Have we ever had an off-season that provided as many headlines as this one? There were the internal rumblings at the Wests Tigers that dragged on for months, Dave Smith stepping down as CEO, and perhaps the biggest of them all was Mitch Pearce having a dog’s day out.
Despite all the off-field antics, this NRL season has the very real potential to be one of the closest we’ve seen in years.
So I’ve dusted off the crystal ball to provide you with some of the biggest headlines you will read throughout 2016 (60 per cent of the time I’m right every time).
5. Blues secure second series win in past 11 years
Many could be forgiven for thinking that 2014 was going to be the start of a new era of Blues domination. But the men in maroon brought a quick halt to that theory.
There’s no doubt 2016 will be the year that Queensland – a team for the ages, a team among the best in the history of any sport – finally relent and return to being an also-ran.
How will this happen? A backline featuring Josh Dugan, Josh and Brett Morris, Michael Jennings and Blake Ferguson is big, fast and strong. The perfect recipe for success.
4. Soward and Wallace lead a revival at the foot of the mountains
Injuries played a major role in Penrith’s demise, but no club likes to use that as an excuse.
From finalists in 2014 to an 11th place finish in 2015, the five-year plan is now six years.
A shock change in coach, as well as a dramatic shuffle in their roster – having lost the likes of Lewis Brown, Isaac John and Apisai Koroisau (all to Manly) – and the retirements of Brent Kite and Nigel Plum, the Panthers will be looking to Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, new captain Matt Moylan, and star recruit Trent Merrin to reverse their fortunes in 2016.
Despite facing perhaps more questions than answers, there’s plenty of upside to this Panthers roster, and I expect them to push hard for a finals berth. After that, it’s anyone’s game.
3. Anthony Milford is crowned the best player in the game
The new generation is here and it’s their time to shine.
Prior to the 2015 season, Wayne Bennett suggested that the Broncos could “build” a future around Hunt and Milford, rating the duo the club’s “most exciting halves” alliance since Allan Langer and Kevin Walters.
With the backing of one of the strongest teams on paper, as well as being one half of said exciting halves partnership, Anthony Milford will take his game to a new level, showcasing his talent, and take out the 2016 Dally M.
2. Wests Tigers woes continue
On the back of a season that featured a string of consecutive losses and off-field woes, including new administration and serious salary cap issues, there has been no respite for the Tigers in the offseason.
Between ongoing speculation over coach Jason Taylor’s future, as well as the fallout from the very public push to rid Robbie Farah from the club, and poor recruitment, the pressure will be on right from the start. If star halves Luke Brooks and Mitch Moses fail to fire, external pressure will force some dramatic personnel changes.
The only guarantee? James Tesdesco and Aaron Woods to lead from the front. Otherwise, 2016 is looking like a year with more problems than solutions.
1. From extra-time agony to best in class 2016
The cruel manner in which the Broncos’ 17-16 golden point grand final defeat came about will still be burning, but rest easy Brisbane fans, your mob will bounce back from that heartbreak to secure the 2016 premiership.
They say defence wins premierships and for 79 minutes and 59 seconds that notion rang true in 2015.
The Broncos only conceded 72 tries all season (including finals), with 48 of those leaked inside their final 20 – the lowest total in the competition for tries conceded inside the attacking zone – finishing the regular season with the third-best defensive record, behind the Storm and Roosters.
The disappointment of losing the grand final in such fashion will only make that brick wall harder to break down in 2016.
Follow Shane on Twitter @shanebrien
The Barry
Roar Guru
Queensland have had half a dozen blokes that will go down among the greatest players of all time. NSW have got none. Not only that but Queensland have got the wood on them and has them mentally beaten. NSW's sole series win in 10 years was when everything went their way. Hayne in magic form, Cooper Cronk injured in the first 5 minutes, refs not keeping the teams apart, lots of niggle, a few Queenslanders out of nick. 9 wins in 10 years in a two horse race is incredible. We're lucky there haven't been more game 3 score lines. Anyway let me guess your brilliant tactics...Dugan in the centres and Soward at halfback.
Norad
Guest
Well its Feb now so its about now that the NRL media usually start up with their annual beat up that playing league is evil as it causes concussions and brain damage. Most NRL media really want to kill the game so they can start reporting on AFL their real love.
