NRL Season Preview: Why Your Team Can & Can’t Make The Finals In 2019

The NRL Season is a month away, so let’s look at how each team shapes up in 2019.

Brisbane Broncos

How they could make the eight

The Broncos are one of the few teams that buck the rollercoaster trend of the NRL. Year after year, they make the finals. For five straight seasons they’ve been one of the eight best teams in the competition.

This season they hired a new coach in Anthony Seibold, one of the brightest minds in the NRL.

The Broncos have the deepest forward pack in the NRL. While already being the deepest and most well-rounded forward pack in the competition, they have the highest potential, with all of the forwards in their best 17, aside from star veterans Matt Gillett and Alex Glenn, 23 years old or younger.

Seibold will have to do what he did last season with the Rabbitohs, and spark the Broncos attack. Under Seibold’s tutelage, the Rabbitohs scored the most points (613) and tries (102) of all teams in 2018. The Broncos have the attacking potential to be last year’s Rabbitohs, as they finished sixth in tries scored, and fifth in points scored.

How they could miss the eight

Despite Seibold’s success with the Rabbitohs, we only have a sample size of one season. Nobody knows for sure if his coaching success was a fluke or a preview of a stellar coaching career. We also know that many of the Brisbane players have played under Bennett for years – their response to Seibold will inform the team’s success in 2019.

Some concern will also linger about Darius Boyd, who spent most of 2018 hampered by injury. Boyd was one of the best fullbacks in the competition two seasons ago, but if he regresses again, Seibold may make a change at fullback.

If that happens for Boyd, he will have little to offer the team, and young-gun Jamayne Isaako may step into fullback (as he did for a time last season). In fact, there remains a chance that Isaako starts the season at fullback. Question marks also linger over the halves pairing: Milford hasn’t reached the heights many expected, and Nikorima has been a solid, but limited replacement for Ben Hunt. If Seibold can’t establish some stability in the spine, history says the Broncos could have a down year.

Prediction

A great coach, plus a terrific forward pack, solid talent in the backs, and history says that the Broncos will make the eight, and probably the top 4.

Last year they finished: 6th

This year they will finish: 4th

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Canberra Raiders

How they could make the eight

After a disappointing 2018, the Raiders welcome English imports John Bateman and Ryan Sutton. Also set to return is fullback Jack Wighton, after avoiding jail on assault charges. If those players integrate into the lineup well, that will certainly help their chances.

Jack Wighton may have a chance to prove himself at fullback, but Nick Cotric is waiting in the wings (literally). Canberra have always seen the potential in Wighton to be an Origin player. If he could reach that level of play this season, the Raiders stand a chance of making the eight.

Josh Hodgson will also be looking to have a big year, after his 2018 campaign was marred by injury. Hodgson was a revelation in 2017 when the Raiders made the top eight, and he’ll have to be that good again for them to have a chance this season.

How they could miss the eight

The biggest question mark for the Raiders is the halves pairing. Aidan Sezer and Sam Williams form the most underwhelming five-eighth/halfback combination in the league. Sezer had a poor 2018, while Williams was in-and-out of the lineup. Hodgson can’t create all the offence, so Sezer and Williams will have to produce something, otherwise they may find themselves out of the lineup. It’s no secret Canberra wanted an upgrade in the halves last year, looking at Corey Norman as a possible solution – but that fell through, with Norman going to the Dragons.

Uncertainty also looms over who will play fullback. Wighton, Cotric, and even Brad Abbey are all contenders. And with star winger, Jordan Rapana, out until May, the depth of talent in the backs is thin.

The forward pack will depend on the success of their English imports, who are unproven in the NRL. Players like Elliot Whitehead and Joseph Tapine have potential, but are by no means world-beaters. Their best forward is Josh Papalii who had an up-and-down season last year.

Prediction

A lot has to go right for this team to make the top eight. Players like Josh Hodgson, Nick Cotric, and Joseph Tapine have high ceilings, but even if they reach them, they will likely get little playmaking help in the halves.

