Alex Johnston will be the beneficiary of a return to the Rabbitohs left wing, with Cody Walker and Greg Inglis the main assist providers.
Latrell Mitchell will pick up the award in consecutive years with his powerful running and sharp-shooter boot to get him home
Dylan Napa will let Canterbury’s poor on-field form turn into frustration for the red headed prop, and the referees will be the first one to notice it.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will take out international rugby league’s top gong after winning leading his nation to victory in the Nines World Cup.
Maddie Studdon led South Sydney to the Grand Final before injury interrupted her NRLW campaign with the Sydney Roosters. The halfback will hit her straps in 2019, and squeeze herself into the Jillaroos squad.
Tevita Pangai Jnr will claim Brisbane’s vacant lock and show why the Tongan powerhouse has earned comparisons with Jason Taumalolo, as he spearheads the Bronco’s inexperienced forward pack
Kodi Nikorima may be the starting halfback for the Kiwis - but he won’t be the starting halfback for Brisbane for a short spell during the season. Don’t be surprised if Seibold drops Nikorima to the bench and hands Sean O’Sullivan the number seven jersey for a few games.
Kalyn Ponga will the prestigious award in just his second full NRL season, putting an exclamation mark on his title as the NRL’s premier youngster.
Paul Green may have lost the best player in the game to retirement, but that won’t stop him from leading his side from the bottom four to 6th, largely thanks to the Cowboy’s storming forward pack.
Jason Taumalolo has a mortgage on this award, especially with Sam Burgess potentially shifting to the back-row.
Here are predictions: