The NRL season is upon us and NRL followers have been crying out for rugby league motion.
Every staff has a clear slate forward of their 2024 marketing campaign, however some huge questions are nonetheless lingering and can have to be answered throughout the yr.
The Panthers have an opportunity to create historical past and develop into the primary staff within the NRL period to win four-straight premierships.
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Meanwhile, doubts have been solid over the Storm’s means to combine it with the competitors’s greatest in the midst of the park.
For the Tigers, Benji Marshall has some large calls to make, however none larger than the make-up of his halves in his bid to tug the merger membership off the underside of the ladder.
Shane Flanagan additionally has an enormous job on his fingers to show the Dragons’ fortunes round after years of disappointment on the historic membership.
Here, foxsports.com.au solutions each membership’s burning query heading into yet one more yr of NRL motion!
PANTHERS
Can the Panthers develop into the primary staff within the NRL period to win four-straight premierships?
If there’s one lesson rugby league followers have learnt, it’s to by no means doubt Ivan Cleary and the Panthers. The Penrith juggernaut have frequently misplaced key gamers every season however in 2023 nonetheless managed to safe the primary three-peat since Parramatta’s dominance from 1981-83. With their ridiculous comeback victory over the Broncos in addition they turned the primary NRL period staff to win three straight premierships. So why can’t they safe a fourth? Only the legendary St George outfit that received 11 straight premierships beginning in 1956 and South Sydney from 1925 to 1929 have achieved the feat. Cleary’s males have misplaced two gamers which have confirmed to be essential to Penrith’s success lately. Stephen Crichton is arguably probably the most well-rounded centre within the recreation, whereas Spencer Leniu’s influence off the bench can’t be understated. Taylan May and Liam Henry look set to interchange the pair and if historical past is something to go by, the Panthers will as soon as once more have the ability to ship come finals time. The scary side for rival groups is that the Penrith juggernaut appears to proceed to roll on every season and Fox League’s James Graham issued an enormous warning to the rest of the NRL throughout final yr’s finals sequence. “When you talk about some of the players on their roster, if you compare them to other players, they have not reached their peak ages yet which is absolutely frightening,” Graham mentioned. So now it’s as much as one of many remaining 16 groups to cease the Panthers who’ve been the benchmark of rugby league for a number of years working.
BRONCOS
Can they overcome shedding 4 grand ultimate gamers and make one other cost to the decider?
The Broncos have misplaced grand ultimate quartet Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Tom Flegler (Dolphins), Kurt Capewell (Warriors) and Keenan Palasia (Titans).
Coach Kevin Walters deserves loads of reward for taking the membership from picket spooners in 2020 to grand finalists in 2023 with the identical core squad. Brisbane boast loads of depth as a result of their monumental catchment space, however changing these stars will likely be no straightforward feat.
Walters has confirmed he is aware of the best way to get one of the best out of his gamers and he’ll have to do it once more this yr after shedding 4 grand ultimate stars.
Farnworth, who was named 2023 Dally M Centre of the Year, leaves an enormous void and Walters has confirmed Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo will get first crack at filling it.
Veteran front-rower Corey Jensen, 30, is anticipated to compete with Roosters recruit Fletcher Baker to interchange gun prop Flegler.
Brendan Piakura – who got here off the bench within the grand ultimate – will probably exchange backrower Capewell, whereas rising prop Xavier Willison ought to fill Palasia’s spot.
Outside backs Corey Oates, Jesse Arthars and Deine Mariner will all struggle it out to interchange Cobbo on the wing.
Graham out for six months with harm | 00:31
STORM
Can the Melbourne ahead pack combine it with the large weapons of the competitors?
The Storm had been sometimes aggressive final season, ending one recreation from a grand ultimate look, nonetheless the engine room didn’t stack up towards Penrith and Brisbane within the finals.
The Broncos made inroads with ease towards the Storm pack within the qualifying ultimate whereas the Panthers did a lot the identical within the preliminary.
Storm prop Christian Welch defended his ahead pack, however did admit they should enhance sharply to compete with the Penriths and Brisbanes of the world.
“It was clear that there was a gulf between the Broncos and Panthers and then a big gap to the chasing group, including us,” Welch mentioned.
“I know it sounds like a cliche, but there’s no point in me trying to argue with some of the commentary about our forward pack.”
It’s arduous to be overly vital, contemplating the Storm didn’t have the likes of the Bromwich brothers, Brandon Smith and Felise Kaufusi on the membership final season, however for a staff that accepts nothing lower than excellence, Craig Bellamy will likely be eager to not have the identical drawback rear its head in 2024.
