Innholdsfortegnelse for 2020 - Season Preview i Big League Weekly Edition

WELCOME to a new season of rugby league. It’s been a long summer where so many families, businesses and wildlife along the east coast of Australia have suffered through bushfires and drought. It’s been heartbreaking to witness. The rugby league community – as always – has been on-hand to help out, and we cover everything your club has or will be doing to raise much-needed funds on pages 18-19. In the meantime, I hope this NRL Season Preview gets you prepared for the footy action ahead. We’ve spoken to coaches and key players across all the clubs about their preparation, strengths and weaknesses. We’ve got every club’s personal draw for the season, their squad stats and top 17s. One of our favourite commentators Andrew Voss has also done some painstaking…

IT’S a topic that draws many to the game but leaves others diving for the mute button, but either way you look at it, the NRL marketplace is one of the most significant forces in rugby league. The season hasn’t even started, but here are some of the players off-contract at the end of the year who will garner plenty of attention throughout 2020. Cameron Smith It’s the question that drives the agenda every time he hits the open market, but surely this is the year the most-capped player in NRL history calls time on his illustrious career. The Storm skipper turns 37 in June, and even though his form hasn’t waned, retirement has to be the most likely outcome. Smith will not end up at another club, but there…

THE Brisbane Broncos and their fervent fanbase could be excused for feeling this off-season has dragged on longer than most, though the scars of their record-shattering 58-0 qualifying final loss at the hands of Parramatta are still fresh. While the Broncos have vowed to put last season behind them, coach Anthony Seibold is not shying away from the magnitude of that defeat as he prepares his charges for a premiership assault in 2020. “It’s not so much about wiping the slate clean; you have to learn from your failures,” Seibold explains to Big League. “I’m not afraid to fail – that’s where you get your biggest growth. No one who has achieved anything in life hasn’t failed along the way. “It was a really painful experience for our group, for…

WHEN three players take up almost one-third of a club’s salary cap, fans expect results – and it’s fair to say Broncos supporters’ patience with superstar trio Darius Boyd, Jack Bird and Anthony Milford has worn thin. Pilloried by the press and fans for his 2019 performances, Boyd was shifted from fullback to five-eighth midway through the season. The 14-year veteran has lost the captaincy and appears certain to spend the year at wing or centre. “Darius, by nature of him being a really high-profile player, he’s come under a lot of scrutiny,” Seibold says. “It’s been challenging for him, I put him in the halves because I thought that was going to be best for our team. I thought he did a really sound job there. Darius has got…

AS the Raiders begin a new decade, they’ll be sailing into uncharted waters. For far too long, they’ve started each campaign as underdogs, given little chance of making an impression, however that’s all changed after last year’s fairytale run to the decider. Having re-asserted themselves as an attacking force in 2019, they’ll enter the new season as one of the leading premiership threats. They may have fallen at the final hurdle, but opposing teams will still be coming after them this time around. “It’s going to be a different feel for us this year,” co-captain Jarrod Croker says. “A lot of teams will be coming after us, so we’ve got to adjust to that and be prepared for it. I’ve got no doubt we’ll be ready.” As much as Croker…

ALL eyes will be on star recruit George Williams when he pulls on the lime green jersey for the first time this year. Williams’ transfer to Australia had been rumoured for more than 12 months and the club were even willing to let go of grand final halfback Aidan Sezer for the Englishman’s signature. “He’s fitting in well. He’s got five other English boys who are showing him the ropes. He’s doing really well. He’s training pretty hard and he’s looking really fit,” Papalii says. “He’s come here to work hard and fight for his spot in the team. ‘Sticky’ [coach Ricky Stuart] has high praise for ‘Georgie’ and we feel good. From what I’ve seen of him, he’s got a really nice long-ball pass. I guess he’s a big…

PLENTY of inspiration can be taken from the old saying ‘slow and steady wins the race’. There is power in knowing if you stick to your processes and perform to a high standard, there’s every chance you can finish in first place. Unfortunately, while the Bulldogs have been steady in the past couple of years, slow starts have regularly made their race to the top eight an unwinnable one. It’s been a tale of two seasons in one, and their players are well aware winning early is key to their 2020 campaign. “We’re conscious of it,” explains back-rower Adam Elliott. “It’s not like come Round 8 again we’re going to say ‘oh crap, we’re here again’. “We’re going to lean into that first game. It’s definitely something that’s going to…

COACH Dean Pay has had a couple of years to lay his claim on the team, and though he’s been unable to make many changes to his young roster due to salary cap restraints, the team’s giant-killing wins of 2019 proved they are capable of shaking the competition. Bulldogs fans demand success and this will put the spotlight on the coach in his third year at the helm. “[Pay] is a very approachable coach and that’s such a good attribute to have and a big reason that I came here,” explains recruit Joe Stimson. “I knew he could get the best out of me. You shouldn’t really be playing if you don’t want to make the top eight and top four. We have to think about improving on 2019.” Pay’s…

THE last time the Sharks had a season that didn’t feature Paul Gallen was in the year 2000. Back then, Sydney was gripped by Olympics fever, the GST had just been introduced and legend Andrew Ettingshausen was in his final year at the club. But after a glittering career in the Shire, the workhorse lock has retired from the NRL, opening the door for the club’s next wave of middle forwards to take over after showing plenty of promise in 2019. “We obviously lost some guys who have had some great careers,” new skipper Wade Graham tells Big League. “‘Gal’ is the greatest player to have ever played for the club, Matt Prior won two premierships, but the excitement around the group is because we’ve got a lot of young…

THE Brailey conundrum was always going to come to a head with two brothers competing for one spot, and sadly the battle saw Jayden make the move to the Knights. That means Blayke – who played 15 games last season – will get first crack in the No.9 jersey, with huge things tipped for the local junior. “We’ve almost given the keys to Blayke in terms of wanting him to step up, take that No.9 jersey and make it his own,” Townsend says. “He’s got all the skills to be a consistent first-grader even though he could probably get a little bit bigger. But one thing I know about him is that he’s tough and he doesn’t mind putting his head in places he might get kicked.” Following a stunning…

JUSTIN Holbrook heads into his maiden NRL campaign as a head coach under less pressure and scrutiny than most rookie mentors. Taking over the reigning wooden spooners, few are expecting immediate miracles from the former Newcastle, Penrith and Sydney Roosters halfback. But as predecessor Garth Brennan – axed two months out from the end of his second year in charge at Gold Coast – found out, there’s an unforgiving limit to the amount of leeway NRL coaches are afforded. For now, though, Holbrook is relishing his opportunity after a successful stint at St Helens – and the Titans players are responding to his enthusiasm and passion in kind. “The players have been terrific right from the start,” Holbrook tells Big League. “I didn’t have to remind them they didn’t have…

ABILITY, potential and reputation does not always translate to performance, but if some of the Titans’ highly-paid enigmas can deliver their best on a regular basis there’s no reason why the club can’t surge up the ladder. Declining form and a stint away from the game to deal with personal issues dictated marquee halfback Ash Taylor only turned out 10 times for the Titans in 2019. But the pieces are in place for a refreshed and rejuvenated Taylor – who recently welcomed the arrival of a son and is relishing Justin Holbrook’s guidance – to write one of the season’s feelgood stories. “Right from the start I made it clear that I was here to help him,” Holbrook says. “I want to see Ash play well, as does everybody. He’s…

AFTER finishing second-last in a disastrous 2018 campaign that saw coach Trent Barrett leave the club, only someone with 20-20 vision could have predicted such a drastic change in fortunes for the Sea Eagles last season. Manly fought through adversity to finish sixth after 25 rounds, and had Jake Trbojevic not been sin-binned in the second week of the finals, who knows how far they could have gone? So who was this person with 20-20 vision? Des Hasler, of course. A man more synonymous with the northern beaches than the B1 double-decker and Instagram-worthy sunrises combined. He may have sat out a season after he parted ways with the Bulldogs, but there was no rust whatsoever as his patented ‘us against the world’ mentality had the Sea Eagles defending like…

CONTINUITY in the halves was an issue for the Sea Eagles but it looks a lot more settled in 2020, with Dylan Walker set to be handed the No.6 jersey. The livewire has split his career between centre and five-eighth but will get first crack in the playmaking role alongside Daly Cherry-Evans. After several pairings were tested early in the year, Walker finally made the move to the halves in Round 18 and stayed there as the Sea Eagles went into the second week of the finals. With a full pre-season, his combination with Manly’s most important player will only get better. “The more games you can accumulate with the same person, the more it helps you throughout the season,” the skipper says. “We found Dylan to be really good…

