Only seven teams can win NRL title
Not since Tim Sheens in 1990 has a coach not named Wayne Bennett won back-to-back NRL premierships. Bennett, of course, has achieved the feat twice with Brisbane, leading the Broncos to titles in 1992-93 and 1997-98.
There have been many fine teams over the last two decades who have failed to defend their title successfully. The great Melbourne Storm team who made four straight deciders from 2006-09 never successfully defended. Manly were considered the best team in the league from 1995-97 but won only the one premiership in 1996. It was a similar tale with the Sydney Roosters, who won the premiership in 2002 before losing Grand Finals in 2003 and 2004.