As the National Rugby League (NRL) season is due to begin, the drama is already in full display.
There are players being charged with misconduct and drug charges, as other teams are highly anticipated to have a big year but can they live up to the high standards that have been put upon them?
Brisbane Broncos
For the Brisbane Broncos, it has been a quiet off season with some incidents along the way – including James Roberts being charged with domestic violence. So far the biggest story to come is the possibility of breaking up the half combinations of Ben Hunt and Tony Milford, with the Dragons offering Hunt six million dollars six-year contract.
Also, how does a team with Hunt and Milford fit Benji Marshall in, particularly Marshall in his recent form?
Canberra Raiders
Just when the Raiders where getting things back in order after what was known as the ‘Rat pack’ – i.e. Blake Ferguson, Josh Dugan, Todd Carney and Sandor Earl – a leading player gets a DUI.
In a more positive note Dave Taylor looks on track to earn a contract however he is yet to earn a spot, which will not be easy due to forward depth.
With Kurt Baptise out for most of the season, will the Raiders have Josh Hodgson play the full 80 or will Adam Clydesdale take the Baptise role?
Cronulla Sharks
The drama at the Sharks continues.
They lack a top hooker after Michael Ennis’ retirement and James Segarayo has not been registered to play or train with them as Leeds have asked for a massive $425,000 transfer fee.
However, filling in for Ben Barba will not be such a problem as both Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes can do a great job at the back.
Gold Coast
The big question for Titans fans is what to with Jarryd Hayne. Do they play him at his accustomed fullback position as playmaker fullback, or continue trying him at five-eighth?
Also, can the Titans continue the form that crept them into finals last year?
Canterbury Bulldogs
Looking back at the last few games of the season, it was a battle a with the Raiders, Cowboys and Bulldogs for two spots.
Manly Sea Eagles
After a horror year, with players not playing to their full potential, this is the year Trent Barrett starts getting judged as a coach.
Last year was about getting the team he wants, which included sacking over 14 players to free up the cap to sign more quality over quantity.
Melbourne Storm
The Storm always compete however they have lost two key players in Marika Koroibete and Kevin Proctor.
Can Billy Slater get through a full season and how will his shoulder pulls up? If Slater does not get through the season, it will be pretty much be the end of his career.
Newcastle Knights
If Jarrod Mullen is found guilty, it leaves a massive hole in the halves with the Knights in previous years lacking creativity and not being able to grind out wins.
Also with Jeremy Smith, James McManus and Kade Snowden retiring and no big-name replacement, it will be hard for the Knights to get off the bottom of the ladder.
New Zealand Warriors
Kieran Foran’s signature could be massive however he has to convince the NRL Integrity Unit he is good to play.
If they could sign Foran it would mean they have the same core as the New Zealand representative side, with Roger Tuivasa Sheck, Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke.
This would one of the best spines in competition and coming into the world cup at the end of the year that would make New Zealand hot favourites
North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys have lost a little a little bit in the forwards, with Ben Hannant retiring and James Tamou going to the Panthers.
However, the Cowboys have kept the same players for a while so they know each other’s game, which only helps the chemistry of the team
Jacko
Guest
Widdop should be sacked
Agent11
Guest
Mbye? yeah i dont think so
Joe
Roar Rookie
Storm actually lost 3 key players as I'd rate Blake Green a key player. I think though they have it covered if Billy Slater plays out the season. If not they will have to take a punt on breaking in a new 6 which might take them back to the pre-Green post-Widdop years where they tried out Roberts/Hampton etc.
geoffrey evans
Guest
Thurston, Cronk , Johnson , DCE , Taylor , Mybe , Reynolds to name a few.
tv owns league so
Guest
After his 2016 form I'd only pay him six bucks as well
Jimmmy
Guest
Yeah that's true Ken and probably means a top half will get 1.5 to maybe 1.8 mil a year but that's for a Cronk, or a Thurston or ( yes I know there will be howls of derision ) a Mitchell Pearce. Hunt is a $ 700,000 half and the Dragons have paid well over his value.
Kenw
Guest
I think there's a lag in the way we think about salaries. I know I'm often guilty of thinking in terms of salary caps of $3-4m but that's ancient history and there's strong indications of a 10 million dollar salary cap around the corner. In that scenario, $1m a year (10% of cap) will be average wages for an established half, that's equivalent to $350,000 just a few years back when we had a $3.5m cap.
Jimmmy
Guest
I agree Walter . Hunt is very good but Saints are paying overs for him. This means they will be weak on other areas and will struggle to keep any promising young halves. They have fallen into classic trap of throwing everything at someone just because he is available. Search for the hidden gems not the ones everyone has already discovered.
KenW
Guest
Actually I think he's an inspired match-up for Widdop. He needs a dominant playmaker beside him and only the 2 obvious old champs are clearly better than Hunt, despite an ordinary 2016. If this is confirmed the Dragons problem is that there's a whole season to play before he dons a red V. How does the 'hunt' for a 2016 halves combination, already a challenge, proceed when there's no future in it?
LZWTY
Guest
I'd put Johnson 3rd. He's basically a better version of Hunt in that he has a good passing game, strong running game but can be inconsistent off the boot., Hunt 4th and Cherry 5/6th with Cleary, who may well rise very quickly in the next year or two - genuine shot at being the best halfback in the game in 2 years time (Thurston & Cronk could both be retired) aged just 21. Far from a sure thing, of course. Any number of things could happen.
The eye
Guest
I'd have him equal 3rd with Cherry.in 12 months.the young blokes at the Titans and Cleary may have something to say about that,but his TA's and slightly less important kick metres are marquee level and what the Dragons are desperate for..dont know what the whinging is about,potentially the Dragons are back into finals football ..
Aem
Guest
"The big question for Titans fans is what to with Jarryd Hayne. Do they play him at his accustomed fullback position as playmaker fullback, or continue trying him at five-eighth?" I'm genuinely not sure if you're taking the piss or not.
Aem
Guest
Who are the six better than him, out of interest? After the top three (and there is a significant gap between 2 and 3) I don't think it's anywhere near being clear cut.
mike Weller
Roar Rookie
Not if was on the incoming coach 's say so that they went after Hunt.
Jeff milton
Guest
i think you will find its closer to 4 million
geoffrey evans
Guest
Tells you how stupid Benji was by refusing $300,000 from the Dragons because he thought he was worth more and then signed for $100,000 with the Broncos.
geoffrey evans
Guest
I cannot believe that my team the Dragons were stupid enough to sign Hunt for $6 over 5 years with an option for one more when he is not even in the top 6 halfbacks in the game. The Broncos must be laughting .
fazed
Guest
So, is this part one of a series, or has the comp had a few teams suspended?
Football Forever
Guest
snowden and macmanus didnt play at all last year
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The Broncos relied on Hunt and Milford to steady the Brisbane team during the origin period last year but were largely disappointed and how the Dragons can take such an expensive longterm punt on Hunt is beyond me when it will no doubt involve loosing good local talent and tying the hands of any incoming coach.