IF you were to look back at recent season previews, you would have seen plenty of people ready to write the Storm off. Whether it was due to roster overhauls, retirements or perhaps a touch of jealousy, the easy pick over the past few years has been to forecast their demise following their lengthy reign of dominance. However, that slide has yet to happen, and while the naysayers are still predicting their doom, 2020 won’t be the year. With Craig Bellamy calling the shots and Cameron Smith dominating the ruck, the Storm will always be competitive, and that’s why they’ll most likely be there come the business end of the season. In recent years they’ve lost club legends Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, and things haven’t gotten any easier with…

WITH Will Chambers (Japanese rugby) and Curtis Scott (Raiders) no longer at the club, the Storm head into the new campaign needing to revamp their three-quarter line. Chambers has been a mainstay in the backline and the club will miss his defensive reads, while Scott was touted as the next big thing and showed some potential during his time down south. But now an opportunity beckons for a number of centres who have the class to get the job done. Justin Olam scored seven tries from 14 appearances last season and is the favourite to play on the left, while Marion Seve also looked promising. But the club has options, with Brenko Lee making the move from the Titans, while Paul Momirovski will be keen to impress while on loan.…

MOST rookie NRL coaches are afforded a grace period to get the best out of their team. But the controversial way the Newcastle Knights ended Nathan Brown’s four-season tenure and secured their new head coach – falling somewhere between clumsy and clandestine – dictates Adam O’Brien will be under heavy scrutiny from Round 1. O’Brien’s peerless coaching education, spending more than a decade at the Storm before joining the Roosters last season, and the dizzying array of talent at his disposal also heightens expectations of immediate success. Finishing 11th in 2018-19, the Knights’ finals-ready roster was unable to find consistency under Brown – a trait O’Brien is well-equipped to instil. “The main quality that sticks out about Adam is – being under Craig (Bellamy) and under ‘Robbo’ (Trent Robinson) –…

AFTER controversially being muscled out of the Roosters at the end of 2017, Mitchell Pearce has watched his former club win back-to-back grand finals while steering the Knights to consecutive 11th-place finishes. But the skipper was a model of dependability throughout 2019, earning a top-10 Dally M finish. He also rectified arguably the most tortured individual narrative in State of Origin history by featuring in NSW’s epic Game Three triumph. Retaining the Blues’ No.7 jumper will be on Pearce’s to-do list, but leading the Knights to the NRL finals would be a crowning achievement in the 30-year-old’s career. Connor Watson struggled to find a groove in 2019 as he was shuffled between fullback, five-eighth, hooker and the bench on a weekly basis. But this year Watson is set to get…

IT’S not often you would associate enjoyment with pre-season training. It’s a gruelling time of the year, full of vigorous workouts like beach sprints, army-style boot camps, beep tests and even more running. It’s usually a dreaded period, but according to skipper Michael Morgan that’s all changed at the Cowboys in 2020. He says the players are ‘having fun’ in a bid to bond together and turn their fortunes around following two years out of the top eight. “It’s actually been enjoyable,” Morgan tells Big League. “The schedule has changed a bit from previous years and we’re doing a couple of things differently. It’s been pretty fun – it’s been hard, but it’s been enjoyable.” Since making the grand final in 2017, Paul Green’s men have failed to return to…

YOUNG forward Coen Hess has a point to prove in 2020 – and he’s ready to silence his critics. When he arrived on the scene at the Cowboys in 2015, he was tipped to be the next big thing and early career form saw him debut for Queensland as a 21-year-old. However he struggled with form last season, which saw him relegated to North Queensland’s interchange and out of the Maroons’ squad. Hess wants to return to his best in 2020 and he’s on a mission to regain form and return to State of Origin – and Michael Morgan has already noticed a difference. “Coen has been great this year. He’s having an awesome pre-season. He’s trimmed right down, is doing all the right things,” Morgan says. “He’s really looking…

FEW teams understand just how quickly things can change in the space of 12 months more than the Parramatta Eels. This time last year they were carrying the wooden spoon and without a home. The team, and their coach, were under significant scrutiny and with a number of untested players in key positions, it was shaping up as a make-or-break year for the blue and gold. And make it they did. The Eels defied expectations and silenced critics to become one of the most entertaining teams in the league on their way to a fifth-place finish. Mitch Moses asserted himself as one of the game’s best halfbacks, Maika Sivo finished his rookie season as the NRL’s top tryscorer, and the likes of Dylan Brown and Reed Mahoney showed ability and…

HE was somewhat fortunate the Latrell Mitchell saga dragged on for so long, but there was plenty of heat directed at Ryan Matterson when it was announced he’d decided to move to the club he represented at under-20s level after just one year of a three-year contract with Wests Tigers. While his reasons and the morality of the move have been hotly-debated, there’s no arguing the talent he possesses after a season that brought him to the cusp of State of Origin selection. He’ll need to remind everyone what he’s capable of early given he’s replacing one of the club’s best in 2019 – Manu Ma’u. “I don’t sign contracts to purposely want to leave,” Matterson said. “Something happened at the Tigers and I’m sorry it did, but I want…

MAY I have your attention, please? Will the real Nathan Cleary please stand up? Although we’ve seen the brilliance of the young player since his debut four years ago, 2020 is the year he’s expected to stand up and take control of the Panthers. Veteran James Maloney has said au revoir to the NRL, jetting off to France to leave Cleary in charge of the side. “This is Nathan’s team now – he’s obviously going to take control this year,” Penrith forward Isaah Yeo tells Big League. “Jimmy Maloney did a lot of the playmaking for us over the past two seasons, but now that he’s gone, it’s time for Nath to step up.” Despite Maloney and Cleary being the NSW Origin halves over the past two years, their combination…

THE hooker role was the area the Panthers struggled in the most last season – and that why Api Koroisau has been recruited to the club. Wayde Egan has crossed the ditch to the Warriors, Sione Katoa is now a Bulldog and Mitch Kenny is playing for an interchange position, leaving the former Manly hooker as the top rake. Not only will he provide exceptional service from dummy-half, he also has the ability to take off up the ruck to get his team on the front-foot. With Koroisau at the club, it will also benefit the likes of Cleary and Luai as there’s now an extra threat in the spine. The west is familiar to Koroisau, considering he played with the club in 2015. “It’s good to be back in…

WITH nearly 1,000 games of first-grade experience gone, the naysayers will tell you South Sydney will struggle in 2020. But the moment the club ended months of speculation by landing the signature of Latrell Mitchell, everything changed. Not having Greg Inglis, John Sutton, Sam Burgess, George Burgess or Adam Doueihi on the field hurts in many ways, but the addition of a rejuvenated Mitchell softens the blow for a team that boasts one of the best spines ever assembled. “He’s enjoying his footy and he’s got a smile on his face every day, ” hooker Damien Cook tells Big League. “Watching him out the back – he’s training mostly at fullback but also at centre – when we do drills and he’s catching the ball and flying from the back,…

HE’S the representative star coming off his most prolific try-scoring campaign, and word on the street is Dane Gagai is looking better than ever. There were whispers throughout 2019 that he was going to switch clubs, but that never eventuated, with the speedster set to line up on the right wing this season. “If you asked him last year then he would have said that he believed he was a centre. He’s played a bit of fullback as well and he’s played on the wing,” Cook explains. “Speaking to him this year, he understands his role for the team and he knows he’ll be on the wing. He’s loving that and says he’s going to go out and be the best winger he can be for South Sydney and the…

DRAGONS fans need to ask themselves one simple question ahead of the new season: is the glass half-full or half-empty? The sad reality is St George Illawarra hasn’t finished in the top four since their premiership back in 2010. They’ve played finals footy once in the past four seasons and they are coming off a disastrous campaign that saw them finish ahead of only the Titans and resulted in an extensive review of the football department. Jack de Belin’s ongoing legal proceedings provided an unwanted distraction in 2019 as they limped to just eight wins, while Gareth Widdop’s shoulder issues meant their spine seemingly changed on a weekly basis. “You want to push it to the side, but at the same time you want to learn from it because there…

