Given all the negativity surrounding the game prior to the holiday break, we thought it might be fun to take a not so serious look at the game.
In the face of negative headlines, the NRL is always looking for positive moments and headlines.
The best way to promote the game is by promoting its most likeable stars.
Although the likes of Smith, Gallen and Cherry-Evans all have huge profiles, the general feeling is they're not the most likeable players.
The below five players are the five who first come to mind when I think of the NRL's most marketable stars.
This is supposed to be a very light-hearted look at five players who could front NRL promotions and be pushed as the face of the game.
It is designed to be a discussion point and we'd love to hear who you believe the game's most marketable players are.
In signing Shaun Johnson the Sharks not only signed one of the game's premier halfbacks and players, but also one of the game's most marketable superstars.
Johnson has been, for at least the past five years, the literal face of the game in New Zealand. His face was absolutely everywhere when it came to marketing both the club and the code in the Union-mad nation.
Arguably the game's most exciting player, Johnson has a highlight reel that would excite any fan.
He's has a very presentable look at the temperament to match. He comes across as an extremely down to earth and likeable player with a huge social media following.
He's always sporting a smile and looks like he's having fun whilst playing in the most open competition in the world.
All these, along with his obvious talents combine to make him a huge asset off the park for his new club.
The Warriors lost their best player and most noticeable face when they lost Johnson. The Sharks were all to happy to welcome the mega star into the fold, and for good reason.
For a club struggling to attract sponsors, no player in the game would have been more attractive overall than their new marquee recruit.
There's no denying that recent actions have hurt the brand of Greg Inglis, and for good reason. I wanted to keep this very light but Inglis made a horror choice and has been very lucky (in my view) to escape with light punishment as a result.
That said, Inglis is a mega star of the game and is current Queensland captain and was recently named new Kangaroo captain before his being stood down.
Inglis is front of centre of every NRL promotion whether it be for his club, state, country or the game in general.
Few faces in our game are more well known and prior to his off-field madness, there'd be few you'd want more representing your club or business.
He will have to earn back the trust and respect of some fans, myself included, but if you ask any non NRL fan for one current player, Inglis is the name most likely to be mentioned.
He has a monster season ahead of him and I hope he surrounds himself with the right people and returns to headlines for the right reasons.
Young Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic has emerged from a brilliant prospect into a mainstay at every level of the game.
Tommy Turbo is one of the game's most popular players. You head down to a park in the northern suburbs of Sydney and there's a good chance the youngsters are trying to emulate the star number one.
Trbojevic is destined for huge things on and off the field. He has all the talent in the world and more importantly seems to have a great head on his shoulders.
He's managed to avoid many of the headlines a few young stars have attracted and makes the headlines for all the right reasons.
I'm an unashamed fan of the Manly, Blues and Kangaroos star and I doubt I'm the only one.
He's literally front and centre of all of the Manly membership drives along with his brother Jake.
The NRL could do far worse than have young Turbo promoted as the face of the game.
No players stocks rose more in 2018 than that of Boyd Cordner. Already a big name player and multiple time representative star, Cordner is now the current Roosters, Blues and Kangaroos skipper.
In the past twelve months he has held up the NRL Premiership trophy and the Origin shield while leading the way on and off the field for both teams.
Cordner is a brilliant player and adds to the club off the field just as much. He presents very well and the general feeling is he's the kind of player you want to have a beer with.
Honestly, and I'm sure someone will prove me wrong, I've never heard a bad word about the tri-colours star. He's the kind of player who would walk into literally any rugby league side in the world.
Cordner is rightfully everywhere and become an unofficial face of the game in 2018.
He may not have the profile of the players mentioned above but trust me, this young man will be EVERYWHERE for the next decade when it comes to Rugby League promotion.
There are talks that his attention may be swayed by the All Blacks in regards to a possible code switch, but I don't buy it. Ponga is the game's next mega mega star.
I can't ever remember a young player making such a huge impact so quickly. Cam Smith's rise was a slow burn, I honestly can't remember the earlier Lockyer days, and Thurston began his career as a bench utility.
Ponga, at 20, is on his way to becoming the game's biggest star.
He's a brilliant player, and a very likeable young man. He's been seen going out of his way to engage in his local community and has been made the face of his club as a result.
If you'd got a blank cheque book and can sign any player for life, hand on heart, tell me one player you'd take over the young Knight!?
He's the next face of the game, of that I have no doubt. His face will be everywhere at every level of the game. So strap in for the Kalyn Ponga era.