As the 2016 season looms, the 16 competition sides have taken shape ahead of tonight’s Round 1 opener.
Some teams have had smooth run throughout the preseason, while others have battled through off-field incidents and injuries which have hampered their campaigns before they even started.
Big gains and losses on rosters and coaching staffs will alter some teams’ performances from that of the previous year.
So let’s have a look at who will be the contenders, pretenders and rear-enders in the 2016 season.
Brisbane Broncos
They are the competition front-runners and rightfully so. The Broncos arguably have the best playing roster in the competition, and they’re coached by one of the greatest minds in the game, Wayne Bennett. Both are key ingredients for success.
Brisbane’s attacking shape and defensive patterns are second to none, and, if games only went for 79 minutes, it would have won them a premiership last year.
James Roberts is a massive weapon in attack – expect him to top the try-scoring tally at the end of the year as he benefits from the service of Ben Hunt.
The Broncos’ bench depth, with the speed and agility of Kodi Nikorima and the work ethic of Sam Thaiday, will spur Brisbane to perform at an up-tempo pace for the whole 80 minutes.
North Queensland Cowboys
The lads from up north will be looking to become the first team to claim back-to-back premierships in the modern era. The Cowboys have done well to retain their same playing roster in the off-season.
The equation is quite simple for North Queensland: if Johnathan Thurston stays fit, the Cowboys will make the finals. However, unlike previous years, the Cowboys did not rely on the four-time Dally M winner too much, leading to their 2015 success.
Michael Morgan’s successful return to five-eighth gave birth to a new attacking threat thanks to his blistering pace and hard line running.
The Cowboys also boast a powerhouse forward pack which will lay the platform for the backs with quick play-the-balls reducing the time for opposition defensive lines to get set.
This allowed Jake Granville to benefit at the back of the ruck and scoot through tired forward packs throughout 2015, and we can expect much of the same for this season.
The only thing that could derail the season for the Cowboys is injuries. Other than that, expect them to make the eight this year.
Sydney Roosters
The loss of Mitchell Pearce after his Australia day “incident” looked to close the curtains on the Roosters’ 2016 chances.
However a flawless performance against a highly-fancied St Helens outfit proved the Bondi club can cut it against quality opposition. The significant talking point from that game was the performances of newly formed halves Jayden Nikorima and Jackson Hastings.
If those two halves can click in the NRL, the rest of the side will follow. They have incredible depth in the front row, with the likes of Kane Evans, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dylan Napa and Sam Moa, however they can’t solely rely on them to score points.
The Roosters will need their newly-formed backline to fire. Blake Ferguson will play at full-back, and should he find his feet quickly at the new position, the Roosters shouldn’t have much trouble in making the eight.
Canberra Raiders
It is all looking up for Sticky’s men, with another bunch of great off-field recruits for the club.
Being herald as the marquee signing is Elliot Whitehead; a monster second-rower with over 170 games experience in the Super League, who will only add to the quality in Canberra’s back row.
Blake Austin at five-eighth should create a dominant halves pairing playing next to Aiden Sezer, and the zippy Josh Hodgson and lethal combination of Jarrod Croker and Joseph Leilua in the centres will ensure the Raiders are sharp in attack.
Canberra have got the players, so there are no excuses anymore for the Green Machine. If they don’t perform expect Ricky Stuart’s coaching days to be well over.
Melbourne Storm
It is amazing what coach Craig Bellamy can do with the players he has. Starting his 13th consecutive year at the helm of the Storm, Bellamy has the ability to turn no-name youngsters, like Cameron Munster, and has-been veterans, such as Blake Green, into dominant players.
Munster had only one game’s experience prior to the 2015 season – a 22-0 loss to the Cowboys – but would to replace one of the best fullbacks to play the game, Billy Slater, in round 6 and from there he played a massive part in leading the Storm deep into the finals.
Any other coach may have given up on the kid, especially with other worthy replacements, however Bellamy believed in the 20-year-old, and the result was the creation of a player who every team wants to sign.
