Fullback. Five-eighth. Halfback. Hooker. These are the four key playing positions that form the backbone of a rugby league team.
With the 2019 season kicking off in a few weeks, we have rated each club's spine.
Who do you think has the best backbone in the NRL?
Other options: Nick Meaney, Fa'amanu Brown, Jack Cogger, Jeremy Marshall-King
The Bulldogs are set to debut a new halves pairing with Foran returning from injury to join young Lachlan Lewis. The names Hopoate and Foran used to frighten any opposition but in recent years, their form has eluded them.
There's still some mystery as to whether Dean Pay will select Hopoate at fullback or in the centres which could open up an opportunity for Nick Meaney.
If Hopoate and Foran can get back into career best form, they can take the Bulldogs further than most people are expecting them to in 2019.
Other options: Bevan French, Will Smith, Jaeman Salmon, Reed Mahoney
The Eels endured a tough 2018 with Gutherson missing the first quarter of the season due to injury and Mitchell Moses struggling to maintain his 2017 form.
With Corey Norman's departure, Moses has the chance to make the team his own and become a role model for younger teammates like Dylan Brown who is set to partner him in the halves.
Kaysa Pritchard and Reed Mahoney will be in a strong arm-wrestle for starting no.9.
Other options: Michael Gordon, Ryley Jacks, Mitch Rein
The only spots in this spine that are set in stone are Taylor and Peats; the fullback and five-eighth positions are up for discussion.
Michael Gordon is the incumbent of the no.1 jumper but AJ Brimson could snatch it for Round 1 after a brilliant debut season. Tyrone Roberts struggled to gain consistency across seven seasons in his first spell in the NRL.
He faces a big challenge this year in fighting off fellow new signing Ryley Jacks for the five-eighth role.
Other options: Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, Tyson Gamble
The mid-season acquisition of Mbye really livened up the Tigers' attack and a full pre-season could allow him to gel with the rest of the spine.
Liddle is set to get the nod over Robbie Farah and Josh Reynolds could finally nail down a starting spot after a disruptive 2018.
Luke Brooks had his best season to date in 2018 and can finally take the Tigers to the eight in 2019 if some weight is taken off his shoulders by Reynolds.
Other options: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Ata Hingano, Sam Williams, Siliva Havili
The Raiders would be ranked lower if it weren't for how influential Josh Hodgson was to the team.
Aidan Sezer had a hot and cold 2018, while Jack Wighton has been training at five-eighth despite only playing nine career games there and is set to start the season in the no.6 ahead of natural half Sam Williams.
Brad Abbey, Nick Cotric and new signing Nicoll-Klokstad are all potential candidates for the fullback spot.
Other options: Kurt Mann, Mason Lino, Slade Griffin
Ponga and Watson have been earmarked for a positional change in 2019 for months with Ponga set to relish his new playmaking role after a breakout season last year.
Danny Levi faces stiff competition from Slade Griffin, recovering from an ACL injury and utility Kurt Mann who has spent time training in the no.9 role.
With Pearce starting the season fresh after injuries left him on the sidelines for an extended period last year, the Knights will have strong hopes of reaching the eight with this spine.
Other options: Carlin Anderson, Jake Clifford, Kurt Baptiste
The Cowboys have a weaker spine as they try to cover the hole left by Johnathan Thurston. Ben Barba's pre-season exit has also left Paul Green scrambling for a new fullback.
Ben Hampton should get the nod while they are also in the hunt to sign Jordan Kahu from Brisbane.
Jake Granville is one of the best hookers in the league on his day, while Michael Morgan almost single-handedly guided his team to the grand final in 2017 despite the team being hampered by injuries. Anything is possible with this bunch.
Other options: Adam Keighran, Jazz Tevaga, Karl Lawton, Sam Cook, Nathaniel Roache
2018's Dally M medallist, 42-time Kiwi test hooker and a veteran half labelled as one of the buys of the season last year make up three-quarters of the Warriors spine.
