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.
johnnyball
Guest
Big year from the Warriors, Manly and Parramatta
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
What can we expect from the NRL expect in 2016? Drugs scandals, alcohol binges, sex scandals, drunk driving, assaults and plain stupidity have all now become part of a normal season and off-season in NRL with the potential to destroy player careers and damage a team’s prospects. Add to that salary cap rorts, off-season transfers and the new obsession on NRL staff changes the result is that the “professional” sports journalists have their hands full covering the apparent off field action. and now Mitchel Pearce
Big J
Guest
I think the Broncos could been threre this year but footy is a funny game, I never thought I would see the Cowboys win last year so anything could happen. The roosters are off to s great start this year already thanks to Pearce, but going on the pattern of the last two years . I really think the Sharks could be the dark horse of the comp. I would love to see them win as they have never before and as much as I would like to cows win back to back I don't think they can do it ( I would love to be wrong on this ) so maybe sharks v Broncos or Cowboys this year. And great article by the way
MAX
Guest
Season 2016 belongs to Hunt, Milford and Roberts. Coaches will be losing sleep trying to counter this trio. It will make great television and be a big plus for the game. The Bulldogs without a proven reliable goal kicker may find the going hard in addition to the issues raised by TB. Will make the 8. Des may find a kicker out of the blue.
The Barry
Roar Guru
No one can accuse you of sitting on the fence Walter. On paper there's less of a gap between 1st and about 13th than in previous seasons. Teams won't have to be off by much to miss the eight. A lot of last year's fringe teams will be stronger than last year - Warriors, Raiders, Eels, Dragons and Manly. There's no doubt of last years top eight the Bulldogs, Roosters, Rabbitohs and maybe the Storm are weaker on paper than last year. There will be some fascinating teams to watch in the early rounds. How will the Cowboys deal with bring the hunted? This will be a new experience for them and for JT. Will the Sezer / Austin partnership be as good as it seems? How will the Manly and Parra new signings gel together? Will the Warriors sensational spine change things for them this year? Were the Panthers cruelled by injury last year or did they overachieve in 2014? Add to that how each team will deal with the interchange rule and it will be an interesting start to the season. As a Bulldogs fan I'm not as concerned by the interchange rule as I am by how the Mbye / Reynolds halves combo will work and how Hopoate will go. Tolman and Graham play bigger minutes than any props in the game and regularly play 60 mins already. If anything the interchange rules increases their impact. Blow that whistle ref!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Agree the Cows can't afford a slow start, I have them sliding but finishing in 5th. For the less backed sides, all but the Knights, Tigers and Titans I think are great, genuines shots at the 8. Makes for a great year.
wow
Guest
Always love reading articles on how people see the season playing out so cheers mate. I agree with about half of what you say but I can't see why people think the Sharks will go great and not the Cowboys. The Sharks pack was completely demoralised by the Cowboys in last years finals. Won't be anywhere near good enough at the business end and I have them making the 8 but not the 4. Cowboys will go close to winning it again. Their game plan is ahead of the curve and is only going to be more beneficial with the interchange reduction. Broncos replaced Hodges with Roberts but we will see how influential he was to the side. Still a top 4 finish and possibly title. Storm and roosters up their again but I think the Warriors and Raiders will be big improvers and find themselves in the 8. Manly and Parra to be around the bottom of the 8. 1. Broncos 2. Roosters 3. Cowboys 4. Raiders 5. Storm 6. Manly 7. Parra 8. Bunnies/Dragons/Sharks The Eels will knock off some big scalps this year and really improve while I think Manly are being overrated as I can't see Cherry ever returning to previous form. Anyway just my 2 cents Cheers mate