Two of rugby league’s longest-running droughts were broken in 2014, but the task of emulating those feats for South Sydney and NSW will be even tougher this season.
NSW’s State of Origin series win last season finally ended eight years of Queensland dominance, a victory only bettered by the Rabbitohs as they ended 43 years of premiership pain.
But for a Souths side minus Sam Burgess, and a Blues outfit without Jarryd Hayne, success again in 2015 could be an even greater achievement.
Burgess was the NRL’s most influential player last year and claimed the Clive Churchill medal in Souths’ grand final victory over Canterbury.
Hayne was arguably NSW’s best player in their narrow 2-1 series win.
But the Blues’ loss is also Parramatta’s. The Eels failed to make the eight last season with Hayne, how will they do without him?
With Sonny Bill Williams also exiting the NRL at the end of 2014 and the overriding theme ahead of 2015 is one of change.
Blake Ferguson returns with the Sydney Roosters after almost two years of a self-inflicted exile.
Convicted drug dealer Danny Wicks will play for the Eels after an completing 18-month prison sentence having not played in the NRL since 2009.
There’s also Wayne Bennett’s return to Brisbane – six years after the seven-time premiership-winning coach left the Broncos for St George Illawarra.
The NRL off-season has again been an eventful one with John Sutton’s and Luke Burgess’ arrests in Arizona leading to the former being dumped as Souths captain and the latter being shipped off to Manly.
That incident paled into comparison with the cocaine scandal that’s engulfed the Gold Coast with bookmakers suspending betting on the market for the NRL wooden spoon as a result of the allegations against five players.
The Roosters and Souths are again installed as premiership favourites. Could this be the year we finally witness a decider fuelled by the greatest and most bitter rivalry in rugby league?
North Queensland fell short again in 2014, and their premiership window is closing with superstar Johnathan Thurston turning 32 in April.
Manly, who have qualified for the last 10 successive finals series, are expected to be one side to slide down the premiership totem poll with the off-season exits of Anthony Watmough, Glenn Stewart and Jason King decimating their forward pack.
But coach Geoff Toovey is unfazed by his side being written off once again with the doomsayers being proved wrong last year when his side finished second on the ladder.
“I’ve heard it all before,” Toovey said.
“We were expected to be no good last year and we did pretty well didn’t we?
“It was the same story the year before. It does get a bit boring, but we are used to it now.
“We’ve still got some pretty good players here, have a look at the team.
“And we have some players who are itching to get out there for Manly again this season.”
The unknown for Manly is what impact the saga surrounding off contract duo Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans will have on the famous Sea Eagles mateship.
Another unknown is how the Blues will fair without Hayne.
It was fitting it was the Eels No.1 who was left holding the Steeden as NSW finally ended Queensland’s reign
NSW coach Laurie Daley has spoken of a Blues dynasty, finding a replacement for Hayne comes first.
The Anzac Test has added intrigue too after the Kiwis claimed the Four Nations title from the world champions Kangaroos last season.
New Zealand beat Australia for two games straight for the first time in 60 years. The Kiwis are often cannon fodder come April, but this year could be different.
The 2015 NRL season at a glance
Reigning premiers: South Sydney
Reigning wooden spooners: Cronulla
Teams with new coaches: Brisbane (Wayne Bennett), Gold Coast (Neil Henry), Newcastle (Rick Stone), Wests Tigers (Jason Taylor)
Premiership favourites: Rabbitohs/Roosters – $6.00
Wooden spoon favourites: Titans: Market suspended
Round one draw
March 5: Broncos v Rabbitohs – Suncorp Stadium
March 6: Eels v Sea Eagles – Pirtek Stadium
March 7: Knights v Warriors – Hunter Stadium
March 7: Titans v Tigers – Cbus Super Stadium
March 7: Cowboys v Roosters – 1300 Smiles Stadium
March 8: Panthers v Bulldogs – Penrith Stadium
March 8: Sharks v Raiders – Remondis Stadium
March 10: Dragons v Storm – Kogarah Oval
Key dates
State of Origin
Game I – May 27 – ANZ Stadium
Game II – June 17 – MCG
Game III – July 8 – Suncorp Stadium
Mid-year Test
Australia v New Zealand – May 1 – Suncorp Stadium
City-Country – May 3 – Wagga Wagga
NRL Grand final: Oct 4 – ANZ Stadium
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