NO matter how he performs, the spotlight will always focus on Ben Hunt. The Maroons and Kangaroos representative is coming off a solid campaign in which he kicked his first career field goal, but he’ll be keen to build on the 12 try assists he had in 2019. While no one can question his wont to take on the line or his support play, there’s no denying he can still work on his short kicking game as well as his ability to build pressure and then take advantage of it. Having Corey Norman in the No.6 jersey on a weekly basis will do a world of good for both players. One man who’ll be desperate to prove his doubters wrong is new recruit Issac Luke. The former Rabbitoh and Warrior…

FOR more than 25 years there has been a seemingly unattainable holy grail in rugby league. A premiership is a glorious achievement that many clubs have celebrated – some on multiple occasions – since the early 90s, but no-one had claimed consecutive titles since 1993, and every year speculation would run rife almost immediately after the full-time whistle of the grand final – until last year. Finally, Trent Robinson’s Sydney Roosters outfit had successfully defended the NRL premiership, ending the speculation and iconic drought. Though the media has been considerably more subdued over the question of the first ‘three-peat’ since the early 80s, the Tri-colours aren’t resting on their laurels. “There was a lot of talk about going back-to-back (last year),” co-captain Boyd Cordner tells Big League. “But we haven’t…

CO-CAPTAIN Jake Friend had been a model of consistency for the Tri-colours, playing 19 or more games for all but two seasons of his 12-year tenure as the Roosters’ dummy-half. He was seemingly a natural replacement, in terms of both experience and ability, to take the reins from Cameron Smith in the Queensland Origin squad in 2019 – before disaster struck. After being forced out for 10 weeks early in the season with a biceps injury that required surgery, his return in the later stages of the year lasted all of two weeks, before a small fracture around the screw that had been inserted sent him straight back to hospital and under the knife. Though he returned off the bench to take part in the club’s grand final success, and…

Coaching rookies The Titans will be hoping the arrival of Justin Holbrook will help turn their fortunes around after they managed just four wins last season en route to the wooden spoon. Holbrook is well-credentialed both at home and abroad and brings with him a winning culture, having helped steer St Helens to success in the English Super League in 2019. It’s a similar scenario in the Hunter as the Knights look to shoot up the ladder following a barren run of outs which has seen them miss out on finals footy since 2013. Incoming coach Adam O’Brien may not have much experience in the top job but that doesn’t mean he won’t get the job done. O’Brien was Craig Bellamy’s right-hand man in Melbourne for a number of years…

The thoughts of the rugby league community are with Mose Masoe after he was forced into retirement having suffered a serious spinal injury in a trial game for Hull Kingston Rovers. The former NRL prop was hurt while making a tackle and there are fears he may never walk again. The father of three – with another on the way – relayed a message to his fans via his wife, Carissa. “I can’t begin to express my love and gratitude to everyone that has been helping me and my family at such a hard time we truly are surrounded by amazing people/family,” Masoe said. “Everyone has their own battles that they are fighting themselves and this has become my new battle for now. It’s going to be a long road…

David and Goliath headline messy months Following a shocking off-season in 2018, the last thing the NRL would have wanted to see weeks after the 2019 Grand Final was a video on social media showing one of its biggest stars on the rampage. The clip of Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona involved in a brawl outside a Bali nightclub went viral, although some of the heat went away when it was revealed he was protecting team-mate Suliasi Vunivalu. Given the provocation, the NRL suspended him for three matches as well as a suspended $15,000 fine. Soon after, Broncos gun David Fifita found himself locked up in a Balinese jail for allegedly striking a local security guard. The serious nature of the incident could have had serious ramifications, however the man in…

WHEN tragedy strikes, the rugby league community is always there to lend a helping hand – and it was no different this summer as the nation was rocked by devastating bushfires. In addition to a number of individual players helping out by donating their time and raising funds for the relief effort, every NRL club got involved in making a difference. The game’s governing body also announced the expansion of the ‘Road to Regions’ program, which saw some of the game’s leading players visit bushfire-affected and drought-stricken communities across the eastern seaboard. The Road to Regions program – designed to give rural residents an opportunity to meet players – traditionally spans one week, but it was expanded to five in the wake of the bushfire emergency. “Many of our players…

AGE GAP There’s arguably more raw talent per square roster inch at the Broncos than anywhere else, but they also possess one of youngest squads in recent memory. Darius Boyd, Andrew McCullough (pictured, right) and new skipper Alex Glenn are the only Brisbane players older than 25. Experience can’t be manufactured, but Seibold is adamant the calibre of his tyros outweighs their birthdates. “I expect our younger players to continue to step up,” the coach says. “(They were) our big improvers and most consistent players last year – Payne Haas was our Player of the Year, played for Australia, played State of Origin. Before last year he’d played 60 minutes in the NRL.” ALF’S SHADOW Much like the plight of Parramatta’s post-Peter Sterling playmakers, the ‘next Allan Langer’ tag has…

A POWERHOUSE club, but without a title since 2006. I can’t see them changing that this year, although I do think they’ll win more than the 11 matches they posted in 2019. Brodie Croft is a good player and a good pick up, but he’ll need to be great to have a significant influence from the outset. The Broncos again boast some of the best young forwards in the game and I look forward to watching their development. I have a feeling that – provided he stays healthy – Jack Bird will have a good season and finally deliver on Broncos fans’ expectations. We might learn plenty about them in the first fortnight, with an appearance on the opening night of the Cowboys’ new stadium, and then a tough one…

RECORDS AWAIT Canberra co-captain Jarrod Croker (pictured, right) needs to score just four points to become the seventh player in history to crack 2,000 first-grade points. With a match-up against the Titans in Round 1, you’d expect him to reach the milestone straight away – and the records may not stop there. He needs 39 points to pass Daryl Halligan on the all-time point-scoring list, 112 to eclipse Jason Taylor’s tally, 181 for Andrew Johns’ mark and 227 to go ahead of Johnathan Thurston. Having scored 228 points last season, it’s entirely possible that he’ll finish the year as the third-highest pointscorer of all-time. KICK-START The Raiders have the perfect opportunity to pick up when they left off with a favourable draw to start the year. Five of their first…

I won’t offer any apologies for stating I believe the Raiders over-achieved in 2019, but boy were they great to watch. The loss of such prolific players like Jordan Rapana, Joey Leilua andAidan Sezer surely has to set them back, putting pressure on key English recruit George Williams to be a hit right from the get go. However, I can’t see the amount of self belief they would have gained from reaching the grand final dissipating in a hurry. I’m tipping Ricky Stuart’s men won’t match their stellar deeds of last year, but I reckon their fans will happily cop back-to-back seasons in the playoffs having not achieved that feat as a club since 2004. Predicted Finish: 5th…

THERE’S A WILL One shining light for the Bulldogs who will be counted on to make an impact in attack this season is Will Hopoate, the club’s 2019 Player of the Year who re-signed until 2021 back in November. Though he was shifted to the centres from fullback upon Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s mid-season arrival at Belmore, he ran for 3,709 metres (an average of 154.6 per game), a competition-high for centres. FORAN-20 Fears five-eighth Kieran Foran would miss the whole season – in his final contracted year at the club – were allayed by the 29-year-old half, who declared he won’t be retiring and will attempt to make it back to the field in 2020. The veteran has had a shocking run with serious injury. “He’s one of my best mates…

I LOVE the work ethic Dean Pay has instilled at this club, and plenty of admiration for the way the side finished off 2019 with five wins from their final six games. But even in winning those matches they scored more than 18 points only once. Their season average in attack was under 14. A giant question mark remains over their attacking ability and it’s hard to dismiss the fact that no side scored fewer points in the NRL last year. They’ve acquired a few handy new players but no superstars. One area they will hope to improve is their season start. In 2019, they were on the back-foot early with just one victory from their opening six matches. In the same period this year they play the Eels twice,…

BACKS TO THE FUTURE While some coaches will have to search far and wide for quality outside backs in Round 1, John Morris is battling a minor headache as he works out how to fit seven into five for the season opener. Should everyone be fit, Matt Moylan is favoured to keep his fullback spot, but Jesse Ramien’s return from the Knights means their centre stocks are overflowing, and it’s hard to imagine him not in the starting side with Bronson Xerri a good chance to play on the left. That means veterans Josh Morris and Josh Dugan will be shifted to the wing, although youngsters Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa have also shown they have what it takes to make it in the NRL. “It’s a good position to…