Last year they finished: 10th

This year they will finish: 16th

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

How they could make the eight

After losing David Klemmer and the Morris brothers, betting markets have the Bulldogs as favourites to win the wooden spoon. But talk around the club is that they could surprise people. Keep in mind that every year, a few teams that everyone is low on at the start of the year, end-up impacting the league with a top eight push.

The Bulldogs have a chance to be one of those teams if a few things go their way. Rising star Lachlan Lewis will get the chance to pair with Kieran Foran. Lewis should continue to improve, and if Foran can get back to being one of the best halves in the league (as he was at Manly), they could be a dynamic pairing. Foran and Lewis are both unafraid to dig into the line, which could open up space for their outside backs.

They’ve added underrated players Corey Harawira-Naera and Nick Meaney to the squad in 2019. If they trust Meaney to start the season at fullback, he could be a revelation. Even with the loss of David Klemmer, their forward pack has potential (see Rhyse Martin, Adam Elliot, and Raymond Faitala-Mariner).

How they could miss the eight

The Bulldogs have some talent to build around in the future, but another tough year is likely awaiting them. If they don’t rush this process, in a couple of years they could look like the 2019 Newcastle Knights, who are poised to make the finals.

They can use this season to figure out what they have in Nick Meaney, Lachlan Lewis, and Rhyse Martin. If those players turn out to be budding stars, the Dogs can clear their books to better build around those players.

They probably don’t have the talent at centre or wing to start their sets the way other teams can. And while Lewis looks promising, Kieran Foran is injury prone, and the last thing they need is instability in the halves.

Prediction

This team simply lacks the star power to contend for a top eight spot. Too much responsibility rests on unproven talent: we don’t know if Nick Meaney is a legitimate first grader, or if Lachlan Lewis’ rookie season was an outlier. Kieran Foran could also hold the team back if questions persist about his health.

Last year they finished: 12th

This year they will finish: 13th

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

How they could make the eight

The Sharks may have the highest ceiling and lowest floor of all 16 NRL teams in 2019.

The team added Shaun Johnson – one of the most dangerous players in the league. His involvement, and chemistry with Townsend and Moylan will be key to making the finals. Johnson should be able to establish some synergy with Townsend early, considering the two played together for multiple seasons at the Warriors.

What the team chooses to do with the hooker position is equally significant: Jayden Brailey has been solid for them, but his younger brother Blayke could provide more attack if he were promoted to the starting side. If Blayke wins the job, he could elevate the Sharks’ attack, or if his presence pushes Jayden, we could see big brother improve.

How they could miss the eight

Valentine Holmes was (by far) the Sharks best player last season. He has since left for a chance to play in the NFL. They do have a great replacement in Matt Moylan, but the Sharks were wildly inconsistent last season, and Holmes, often single-handedly, saved them from would-be losses.

The team also lost Luke Lewis (retired), Jesse Ramien and Edrick Lee, and due to injury, will start the season without Wade Graham and James Segeyaro. That will put a lot of emphasis on Andrew Fifita at the start of the season. Fifita is the best forward in the competition when he wants to be, but his desire can be erratic.

Though, their most important departure could be head coach Shane Flanagan. He brought the club its first premiership back in 2016. In the past few years he has been one of the most consistent coaches in the NRL. Flanagan was deregistered by the NRL after news broke that he violated the terms of his suspension in 2014.

News is also coming out that the Sharks will be investigated for salary cap breaches, further increasing the uncertainty around their season.

Prediction

The Sharks have too much instability right now to make the eight. New (and unproven) head coach Josh Morris would have to be superb to keep the players on track.

Last year they finished: 4th

This year they will finish: 14th

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Gold Coast Titans

How they could make the eight

There is a lot to like about the Titans in 2019. Many have them finishing in the bottom three, but they have the team, on paper, to push for the finals.

For three season now, the Titans have been waiting for Ash Taylor to become one of the elite players in the game. In those three seasons, he has yet to lead the Titans to a 50% win rate. Ash’s kicking game is elite, and his ability to create tries is unquestioned. But his game-management must improve this season.

