Here’s the second instalment of predictions heading into 2017, containing which club will rise, which club will fall, and which club will be walking away with NRL Telstra Premiership trophy next season.
- State of Origin debutants: Dylan Napa will fill the hole left by Corey Parker in the Maroons team, while Bryce Cartwright will finally earn a sky-blue jersey after being overlooked in 2016.
- State of Origin Winners: New South Wales will claim the series with one of their most competitive rosters ever. James Maloney and Adam Reynolds will steer NSW to a 2-1 series win, ending Thurston’s Origin career with a rare series loss.
- Top Point Scorer: Jarrod Croker has this award on lockdown for the next few years, with Canberra’s strong attack resulting in a lot of points for the Canberra captain.
- Top Try-Scorer: Next season will see a tie in the top try scorer race, with both Alex Johnston and David Mead notch 22 tries each in the regular season.
- World Cup’s Biggest Movers: After a relatively strong Four Nations, Scotland will surprise many to finish second in their pool, above both Samoa and Tonga.
Here’s the second instalment of predictions heading into 2017, containing which club will rise, which club will fall, and which club will be walking away with NRL Telstra Premiership trophy next season.
- World Cup Winners: Australia. Not a hard choice, but the World Cup will see the likes of Corey Oates, Jack Bird and Dylan Napa earn their maiden test jumpers while Kangaroo great Jonathan Thurston looks to end his rep career on a high.
- Rookie Of The Year: 2016 Holden Cup Player of the Year Jayden Brailey will burst onto the scene in 2017, beating out Manaia Cherrington for the Sharks number fourteen jersey as Cronulla aim to replace Michael Ennis.
- Team on the Down: Canterbury will carry their poor end of season form into 2017, with their lack of organisational skills to see them slip out of the eight.
- Team on the Up: South Sydney, with a refreshed roster featuring Robbie Farah, will be big movers, going from 12th to 5th in a season.
- Should’ve Hung Up The Boots: Billy Slater. After two injury-ravaged seasons, it’s hard to see Billy playing out the full season, with his decision to play on only stunting the development of Cameron Munster.
Here’s the second instalment of predictions heading into 2017, containing which club will rise, which club will fall, and which club will be walking away with NRL Telstra Premiership trophy next season.
- Most Improved Player: Te Maire Martin only played eight first-grade games in his debut year due to injury, but 2017 will see a dramatic lift in the young Kiwi five-eighth playing behind a monster pack and alongside fellow rookie Nathan Cleary.
- Lock of the Year: A close race, but Jason Taumalolo will pick up back-to-back Lock of the Year awards, though Sam Burgess will be hot on his heels.
- Second-Rower of the Year: Boyd Cordner will pick up this accolade for the second time in his career, beating out fellow New South Welshman Josh Jackson.
- Hooker of the Year: After just missing out in 2016, Josh Hodgson will pick up the award after another fantastic season in the lime green.
- Prop of the Year: Andrew Fifita will shrug off a year of controversy to claim the coveted Prop of the Year award. Beating the likes of Aaron Woods and Matt Scott, the award will put Fifita back in the frame for a Kangaroos recall.
Here’s the second instalment of predictions heading into 2017, containing which club will rise, which club will fall, and which club will be walking away with NRL Telstra Premiership trophy next season.
- Halfback of the Year: Jonathan Thurston will claw this award back from Cooper Cronk, leading his team to the Minor Premiership. Nathan Cleary will also be a contender, but won’t match the likes of JT this early in his career.
- Five-Eighth of the Year: Anthony Milford will take home Five-Eighth of the Year, outshining teammates Ben Hunt and Darius Boyd.
- Centre of the Year: Jack Bird will just beat out Jarrod Croker for Centre of the Year honours, earning a green and gold jersey.
- Winger of the Year: Corey Oates will backup his maiden Origin series by earning a spot in the Kangaroo’s World Cup squad in 2017 after a stellar season, along with this prestigious award.
- Fullback of the Year: Jarryd Hayne will shine next season after a full pre-season, returning to near peak form and creating a stellar combination with Ash Taylor.
Here’s the second instalment of predictions heading into 2017, containing which club will rise, which club will fall, and which club will be walking away with NRL Telstra Premiership trophy next season.
- Dally M: Anthony Milford will step up to another level in 2017, guiding his side to a top-four berth.
- Wooden Spoon: While they’ll show a lot of improvement, Newcastle will claim their third consecutive spoon.
- Minor Premiers: North Queensland will ride the Jason Taumalolo train all the way to the top of the table.
- Runners-Up: Penrith will fall agonisingly short as Nathan Cleary takes Penrith to their first grand final in fourteen years.
- Premiers: Canberra will build from their strong 2016 season to take out the big one in 2017.