GAL is gone. Long live Gal. The Sharks are still a club with enough stars in their ranks, but injury clouds over hanging a few have me thinking they might strike more ‘snakes than ladders’ this year. They failed to achieve more than two wins in a row at any stage in 2019. I’m sure that once again on their day they will click and score plenty of points, but without consistency I fear they may miss the finals for only the second time since 2011. The Sharks had the worst away record of any top eight side in 2019, and this season are forced away from their true home every week. I’m sure John Morris learnt plenty from his debut season as head coach and has his rollercoaster ticket…

INTO THE BREACH Luckless skipper Ryan James’ devastating ACL injury is a bitter blow – and the onus is now on the squad’s more experienced forwards to pick up the slack. With James sidelined since April last year, engine room tyros Jai Arrow and Moeaki Fotuaika were widely regarded as the Titans’ best players in 2019. But it’s the likes of front-row veteran Jarrod Wallace – smarting from his Origin axing during last year’s series – as well as 22-Test Kiwi Kevin Proctor and former Kangaroos prop Shannon Boyd, who managed just 13 appearances in an underwhelming first season on the Gold Coast, that need to step up as leaders and consistent week-to-week performers in the pack. STEMMING THE FLOW Gold Coast leaked an NRL-worst 651 points in 2019 –…

WELCOME to head coaching in the NRL, Justin Holbrook. What a contrast to where he has come from after an awesome tenure at St Helens in the Super League. Holbrook is an incredibly impressive character, but I believe he’ll need to be part magician to greatly turn around where the Titans found themselves at the end of 2019. Will they win more than the four games of last season? Yes they will. But they are starting from a base of zero, having notched the worst defensive record and the second-worst attacking return in their wooden spoon season. Few playmakers under more pressure than young Ash Taylor, and they’ve already suffered a huge setback with the serious injury to Ryan James. I hope they do well, but that’s the best I’ve…

NINE LIVES When Api Koroisau left, the Sea Eagles put all their eggs into the Manase Fainu basket given his brilliant combination with his forwards. But a troubled off-season threw those plans out the window and it’s unclear whether the gifted hooker will play this year. However, the acquisition of Levi from Newcastle has softened the blow, with the former international keen for a fresh start. “We’re not sure what’s going to happen with Manase so it’s great to have Danny here,” Cherry-Evans says. “If Manase is available at some stage then that’ll be a bonus, but Danny has worked really hard since he got here so I’m looking forward to getting more reps with him to get used to his style. We’ll spend as much time as possible together…

THIS team put so much egg on my face last year with their bold showings week after week that I overdosed on omelettes! To rack up 15 wins in 2019 was an incredible achievement by Des Hasler and his players considering the challenges they were constantly faced with – and that was after kicking off the year with back-to-back losses. Throw in the fact that their superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic only appeared in 12 games and it adds even more merit to their semi-final finish. This time last year I tipped the Sea Eagles for bottom four. In 2020 I think they can play finals footy again. Not much to report on the player gains and losses front, but I believe former Knights hooker Danny Levi will be strong for…

HE’LL BE BACK? Cameron Smith’s future will be discussed on a daily basis once the season rolls around, and while he’s proven everyone wrong in the past, you’d have to think retirement is on the cards. With nothing left to prove or records left to break, a premiership in 2020 would be the perfect parting gift for one of the greatest the game has ever seen. “We don’t mention contract negotiations at the club so his future hasn’t come up,” Ryles says. “Cameron is at the stage of his career where he has to decide whether he’s going to keep playing or finish up. At the moment he’s training as well as he ever has. He’s leading the way in regards to doing all the extra work and he’s driven…

IF the Melbourne Storm are a club in decline in terms of achievements, it’s certainly not at a rapid rate. Admittedly they have only won one title in the past seven years, but I’m not prepared to say they won’t be thereabouts again at the pointy end of this season. In Cameron Smith they trust, and he has plenty of experience around him to guide the Storm toward another serious premiership tilt. Again they have lost a few players with grand final experience, but my expectation of another solid defensive effort no matter what 17 players they send out is sure to take them a long way. By the way, dismiss their attack at your peril with the likes of ‘The Foxx’, Papenhuyzen, Munster and Vunivalu still on board. Not…

CLOUD NINE The Knights have been waiting for a player to nail down the No.9 jumper since club legend Danny Buderus hung up the boots in 2013. Jayden Brailey – comfortably the Knights’ biggest off-season acquisition – effectively has a free run at the position in 2020. “He’s been training really well, he’s got a lot of talent so it’s good to add players like that to the team,” new team-mate Connor Watson says. “He’ll definitely help us win some more games this year, and it’s been good having him around – he’s a good guy as well.” While not the flashiest hooker, the industrious 23-year-old plays big minutes and missed just two games in the past two seasons for Cronulla. With Danny Levi joining Manly, the luckless Slade Griffin…

THE Knights are one of a number of sides that I just don’t know about in 2020. They had so many new recruits with NRL experience lining up this time last year yet their season was all over the shop. These are the streaks rookie coach Adam O’Brien has to address. In 2019, the Knights lost five of their first six; then won seven of their next eight; before losing eight of their final 10. Among O’Brien’s wishlist (I’m sure) is to make Newcastle a tough place for visiting teams to come to once again. They won only four games at home in 2018 and weren’t a great deal better last season in front of their passionate fans with six. Give me a minimum eight victories at home and I…

MIND OVER MORGAN Cowboys fans will be praying Michael Morgan can stay fit and healthy in 2020 following a number of concussions over the past couple of years. There were concerns last season when Morgan was forced to sit out several games due to concussion protocols. He’s had no issues so far this year, but one more concussion would sound alarm bells for the Cowboys. “I’m feeling fine at the moment. Since the second head knock [last year], I’ve had no issues. I feel completely normal which is good,” he says. “It’s hard to be careful. We play a contact sport and I play a position where you may get hit after you pass it and get into an awkward spot. I’ve got to try not to get my head…

DID I just say I was confused about the Knights’ chances this year? Well add attempting to confidently predicting what will happen with the Cowboys is perhaps even more baffling. Is a magnificent new stadium worth points? I suppose you could look at the Eels at Bankwest last year and say yes. There is also a superstar recruit on board in Valentine Holmes, and they still have an awesome JT in their side with Jason Taumalolo. However, two disappointing seasons where the Cowboys have finished in the bottom four have my faith tested. Paul Green’s team managed nine victories last season. I believe they can possibly notch a few more in 2020, but not enough for a finals return. Predicted Finish: 12th…

OLDER AND WISER The likes of Dylan Brown and Maika Sivo were revelations in their first NRL campaign, key ingredients in the club’s charge to the second week of the finals. Now they’ll face a new kind of pressure from expectant fans and team-mates – avoiding the dreaded second-year syndrome to continue their rise to NRL stardom. “The experience of last year will help those guys,” says Moses. “But now it’s all about backing that up. I’ve been there before, we’ve just got to keep them level-headed at training. They’ve got simple jobs to do.” STARTING STRONG One of the keys to the club’s success last season was the foundation laid by a strong start. The Eels won three of their first four games which gave them a good base…

THERE were plenty of good times for Eels fans last year and I see no reason why their team can’t build on their semifinal finish. The likes of top 17 regulars Manu Ma’u and Tepai Moeroa are significant losses from their squad but the acquisition of Ryan Matterson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard loom as decent replacements. I’m expecting Dylan Brown to have an even bigger impact, so much so that I reckon we’ll be talking about him as a key man when we get down to the final four. However, their record away from home has to be addressed if they are to emerge as a heavyweight. From zero wins on the road in 2018, they grabbed five in 2019. For the record, Melbourne was the benchmark with 11 during the…

BEST FOOT FORWARD Penrith will have a team discussion about starting the season on a high after gaining a reputation for starting campaigns slowly. After all the off-field drama at the start of 2019, they slipped all the way down the ladder in the early stages and it was too late to catch up. This year they’ll be keen for a winning start, however they have a tough test to open the season when they face Roosters in Round 1. They’ll travel to Kogarah to play the Dragons in Round 2 before a tough trip to Melbourne. GONE FISHING James Fisher-Harris was without a doubt the best player at the Panthers last season, and he’ll be eager for a similar season in 2020. The Kiwi lock played all 24 matches…

