Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Photo / Photosport.
Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Photo / Photosport.
Which clubs will rise or fall in the 2018 NRL season?
AAP's Steve Zemek looks at all 16 clubs, outlining their key arrivals and significant departures to determine where they will finish at the conclusion of next season.
New Zealand Warriors
Could new stars like Tohu Harris bring change to an under-performing Warriors outfit? Photo / Photosport.
Key ins: Adam Blair, Blake Green, Tohu Harris, GerardBeale
Verdict: Bird will add a new dimension and they have some good young forwards. Halves and hooker depth is a big problem and could slide out of the top eight.
Canberra Raiders
Josh Hodgson's injury will be a significant blow for the Raiders in 2018. Photo / Getty Images.
Key ins: Craig Garvey, Siliva Havili
Key outs: Lachlan Croker
2017 finish: 10th
Verdict: Not much change to their roster. Underperformed in 2017. Hard to see them making the finals with Josh Hodgson (ACL) out for most of the year.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Former Warriors star Kieran Foran will link up with the Bulldogs in 2018. Photo / Photosport.
Key ins: Kieran Foran, Aaron Woods, Nu Brown
Key outs: Josh Reynolds, James Graham, Sam Kasiano
2017 finish: 11th
Verdict: A new coach and some marquee recruits. Dean Pay was known as one of the game's toughest competitors in his day and expect the side's style to mirror that. Will be there or thereabouts come finals time.
Verdict: Came second last this year and could cop the wooden spoon in 2018. A big test for Garth Brennan in his first year as an NRL coach.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Daly Cherry-Evans will be instrumental in the Sea Eagles' chances in 2018. Photo / Getty Images.
Key ins: Lachlan Croker, Kelepi Tanginoa
Key outs: Blake Green, Brenton Lawrence
2017 finish: 6th, elimination final
Verdict: If Manly are to be serious contenders it's all going to come down to Daly Cherry-Evans. Have the squad to make the top eight once again after being one of the surprise packets of 2017.
Expect the reigning champions to put up a stern challenge to retain their title next year. Photo / Getty Images.
Key ins: Ryan Hoffman, Sam Kasiano
Key outs: Cooper Cronk, Jordan McLean, Tohu Harris
2017 finish: 1st, premiers
Verdict: Never write off a champion side. Brodie Croft faces a massive learning curve stepping into Cooper Cronk's shoes. They will still expect to go deep into September.
Newcastle Knights
The Knights will be expected to improve significantly with key signings such as Mitchell Pearce. Photo / Getty Images.
Key ins: Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga, Connor Watson, Jacob Lillyman
Verdict: Will be the big improvers. They've recruited nicely but it's hard to know if they can make the top eight next year. Certainly have the squad for it but how quickly can they come together?
North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys will want to send veteran playmaker Johnathan Thurston out on a high note. Photo / Getty Images.
Key ins: Jordan McLean
Key outs: Kalyn Ponga, Ray Thompson
2017 finish: 8th, losing grand finalists
Verdict: Undoubtedly one of the teams to beat. Michael Morgan has gone to another level. Will want to play for Johnathan Thurston in his final year.
Semi Radradra's absence will be felt by Parramatta next season. Photo / Photosport.
Key ins: Jarryd Hayne, Kane Evans
Key outs: Semi Radradra
2017 finish: 4th, semi-finals
Verdict: Enjoyed a wonderful 2017 but were too inconsistent all year. This will be a focus for tough-as-teak coach Brad Arthur. Whether they can get the best out of Hayne will decide how high they can go.
Penrith Panthers
Kangaroos playmaker James Maloney is a fantastic acquisition for Penrith. Photo / Photosport.
Verdict: After making the finals in 2017, hopes will be high at the foot of the mountains. Maloney shapes as a great fit who should lift the club even higher. Should make the eight.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Greg Inglis wil once again be vital to the Rabbitohs' NRL chances next year. Photo / Getty Images.
Key ins: Dane Gagai
Key outs: Bryson Goodwin, Aaron Gray
2017 finish: 12th
Verdict: Greg Inglis is back but can he get back to his best? Souths were woeful at times last year. Can untested coach Anthony Seibold get the squad to buy in?
Former Broncos halfback Ben Hunt will form half of a formidable looking halves pairing with English five-eighth Gareth Widdop. Photo / Getty Images.
Key ins: Ben Hunt, James Graham, Jeremy Latimore
Key outs: Russell Packer, Josh Dugan, Mose Masoe
2017 finish: 9th
Verdict: It's hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong for the Dragons in the back half of the season. Hunt and Gareth Widdop shape as a dynamic halves pairing capable of carrying them well into the finals.
Sydney Roosters
The signing of former Melbourne star Cooper Cronk makes the Roosters title favourites in 2018. Photo / Getty Images.
Key ins: Cooper Cronk, James Tedesco, Reece Robinson
Key outs: Mitchell Pearce, Kane Evans, Michael Gordon, Connor Watson
Verdict: Cronk. Tedesco. Enough said. Are title favourites with the bookies and will be deadset contenders. Chairman Nick Politis has shelled out big money and will expect a premiership.
Wests Tigers
Fan favourite Benji Marshall will play for the Tigers for the first time since 2013 next year. Photo / Photosport.
Key ins: Josh Reynolds, Benji Marshall, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer
Key outs: Aaron Woods, James Tedesco
2017 finish: 13th
Verdict: Ivan Cleary has proven himself a great coach but has he been able to put together a squad capable of making the eight? They look short a couple of good forwards and classy outside backs.
