the Warriors last finals game was in 2018 and was a loss to the Panthers.

FINALS RECORD (including Finals H2H)

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Finals Record - Penrith NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Finals Record - Warriors

KEY PLAYER H2H STATS

The NRL’s most reliable fullback Dylan Edwards may not have made 193 assists this season, but he has certainly been outstanding, so he features in one of the three key player match ups. A battle royale of Dally M wannabes showcases the halfback battle between Nathan Cleary and Shaun Johnson. Plus the engine room is covered with key prop v prop stats of two of New Zealand’s finest.

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - PENWAR - Forward

    

CRONULLA SHARKS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS

An all Sydney affair in the Shire with the Roosters making a late charge to the final eight. But interestingly both these teams have poor recent records in the finals. Cronulla have lost five finals matches in row, including a clean sweep of losses last season. The Roosters have won just one of their last five finals matches. Cronulla are also yet to beat the Roosters in finals matches from 1998.

FINALS RECORD (including Finals H2H)

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Finals Record - Roosters

KEY PLAYER H2H STATS

The Sharks – Roosters player match ups features last season’s Dally M winner in Nicho Hynes up against a potential match winner in Luke Keary. Plus an unsung forward H2H.

 

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - CROROO - Forwards

  

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v CANBERRA RAIDERS

In form Newcastle arrive into a home final that looked unlikely a few months ago on the back of nine straight wins. The Raiders are coming into the finals on the back of two wins in their last seven games.

FINALS RECORD (including Finals H2H)

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Finals Record - Raiders

KEY PLAYER H2H STATS

Kalyn Ponga has been a big part of Newcastle’s revival, so the player H2H starts with the numbers ones. Next up is two centres who have had a great 2023. Finally, two game breakers to round out the NRL Finals Week 1 stats. 

 

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - NEWCAN - Half

   

2023 TOP TEAM STATS 

Here are the best team stats for the 2023 NRL season from just the teams from the top eight for 2023.

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Team Stats - Breaks

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - ErrorsPensTeams

 

2023 TOP PLAYER STATS 

Here are the best player stats for the 2023 NRL season from just the players from the top eight sides.

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - Avg Metres

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - Assists

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - Tackles

NRL 2023 Finals Week 1 Tips - Player Stats - Kicks    

Max Laynehttps://www.thegurgler.com
Max has no time for long bios, he has only time for sport and then more sport. Each week he tries to sum up what sport has tickled the collective fancy of The Gurgler.

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