The side that wins the 2009 NRL premiership is likely to be best described in one word: disciplined. Both on and off the field, rugby league is being forced to evolve, with prying eyes watching a player’s every move.

On the field, two referees will be there to watch out for every grapple, flop and chicken wing.

Off the field, well … you buy the papers.

It seems for the thousandth time, players need to be told that the rules that govern the rest of us don’t govern them.

It is the court of public opinion that rules rugby league and these days there is a strict “play up and no play” rule.

Clubs can no longer hide (read “support”) their players while investigations rumble on.

These days the toughest sheriff in town is the NRL.

Stewart, Carney, Bird all show that the game simply won’t take misbehaviour anymore.

Stuff up and you’re off.

Not only can you no longer play for your club, but other NRL clubs can’t play the game of giving you a second (third, fourth or 50th) chance. And the lifeline that is the UK Super League also seems to have vanished.

You can talk about educational programs all you want. The concept that, if you want to make a career as a professional sportsman, it comes with the responsibility of behaviour should surely start to sink in.

So clubs will need to keep their stars on the paddock and on the straight and narrow.

Writing a season preview can often be an exercise in cut and paste.

The following paragraph can be applied to every team in the competition: “the side will be hoping that its big guns stay injury free and find their best form. There is real hope some of the talented youngsters live up to their potential to fill the hole left by the departure of the some experienced players in order to make a push for the finals.”

So let’s take a look at the specific questions each club will need to answer in order to rise to the top in 2009.

Bulldogs
The only way is up. Kevin Moore takes the reigns and has bought a whole new litter to help the Dogs regain their bite (surely that is enough canine metaphors).

Moore has the pedigree (not in that sense!) to be an NRL coach after ticking all the boxes in the lower levels and also being involved in Origin campaigns. The best question, though is: he was Steve Folkes’ assistant when the club imploded last year, so if he had some good ideas, why didn’t he bring them up then?

Key buys: Brett Kimmorley and Michael Ennis. The Bulldogs halves have struggled every since they won the comp in 2004. Kimmorley should bring some leadership, experience and organisation to the role and provide some good guidance for young gun Ben Barba.

In Ennis, the Bulldogs finally have a hooker to fit in with the modern game. Corey Hughes was a great competitor but lacked some spark around the rucks.

Big loss: The Dogs put the broom through last year and it would be hard for fans to be that disappointed to see any of the players go who were part of the wooden spoon debacle. The fact is they may have lost some reputations but not performers.

Broncos
Bye Bye Bennett. For the first time in their history there is no Wayne Bennett sitting behind the coach’s desk at Red Hill. Ivan Henjak has probably the toughest job in the game filling those shoes.

He has the backline to give him confidence that nobody might notice the difference, but what about the forwards? They’ve lost Ennis, Ben Hannant, David Stagg and Greg Eastwood.

Israel Folau has all the makings of the new Steve Renouf, but can Nick Kenny really be the new Shane Webcke?

One to watch: Ben Te’o. Started to show his promise in Tiger town but his stock could either sky rocket or plummet in Brisbane.

Cowboys
Bowen’s back. The new signings for the Cowboys don’t bring nearly as much enthusiasm to North Queensland as compared to the news Matt Bowen is back to full fitness.

With the astute Neil Henry in charge and Jonathan Thurston and Bowen firing, the Cowboys could put last year’s disaster behind them.

However, like their big brother in Brisbane, the Cows could struggle in the forwards.

Human headline Carl Webb is still there, but the loss of Ray Cashmere and Jacob Lilyman could really remove some steel.

Key boys: Willie Tonga and Antonio Kaufusi both arrive with reputations greater than their previous few seasons form. Rekindle it and they could be great value, continue the slide and it could be a huge blow for the Cowboys.

Dragons
Saint Wayne. The excuses for the Dragons officially end this year now Wayne Bennett is in charge. Years of bemoaning Nathan Brown’s inexperience are consigned to history and Bennett finger prints are all over the club’s acquisitions.

The fans will be backing the Bennett effect to bring the best out of Michael Weyman and Neville Costigan and the departure of Jason Ryles should see the number of penalties they concede drop by around 80 percent.

Eels
Looking at their team sheet brings some optimism, listening to Dennis Fitzgerald doesn’t.

The Eels have some game breakers in their side, Feleti Mateo, Jarred Hayne and Kristian Inu and they have brought in Daniel Anderson to sort out a dressing room which has seemed problematic for past coaches.

But they’ve leaked more players and haven’t really replaced them.

Key question: Has Joe Gaulavo found the fountain of youth?

Knights
The post Buderus era. First it was all about the post-Johns era, and the Novocastrians did a pretty good job at covering that loss but it is a different story now Danny Buderus has left as well.

Key buy: Issac De Gois needs to be the buy of the season if people aren’t going to notice Buderus’ absence.

The Knights did well last year but the weight will only get heavier on Kurt Gidley’s shoulders.

Panthers
The mountain men will rely on their kids (and they probably have the game’s best) to keep them out of the cellar this season.

They’ve lost some the experience of Rhys Wesser, Tony Puleta, Luke Priddis and Shane Rodney. Are Panthers fans that bothered, though?