I’M sure the Panthers frustrated their fans in 2019, a bit like in the manner of the Knights. To win only two of their first 10 had most of us writing them off. Then seven-straight wins and we were all saying “giddy up”. Alas, the result was a 10th-placed finish. New recruits Api Koroisau, Kurt Capewell and Zane Tetevano all have something to offer, but they did lose a few too with my expectation of James Maloney being possibly the player exit to have the biggest impact at a club. Having highlighted their poor start last year, this season they have drawn the Roosters, Dragons, Storm, Broncos and Raiders in the first five weeks. While three of those matches are at home, I don’t want my hard-earned on a Panthers…

CAPTAIN COOK It’d make for an easy headline, but it appears as though Damien Cook will miss out on the captaincy in the post-Burgess-Inglis-Sutton era. While Cameron Murray is a logical choice down the track, the Australian hooker believes it’ll come down to halves Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker. “Wayne hasn’t said anything yet,” Cook says. “We’ve got some really good leaders here. Cody stepped up last year and did a great job while Sam was out, and then you’ve got ‘Reyno’ who would do an equally amazing job. Reyno has been here a long time so it would be nice to see him with the ‘C’ next to his name, but whoever gets it, we’ll all help out. It’s going to take all three of us in the leadership…

IT could have been a grand final year for the Rabbitohs in 2019 had everything gone according to plan. The post-mortem reached the conclusion it was a very good year; just not a great one – and my feeling is we’ll see a similar story unfold again in 2020. To lose an enforcer like Sam Burgess, well, those aren’t easy boots to fill. The signing of Latrell Mitchell at least evens the ledger on superstar gain and loss. Playmakers Adam Reynolds, Cody Walker and Damien Cook are still in their prime. If Mitchell makes a success out of his return to fullback, that becomes one hell of a spine. A 70-year-old coach with a side in the NRL grand final? It could happen. Predicted Finish: 3rd…

CAPTAIN CAM The biggest question following Widdop’s departure was who would replace him as skipper. But ask anyone at the club and they’ll tell you the decision was easy, with McInnes announced in mid-January as the team’s new captain. “It’s a massive honour for Cam and one a few of us thought was coming,” Hunt says. “Once ‘Gaz’ announced he was leaving, it was down to Cam and ‘Friz’ (Tyson Frizell) for the role and I think we knew that Cam would get it. He’s been a great leader for the club and I’m looking forward to playing under him because he’s a passionate guy who leads from the front.” BETWEEN A LOCK AND A HARD PLACE At the time of this story going to print, Jack de Belin’s case…

I RECKON Dragons fans have been left with plenty of scars from a disastrous 2019. You have to digest the facts that they finished 15th on the ladder – their worst finish since the start of the joint venture – managed just eight wins, and had only the bottom-placed Gold Coast Titans concede more points in defence. They’ve had a comprehensive review, but that’s a hell of a lot to work on for Paul McGregor and his players. I’m predicting they will improve but it could be more a rebuilding year, than one where they are a finals contender. On the good news front, lock me in for the prediction that towering winger Jason Saab will go close to winning Rookie of the Year. Predicted Finish: 13th…

ALL FOR ‘AUBO’ He’s not the biggest name on the Roosters’ star-studded roster, but quiet achiever Mitchell Aubusson is on the cusp of legendary status himself. The one-club utility has played 289 games for the Tri-colours since making his debut in 2007, and provided he can stay fit he’s set to become the most-capped Rooster of all time in 2020, surpassing the current record of 302 appearances held by club legend Anthony Minichiello. “You can’t beat his experience and leadership,” Cordner tells Big League. “Being around the young guys, he’s the perfect model for them to look up to. He’s done it all before, he’s been playing at a high level for nearly 300 games and he’s held himself incredibly through that time. We’re so lucky to have him.” TEDDY-RIFFIC…

WIN back-to-back titles? Check. How about win three in a row? Why not, I ask? I can’t see the Roosters being a better side in 2020, particularly with Cooper Cronk and Latrell Mitchell among their personnel absentees, but I can’t say they will fall away a great deal either. My key focus will be on the fitness of Luke Keary. He is now the man running the show. Keary’s concussion history may be a reason for some concern, but let’s remain positive. Like Melbourne, I’m backing the Roosters’ defence to carry them a long way. Trent Robinson is constantly looking for an edge for his team. Loved commentating on their games on Fox League last season. The Roosters will be a star attraction again in 2020. Predicted finish: 1st…

AS pundits gaze into their 2020 NRL crystal balls, the Warriors are featuring in more wooden spoon predictions than top eight forecasts after their substantial regression last year. But coach Stephen Kearney – whose job security will be under the media microscope – remains bullish about the club’s current position and any external noise. “We haven’t been thinking about the pressure – it’s about putting a plan in place,” Kearney tells Big League. “We’ve made some adjustments to our game and our program. We haven’t really highlighted any pressure – my focus is preparing as best we can to give us an opportunity when Round 1 ticks over.” The club’s desire to avoid a fourth bottom-four finish in six seasons has been hampered by an inability to lure talent across…

Rd 1 v Knights McDonald Jones, Mar 14, 3pm Rd 2 v Raiders Eden Park, Mar 21, 3pm Rd 3 v Sea Eagles Lottoland, Mar 27, 6pm Rd 4 v Wests Tigers Mt Smart, Apr 4, 3pm Rd 5 v Dragons WIN, Apr 12, 6.15pm Rd 6 v Roosters Mt Smart, Apr 18, 5.30pm Rd 7 v Storm AAMI, Apr 25, 8pm Rd 8 v Eels Suncorp, May 3, 1.50pm Rd 9 v Bulldogs Mt Smart, May 8, 6pm Rd 10 v Titans Cbus Super, May 16, 3pm Rd 11 v Storm Mt Smart, May 23, 3pm Rd 12 v BYE Rd 13 v Broncos Mt Smart, Jun 5, 6pm Rd 14 v Raiders GIO, Jun 14, 2.05pm Rd 15 v Cowboys Sky, Wellington, Jun 27, 3pm Rd 16 v…

TEAM MILESTONES Wests Tigers will play their 500th game since joining the premiership in 2000 when they meet the Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium in Round 7. Brisbane require six wins to reach the milestone of 500 wins since joining the premiership in 1988. St George Illawarra require 35 tries to bring up the landmark of 2,000 tries since the formation of the game’s first joint venture in 1999. Penrith require 53 tries to notch 4,000 tries since entering the premiership in 1967. The Sydney Roosters require another 310 points to become the first club in premiership history to score 40,000 points. Melbourne play their 600th game since joining the NRL in 1998 when they meet South Sydney at Bankwest Stadium in Round 20. Newcastle will bring up 800…

IT didn’t quite have the same ferocity as the Boxing Day sales, but this year’s player market still featured some gargantuan moves that will have serious premiership ramifications. While the likes of Jordan Rapana, Will Chambers and Matt Prior made the move overseas or to other codes, it was the intra-league deals that stole the headlines, especially one that lasted months involving the game’s fiercest rivals. Latrell Mitchell It seemed nothing could go wrong for the Roosters after they claimed their second title in as many years, but those celebrations were cut short in early November when the club announced it had withdrawn its offer to Mitchell after he made it clear he wanted to explore his options. The gifted centre was linked to a number of clubs including the…

REMEMBER that time when people were just as obsessed with the six-again ruling as they were with the Game of Thrones season finale? Neither do we, and quite frankly, only diehard Raiders fans will be when the new season gets underway. The NRL world has a funny way of getting caught up in hysteria for a few weeks but has a unique way of moving on just as quickly. That won’t change in 2020, especially when the horrific bushfires during summer help put things in perspective. During a period in which players can often get caught up in controversy, it has been heartening to see all the clubs support those who have been affected. The season itself promises to be more unpredictable than ever – though we seem to say…

Rd 1 v Cowboys Qld Country Bank Stadium, March 13, 8.05pm Rd 2 v Rabbitohs Suncorp Stadium, March 20, 8.05pm Rd 3 v Titans Cbus Super Stadium, March 29, 6.15pm Rd 4 v Panthers Panthers Stadium, April 4, 7.35pm Rd 5 v Cowboys Suncorp Stadium, April 10, 7.55pm Rd 6 v Sharks Suncorp Stadium, April 17, 7.55pm Rd 7 v Eels TIO Stadium, Darwin, April 24, 7.55pm Rd 8 v Sea Eagles Suncorp Stadium, May 1, 8.05pm Rd 9 v Rabbitohs ANZ Stadium, May 7, 7.50pm Rd 10 v Dragons Suncorp Stadium, May 15, 7.55pm Rd 11 v Bulldogs Suncorp Stadium, May 21, 7.50pm Rd 12 v BYE Rd 13 v Warriors Mt Smart Stadium, June 5, 6pm Rd 14 v Roosters Sydney Cricket Ground, June 11, 7.50pm Rd 15…

