With most squads now in the Christmas training recess, what will 2016 bring your club?
Broncos hope to do one better
The Broncos exceeded all expectations last year, and the bookies have them pushing for one better this year.
Brisbane have not been active in the player transfer market, despite having lost Justin Hodges to retirement, although they are still in the hunt for James Roberts as a replacement.
They also a lost long list of players to other clubs, with their replacements – such as Carlin Anderson (Ipswich Jets), Caleb Timu (Mormon mission), Salesi Funaki (Wests Tigers) – not exactly known. Wayne Bennett is hoping his rookies can fill any holes as the season progresses.
Their start to the season will be important for confidence, so it will be interesting to see who Bennett sends to the World Club Series, which last year he regarded as an unnecessary pre-season commitment.
However all three NRL teams that went to last year’s WCS ended up in the top eight.
Dragons to be in the bottom four?
The bookies have the Dragons towards the bottom of the competition again next year, and the expectations of Dragons fans will hang heavy on coach Paul McGregor to improve on last season’s creditable performance of eighth.
The Dragons have been active in the transfer market, and received the early Christmas present of Russell Packer being given immigration approval to play next season.
Other items on the wish list are the speedy recovery of Benji Marshall and Josh Dugan from off-season surgery, and Tyson Frizell and Dylan Farrell being spared from ongoing back problems. And, despite having a host of centres, they also remain in the hunt for James Roberts this Christmas.
As I have already said previously, I expect a top-four finish from the southern club, but with a strong squad this year – including six Samoan internationals – the pressure is on McGregor.
Cowboys to do it again?
This time last year the Cowboys had never won a competition in their history, but now they have the Nines and NRL titles in their trophy cabinet.
They should win the World Club Series, but how they will back up this year?
Johnathan Thurston is obviously the key again, and will bear the burden of playing in the All Stars, WCS and possibly Nines, along with normal season and Origin duties.
North Queensland have been dormant in the transfer market, and having just done enough to win many of their early games last season, they appear set to struggle early in 2016 and in the Origin period. Then it will all depend how they are going for injuries towards the end of the year.
Hard to see them not making the eight, but the pressure is on Paul Green, who has rejected Origin duties to perform at club level.
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