The coach under the most early pressure is Matt Elliot. Every coach is held ransom by his playing group and Elliot looks the most likely at this stage to suffer from the dreaded “falling out”.

Rabbitohs
Russell’s red and green revolution rolls on.

The Rabbitohs recruitment looks pretty good this year, Colin Best and Rhys Wesser could add some quality to the backline and replace departed Nigel Vagana. The big question is on how Chris Sandow copes with the second season syndrome.

He came out of the clouds last year and did well replacing Craig Wing, but Redfern has seen many false dawns and now the novelty has worn off Sandow needs to be a consistent performer.

Roosters
Show us the money. What the hell is happening in Bondi? Where has all the cash gone?

The Roosters were decidedly frugal in the off season and their big signing may be Fijian rugby convert Sisa Waqa. Another Noa Nadruku or another one destined to grace the early kick offs?

The loss of Tupou could be harder to deal with but we have been told the Roosters are relying on their kids.

The only problem is they don’t have any.

Peter O’Sullivan was lured from the Storm to unearth some gems. Let’s see if the magic is still there.

Raiders
What no wooden spoon prediction? The Raiders seem to have finally broken their run of wooden spoon predictions so the pressure must be really on!

The dichotomy for the Raiders is that they will continue to bemoan the lack of media coverage brought about by the lack of Channel Nine fixtures, but will also be hopeful the lack of one Carney, Todd in the side will keep the media attention down in the other parts of the paper.

No Carney, so the pressure is on Terry Campese to raise his game after his spectacular season last year and Marc Herbert to fill the boots of the departed Carney (but not in that way).

The loss of Colin Best could be a telling blow and David Furner may need to fast track some of the young stars of the Toyota Cup winning side for his first year to be a pleasant one.

Sea Eagles
Penny for your thoughts Dessy? The Manly coach was already getting ready to deal with the pressures of being defending premiers, the loss of the inspirational Steve Menzies and a boardroom blow up before we all found out that seven hours on the drink and diabetes medication don’t mix.

The siege mentality will be out in force at Brookvale, but while their supporters may borrow the line from English football’s Milwall that “No one likes us, we don’t care” they might be tested when the money from Max Delmege starts to run out.

The loss of Stewart might be able to be covered, a dressing room full of players worried about their next pay cheque is another matter.

Still a powerful roster, but their work will be cut out for them.

One to watch: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Dubbed the next Sonny Bill Williams, JWH was the eighteenth man for the Sea Eagles World Club Challenge. Origin is likely to hit the Sea Eagles pack hard, so he is likely to get his chance.

Sea Eagles fans will just hope he doesn’t end the year in France.

Sharks
Anger management on the Shire. People were quick to write off Ricky Stuart after his meltdown at the World Cup, but suddenly he is a great coach again who will have his chargers firing.

Can he really take them to the next level?

The Sharks have lost Greg Bird but may have a “like for like” replacement in Reni Maitua in so many ways.

Their defence was excellent last year but scoring points was a problem, they often battled to keep up with the penalty count conceded by Paul Gallen.

Key question: How will St George fans feel if the man that brings the Shire their first premiership is Trent Barrett?

Storm
Has the Storm really gone off the radar? A 40-0 humiliation in last year’s decider has seen many write off the Storm, given the loss of Israel Folau and others.

The side still has Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, they still have Craig Bellamy in charge. In short, they still have a big chance.

One to watch: William Isa. The latest kid off the Storm production line. Surely they can’t have another superstar in the making?

Titans
The durability test. The Titans enter round one with their side in good shape. Just how they enter round 26 will define their season.

The key for John Cartwright’s men will be the long term fitness of Luke Bailey and Scott Prince.

These blokes are irreplaceable and the loss of either could be disastrous.

One to watch: William Zillman was the club’s big signing but did so on crutches. Before his injury he was superb for the Raiders, the Gold Coast club will hope the time on the beach in rehab has worked a treat.

Warriors
The return of Stacey Jones. The Warriors will be disappointed their spiritual leader won’t be there for round one, but his return will no doubt be a massive boost for the club.

They also have competent replacements in Nathan Fien and Joel Moon in the likely event he won’t play every match.

I read one journalist claim that the tragic loss of Sonny Fai will galvanise the club. It will, but I’m sure they would rather him be there.

But the return of Jones is balanced by the loss of Ruben Wiki. His loss will be sorely missed.

There is a lot of hype around the Warriors, but we have heard that all before. Performance first please.

Key question: Wade McKinnon is arguably the club’s best player, but can he keep his temper in check and not belt a referee in round one. He has, after all, twice as many to aim at now.

Wests Tigers
Is small still beautiful? Gareth Ellis and a courier with an Australian track suit for Tim Sheens came through the door for the Tigers, but plenty went the other way.

Benji’s signature is sure to be a boost (if anyone is actually following that story anymore), but the Tigers pack has been downsized again through the loss of Ryan O’Hara, Ben Te’o and Bronson Harrison.

Coach Sheens is gambling on the two referee game being even faster and his mobile pack of willing workers fitting the bill.

Time will tell.

Key signing: Gareth Ellis for two reasons. First, he comes with a big reputation and, secondly, he was their only addition.