Backrower Eli Katoa was glorious in his first season with the Storm and can solely be higher on this his fifth NRL season.
Welch and Nelson Asofa-Solomona each have loads of good soccer left whereas former Tiger Shawn Blore is an underrated pick-up.
WARRIORS
Can Shaun Johnson fireplace once more amid Warriors’ halves succession dilemma?
The Warriors had been the shock packets of final season amid Shaun Johnson’s gorgeous return to kind, however can Andrew Webster’s facet again it up in 2024 now they’re the hunted and never the hunters?
Webster did a outstanding job in his first season as Warriors coach, however it will likely be a a lot harder ask to maintain the Warriors within the prime 4 now they not have the benefit of flying beneath the radar.
Johnson went inside a whisker of successful the Dally M Medal final season a yr after his profession was on the scrap heap, however can he keep the fashion as he enters what is probably going the ultimate yr of his profession?
The Warriors additionally have to strike a stability between pushing for a title win and planning for all times after Johnson, given they don’t seem to be brief on potential replacements.
The Warriors have Luke Metcalf, Te Maire Martin, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Dylan Walker on their books, who’re all able to enjoying within the halves alongside Johnson.
However, all 4 are extra five-eighths than they’re halfbacks and the membership let No.7 Ronald Volman depart, so Johnson’s successor will probably come from these 4 gamers.
The most blatant candidate is Harris-Tavita, however he’ll probably want time within the saddle to study his commerce at halfback, so Webster may have to present him a while all through the season within the halfback scorching seat.
Otherwise the Warriors could also be left with a gap at halfback they will’t fill when Johnson retires except they go to market.
KNIGHTS
Can the Knights decide up from the place they left off or was the second half of 2023 only a flash within the pan?
The Knights’ 10-game successful streak was one of many feel-good storylines of 2023. It took them to the membership’s first semi-final since 2013 and created an actual buzz within the Hunter. McDonald Jones Stadium hit capability for the Knights’ ultimate three house video games of the yr, together with the semi-final which offered out in report time. Adam O’Brien went from being the following coach on the chopping block to now closing in on a three-year extension, whereas Kalyn Ponga put retirement fears – as a result of repeated concussions – behind him to win the Dally M medal. The second half of the season may very well be the springboard for a good higher 2024, however that’s as much as the Knights to point out they’re the true deal. They’ll must do it with out Dom Young although after the try-scoring machine left to hitch the Roosters. Young scored 25 tries final season to set a brand new membership report. O’Brien has floated new recruit Tom Jenkins, younger gun Krystian Mapapalangi and “Mr. Dependable” Enari Tuala as attainable replacements, whereas up-and-coming fullback David Armstrong can be an choice. We’ll get indication of who has received the race to interchange Young and whether or not the Knights nonetheless have momentum throughout their pre-season trials towards the Sharks and Storm. They then meet the Raiders, who they knocked out in week considered one of finals in an exciting further time match, in Round 1 at McDonald Jones Stadium – one other house recreation set to promote out.
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Benji’s Tigers put together for giant 2024 | 02:01
SHARKS
Can Fitzgibbon break his finals hoodoo?
After the Sharks had been bundled out of the primary week of finals in a decent 13-12 affair towards the Roosters, Craig Fitzgibbon’s finals report remained with out a win. After going out in straight units in 2022, the legendary Roosters ahead has received zero of three finals appearances since taking up Cronulla’s head coach. Fitzgibbon has a 61 per cent win charge in his 50 video games as a head coach, however his outfit have arguably had a tender draw within the common season over the previous two years. So now it’s as much as Fitzgibbon in his third season to shake the stigma of being ‘flat track bullies’ and ship towards sides within the prime eight. With 2022 Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes main the way in which, Cronulla ought to enhance on their 2023 marketing campaign. Throw within the combine Will Kennedy, Dale Finucane, Cameron McInnes and Briton Nikora and the Sharks have some critical firepower. However, the lack of Wade Graham (retired), Matt Moylan (Leigh Leopards) and Connor Tracey (Bulldogs) has severely hampered their depth, particularly within the halves. Kade Dykes and Niwhai Puru stay the one potential halves replacements of their prime 30 ought to Hynes or Braydon Trindall go down. Dykes has had a style of NRL within the No.1 jersey previous to his season-ending harm final yr, whereas Puru had probably the most missed tackles in NSW Cup in 2023. It stays to be seen whether or not the Sharks can shirk the tag of being the competitors’s finals pretenders and develop into true title contenders.
ROOSTERS
Will Trent Robinson change his method for the strongest staff on paper to dwell as much as their billing this yr?
