We go through every team's strengths and weaknesses ahead of 2019.
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The Green Machine play the best-attacking footy in the comp. They throw the boring structured game plan that too many teams follow out the window. The unorthodox style can catch any team off guard. The loss of Jordan Rapana for the first half of the season is a big setback but Nick Cotric and Joey Leilua will be able to fill in the hole that he will leave
When Raiders are on song it was on the back of some Blake Austin running. With the departure of Austin to the Super League, they will need a running five eight to get the attack started. Jack Wighton is set to have first dibs for the number 6 but he isn’t a recognised half which will put a lot of pressure on Aiden Sezer.
They are the premiers for a reason, and they blew Melbourne off the park in the first half of the Grand Final. The tricolours have a perfect combination of the ability to score at anywhere or anytime and have the right attitude in defence. They have the best roster in the competition and one of the best coaches calling the shots. Take your pick on their greatest strength; is it the talent of James Tedesco, the power and youth of Latrell Mitchell or the class of Cooper Cronk?
Being the premiers isn’t all sunshine and lollypops and does come with a downside. That downside being all the other 15 sides have been watching and are ready to knock you off the throne. If Trent Robinson wants to be considered one of the top coaches today, he will need to rejuvenate the side if they want to go back to back.
X-factor. Matt Moylan, Shaun Johnson and Andrew Fifita can and will make any team shake in their boots. It will be interesting how Johnson fits in with the Sharks squad, but I think a sea change for him will do him some good. He will take pressure off Chad Townsend so he and his glorious hair can lead the team around the field while Johnson plays adlib attacking football.
With the loss of Luke Lewis and Valentine Holmes and the injury of Wade Graham leaves them a little thin in depth particularly in the second row. Also, the deregistration of Shane Flanagan in the offseason threw a spanner in the works. Rookie coach John Morris will have plenty on his plate in his first season.
Call me crazy but Manly have some good players in some key positions. Everybody is talking them up as wooden spoon favourites but don’t be surprised if they put up a fight under the returning Mad Scientist Des Hasler. The Trbojevic Brothers are dangerous and reliable as always and Cherry Evans played good consistent footy to see him return to the Queensland squad.
Despite having key members, Sea Eagles seriously lack depth in key positions. If injuries were to occur, it would make them very vulnerable to collecting the spoon. Des will need to find some talented juniors or go on the market for a couple of bargain buys.
The ultimate professionals in Rugby League. When a rising or superstar leaves the club, the Melbourne Storm always finds a way to replace them as nothing happen. With the absence of Cooper Cronk, they were still able to make the Grand Final without a recognised halfback. Even though Billy Slater is a huge loss, they will find a way to push for another Grand Final spot.
Cameron Smith remains the last of the big 4. Its been a slow transitional period for the Storm and teams will be looking to take advantage of that. Cameron Smith isn’t getting any younger, turning 36 next year and with the added responsibility, it will be the biggest challenge in his career.
The Tigers have a great attacking spine with experienced players to lead them around the park. The fact they have 4 different kicking options in open field with Moses Mbye, Benji Marshall, Luke Brooks and Robbie Farah as well as Josh Reynolds likely to come off the bench, the opposition defence will have a big assignment when they face Balmain
The question is how much new coach Michael Maguire can get out of his players. Finding the right combination will be critical to immediate success and has been something the Tigers have struggled with in the past. An injury-free Josh Reynolds will create an attacking spark when needed however he needs as much game time as possible to ensure he is at his running best.
Another full season will do the Titans and coach Garth Brennan a world of good. They showed some promise will Ash Taylor finishing the season third for most try assists. Shannon Boyd will be a welcome inclusion to help the go forward as well as Tyrone Peachey will look to have more ball in his hands at five eight after a breakout 2018 season.
Ash Taylor may have succeeded in try assists but he has the unwanted stat of having the most errors last season with 39. With a lack of a genuine recognised superstar, Taylor holds the key to the Gold Coast and that can be too much of a burden. Taylor is a star of the future, but the expectation can also be his downfall.
Everything that came down the right-hand side was gold for the Warriors. It was to no surprise that David Fusitu’a finished as the seasons leading try scorer with 23, 5 ahead of the next best at 18. It was on the back of a strong mobile pack led by Adam Blair and Tohu Harris.
The obvious weakness is the departure of star halfback Shaun Johnson who has been their marquee player for the last 7 years. Without a recognised halfback to fill the gaping hole, they leave themselves in a delicate position. Expect to see Isaac Luke and Roger Tuivasa Sheck to link up more often like Billy Slater and Cameron Smith. Blake Green will need to stand up and provide more of an attacking spark which may hinder his structure and organising playing style.