With the โhit and giggle' trail matches and the arduous pre-season training regimes now behind each team, fans, coaches, and players alike have set their sights on the real deal โ Round 1.
For some clubs, the pre-season period could not have panned out better, whilst the unlucky remainder will be counting the cost of their campaigns.
Although there were a myriad of positives to be taken from the summer months, all teams will be striving to improve on their trail match form and learn from the lessons dealt out across them.
With the first spin of the Steeden within touching distance, we raise the big question that face each of the NRL's 16 clubs.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Is the rebuild over?
Alright, we'll admit it. We've probably gone a bit early with this query, but with the buzz coming out of Belmore of late, can you really blame us?
Despite only avoiding the wooden spoon by points differential last season, the Dogs have returned well groomed in 2021 - both on and off the field.
Having landed a new CEO and coach over the off-season, the Bulldogs bit into the player market hard by luring exciting backs Corey Allan and Nick Cotric to Bankstown, along with rising star Kyle Flanagan from the Chooks.
"From day one, I really wanted to earn the respect of the players before directing them on the field." โ ๐ฃ Kyle Flanagan pic.twitter.com/MOWwZ2m4mK
— Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (@NRL_Bulldogs) February 11, 2021
The trio are all set to trot out for Friday's clash with the Knights, and all will do so after enjoying superb 2020 campaigns.
When you add speedster Josh Addo-Carr into the mix in 2022, there is no telling how rapidly the Belmore boys are set to rise.
With three of their first four clashes against top eight teams from last season, we will soon find out just how many new tricks Trent Barrett has taught his new dogs.