The Roosters had probably the most particular person expertise in 2023 however they left their run extremely late and needed to win six of their ultimate seven video games simply to scrape into the finals.
Trent Robinson has by some means bolstered his facet in 2024, with out shedding any superstars, after signing Dominic Young (Knights) and Spencer Leniu (Panthers).
Robinson is thought for tapering his groups in order that they’re peaking on the enterprise finish of the season, however he received it fallacious in 2023.
Star recruit Brandon Smith failed to fireplace early, Joseph Suaalii’s kind nosedived after he signed a $5 million cope with Rugby Australia and halves Luke Keary and Sam Walker simply couldn’t get going within the first half of the season.
However, by the point they had been enjoying finals the Roosters had discovered their rhythm and managed to upset the Sharks at house in week one.
If they will decide up the place they left off – as a substitute of warming into the season as Robinson often prefers – then the Chooks will quickly be put in as premiership favourites.
But that can largely depend upon simply how shortly their gun recruits Young and Leniu match into the Tricolours’ mould.
RAIDERS
Can the Raiders fill their Jack Wighton-sized void?
Canberra misplaced considered one of its favorite sons within the low season with Clive Churchill medal winner Jack Wighton linking up with South Sydney.
For a staff missing star energy relative to different golf equipment, it’s a large loss. The Raiders made a low-risk, however doubtlessly high-reward transfer when signing Kaeo Weekes, who will probably don the no. 6 jersey in Round 1 towards the Knights.
Weekes was a well-regarded junior who by no means lit the world on fireplace in sporadic motion for the Sea Eagles. At 21, he’s nonetheless very younger, and with constant recreation time prone to start the season, Ricky Stuart will likely be hoping to get one of the best out of him.
If the Weekes experiment doesn’t work, rising star Ethan Strange is an choice to associate Jamal Fogarty within the halves.
Strange debuted within the centres for the Raiders final yr, however performed 11 video games for the NSW Cup staff at five-eighth final season, so wouldn’t look misplaced there if the primary grade staff referred to as upon him.
While not an choice at five-eighth, Chevy Stewart is a younger gun Raiders followers ought to see loads of this season and can add a tonne of strike energy to the backline.
Stewart is arguably probably the most thrilling participant on Canberra’s roster, and after a formidable NSW Cup marketing campaign in 2023, ought to have the Raiders trustworthy licking their lips.
Oates speaks out after Grand Final axing | 01:00
RABBITOHS
Can Lachlan Ilias fireplace at halfback or do the Rabbitohs have to shake up their backbone?
The Rabbitohs can spin it any method they like, however they’ve did not adequately exchange former skipper Adam Reynolds and want to resolve their halves dilemma to contend for the title in 2024.
Lachlan Ilias is a wonderful prospect with nice potential and a vibrant future, however at this stage of his profession he has struggled for consistency in first grade.
Ilias’ kicking recreation is nowhere close to what Reynolds produced week in and week out for the membership and he must create extra competitors together with his attacking kicks each within the air and alongside the bottom for his chasers.
Jack Wighton’s arrival on the membership has ramped up the stress on Ilias to have a breakout season and cement the No.7 position going ahead at Souths.
If Souths and Ilias battle early within the season the stress will likely be on Jason Demetriou and he could must at the least think about placing Wigthon within the halves with Cody Walker.
Latrell Mitchell’s harm final season noticed Souths slip from first to ninth by the tip of the yr and the entire squad and training employees deserve blame for that poor end result.
However, it’s as much as Ilias to start out firing early and infrequently and enhance his kicking recreation or Souths could have little selection however to take a look at different choices in the event that they wish to return to being premiership contenders.
EELS
Can the Eels fill their vacant hooker position amid a clumsy backbone fact?
The Eels went from the Grand Final in 2022 to complete exterior the finals in tenth in 2023 in a surprising fall from grace.
The membership misplaced various key gamers from their grand ultimate facet, however crucial was hooker Reed Mahoney who switched to the Bulldogs they usually have struggled to fill the void since.
Josh Hodgson got here to the membership final yr, however was pressured into medical retirement after struggling to fireplace early within the season.
The membership introduced Brendan Hands from the Panthers and Joey Lussick again from the Super League to try to fill Mahoney’s void, however neither have lit the home on fireplace thus far.
Hands will probably begin the yr at hooker with Lussick filling the bench utility position and in addition spending time at dummyhalf.
The membership want a dummyhalf able to creating alternatives together with his working and passing to ease the stress on Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown with the playmaking duties.