To pair with Taylor, the Titans have a lot of options, and whomever they choose to fill the five-eighth role, will alter the trajectory of the team’s season. Their best option is probably Tyrone Roberts, an experienced player who has gelled with Taylor in the past. Tyrone Peachey is another option, but he is more comfortable in the centres. Riley Jacks is a riskier choice. Jacks will probably serve as backup (at least to start the season) despite the fact that he could present the most upside, especially considering how his defence and stronger build could compliment Taylor.

Aside from the halves, they have only gotten better at centre with the addition of Brian Kelly, and Tyrone Peachey. The forward pack should improve with new signing Shannon Boyd. Also, Ryan James, Jarrod Wallace, and Jai Arrow could prove to be the most talented middle-third trio in the NRL.

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How they could miss the eight

Every year, the Titans are a dark horse to make the eight, and every year they underperform.

The biggest obstacle in the Titans’ path is themselves. Can the players put the club’s history of losing behind them?

Everything comes back to Ash Taylor. If he underperforms, or the team fails to settle on a solid five-eighth to compliment him, the team will miss the eight. Taylor needs to take a step forward in his game and become an Origin-level halfback.

Prediction

This team is too talented to miss the eight again. Coach Garth Brennan used last season to learn AJ Brimson is their fullback of the future: they now know where their best 17 players fit into the team.

Last year they finished: 14th

This year they will finish: 8th

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

How they could make the eight

Despite last season’s failures, Manly have some of the most talented players in the NRL at key positions. Daly Cherry-Evans has his ups and downs, but he is the Maroons’ halfback and a top 5 player at his position.

The Trbojevic brothers are elite players with potential to improve from last season, especially Tom. If Tommy Turbo can improve his decision-making and cut-down on mistakes (namely forward passes) he can be the best fullback in the league.

DCE, the Trbojevic brothers and Api Koroisau have now had a few seasons to build chemistry in the spine. This season they should create line breaks and tries together with regularity.

Addin Fonua-Blake is an underrated forward who could make himself well-known in 2019. If he improves once again, he could build a dominant partnership with Marty Taupau in the front row.

Des Hasler’s return should also inspire confidence. Manly were one of the worst defensive teams in the competition last year. Hasler simply won’t allow that to happen again – all his teams have been, at the worst of times, defensively competent.

How they could miss the eight

Last season’s salary cap scandal has hampered the Sea Eagles’ recruitment. And while Hasler should improve the Sea Eagles’ chances of making the eight, they may need a year to wait for the salary cap sanctions to be lifted before they are fully rebuilt.

They’ve lost underrated players in Shaun Lane and Brian Kelly to other clubs, and could lose star centre Dylan Walker, if he is found guilty of domestic assault in late February. If they lose Walker, their talent pool in the centres and outside backs will be shallow.

Uncertainty also looms over DCE’s halves partner. Kane Elgey is the favourite, and he is a talented attacking player. However, a Hasler-coached team expects high defensive effort and fundamentals, two traits Elgey has not been shown to possess.

Prediction

Manly are a tough team to read. They were awful in 2018, but few teams could’ve endured the off-field distractions that they did and still make the finals. The truth is that Manly’s top end talent is top 4 caliber, but the team has major holes due to the money they spend on their stars combined with the salary cap sanctions from last year.

Last year they finished: 15th

This year they will finish: 10th

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Melbourne Storm

How they could make the eight

Since Cameron Smith has been the Storm’s starting hooker, they have never had a losing record in a season. The man simply does not miss the finals. The Smith-Bellamy era has been arguably the best player-coach duo in NRL history.

Smith also has plenty of talent around him, despite the retirement of Billy Slater. Players like Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes offer playmaking support; Josh Addo-Carr, Curtis Scott, and Will Chambers form the talent outside; and Felise Kaufusi, Joe Stimson, and Jesse Bromwich make up an underrated forward pack. Those weapons are ample for someone of Smith’s caliber.

Jahrome Hughes showed his ability in the All Stars game and although nobody can fill-in for Billy Slater, Hughes could be one of the game’s brightest young stars.