Another example is Green, who had previous unsuccessful stints in the NRL and, after signing from Wigan, completed his first full NRL season and almost sent Melbourne through to the grand final.
The moral of all of this is that anyone in Bellamy’s squad, no matter how much experience they have, can play, and that is why they will again be a powerhouse in the 2016 competition.
New Zealand Warriors
Sorry New Zealand fans, but despite having the newly claimed “big three” of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Isaac Luke and Shaun Johnson, there will be no change in fortune for the men across the ditch.
The talent is there at the Warriors, however there needs to be a click from the players in order to ignite their season in 2016. Can coach Andrew McFadden inspire that or will he be the fourth coach in three years to be sacked?
On paper, the Warriors are a dream team boasting the hottest steppers, the fiercest forward pack and the best young talent. They have the potential to win the premiership, however if they all play their own game – which has been the case in previous seasons – then 2016 is looking grim for the New Zealand-based team.
Parramatta Eels
Kieran Foran. If I had two words to define Parramatta’s chances of breaking their seven-year finals hoodoo it would be the name of their new star recruit.
Michael Gordon, Michael Jennings and Beau Scott also boost the side in experience and speed, can these old hands help lift this young side into the finals.
Although Eels fans might be holding onto the fact they won the Auckland Nines last month – their first silverware since dinosaurs roamed the Earth – but it’s a different ballgame in the 13-a-side format.
If the Eels are to crack the eight they will need a consistent performance from their intimidating forward pack and to get out of the habit of letting games slip in the dying moments.
I expect Parramatta at best to crawl into the eight but show no signs of contention for the premiership trophy.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
A club in turmoil seeks to turn around its torrid off-season with a dominant display in 2016. Last year Souths burned out after starting the season well, losing five of their last six games to just scrape into the finals.
The rebuild for the 2016 season began well with the return of Sam Burgess, however, this was followed by plenty of problems at Rabbitohs HQ, resulting in the loss of long-term players Isaac Luke, Chris McQueen, Dylan Walker and Glenn Stewart.
Other players – Bryson Goodwin and John Olive included – have also been asking for immediate releases from their contracts, just adding to the turmoil.
If the Rabbitohs can put aside this internal struggle then the have the talent to make the eight, but I just can’t see them contending this year.
Penrith Panthers
How’s the five-year plan coming along Gussy? What’s that – “It could take up to a decade.” That doesn’t sound promising for Panthers’ fans.
The incredible loss of talent of Penrith will hamper the side significantly in 2016, and with the injury to star fullback Matt Moylan, the pressure will be on halves Jaime Soward and Peter Wallace will be enormous.
The worst mistake was releasing Ivan Cleary from his contract and signing Anthony Griffin, a coach who has a poor relationship with his starting halfback.
A rare bright spot for the Panthers may be the in-form Bryce Cartwright, who will play a massive part for his team while also pushing for Origin selection.
Newcastle Knights
Playing five debutants in a Round 1 clash is not the most conventional way to start 2016 for the Knights, however new coach Nathan Brown has shown enough in the Super League enough for Knights’ fans to have belief in his decision.
The signing of Trent Hodkinson brings strength to the halves, something they have been lacking in previous seasons. If they are to turn around and make the eight it will be a coaching masterpiece from Brown, but don’t hold your breath Knights fans.
Wests Tigers
Why is Jason Taylor still at the helm? I will bet my house and dog that he will be the first sacked out of all the NRL coaches.
With a winning record of less than 43 percent, it’s hard to imagine the Tigers making the eight. It’s far easier to picture them holding the wooden spoon at the end of the season.
With the loss of their only firepower in Martin Taupau and legendary figure Keith Galloway, it’s hard to see them testing opposition defensive lines.
And with the like of Robbie Farah, Matt Ballin and Luke Brooks on the sideline with injuries, it will be a long year for the West Tigers this year.
Predicted Ladder
Broncos, Storm, Cowboys, Roosters, Sharks, Bulldogs, Raiders, Sea Eagles, Eels, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Dragons, Titans, Panthers, Knights, Tigers
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