THE Broncos’ system of spreading their lower-grade players and juniors across five feeder teams – Ipswich, Norths Devils, Redcliffe, Souths Logan and Wynnum Manly – continues to serve the club well. Tom Dearden, Richie Kennar and Keenan Palasia are aligned with Wynnum Manly, though only Palasia featured in the club’s Intrust Super Cup grand final loss to Burleigh. Redcliffe centre Izaia Perese was named in the 2019 ISC Team of the Year, while the Dolphins will gladly accept the services of Cory Paix and Jamil Hopoate if available. Promising three-quarter Herbie Farnworth earned an NRL debut in 2019 as well as scored 19 tries and 192 points for Norths Devils, who also have Sean O’Sullivan to call upon. Wynnum Manly also lost the Mal Meninga Cup (under-18s) and Hastings Deering…

Rd 1 v Titans GIO Stadium, March 13, 6pm Rd 2 v Warriors Eden Park, March 21, 3pm Rd 3 v Dragons GIO Stadium, March 26, 8.05pm Rd 4 v Sea Eagles GIO Stadium, April 3, 8.05pm Rd 5 v Panthers Panthers Stadium, April 12, 4.05pm Rd 6 v Knights McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga, April 18, 3pm Rd 7 v Rabbitohs GIO Stadium, April 26, 2.05pm Rd 8 v Bulldogs Suncorp Stadium, May 2, 5.30pm Rd 9 v Wests Tigers Scully Park, Tamworth, May 9, 5.30pm Rd 10 v Panthers GIO Stadium, May17, 2.05pm Rd 11 v Roosters HBF Park, Perth, May 23, 7.35pm Rd 12 v BYE Rd 13 v Storm AAMI Park, June 6, 7.35pm Rd 14 v Warriors GIO Stadium, June 14, 2.05pm Rd 15 v Roosters…

CANBERRA’S lower grades will be aiming to strike back this season after a number of heartbreaking finishes in 2019. Their Jersey Flegg team fell one win short of the premiership, losing the grand final by two points, and will be hoping for better luck in 2020. Their Canterbury Cup team, Mounties, were the team to beat in the early stages of the competition. They were always toward the top of the ladder and at one stage looked to compete for the minor premiership. However they slipped at the back-end of the season to finish sixth and their finals campaign lasted just 80 minutes with a 44-20 loss to Newtown. With a good looking line-up in 2020, the side will have their eyes on a top four finish. Halfback Sam Williams…

Rd 1 v Eels Bankwest Stadium, March 12, 8.05pm Rd 2 v Cowboys ANZ Stadium, March 19, 8.05pm Rd 3 v Wests Tigers Campbelltown Stadium, March 29, 4.05pm Rd 4 v Sharks ANZ Stadium, April 4, 5.30pm Rd 5 v Rabbitohs ANZ Stadium, April 10, 4.05pm Rd 6 v Eels ANZ Stadium, April 18, 7.35pm Rd 7 v Cowboys Queensland Bank Stadium, April 25, 6pm Rd 8 v Raiders Suncorp Stadium, May 2, 5.30pm Rd 9 v Warriors Mt Smart Stadium, May 8, 6pm Rd 10 v Sea Eagles Belmore Sports Ground, May 15, 6pm Rd 11 v Broncos Suncorp Stadium, May 21, 7.50pm Rd 12 v Titans Cbus Super Stadium, May 28, 7.50pm Rd 13 v Dragons ANZ Stadium, June 8, 4.05pm Rd 14 v Sea Eagles Lottoland, June…

THE Bulldogs were strong in the lower grades in 2019, with the NSW Canterbury Cup team finishing the season in fourth and Jersey Flegg in sixth. Both teams were bundled out in the semi-finals but were happy with their strong campaigns. A couple of young guns have been elevated to the top 30 this year, including Jake Averillo (who has played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg and Canterbury Cup in two short years), and Isaiah Tass, who played both Jersey Flegg and Canterbury Cup last season. Regulars such as Christian Crichton, Morgan Harper and Ofahiki Ogden are still signed to the club. The club has also contracted five development players, who will train with the top squad full-time during the pre-season and season regular: Tui Katoa – the younger brother of…

Rd 1 v Rabbitohs ANZ, Mar 14, 5.30pm Rd 2 v Storm Netstrata, Mar 21, 7.35pm Rd 3 v Knights Netstrata, Mar 28, 3pm Rd 4 v Bulldogs ANZ, Apr 4, 5.30pm Rd 5 v Roosters Netstrata, Apr 11, 7.35pm Rd 6 v Broncos Suncorp, Apr 17, 7.55pm Rd 7 v Sea Eagles Netstrata, Apr 23, 7.50pm Rd 8 v Wests Tigers Suncorp, May 1, 6pm Rd 9 v Panthers Carrington, May 10, 2.05pm Rd 10 v Cowboys Sunshine Coast, May 16, 5.30pm Rd 11 v Knights McDonald Jones, May 24, 2.05pm Rd 12 v BYE Rd 13 v Titans Netstrata, Jun 5, 7.55pm Rd 14 v Dragons Netstrata, Jun 14, 4.05pm Rd 15 v Eels Bankwest, Jun 27, 7.35pm Rd 16 v Raiders Netstrata, July 5, 4.05pm Rd 17…

FOOTBALL romantics will be thrilled to hear the Sharks and the iconic Newtown Jets will continue their affiliation this year as part of the deal that is set to continue until 2023. The partnership – entering its fifth year of the current arrangement – has been a roaring success and has turned Henson Park into the place to be on a Saturday afternoon. You can expect the hill to be overflowing as they celebrate last year’s spectacular premierships in both the Canterbury Cup and the State Championship courtesy of last-gasp heroics. While the under-20s squad is expected to be competitive as always, the reserve grade side could be stacked at times with NRL-quality players being squeezed out of the top 17. One man hoping for more game-time in the NRL…

Rd 1 v Raiders GIO, Mar 13, 6pm Rd 2 v Eels Cbus, Mar 22, 6.15pm Rd 3 v Broncos Cbus, Mar 29, 6.15pm Rd 4 v Roosters SCG, Apr 5, 6.15pm Rd 5 v Storm AAMI, Apr 11, 5.30pm Rd 6 v Sea Eagles Lottoland, Apr 17, 6pm Rd 7 v Wests Tigers Cbus, Apr 24, 6pm Rd 8 v Panthers Suncorp, May 3, 6.25pm Rd 9 v Cowboys QCB, May 9, 7.35pm Rd 10 v Warriors Cbus, May 16, 3pm Rd 11 v Dragons Netstrata, May 22, 6pm Rd 12 v Bulldogs Cbus, May 28, 7.50pm Rd 13 v Sharks Netstrata, Jun 5, 7.55pm Rd 14 v Cowboys Cbus, Jun 12, 6pm Rd 15 v Knights McDonald Jones, Jun 28, 2.05pm Rd 16 v BYE Rd 17 v…

FEEDER clubs Burleigh Bears and Tweed Heads Seagulls are both coming off strong 2019 campaigns. The Jim Lenihan-coached Bears – featuring Gold Coast stalwart Anthony Don and several ex-Titans first-graders – toppled Wynnum Manly in the Intrust Super Cup Grand Final, before losing the State Championship to Newtown on the buzzer on NRL grand final day. Tanah Boyd, Phillip Sami and Jai Whitbread also turned out for the club during 2019. Lenihan has joined Justin Holbrook’s staff, which sees former Newcastle NRL coach Rick Stone return to Burleigh. Stone and Tweed Heads coach Ben Woolfe will spend two days a week working with the Titans’ coaching staff – part of the terms of a three-year extension to the affiliate agreement. Sixth in the ISC, the Seagulls had the services of…