How they could miss the eight

This is a long-shot, but the case must be made for each team.

The loss of the greatest fullback of all time is not nothing. Unfortunately this argument is tough to hold considering that in 2016, the Storm made the grand final, and only lost by two, without Billy Slater.

If Smith’s surrounding spine is unsettled (Brodie Croft, Hughes, and Munster), that could hold them back, but barring injury to Smith, it is difficult to see an outcome where the Storm miss the finals.

Prediction

Billy is gone, but Smith is going to break 400 games this season. He wants to push his legacy to GOAT status – despite many believing he is already there. They will make the finals and probably the top 4.

Last year they finished: 2nd

This year they will finish: 2nd

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Newcastle Knights

How they could make the finals

The Knights have had an A+ recruiting haul this offseason. They picked up talented backs in Jesse Ramien, Edrick Lee, and Hymel Hunt. Their already underrated forward pack has added Origin players David Klemmer and Tim Glasby.

Pair these additions with Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce and tries should come with ease. If this new-look team gels well together, they are a top four team.

With such a deep squad some uncertainty remains over who will start and who will serve as backup options. If players like Danny Levi and Kurt Mann can secure spots in the starting 17, the team will benefit from stability while Ponga learns to play five-eighth.

How they could miss the finals

The only way this team misses the finals is if the Ponga and Connor Watson switch fails miserably. Last season, Ponga was a superstar at the back. Watson played five-eighth and had a mix of great and poor moments. Ultimately, the team learnt that Watson is not a half. He should be far more comfortable at fullback, but it remains to be seen if Ponga can translate his brilliance from fullback to five-eighth.

Ponga loves to skip to outside with the defence outnumbered and back-tracking toward their own try-line. Can he be as effective with fewer opportunities to exploit weaker defenders on the outside? Can Watson be the best version of himself at fullback, or is he more valuable as a utility? We will soon find out, but if this experiment doesn’t work, head coach Nathan Brown must be ready to drop Watson to the 14, switch Ponga to fullback, and promote Mason Lino to starting five-eighth. Otherwise, they may never find the chemistry needed for a finals finish.

Prediction

Despite concerns about the Ponga-Watson swap, this team is way too talented to miss the finals, and if all goes well, they may push for the top four.

Last year they finished: 11th

This year they will finish: 5th

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North Queensland Cowboys

How they could make the eight

The Cowboys were the most disappointing team of 2018. In Johnathan Thurston’s final season, fans expected a premiership, but instead were treated to a bottom four finish.

They do have some reasons to be optimistic this season though. Michael Morgan missed most of 2018 hampered by injury. And the season before, he was the best player in the NRL after leading the 8th placed Cowboys to the finals. If Morgan gets back to his 2017 form, the Cowboys will be a great chance to reach the eight.

Jake Clifford should pair with Morgan in the halves. Clifford has a tremendous kicking game – if he can bring that to the team this year, that will allow Morgan to focus on his ball-running.

Adding Josh McGuire will bolster an already stacked forward pack. With Jason Taumalolo, Coen Hess, and Jordan Mclean, the Cowboys should have the best middle-third in the competition.

How they could miss the eight

Ben Barba was signed in the offseason to solve the Cowboys’ fullback woes. Barba has since been sacked from the NRL (likely for life) after a CCTV camera caught him in a physical altercation with his partner.

Barba’s absence has begun rumours that Jordan Kahu will be signed from the Broncos. Kahu is a serviceable player, but lacks the dynamism that Barba could’ve brought to the Cowboys. They also have Ben Hampton as a backup if Kahu can’t make an impact.

Barba’s absence won’t be enough to derail their season. But it doesn’t help matters, and it makes Morgan’s margin for error even slimmer – though that seems to bring out the best in him.

Prediction

The Cowboys will be a middle-of-the-pack team. They don’t have the backs to contend for the premiership, but enough talented forwards to push for the eight. Expect a finish anywhere from 7th to 13th.