Charles NSW
Guest
Granted that QLD have outstanding players over the years. However your comments show why there is so much wrong with NSW Defeatest attitude with no understanding that anyone can be beaten You have to choose the right players and a game plan that brings out the best of those players NSW have failed in so many areas it is embarrassing
Broadly Speaking
Guest
it isn't very fearless to back the competition's favourite (and the previous year's Grand Finalist) to be successful again........ Moving up one place does not sound like much of a headline compared to reading one of the Titans/Tigers/Knights made the 8 and every other semi-finalist is worried. I predict headlines will read the Cowboys will do what people say can't be done and win back-to-back premierships. I will go further out on this limb and say the Cowboys will defeat the Broncos AGAIN and this time from the BOTTOM OF THE 8...... Maybe the score will be 16 to 15 that I fearlessly predicted at the beginning of last year????
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Poor old tiges heh
The Barry
Roar Guru
That's definitely a cliche WW but I think it's true this year. Of the top 8 teams - very few of them are stronger this year than last, while a number of the teams just outside the 8 have improved. Cowboys - maintained status quo Broncos - maintained status quo Roosters - backwards Souths - backwards Sharks - status quo Bulldogs - backwards Storm - status quo Dragons - improved Manly - improved Parra - improved Warriors - improved Canberra - improved Panthers - status quo I wouldn't be really surprised with any combo of those teams making the 8. Probably only Broncs and Cows that would be a major surprise missing out.
AJL.
Roar Pro
If NSW win a game this year, it will be a dead rubber or because one of Qld's key men gets hurt. The gap in talent is the width of the Pacific.
Richard Maybury
Guest
The only one of those I agree with is the Tigers Woes continuing. The rest will be wrong especially no.5. 2014 will prove to have been a mere road bump in a very long period of Qld victories. England are more likely to beat the Aussies in an international comp than the blues are capable of taking the maroons. Get used to it guys.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
"....this NRL season has the very real potential to be one of the closest we've seen in years. " There's a fearless quote...one that's been used every year since 1908.
Andrew
Guest
Don't knock Daley. People many thought I looked like a Daley years ago. If Daley picks Reynolds and Moylan in the SOS squad I have no problem with him. Also, Gallen has he's use by date.
TheEroticGamer
Roar Rookie
5.Yes, someone like Blake Austin is just what the Blues need if they want to do this.Feel like they'll win it this year. 4.Absolutely, have them stringing games together and they'll be around the top of the ladder again. 3.Got Thurston down receive another dally m, Milford in top three though. 2.That's not fearless mate lol. 1.I do understand they have a top team, but writing everyone else off is ridiculous.The season hasn't even started yet.But hey that's 'fearless' so that kind of contradicts my last point haha. Great article mate.
The Barry
Roar Guru
5. The Blues are shot ducks. They won't win another series until several of Smith, Inglis, Slater, Cronk and Thurston retire. Even then they're no certainties with Segeyaro, Hunt, Milford, Elgey, DCE waiting on the sidelines. The Queensland back five are no slouches either. 4. Soward and Wallace are unlikely to even start the season as Penrith halves. Really not sure about the Panthers. All through 2014 I felt like they were overachieving and waiting for the wheels to fall off. 3. Milford is very good. Does his game have another level to go to? It will be entertaining to watch if it does. 2. Hardly a bold prediction tipping the Tigers to struggle. Taylor really has painted himself into a corner by publicly confronting Farah and then meekly backing down. Hard to see a positive outcome for the Tiges or Taylor in particular. 1. Broncos will be in the thick of it but I'm a little surprised at how heavily favoured they are to win the comp and how many are tipping them. $4.50 is crazy short odds. They've swapped Copley and Hodges for Roberts so no great movements on the squad strength.
Pepper Jack
Guest
Blues secure second series win in past 11 years - unless Daley defects to North Korea before May, this is highly unlikely Soward and Wallace lead a revival at the foot of the mountains - wouldn't be surprised to see them leading the Riff to a top 4 spot. Anthony Milford is crowned the best player in the game - Won't even be best player on his team Wests Tigers woes continue - while far from contenders, the Tigers will shock a few people. 10th-12th is where there should finish From extra-time agony to best in class 2016 - Not sure. How many will they lose to Origin, and if it's a few will their traditional post-origin slump have an effect?