If Hands and Lussick can fireplace, the Eels have the quad able to making it again to the highest 4, but when they don’t they could must go to market to fill the dummyhalf void.
COWBOYS
Will their star-studded line-up bounce again to being a premiership risk after a disappointing 2023?
A yr after going desperately near reaching a grand ultimate, the Cowboys had been considered one of three groups to drop out of the highest eight in 2023.
It was an interrupted pre-season, because of many gamers fulfilling consultant commitments on the World Cup, and it confirmed because the Cowboys slumped to a 3-6 begin.
They would bounce again to win a couple of on the trot throughout the center of the season earlier than weakening late, with a late four-game suspension to Valentine Holmes proving vital.
This North Queensland facet is simply too gifted to not be making the eight, and barring any harm disaster, needs to be enjoying finals soccer.
There is firepower everywhere in the park, and Payten has confirmed he can get probably the most out of this facet.
While the Cowboys had been in a position to lengthen Tom Dearden previous this season, the wage cap squeeze will probably pressure at the least two or three gifted gamers out, which means 2024 is the membership’s golden probability to make a critical run at a premiership.
Walsh & Smith cleared to play in Vegas | 00:31
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SEA EAGLES
Can Luke Brooks and Josh Schuster fireplace amid Manly backbone dilemma?
Manly struggled to interchange Kieran Foran final season with Josh Schuster making an unsuccessful change to the No.6 jersey after various false begins as a result of harm.
The membership has introduced maligned former Tigers halfback Luke Brooks to the membership on a four-year deal to play five-eighth, till Daly Cherry-Evans hangs up the boots when he’ll probably change to No.7.
Schuster has returned to the second row place that noticed him touted as a NSW Blues Origin bolter two seasons in the past and wishes to point out extra dedication and professionalism to get the left edge firing once more.
Interestingly, Brooks and Schuster are set to play on the identical facet and the way their mixture clicks might go a good distance in the direction of deciding Manly’s premiership aspirations.
If Brooks might help ease the stress on Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic having to do every thing in assault and Schuster can develop into a constant performer within the again row, Manly may very well be one of many actual movers on the ladder this season.
With Lachlan Croker providing little by way of a working recreation from dummyhalf, Anthony Seibold is relying on Brooks to present the facet a brand new dimension in assault.
If Brooks and Schuster fireplace on the left edge, Manly might problem for the highest 4, but when they don’t they are going to be left with extra questions than solutions in 2024 and the stress will ramp up on Seibold in his second yr on the helm.
DOLPHINS
Has Wayne Bennett recruited the celebs required to play finals in simply the Dolphins’ second season?
The Dolphins – after 18 months of persistently lacking out on star gamers for his or her inaugural season – shocked one and all in 2023.
Wayne Bennett’s facet received their first three video games and sat fifth on the ladder after Round 10, all with out a single celebrity of their ranks.
A scarcity of depth noticed them fade late within the season, however the Dolphins have now added some real star energy in Broncos grand ultimate duo Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler, plus Bulldogs speedster Jake Averillo.
Farnworth was picked within the Dally M Team of the Year and Flegler was some of the necessary gamers in Brisbane’s grand ultimate run, whereas Averillo was a shining gentle in a struggling Canterbury facet.
Dolphins gun ahead Tom Gilbert who was having fun with a standout 2023 season earlier than the Maroons star had it minimize brief with a shoulder harm.
Throw within the truth it’s Bennett’s ultimate season in control of the Dolphins and also you’d be a courageous man betting towards him cracking the highest eight.
TITANS
They have probably the greatest ahead packs within the comp, however can the new-look backline fireplace?
It needs to be a finals-or-bust mindset for the Titans in 2024, with many anticipating Des Hasler to get probably the most out of an especially gifted facet.
Jayden Campbell is among the most enjoyable gamers within the NRL, and after spending half the 2023 season in a diminished position off the bench, considered one of Des’ first huge calls was to call the son-of-a-gun because the staff’s beginning fullback.
That transfer in flip shifts Maroons consultant AJ Brimson into the centres. Along with try-scoring machine Alofiana Khan-Pereira on the flank, the Titans boast a reasonably dynamic backline to enrich a ahead pack affected by stars.
The halves although are nonetheless an enormous query mark.
Five-eighth Kieran Foran is hard as teak and a well-liked teammate to play alongside, however he’s within the twilight of his profession.
Halfback Tanah Boyd has been given the nod once more, however aside from his goalkicking, he hasn’t accomplished a complete heap to point out he’s the no. 7 of the long run.