Last year they finished: 13th

This year they will finish: 9th

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Parramatta Eels

How they could make the eight

The story of Parramatta’s wooden spoon winning 2018 season was their total dysfunction in the halves. Mitchell Moses and Corey Norman did not gel at all. The Eels cut ties with Norman in the offseason, allowing him to leave for the Dragons.

Moses now gets the opportunity to lead the Eels for the first time in his two years there. Since his junior career, Mitchell Moses has been touted as a future star. NRL spectators have seen moments of his immense talent, namely when he led the Tigers to the top eight a few years ago, and when he sparked the Eels top four finish two season ago.

He will be partnered by one of two young guns: Jaeman Salmon or Dylan Brown. The former has more first grade experience and the latter has more potential. A top eight finish would be surprising, but that shouldn’t even be on the Eels’ radar this year. They should start Brown with a long-term view towards grooming a high-upside halves pairing that may dominate the NRL for the next decade.

Blake Ferguson and Shaun Lane are also A+ additions to the team.

How they could miss the eight

For many reasons, the Parramatta Eels will likely miss the top eight. Fortunately though, after getting the wooden spoon the only way to go is up.

The team simply lacks any star power whatsoever. If they were to make the eight, so many things would have to go their way. Mitchell Moses and (presumably) Dylan Brown have to click immediately and Moses has to become a top five half in the competition. Clint Gutherson would have to become an origin player, and we only saw that kind of form from him for about a two month stretch in 2017.

The pressure is also on Reed Mahoney. It has been a long time since the Eels have had stability at the hooker position. Mahoney represents potential for Parramatta – but even if he shows promise this season, he won’t be ready to guide them to the finals.

Prediction

The Eels will be much improved in 2019, but this is a rebuilding period for the club. Their young players showing promise and getting the team somewhere around 10th would be a successful season and something to build upon.

Last year they finished: 16th

This year they will finish: 13th

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Penrith Panthers

How they could make the eight

The Panthers are perhaps the most well-rounded team in the NRL, outside of the Storm and Roosters. For the last two seasons, this team has had the personnel to compete for a title, but seemed to be lacking something. That something could be the right head coach, and this offseason they hired Ivan Cleary.

It will be interesting to see how his son, NSW Origin and Penrith halfback, Nathan Cleary, plays under his father’s guidance. If anyone has the keys to unlocking Nathan’s full potential it is his father, Ivan.

The Panthers welcome back Dylan Edwards, who missed most of 2018 after tearing cartilage in his shoulder. He will battle Dallin-Watene Zelezniak – his replacement last year – for the No. 1 jersey. Edwards is the frontrunner though, and if he should return as fullback in 2019, he will sure up the Penrith defence; Edwards is one of the game’s best defensive fullbacks. Penrith were 13th in tackles per game, and had the second most missed tackles in 2018.

After a couple of seasons trimming the fat, this team finally looks like every player in the starting 17 serves a purpose. They need to seize this opportunity while Nathan Cleary is still on cheap money.

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How they could miss the eight

While Penrith are a talented outfit, they showed glaring holes in their game during the 2018 season.

The big weakness they must correct is giving away penalties, which comes back to defensive discipline. In 2018 they gave up the most penalties of any team in the NRL.

They let Tyrone Peachey go, who is a terrific player, but gave up the fifth most penalties of any player in the league.

James Maloney is still on the roster though, and he was 22nd in the league in penalties. Maloney also gave up the most missed tackles in the league last year. He is a rocks and diamonds player: if he has a poor season, and allows his weaknesses to get out of control, he could single-handedly ruin Penrith’s season.

If he mitigates those weaknesses, Penrith could see their first grand final appearance since they won the premiership in 2003.

Prediction

Despite Penrith’s weaknesses, they made the finals last season. That is the sign of a team with high-potential and room to improve. The players have every opportunity to improve under Ivan, who offers the Panthers some coaching stability for the first time in 12 months.

Last year they finished: 5th

This year they will finish: 3rd

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South Sydney Rabbitohs

How they could make the eight

The Rabbitohs had a terrific 2018, and many would say their loss to the Roosters in the preliminary finals was the real NRL Grand Final.