Rd 1 v Storm Lottoland, Mar 15, 4.05pm Rd 2 v Roosters Central Coast, Mar 21, 5.30pm Rd 3 v Warriors Lottoland, Mar 27, 6pm Rd 4 v Raiders GIO Stadium, Apr 3, 8.05pm Rd 5 v Knights Lottoland, Apr 9, 7.50pm Rd 6 v Titans Lottoland, Apr 17, 6pm Rd 7 v Sharks Netstrata, Apr 23, 7.50pm Rd 8 v Broncos Suncorp, May 1, 8.05pm Rd 9 v Eels Lottoland, May 10, 4.05pm Rd 10 v Bulldogs Belmore, May 15, 6pm Rd 11 v Wests Tigers Central Coast, May 23, 5.30pm Rd 12 v Dragons WIN, May 31, 4.05pm Rd 13 v Rabbitohs ANZ, Jun 6, 5.30pm Rd 14 v Bulldogs Lottoland, Jun 13, 3pm Rd 15 v Panthers Panthers, June 26, 6pm Rd 16 v BYE Rd 17…

IT was a brutal year on the northern beaches last season with Manly finishing in last place in the Jersey Flegg competition, a feat matched by the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, who showed promising signs at stages but rarely matched it with the rest of the Canterbury Cup. It’s why there aren’t many rookies in contention to be the next Reuben Garrick or Corey Waddell, who both grabbed their opportunities and blossomed into regular first-graders. Albert Hopoate will be one to watch if he can remain fit after suffering his second serious knee injury in 2019, but it’ll take a string of impressive outings to displace the men who got the job done 12 months ago. “I think a lot of people from last year are going to get first…

Rd 1 v Sea Eagles Lottoland, Mar 15, 4.05pm Rd 2 v Sharks Netstrata, Mar 21, 7.35pm Rd 3 v Panthers AAMI, Mar 28, 5.30pm Rd 4 v Rabbitohs AAMI, Apr 2, 8.05pm Rd 5 v Titans AAMI, Apr 11, 5.30pm Rd 6 v Cowboys QCB, Apr 16, 7.50pm Rd 7 v Warriors AAMI, Apr 25, 8pm Rd 8 v Dragons Suncorp, May 3, 4.05pm Rd 9 v Roosters SCG, May 8, 7.55pm Rd 10 v Eels AAMI, May 16, 7.35pm Rd 11 v Warriors Mt Smart, May 23, 3pm Rd 12 v BYE Rd 13 v Raiders AAMI, Jun 6, 7.35pm Rd 14 v Knights McDonald Jones, Jun 13, 5.30pm Rd 15 v Broncos Suncorp, Jun 26, 7.55pm Rd 16 v Wests Tigers AAMI, Jul 3, 7.55pm Rd 17…

AN unsettled backline should be music to the ears of Melbourne’s feeder clubs, with several NRLcalibre centres set to run out for the Falcons and Easts Tigers in 2020. That will only strengthen an already powerful allegiance which saw the Sunshine Coast claim the minor premiership in 2019, only to be bundled out in the preliminary final having knocked out the Tigers week earlier. The potential of no Harry Grant will hurt their chances, but you can expect both teams to be up there again this season given the strength of the club’s pathways program. One player to keep an eye on this year is Cooper Johns. The young half comes from good pedigree and is following in the footsteps of his famous father Matthew Johns in the No.6 jersey.…

Rd 1 v Warriors McDonald Jones, Mar 14, 3pm Rd 2 v Wests Tigers Leichhardt, Mar 22, 4.05pm Rd 3 v Sharks Netstrata, Mar 28, 3pm Rd 4 v Cowboys McDonald Jones, Apr 3, 6pm Rd 5 v Sea Eagles Lottoland, Apr 9, 7.50pm Rd 6 v Raiders McDonalds Park, Wagga, Apr 18, 3pm Rd 7 v Panthers McDonald Jones, Apr 26, 4.05pm Rd 8 v Rabbitohs Suncorp, May 2, 3pm Rd 9 v Dragons McDonald Jones, May 9, 3pm Rd 10 v Roosters SCG, May 14, 7.50pm Rd 11 v Sharks McDonald Jones, May 24, 2.05pm Rd 12 v Rabbitohs McDonald Jones, May 30, 7.35pm Rd 13 v Panthers Panthers, Jun 7, 2.05pm Rd 14 v Storm McDonald Jones, Jun 13, 5.30pm Rd 15 v Titans McDonald Jones, Jun…

AFTER a disappointing second-last finish in 2019, the Knights should field a formidable Canterbury Cup line-up with the experienced likes of Josh King, Jacob Saifiti and Mason Lino, and boom youngsters Pasami Saulo and Starford To’a behind the eight-ball for a spot in a full-strength NRL 17. Injuries notwithstanding, the club’s excellent depth will have a positive flow-on effect to the reserve grade side, which will be coached by Tony Gleeson following Rory Kostjasyn’s promotion to O’Brien’s first grade staff. Newcastle’s Jersey Flegg side finished seventh with a 12-8 record last year under Scott Dureau, who will instead manage the club’s Player Development Program in 2020. Adam Betteridge returns to the Knights as under-20s coach after four seasons in charge of Macquarie Scorpions that included a drought-breaking Newcastle Rugby League…

Rd 1 v Broncos Queensland Country Bank, March 13, 8.05pm Rd 2 v Bulldogs ANZ Stadium, March 19, 8.05pm Rd 3 v Eels Queensland Country Bank, March 28, 7.35pm Rd 4 v Knights McDonald Jones Stadium, April 3, 6pm Rd 5 v Broncos Suncorp Stadium, April 10, 7.55pm Rd 6 v Storm Queensland Country Bank, April 16, 7.50pm Rd 7 v Bulldogs Queensland Country Bank, April 25, 6pm Rd 8 v Roosters Suncorp Stadium, May 2, 7.45pm Rd 9 v Titans Queensland Country Bank, May 9, 7.35pm Rd 10 v Sharks Sunshine Coast Stadium, May 16, 5.30pm Rd 11 v Rabbitohs Queensland Country Bank, May 22, 7.55pm Rd 12 v Eels Bankwest Stadium, May 29, 7.55pm Rd 13 v Roosters Queensland Country Bank, June 6, 3pm Rd 14 v Titans…

THE Cowboys will continue their partnership with regional feeder clubs Mackay Cutters, Northern Pride (Cairns) and Townsville Blackhawks in 2020, with all three clubs competing in both the Intrust Super Cup and Hastings Deering Colts (under-20s) competitions. Townsville were the Cowboys’ lone feeder club to qualify for the Intrust Super Cup’s finals last year but will be aiming higher than the preliminary finals this time around. One player to watch out for at the Blackhawks is young lock Tom Gilbert, who had a stunning season last year. He played for Queensland at the under-20s level and went on to win the ISC’s player of the year award. Cutters hooker Reuben Cotter is another player to keep an eye on. After years of struggling with serious injuries, Cotter got his chance…

Rd 1 v Bulldogs Bankwest, Mar 12, 8.05pm Rd 2 v Titans Cbus, Mar 22, 6.15pm Rd 3 v Cowboys QCB, Mar 28, 7.35pm Rd 4 v Dragons Bankwest, Apr 5, 4.05pm Rd 5 v Wests Tigers Bankwest, Apr 13, 4.05pm Rd 6 v Bulldogs ANZ, Apr 18, 7.35pm Rd 7 v Broncos TIO, Apr 24, 7.55pm Rd 8 v Warriors Suncorp, May 3, 1.50pm Rd 9 v Sea Eagles Lottoland, May 10, 4.05pm Rd 10 v Storm AAMI, May 16, 7.35pm Rd 11 v Panthers Bankwest, May 24, 4.05pm Rd 12 v Cowboys Bankwest, May 29, 7.55pm Rd 13 v Wests Tigers Bankwest, Jun 7, 4.05pm Rd 14 v Rabbitohs ANZ, Jun 13, 7.35pm Rd 15 v Sharks Bankwest, Jun 27, 7.35pm Rd 16 v BYE Rd 17 v…

2020 signals the dawn of a new era for the Eels, who have ended their decade-long association with feeder club Wentworthville as they shift their focus to becoming a strong development club. The Magpies have long been successful at reserve grade and Ron Massey Cup levels, and it’s hoped those standards can be maintained after the switch. Rhys Davies is one to watch in the Canterbury Cup this season. The young half has been added to the Eels’ top 30 as a back-up for Mitch Moses and Dylan Brown, but is expected to take the attacking reins in reserve grade, boasting an impressive goal-kicking record and contributing 15 try assists in just 20 appearances as the club made their way to the grand final from eighth place. Haze Dunster is…

