As the new year is upon us it means that we are getting ever so close to kicking off the 2018 NRL season with much to be anticipated.
So if you aren’t already, here are 10 reasons to be excited about the 2018 NRL season. As always don’t forget to leave your opinions below.
Pretenders or Contenders?
With the Cowboys and Broncos both having solid sides and will both predictably finish comfortably in the Top 8 what about the “outsider” teams who have the ability to rise up and also give the Storm and Roosters a very big scare in 2018?
There is the possibility of the Sharks having a very good year with the signings of Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan along with having a respectable side already the Sharks could still feel the effect of the “premiers curse” and keep falling in the NRL or could reinvent themselves and really make a run for a premiership.
How about them Eels though? Surprisingly finishing 4th in 2017 and seeing the breakout season of a future NRL great in Clinton Gutherson could see the Eels continue to build and come together as a squad to challenge the big sides.
When thinking of the words pretender and contender these past few NRL seasons though, one team really stands out and it’s the boys from the foot of the mountains the Penrith Panthers.
After being a game away from the 2014 grand final they went to being in a wooden spoon battle in 2015, then finishing in the lower half of the top 8 in 2016 in 2017, but in 2018 although having a similar side to recent years the Panthers have signed James Maloney who will pair with Nathan Cleary a halves pairing which has the potential to be the best in the competition and there is a 50/50 chance that they will have a similar year to 2014 through giving the top teams a rude awakening.
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