Penrith Panthers will once again be the team everyone wants to beat as they strive to win the NRL championship for the fourth successive season.
Online bookmakers rate Brisbane Broncos as the team most likely to be the Panthers' nearest challengers after they narrowly lost to them in the thrilling 2023 Grand Final.
However, the six teams who qualified for last season's play-offs will believe they can upset the odds and overhaul last season's top two. Read on as we assess their chances of achieving the feat.
Melbourne Storm
After finishing third during the regular season, Storm sandwiched a narrow victory over Sydney Roosters between two heavy defeats against the Broncos and Panthers in the play-offs.
Their starting line-up boasts a strong spine, with Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes amongst their most consistent and talented performers.
Storm's outside back options are a little thin on the ground, although having three reserve grade feeder clubs should help them plug any gaps this season.
While the 2020 champions should have enough about them to claim another top eight finish, they are unlikely to bridge the gap to the Panthers or Broncos.
New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors were also demolished by the big two in last season's play-offs either side of an emphatic 40-10 victory over Newcastle Knights in the semi-finals.
The return of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to the club is a major boost, although it is debatable whether he will figure at full-back given Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad's form last season.
Chanel Harris-Tavita is also back with the Warriors after a year away from the sport, while Kurt Capewell's signing will add some depth in the second row.
The Warriors will likely be in the play-off mix again this season, but it is difficult to imagine them improving enough to be Grand Final contenders.
Newcastle Knights
The Knights are another team who fell short in last season's play-offs, but they could make a better fist of things this time around.
Their squad is greater than the sum of its parts, with most positions boasting at least one back-up who can slot seamlessly into the starting line-up.
However, an injury to full-back Kalyn Ponga would leave the Knights relying on either David Armstrong and Will Pryce – both of whom have no NRL experience.
The Knights could use their final Top 30 spot to acquire another outside back who can cover at full-back, but that will not be enough to fire them into contention for the title.
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks finished sixth last season, but may find it difficult to repeat the feat given their lack of halves options following the departures of Matt Moylan and Connor Tracey.
Niwhai Puru is an exciting prospect for the future, but must improve defensively if he is to establish himself as a regular starter in the NRL.
They are fortunate to have plenty of depth in forward areas, which could stand them in good stead in terms of remaining in the top eight this term.
However, that will likely be as good as it gets for the Sharks, whose squad is not good enough to compete with the Panthers or Broncos.
Sydney Roosters
Several online sportsbooks rate the Roosters as the main threat to the Panthers and Broncos next season and their stance could prove to be bang on the money.
Ireland star Luke Keary's link-up with Sam Walker is a key element of their play and their impressive partnership makes odds of 10.00 to win the NRL championship an intriguing proposition.
Some of the best Irish betting sites are taking no chances with the Roosters, cutting them into 8.00 claim the title after they signed Dominic Young and Spencer Leniu during the close season.
With the club still needing to fill four Top 30 spots before the season gets underway, the bookies may be forced to take even more evasive action in the outright market over the next few weeks.
Canberra Raiders
While the Raiders have plenty of options in forward areas, their leaky defence could scupper their hopes of finishing inside the top eight this season.
They conceded 623 points in 24 regular season matches last season – only the bottom five teams shipped more points during the campaign.
Their 30-28 defeat against the Knights in last season's play-offs perfectly highlighted where their problems lie and the club appears to be no nearer resolving them.
While the Raiders have plenty of talented players coming through the ranks, they look likely candidates to finish outside a play-off berth this season.