The major change to the team is Anthony Seibold exiting the club for the Brisbane Broncos, and Wayne Bennett replacing him. Bennett coming in to coach the Rabbitohs was perhaps the most surprising development of the coaching carousel that took place over the off-season.

Bennett looks set to return Greg Inglis to fullback. GI will suit Bennett’s attacking game plan: he likes having a playmaking fullback.

Under Seibold, the Rabbitohs were the best attacking team in the league, and a middle-of-the-pack defence. Bennett will likely tip the scales a little bit – the Rabbitohs should improve defensively, but may lack last year’s attacking spark.

Bennett will be relying on Damien Cook to create instant offence as he did last season to buoy a team more focused on defence. If Cook can continue his form, this team will challenge for the premiership again.

How they could miss the eight

The Rabbitohs are down an origin player, with Angus Crichton having left for the Roosters this season. They also saw career-best years from a number of players: Damien Cook became a top-3 hooker overnight, Adam Reynolds suddenly became the origin-level halfback people saw in his rookie and sophomore seasons, and the lesser Burgess brothers learnt how to hold onto the ball for the first time since 2015.

If those players regress, which tends to happen after a breakout season, the Rabbitohs could go back to their 2017 bottom-dwelling days.

The players built their identity around their head coach in 2018, and he abandoned them after only one successful season. What does that do the team’s confidence? And what does Seibold’s exit say about where he saw the team projecting into the future?

Prediction

Expect the Rabbitohs to regress after a break-out season. Cook and Reynolds are great, but expecting their form to stay equal to last year may be a stretch. In saying that, they have a lot of talent and few holes to fill under a legendary coach.

Last year they finished: 3rd

This year they will finish: 6th

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St. George Illawarra Dragons

How they could make the eight

The Dragons added Corey Norman in the off-season. If Norman can recapture his form before 2018, the Dragons will be a potent attacking team. It looks like Norman will play five-eighth, and Widdop will move to fullback, despite both players having the versatility to swap roles.

The Dragons also have a brilliant forward pack. Tariq Sims, Tyson Frizell, and Jack De Belin form perhaps the best back row in the competition.

They also bring in Tariq’s brother, Korbin Sims. He will offer some depth, along with young guns Jacob Host and Luciano Leilua.

The Dragons play their best football when they lean heavily on their forward pack. Losses come when Widdop and Ben Hunt become impatient. Offensive discipline is key this season.

How they could miss the eight

This team is well-known for starting the season on top of the ladder, and slipping out of the eight (or close to it) by season’s end. History is powerful. That history seems to have burrowed its way into the players’ psyche.

They also lose underrated forward, Leeson Ah Mau, and talented centre, Nene MacDonald. Their presence will be missed.

Bringing in Corey Norman is a risk this team didn’t need to take. He has talent but he is down on confidence after a woeful 2018. Norman pushes out promising young fullback, Matt Dufty. If they were patient with Dufty, he may have blossomed this season. Norman’s addition seemed like panic from a club perplexed by their inability to finish seasons strong, despite having the talent to do so.

With Norman’s signing the Dragons now have a fullback-halves combination that may be the most inconsistent in the NRL. Widdop, Norman, and Hunt have endless talent, but they have become difficult to trust. Confidence plays too-crucial of a role in their performance.

Prediction

On paper, Corey Norman is a great addition. The spine will have growing pains though, and with that comes a rocky start. With their track record of trailing off after Origin, a rough start means they miss the finals.

Last year they finished: 7th

This year they will finish: 12th

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Sydney Roosters

How they could make the eight

The best team in the competition found a way to get better. After winning the premiership in 2018, some may forget that it took time for the Roosters to click. Those nitty gritty details are resolved and the crux of this team remains the same. Their chemistry should then match their talent this season: a scary prospect for opponents.

The team added Angus Crichton to improve their only weakness last season: their forward pack. Losing Dylan Napa is addition by subtraction. He regressed to the point where he was holding the team back. Crichton in, Napa out, may be the best offseason change by any club.

Although they lost Blake Ferguson, Brett Morris is a great replacement.

