Answering some of the NRL's biggest pre-season questions

I'm reliably informed that we are now less than 50 days from some NRL action. Although it feels like the longest off-season of all time, the days are counting down! Still though, as we enter February, there are many questions still remaining. Dare I say more than in most previous pre-seasons? So here I am, to save the day and answer the big questions. Given my track record is absolutely flawless (please don't search my predictions from the past) you can bank on these! Who plays fullback for the Broncos? With Darius Boyd retiring, and having seen the Broncos number one jersey passed around in 2020, there is a lack of a stand out number one as we stand. Jamayne Isaako has time in the hot seat. After a spectacular debut season he had a horror 2020. He'll bring plenty of talent and ability to the role. David Mead has played fullback for PNG and has plenty of NRL experience. The names Farnworth and Coates have even been linked, however I'm not sure how serious either option are. For mine young Tesi Niu seems the best option. His tall, fast and has played plenty of fullback. I'm not sure he's the long-term option, but he'll start round 1 in the one. [caption id="attachment_56986" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Tesi Niu looks to kicks the ball during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session at the Clive Berghofer Centre on June 02, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Will Cameron Smith play in 2021? Yes. I can't imagine him retiring with such a whimper. This is arguably the best player of all time we're talking about here. Certainly the best player of the modern generation. Leaving with a Grand Final win is the perfect exit, however what's to say that the Storm won't go back to back? If he was going to retire, he would have come out and given a definitive statement. He would have also been snapped up by Channel 9 or Fox to come on fulltime. [caption id="attachment_41058" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 18: Cameron Smith of the Storm runs with the ball during a Melbourne Storm training session at Gosch's Paddock on February 18, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Will the Sharks be out of final contention by the time Shaun Johnson returns? The Sharks will be sans their number one attacking weapon for at least six rounds to start in 2021. Depending on who you ask, Johnson will miss between six and up to 12 weeks. He is a genius and played a huge part in the Sharks making the top eight last year despite being extremely average. That said, he's not a miracle worker and even if he is able to deliver ten wins post return, the Sharks need to be in a position where Johnson can get them back to the finals. They'll start favourite in three of their opening ten games. If they don't win five of those ten games, it's going to be a steep ask to continue their incredible record of making finals. Looking at the fixtures, and the fact the Sharks haven't got a set in stone fullback or five-eighth, the early answer looks to be YES! They will be out of contention, or at least find it very difficult from there. Ultimately it will depend on Matt Moylan, who is evidently training the house down (first time we've ever heard that) and leading the way. If he returns to his 2018 form and either Will Kennedy or Conor Tracey can hit the ground running in the number one, then there's every chance I may regret this. [caption id="attachment_70975" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 11: Shaun Johnson of the Sharks looks to pass the ball during the round nine NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Penrith Panthers at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)[/caption] https://youtu.be/pjFZcZSCZYY Do the Titans start well, or do they need time to gel? The Titans were the undisputed kings of the off-season. They signed two genuine, game-changing, forwards in David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. They also added Herman Ese'ese and Patrick Herbert whilst losing Ryan James and Jai Arrow. Obviously it'll take time for the new players to find their feet and put forward their best, especially younger players. That said, I expect the Titans to start the season extremely well. Four of their opening five games are extremely winnable, with only a visit from the Raiders looking a really difficult assignment. I don't expect to see the best of the Titans across the opening month but with Brimson fully fit and the new kids on the block, I expect at least three wins from the opening five fixtures. [caption id="attachment_50190" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: David Fifita of the Broncos takes on the defence during the round 3 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Suncorp Stadium at Suncorp Stadium on March 28, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Which of the big guns test the open market? There is a plethora of big-name talent currently off-contract. Stephen Crichton, Angus Chrichton, and Shaun Johnson are all free to talk to any other club, and all can command the better part of a million dollars. Obviously a huge amount of contracts will be agreed prior to round 1, however I expect a few players to either hold out, or not sign right away. Kotoni Staggs, Shaun Johnson, Jahrome Hughes, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, and Cameron McInnes are all players I expect to enter the season proper without a contract. Staggs will be weary of the Broncos being diabolical in 2020 and will want a big contract upgrade. With Milford off-contract that could free up some space. Johnson's injury will mean that the Sharks can't rush into any long-term decisions. I expect him to re-sign ultimately with the Sharks, but it won't be a quick process. Jahrome Hughes is entering his peak as a player and is coming off a Grand Final win. He can command a monster upgrade and is linked to numerous sides with halves off contract. Lachlan Fitgibbon has been involved (through no fault of his own) in an off-season scandal at the Knights. His 2020 was quite disappointing after being an Origin bolter at one stage. I can't see him leaving Newcastle but a big start to the season could see his value rise big-time. Cameron McInnes, as ridiculous as this sounds, looks to be on the out at the Red V. They're linked to Andrew McCullough while there's talk McInnes himself doesn't want to shift to 13. This is a big one to watch. [caption id="attachment_57051" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Kotoni Staggs passes the ball during a Brisbane Broncos NRL training session at the Clive Berghofer Centre on May 06, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption]