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.
Peter Kakatsos
Roar Rookie
Brisbane are a difficult team to predict... Especially on deciding which Ben Barba will show up, he can make or break the team. They also have a logjam at Fullback with both Barba and Hoffman being able to fill in quite nicely... I think its silly for Brisbane to assume that either of them can just simply play 5/8 well enough on a "championship" team. They need to pick one or the other.
NSWelshman
Guest
Manly will finish in the top 4 whilst the Knights will struggle & be lucky to make the 8.....................the Knights have no answer to the top 4 teams Roosters, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs & Storm!!!
Knight Vision
Guest
BRISBANE : Should improve and scrape into the 8 but not much more CANBERRA Have potential but havent they always ? interesting to see how they go with the new coach ? sudden shock to the routine of many in the team could either see them the same as every year or awaken a giant BULLDOGS: lucky to finish where they did this year- I dont see them doing much more SHARKS: Good short term recruitment but the window is starting to close not open. Need to enlist Fergs. See them about the same as this year GOLD COAST: This team could be the big movers - I smell an improvement coming up - top 8 for mine MANLY: I think this will be the last year for these guys but they will be there or abouts come seasons end. A host of old legs ready to retire over the next couple of years will ensure a mini re build not too far down the road STORM: Will be in the 8 but not the top 4 - long season coming up for some aging super stars KNIGHTS: Will improve from the confidence gained from this year and few stars chosen in rep teams due to no media darlings in the line up - top 4 or there abouts.
Knight Vision
Guest
I laugh at the suggestion of Newcastle over achieving this year. The stats do not lie.Next year they should finish in the top 4 or there abouts - as they should of this year. The talk of being an old team was a media beat up. Do the math and the old team hype gets blown out the window ( average age of 24 across the team ) they are a team about to enter their prime. After Manly they have the most potent backline ( check the stats ) in the comp and a pack that is going to get better.
Knight Vision
Guest
a scheduling of regular spaced ( in this case Friday nights ) games = minimal disruption to routine and is a huge leg up in modern day sport that can not be underestimated . The most off field resources , yes clubs have the same salary cap but off field resources are not included as part of this. The Broncos ( and Storm ) spend far more than most clubs in this category because they have more to spend - this is due to their ability to raise huge revenue from sponsorship that comes from being a 1 city team ( note the use of the word City v other 1 town teams )
Avatar
Roar Guru
Brisbane have recruited well and I expect them to return to the finals in 2014. Even better will be the arrival of Milford in 2015. But whether they can follow the lead of the Roosters and turn their imports into even better players (and perhaps take them to a premiership) will be another question. The Broncs are currently enduring their longest premiership drought and by their standards it's way too long. But if their imports (not just Barba, but also Martin Kennedy, Daniel Vidot, Stewart Mills and more) don't perform, then Hook will find himself under the pump.
Bearfax
Guest
1 Brisbane: On the rise. Possible top four if they get Milford 2 Canberra. They lose too many of their young stars to move up much. Great talent but they need them to stay more than a year after they are discovered for this team to move up the ladder 3. Canterbury. They'll be in the 8 but they need someone like Barba to spark them and more imagination in the halves. 4. Cronulla. If they get Ferguson they could be a real threat. Got the forwards and inside backs, but further out a little light weight 5 Gold Coast. Could be a surprise packet this year. Some good personnel 6. Manly. The supposed age factor is rubbish. This club nurtures young players and journeymen better than almost any other club. Some big talent coming through but will they be as good as their present champion backline. 7 Melbourne. Like Manly seems to develop young players and journeymen better than most. They'll still be there. 8 Newcastle. Like Brisbane could be the big movers up the ladder this year. developing into a potential contender.
antz666
Guest
1. Manly always there 2. Rabbits gota b their time soon 3. Storm they always find a way 4. Sharks good team but not good enuf 5. Warriors due for a gud 1 6. Newcastle Packer will make a diiferance 7. Roosters lightening wont strike twice 8. Nth Qld coz they got thurston they will look gud but not go beta than 8th My picks for 2014
Marldon
Guest
Just like cronulla winning a premiership ..... pure science fiction.
Marldon
Guest
I very much doubt that it is just here=say. It may have been blown up out of proportion, it may be that much cannot be proven but I very much doubt that there is nothing here. The cheats must be punished.
Gavin
Guest
Nothing will happen with asada or it would have a long time ago. A lot of here-say, even more scare tactics, a few words about some 'grey areas' and Stephen dank taking most of the heat.
JJ
Guest
I don't get the argument of a few of you. Exactly how does Brisbane have an unfair advantage? Each team has the same salary cap, and the Broncos have probably lost the most amount of talent over the past 5 yrs to rival smaller clubs with, as you guessed it, the same salary cap. Quit your bitching and explain with a little less ignorance ...
daniel p
Guest
Lol you really can't understand why people would want to leave Canberra for Brisbane? Having lived in both that would be the easiest decision I have ever made.
sham
Guest
That was a good artilce Myles. I am a Raiders fan and obviously today the Broncos are not my favourite team. To be fair to Millford a lot of people who move from Brisbance want to go back. In Millford's case family reasons are key. Leaving aside his case I do not understand why anyone would want to move from Sydney, Melbourne or Canberra (which is only 3 hours from Sydney) back to Brisbane but many people do. The labour market in Brisbane is thin (few large companies have their headquarters there). Australians tend to want to go back and live where they grew up. The Broncos have such an unfair advanatage and despite that now they are poaching from other clubs.
Doug Graves
Guest
Good point re ASADA investigation into Cronulla. Does anyone know what's likely to happen with that?
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/09/05/brisbane-ii-should-be-the-nrls-next-project/
ctar
Guest
Well it hasn't helped them recently has it. They've been just about the most boring, unimaginative side in the comp since Lockyer hung up the boots. Unless they can get Barba involved a lot I don't think they will be much better in 2014 to be honest.
Marldon
Guest
If the ASADA investigation shows up anything like what we have been lead to believe then it will be criminal negligence if we allow them to have any season at all in 2014.
sham
Guest
Brisbane have a massive unfair advantage. Having one team effectively dominate such a large city is unfair and untenable. By rights they should probably win every year. I struggle to think of a team in any other sport that has such an unfair, inbuilt advantage. We need a second Brisbane side.
Matt
Guest
short answers Brisbane: not enough Canberra: not for a while Bulldogs: Not much, still no finals Sharks: Nope, investigation still going Gold Coast: good line up ,bad luck Manly: what seems to be forever Storm: you can only hope but they pull something every year Knights: probably not