How they could miss the eight

Catastrophic injury. That is probably the only way this team misses the finals.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Jake Friend need to be more consistent, and Cooper Cronk is getting older. If they severely regress, which is unlikely, the team could experience some hardship.

Prediction

This team is stacked. They won the premiership last season, and by every measure, they have improved over the offseason. Even falling out of the top four would be a failure, let alone the top eight. Premiership or bust is the forecast for the Sydney Roosters.

Last year they finished: 1st

This year they will finish: 1st

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New Zealand Warriors

How they could make the eight

They scraped in last year on the back of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s unbelievable 2018 campaign. RTS will (somehow) have to be even better since his halfback, Shaun Johnson, was pushed out of the club.

Johnson’s departure was unexpected to say the least. Since then, the team has made attempts to sign Dylan Brown (Eels) to no avail.

The Warriors did sign forward Leeson Ah Mau though: he will provide impact off the bench, and could be one of the best buys of the season.

Veteran half Blake Green will now have to make the team his own. He will need to be in career-best form to carry the Warriors to another finals appearance. For the record, some believe that the team operated more smoothly with Johnson out injured last year.

How they could miss the eight

After only just making the finals last season, and since then, losing their star half, the case can be made that they should miss the eight.

The Warriors have been throwing money at Dylan Brown, an unproven half. That signals they are dissatisfied with any potential replacements for Johnson that may be in their current squad. The Warriors may also regret the departure of Mason Lino, who was good cover for Johnson during injury last year.

Without Lino and Johnson, the Warriors are staring at a few, unappealing options: they could try Peta Hiku at five-eighth to start the season, or they could turn to 19-year-old half, Chanel Harris-Tavita.

Hiku is a less than ideal option, and starting a rookie at halfback is risky if they want to make the eight.

Prediction

The Warriors chose their situation by pushing Johnson out of the club. The reason is said to be because he wasn’t living up to his price tag. Throwing money at Dylan Brown then, makes little sense: the team should then lean into a full rebuild and see what they have in players like Chanel Harris-Tavita and Jazz Tevaga.

Last year they finished: 8th

This year they will finish: 15th

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Wests Tigers

How they could make the eight

Mid-season recruits, Robbie Farah and Moses Mbye now have an off-season with their teammates. The Tigers’ spine should be more comfortable with each other in 2019, and points should come more freely.

Mbye is now captain of the squad, and he will be looking to take ownership of the team. He will have to be the one that leads them to the finals.

Josh Reynolds can now settle into his utility role off the bench. Ever the team-player, Reynolds will be willing to do whatever is in the team’s best interest. With his mindset and versatile skills, he could become the best utility in the competition.

Last year, former Tigers coach, Ivan Cleary, experimented with the backline and reserve forwards. The best 17 is now quite clear, which makes life easier for new head coach, Michael McGuire.

Adding Ryan Matterson was a master-stroke: he bolsters an already underrated forward pack, and he can fill in as a half if injury strikes.

How they could miss the eight

Pressure is on Luke Brooks to carry his 2018 form into this season. If he returns to being mediocre, the Tigers will rely too heavily on an aging Benji Marshall. Brooks needs to keep taking steps forward.

In 2018, Mahe Fonua, Corey Thompson, and Esan Masters unexpectedly formed one of the best backlines in the competition. Was last season a flash in the pan, or are they as good as we now think they are? If they did just find some lucky form, the spine will be forced to do a lot more.

Prediction

The Tigers narrowly missed the finals in 2018. Farah and Mbye have now spent more time with their teammates, working out their on-field combinations. A mostly disjointed attack should improve and their elite defence should remain. This is a finals team if all goes well.

Last year they finished: 9th

This year they will finish: 7th

Find Out Who Are The Young Stars To Look Out For In 2019 In Our Story Below

Super Coach Codes
AFL:  https://supercoach.heraldsun.com.au/afl/classic/#/?action=join-group&code=622979

NRL: https://supercoach.dailytelegraph.com.au/nrl/classic/#/?action=join-group&code=874894