- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
With the Rugby League World Cup all but out of the way, our attention now turns to the upcoming 2014 NRL season.
2013 was a fascinating year for the NRL, and no matter how successful (or unsuccessful) your team was in 2013, 2014 is a brand new season with different challenges facing each of the 16 teams.
What kind of questions confront your team? Read on to find out.
Brisbane Broncos: How big an effect will Ben Barba have?
The Brisbane Broncos 25th year was an extremely disappointing one.
Despite assembling a squad with great potential, it never managed to come together on the field for the Broncos, as they finished 12th on the ladder.
However, 2014 marks the arrival of former Dally M medalist Ben Barba.
Despite a rough 2013, Barba will be looking to get back to career-best form in 2014 after being granted his wish to follow his family to Brisbane.
One would think he would need to find that kind of form to give the Broncs any chance to return to the finals in 2014.
Canberra Raiders: When can they hit their straps?
It’d be a big ask to expect a finals berth in 2014 from this young Canberra Raiders group, but I’m sure most of the ACT will be wondering when they will finally hit their straps.
The Raiders have the fortune of youth behind them, and one wonders if they can put together a solid, distraction-free year.
They will probably need to add a little more talent for a more meaningful run at the Provan-Summons Trophy, but next year should act as a good yardstick for this young club as to what needs to happen to build a contender.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: How big an effect did Ben Barba have?
While most Bulldogs fans will tell you they are happy to see the back of Barba, no one is ever truly elated to see such talent walk out the door.
Many will argue 2013 was a season played virtually without Barba, but it will be interesting to see how the Doggies fill the number 1 jersey, whether it be through a new player or reshuffling.
However, there is plenty to be positive about at Belmore, and the boys in the blue will endeavor to put together a season free of distractions from their former star player.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks: Can they get over the hump?
For the sake of both club and its fans, this writer hopes the Sharks’ 2014 season is not engulfed in off-field distractions as their previous one was.
Despite all the ASADA drama, the Sharkies did tremendously to advance (controversially) to the semi-final and push Manly all the way to the death.
The off-season so far hasn’t seen them make any dazzling acquisitions, as 2014 will be warp 10 on a course for the trophy.
Gold Coast Titans: How good can they be?
The Gold Coast Titans shocked many in 2013 by actually achieving relevance. They only just missed out on the finals, finishing ninth.
Their 6 and 7, Aidan Sezer and the redeemed Albert Kelly, seem to be their halves pairing going forward, and they have a good spine of players that can no doubt push them towards the finals in 2014.
The question is, how good can they be? Is the last piece to their puzzle another player, or is it good old fashioned time and patience?
Manly Sea-Eagles: How long can they keep going?
The Manly Sea-Eagles can compare to the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA; they just never seem to go away.
The class of this organisation is no secret. They have a habit of winning no matter who is lining up for them.
One would be silly to doubt their chances in 2014, but there is no doubt that many are asking ‘how long can they keep going?’
Looking at some of their young talent, such as Daly Cherry-Evans and Jorge Taufua, you’d be tempted to answer ‘a lot longer’, but it is questionable how long they can keep this talent together for.
There have already been rumors of possible departure of some of their stars, but while they still don the maroon and white, they’ll manage to last to the end of September.
Melbourne Storm: Something’s gotta give?
And that may already be happening. This year yielded a shock exit in the semi-finals at home to the Newcastle Knights, and people are beginning to question the durability of the long-reigning Storm.
That durability will be further questioned until skipper Cameron Smith decides whether he wants to be in Melbourne for life or wants to accept a lucrative offer from the Broncos to return home to Queensland.
Either way, something’s gotta give for this champion team. How long can they possible continue the dominance?
Newcastle Knights: Can lightning strike twice?
Despite a semi-final berth in 2013, no one will be expecting a whole lot from Newcastle in 2014. But it is a fool that regularly underestimates a Wayne Bennett coached team.
The Knights have plenty of young talent that seems to be entering their best football all together, and in a few years time may prove headaches well into the finals.
2014 will see them aim to again overachieve and get some more finals experience into their relatively young squad.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.