Rd 1 v Roosters Panthers, Mar 14, 7.35pm Rd 2 v Dragons Netstrata, Mar 20, 6pm Rd 3 v Storm AAMI, Mar 28, 5.30pm Rd 4 v Broncos Panthers, Apr 4, 7.35pm Rd 5 v Raiders Panthers, Apr 12, 4.05pm Rd 6 v Wests Tigers Panthers, Apr 19, 4.05pm Rd 7 v Knights McDonald Jones, Apr 26, 4.05pm Rd 8 v Titans Suncorp, May 3, 6.25pm Rd 9 v Sharks Carrington, May 10, 2.05pm Rd 10 v Raiders GIO, May 17, 2.05pm Rd 11 v Eels Bankwest, May 24, 4.05pm Rd 12 v BYE Rd 13 v Knights Panthers, Jun 7, 2.05pm Rd 14 v Wests Tigers Bankwest, Jun 12, 7.55pm Rd 15 v Sea Eagles Panthers, Jun 26, 6pm Rd 16 v Broncos Suncorp, Jul 2, 7.50pm Rd 17…

THE Panthers have always been competitive in the lower grades and there’s no reason it can’t be the same in 2020. Last season, a number of youngsters had the chance to play a bit of first grade, giving them valuable experience to take back into the Canterbury Cup this year. Jed Cartwright made his emotional debut last season when he faced his cousin Bryce’s Titans, and he’ll be eager to return to the top grade. He has the ability to play in the back row or at centre and is a handy goal-kicker. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak will be eyeing off Josh Mansour’s wing position in 2020, however he’s tipped to start the year in reserve grade, alongside Stephen Crichton, who had a taste of NRL at the back-end of last season.…

Rd 1 v Sharks ANZ, Mar 14, 5.30pm Rd 2 v Broncos Suncorp, Mar 20, 8.05pm Rd 3 v Roosters ANZ, Mar 27, 8.05pm Rd 4 v Storm AAMI, Apr 2, 8.05pm Rd 5 v Bulldogs ANZ, Apr 10, 4.05pm Rd 6 v Dragons ANZ, Apr 19, 2.05pm Rd 7 v Raiders GIO, Apr 26, 2.05pm Rd 8 v Knights Suncorp, May 2, 3pm Rd 9 v Broncos ANZ, May 7, 7.50pm Rd 10 v Wests Tigers Leichhardt, May 17, 4.05pm Rd 11 v Cowboys QCB, May 22, 7.55pm Rd 12 v Knights McDonald Jones, May 30, 7.35pm Rd 13 v Sea Eagles ANZ, Jun 6, 5.30pm Rd 14 v Eels ANZ, Jun 13, 7.35pm Rd 15 v Bulldogs ANZ, Jun 27, 5.30pm Rd 16 v BYE Rd 17 v…

THINGS couldn’t have gone much better for the Rabbitohs in 2019 as their Jersey Flegg side went all the way while the Canterbury Cup squad finished the regular season in second spot only to fall to Wentworthville in the preliminary final. Yet there could be more to cheer about this season with a glut of quality outside backs set to trot out in reserve grade. The likes of Corey Allan and Edene Gebbie will tear it up, while a big name like Alex Johnston could also find himself in NSW Cup alongside some of the young guys who graduated from the under-20s. “The stronger your reserve grade side is, the better it’s going to be for the NRL team,” Cook says. “It means you’re going to get strong sessions against…

Rd 1 v Wests Tigers WIN Stadium, March 15, 6.15pm Rd 2 v Panthers Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, March 20, 6pm Rd 3 v Raiders GIO Stadium, March 26, 8.05pm Rd 4 v Eels Bankwest Stadium, April 5, 4.05pm Rd 5 v Warriors WIN Stadium, April 12, 6.15pm Rd 6 v Rabbitohs ANZ Stadium, April 19, 2.05pm Rd 7 v Roosters Sydney Cricket Ground, April 25, 4pm Rd 8 v Storm Suncorp Stadium, May 3, 4.05pm Rd 9 v Knights McDonald Jones Stadium, May 9, 3pm Rd 10 v Broncos Suncorp Stadium, May 15, 7.55pm Rd 11 v Titans Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, May 22, 6pm Rd 12 v Sea Eagles WIN Stadium, May 31, 4.05pm Rd 13 v Bulldogs ANZ Stadium, June 8, 4.05pm Rd 14 v Sharks Netstrata Jubilee Stadium,…

WHILE the first grade side failed to fire last year, it was a different story for the Canterbury Cup team as they claimed the minor premiership and finished one game away from the grand final after falling to eventual premiers the Jets. Tristan Sailor – who is set to be a mainstay in the NRL this year – was a breakout star in reserve grade under the tutelage of coach Mat Head, who will return for his fourth year in the state cup in 2020. While some clubs struggle to field competitive teams in the lower grades, the Red V take great pride in sending out sides who can compete for titles. That ethos won’t change this year, with the ultimate goal to develop the players into first-grade prospects. One…

Rd 1 v Panthers Panthers, Mar 14, 7.35pm Rd 2 v Sea Eagles Central Coast, Mar 21, 5.30pm Rd 3 v Rabbitohs ANZ, Mar 27, 8.05pm Rd 4 v Titans SCG, Apr 5, 6.15pm Rd 5 v Sharks Netstrata, Apr 11, 7.35pm Rd 6 v Warriors Mt Smart, Apr 18, 5.30pm Rd 7 v Dragons SCG, Apr 25, 4pm Rd 8 v Cowboys Suncorp, May 2, 7.45pm Rd 9 v Storm SCG, May 8, 7.55pm Rd 10 v Knights SCG, May 14, 7.50pm Rd 11 v Raiders HBF, May 23, 7.35pm Rd 12 v BYE Rd 13 v Cowboys QCB, Jun 6, 3pm Rd 14 v Broncos SCG, Jun 11, 7.50pm Rd 15 v Raiders GIO, Jun 28, 4.05pm Rd 16 v Warriors TBA, Jul 4, 7.35pm Rd 17 v…

THE Roosters enter the second year of their partnership with the North Sydney Bears full of confidence. With Cooper Cronk’s departure from the NRL resulting in a direct switch for Kyle Flanagan, Drew Hutchison and Lachlan Lam provide the Bears with one of the Canterbury Cup’s most exciting halves combinations. Destined for an NRL start before suffering a heartbreaking injury, Hutchison knows what it takes to win after steering Illawarra to the 2016 NSW Cup title. He also claimed the Bears’ Players Player award last season. Lam, meanwhile, though lacking in NRL experience, is also a proven talent. The 20-year-old who has come all the way up through the Roosters’ system has already played Test football for Papua New Guinea and featured at the World Cup Nines. Another to keep…

GLASS HALF-FULL Kodi or Chanel? It’s one of the NRL’s most intriguing selection battles and could shape the trajectory of the Warriors’ season. Harris-Tavita electrified the Warriors’ fanbase during his intermittent appearances in 2019, impressing with his calmness, instincts and penchant for putting his body on the line. He seemingly cannot be denied a permanent first-grade start much longer. Meanwhile, Nikorima and Green pairing up in the halves for nine-straight games coincided with the Warriors’ best form last year, netting five wins and a draw – but Nikorima is also a viable dummy-half option. Coach Kearney indicated the trials will have a major bearing on who runs out in Round 1: “If you asked me last week, I’d say Kodi’s got the nod, but the week before it would have…

WHILE many contend Kodi Nikorima is better suited to dummy-half, the livewire is determined to fend off the challenge of boom ball-player Chanel Harris-Tavita and retain the Warriors’ No.6 jersey. After arriving mid-season from Brisbane, he showed flashes of his trademark attacking spark but was generally underwhelming. Nikorima’s habit of drifting out of games and reluctance to ease the load on Blake Green has mobilised the CHT Fan Club – it’s up to the 15-Test Kiwi to prove he is of best value to the Warriors in the halves and not as a bench utility. Warriors fans are braying for Fiji international Taane Milne’s inclusion somewhere in the 17 after his eye-catching club debut in last year’s final-round upset of Canberra. The ex-Dragons three-quarter was punted by the Tigers in…