Tom Weaver is ready within the wings, and if Boyd fails to fireplace, Hasler received’t be afraid to make a change early within the season, particularly if this uber-talented Gold Coast staff lose a couple of.
New recruits able to thrive at Tigers | 01:46
BULLDOGS
Will Ciraldo’s arduous line stance and roster overhaul be the catalyst for change?
Cameron Ciraldo’s first season as a head coach was actually a baptism of fireside. The Bulldogs completed fifteenth and conceded probably the most factors within the competitors. On prime of that there have been rumblings of participant unrest with the membership captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner finally exiting. Regardless, Ciraldo caught strong on his values. He introduced throughout the defensive system that turned the Panthers right into a powerhouse and his dedication to that by no means wavered. He talked about a number of instances all through the season that he’s in search of gamers which can be keen to purchase in to the defensive system that he believes in – and that’s what the membership has accomplished. 10 new faces have joined the squad, whereas 11 have departed in a mass overhaul of the roster. Among these 10 recruits are three-time premiership-winner Stephen Crichton, Sharks speedster Connor Tracey, Latrell Mitchell’s former understudy Blake Taaffe, ex-Warrior Josh Curran and Bronson Xerri, who’s again from a doping ban. All are high quality gamers – Crichton is arguably one of the best centre within the recreation – nevertheless it stays to be seen whether or not they can raise the Dogs up the ladder. The Bulldogs have completed within the backside 4 three out of the final 4 seasons and haven’t performed finals since 2016. The membership chewed by way of three head coaches and two interim coaches in six years earlier than Ciraldo joined and numerous gamers have additionally come and gone however nothing appears to be working. The fanbase is getting more and more impatient – however is hopeful all this modification for 2024 can lastly spark some success.
DRAGONS
Will Shane Flanagan repay the St George Illawarra board’s religion and switch the Dragons into contenders once more?
Premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan made no secret of his need to return to NRL as a head coach and he lastly received his probability, albeit because the Dragons’ second selection.
Flanagan was handed the reins final June after Jason Ryles backflipped on the membership on the eleventh hour to hitch the Storm as an assistant.
Flanagan didn’t care how he received the job and instantly went to work, nevertheless it’s been a disastrous first low season in Wollongong.
The veteran coach missed out on a bunch of big-name signings after which even misplaced the gamers he did handle to check in Corey Allan (ACL) and Ronald Volkman (failed medical).
To make issues worse, Flanagan’s star No. 6 Junior Amone was deregistered after being discovered responsible of great assault fees.
It has left the Dragons struggling badly for depth in key positions, however Flanagan has confirmed earlier than he can take a membership from the outhouse to the penthouse.
The Sharks had been second-last on the ladder and hardly boasted a star-studded roster when Flanagan changed Ricky Stuart as their coach in 2010.
But quick ahead six years and Flanagan had guided Cronulla to their first premiership in membership historical past.
The Dragons haven’t received a title since 2010 and their board will likely be desperately hoping Flanagan can repeat his premiership heroics for the Red V.
TIGERS
Can Benji put the items of the puzzle collectively and enhance the Tigers in his debut season?
It’s Benji Marshall’s first season as a head coach and he faces a mammoth process to enhance a Tigers outfit contemporary off back-to-back picket spoons. Marshall has effectively and actually been thrown within the deep finish in 2024, however the change followers have been crying out for has begun. The complete Tigers board was dismissed within the low season and skilled administrator Shane Richardson was handed the chief govt position. The Tigers new powerbrokers will likely be determined to have stability off the sector to help Marshall in enhancing a squad with a number of new faces. Marshall should make use of a completely new halves pairing in 2024, with Aidan Sezer, Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu arriving on the membership in pre-season. Throw within the combine promising junior Lachlan Galvin and Marshall has a range headache on his fingers. The membership additionally confirmed winger David Nofoaluma the door in a transfer that confirmed the rookie coach is able to make the robust selections. His exit additionally confirmed your entire squad the previous premiership-winning playmaker received’t be taking any nonsense after Nofoaluma’s pre-season coaching debacle. Throw within the combine Solomon Alaimalo (Super Rugby), Solomona Faataape (Brisbane Tigers) and Justin Olam (Storm) and the Tigers squad is taking form. In an enormous constructive the Tigers have a strong ahead pack for Marshall to work with that boasts two gun backrowers in Isaiah Papali’I and John Bateman, alongside one of many NRL’s greatest hookers in Apisai Koroisau. All Tigers followers are begging for is enchancment and if the merger membership can climb up off the underside of the ladder forward of Jarome Luai’s arrival in 2025, issues will likely be wanting up in Leichhardt.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