However, Stephen Kearney has been left with the unenviable task of finding a suitable replacement for long-term halfback Shaun Johnson. Chanel Harris-Tavita and Adam Keighran are locked in a two-way battle for the gig.
The Warriors also have a plethora of back-up hookers that can reduce Issac Luke's workload.
Other options: Caleb Aekins, Tyrone May, Jarome Luai, Sione Katoa
With Ivan Cleary back at the helm and set to coach his son and with an ageing James Maloney, now is the time for Penrith to deliver, and with the NSW halves pulling the strings, there's no reason why they can't.
Dylan Edwards has shown maturity beyond his years but struggled with injury last year.
Peter Wallace's untimely retirement paved the way for Wayde Egan and Sione Katoa to compete for the hooking role with the club opting to stick with youth rather than find an experienced replacement.
Other options: Lachlan Croker, Trent Hodkinson, Manase Fainu
It's scary to think that we haven't seen Tommy 'Turbo' reach career-best form yet.
Trbojevic has been a consistent performer for Manly since his debut and Apisai Koroisau has become one of the most creative hookers in the game.
'DCE' may be to set to find a new permanent five-eighth with the addition of Kane Elgey who showed plenty of potential in his time on the Gold Coast.
Other options: Troy Dargan, Sean O'Sullivan, Jake Turpin
Brisbane will stick with the same spine as 2018 that managed to finish 6th under Wayne Bennett.
The fact that their four most important positions will remain untouched will benefit them in their quest to find some consistency this season under a new coach.
Brisbane's success will rely on how well Milford and Nikorima's halves combination has flourished over pre-season.
Other options: Scott Drinkwater, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cooper Johns, Brandon Smith
The Storm still made the 2018 Grand Final despite doubts over the departure of Cooper Cronk. This year the question is how can they deal without Billy Slater?
Jahrome Hughes has performed well whenever he's filled in as injury cover and is a strong chance to nab the No.1 jumper first.
Brodie Croft was in and out of the starting team last year but the experience of playing in a Grand Final would have built some character.
Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith both staying fit will be a huge priority for Craig Bellamy.
Other options: Kyle Flanagan, Blayke Brailey
Valentine Holmes' NFL ambitions push Moylan back to the fullback slot allowing Johnson and Townsend to form a new halves combination.
Johnson is set for a fresh start after eight years of carrying heavy weights on his shoulders at the Warriors.
With a steady half like Chad Townsend by his side, Johnson can get back to his relaxed, free-flowing footy that makes him one of the most exciting talents in the competition.
Other options: Matt Dufty, Jai Field, Darren Nicholls, Reece Robson
Corey Norman's signing from Parramatta means that Gareth Widdop will play fullback ahead of Matt Dufty this season, which will take pressure off his playmaking and allow more room for his strong running game.
Ben Hunt and Cameron McInnes enjoyed strong 2018s despite the team falling short.
With experienced first-graders in every position, the Dragons are in their strongest position yet to reclaim Premiership glory.
Other options: Corey Allan, Adam Doueihi, Jack Johns, Matt McIlwrick
Souths maintain the same spine that steered them to an impressive yet unpredictable Preliminary finals appearance last year.
NSW hooker Damien Cook is their most dangerous weapon and Walker and Reynolds compliment each other's styles perfectly.
Reynolds' ability to control the tempo of the game allows Walker to run at the line and use his lethal footwork.
Johnston used his opportunity at fullback brilliantly last season and has made it his own.
Other options: Drew Hutchison, Craig Garvey, Brock Lamb, Victor Radley, Lachlan Lam
It's not surprising that the reigning Premiers take out number one here as well.
They are in possession of the best halfback and the best fullback in the game while Luke Keary is one of the top five-eighths in the league.
Jake Friend didn't have his best year in 2019 however he was still good enough to start every game and keep young gun Victor Radley to the bench.
In most likely his final year, Cooper Cronk may still have some old tricks left up his sleeve.