As we approach the Auckland Nines tournament and preseason trials, NRL clubs are turning their attention to the on-field action for a competitive 2016 season.
Cowboys
The Cowboys have the job of going back-to-back, and statistically they might as well give up now.
North Queensland are essentially the same team as last year, but in the first half of last season they lacked commitment. This year they need that commitment, as there are few easybeats. The Cowboys have lost some depth this year, and were lucky last year to keep Johnathan Thurston on the park.
They are going to struggle to make the top eight.
Broncos
Do Brisbane have the composure to go all the way this year?
Wayne Bennett has some magical way of fitting all his players into the Broncos salary cap and still finding room for James Roberts, to look stronger than last season.
Once again, the Broncos’ game will focus on defence, but be complemented by an attack that can match it with the best in the competition.
Bennett has the ability and the boys to go all the way this year.
Roosters
The Roosters are never the underdog and maybe that is part of the problem: they lack fight.
Sydney have the defence to frustrate most teams, and while they are weaker in attack this year, it is hard to see them not making the eight.
Storm
Like many, I tipped the Storm to struggle last year, but injuries to older players were well handled.
Still, sooner or later age catches up, and this will be the year the Storm finally miss the eight.
Sharks
New boys James Maloney and Chad Townsend give the Sharks the halves to take them deep into the finals this year. Jack Bird at five-eighth last year is part of an embarrassment of riches the Sharks have to accommodate.
Bulldogs
A question hangs over the Bulldogs pack and whether they will cope with the reduced interchange numbers. Of more concern is the pressure on Moses Mybte to perform in the halves – a lack of effective halves would negate their big forwards. Not sure what to tip here.
Rabbitohs
Sam Burgess may be back, but this alone will not compensate for Souths’ other losses. The Bunnies will struggle, with rifts already evident in the camp.
The less fancied contenders
Many New Zealanders will berate me for putting the Warriors in this category, but despite the Warriors quality off-season buys they cannot make the eight without decent defence.
The Dragons have the defence, new forward size and the depth to make the eight again. But can their attack get its act together? I am tipping a big year for Benji Marshall, barring injuries.
The Eels have been buying big in the off-season but they won’t put it all together – at least not this year.
Manly have also been active in the off-season and have a good team on paper, but new coach Trent Barrett is an unknown quantity who needs to cope with the behind-the-scenes action. For Manly, it will be another unacceptable year outside the eight.
The Raiders are placing a lot of faith in their new halves pairing of Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer. If it works, the Raiders may set sail this season.
The Panthers are placing faith in experienced halves Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward, but the ageing pair are well past their best. The Panthers should be spending their money on halves next year or letting some of their young halves have a go this year.
The Knights and Tigers will climb off the bottom of the table, leaving the Titans with the wooden spoon.
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It was like a blast from the past with the Broncos not only dominating on the scoreboard, but shades of past legends.
He wasn't expecting it to get that messy.
Ricky Stuart would be pulling his hair out after a mistake like this.
It had all been going so well. Canberra were by far the better side for ten minutes, with Jamal Fogarty giving the Brisbane back…
Simi Sasagi couldn't believe his luck as he strolled straight past Jaiyden Hunt, who should have made a better attempt at a tackle.
In wet conditions, the Broncos were making it extremely tough for 18-year-old Chevy Stewart in just his second game.
