Premiers: Broncos
In 2009 the Wayne Bennett coached Dragons finished the regular season in 1st place. Come finals time they were bundled out in Week 1. The following season the “Super Coach” picked up his disappointed Dragons and took them all the way to a Premiership. Obviously the Brisbane Broncos would be bitterly disappointed at losing last year’s Grand Final in Golden Point but with Wayne Bennett at the helm again, he’ll know how to turn it all around. Add to that a team who loses Justin Hodges but is replaced by the flying James Roberts and the Broncos are looking solid and settled.

What about the Cowboys?
Not since 1992/1993 has there been back-to-back premiers. With that said I can’t see the Cowboys doing it in 2015-2016 either. The competition is just too tight and too demanding for a club to do it these days. I expect the Cowboys to again be competitive, but I think come the back end of the year they will struggle.

Wooden Spoon: Titans
With the recent loss of Kane Elgey to a season-ending knee injury coupled with the hangover of 2015 the dreaded wooden spoon looks like a certainty for the struggling Gold Coast Titans.

Movers 1: Sea Eagles
Along with the signing of a new coach in Trent Barrett, Manly have added the likes of Marty Taupau, Darcy Lussick, Nate Myles, Apisai Koroisau, Lewis Brown, and Dylan Walker to a squad that last year wasn’t far off (9th position). I’m expecting big things from the men from Manly in 2016.

Movers 2: Raiders
Finishing in 10th place last season, Ricky Stuart’s Canberra Raiders will be on a mission in 2016 to make the top 8 and return Canberra Stadium to the fortress that it once was. I was impressed with the form of Blake Austin last year, who at times was the Raiders saviour. This season he will have a new halves partner in Aiden Sezer who will be guiding a big Raiders forward pack around.

Fading 1: Tigers
I still feel despite the supposed change of heart by Coach Jason Taylor towards Wests Tigers stalwart Robbie Farah, there will still be tough times ahead in Tiger Town. On field and off field struggles will only compound the struggling situation for this proud club.

Fading 2: Knights
A new coach in Nathan Brown and a new half in Trent Hodkinson won’t be enough to get the Novacastrians any further up the competition ladder. Newcastle are in a rebuilding stage and unfortunately I don’t expect to see any great things this season.

Fading 3: Roosters
Having been NRL Minor Premiers for 3 seasons in a row, I can’t see the Sydney club making it 4 in 2016. I expect them to be thereabouts with their big forwards laying the foundations but I’m not sure what the new look halves combination and backline will do off the back of it.

Player Watch: Anthony Milford
Some experts say, until the future immortal Johnathan Thurston stepped up and kicked the winning field goal in the 2015 Grand Final, the engraver was already putting Anthony Milford’s name on the Clive Churchill Medal. The “Milf” was everywhere on GF Night and with that confidence and a season with the Broncos under his belt, expect this young whiz kid to tear it up in 2016.

Player Watch 2: Damien Cook
Having found a new home at the Rabbitohs for 2016, I’m expecting to see a lot of the class he showed last season when given an opportunity. Replacing an injured Michael Lichaa at hooker for the Bulldogs, Cook turned it on with some blistering speed and silky skills to score 4 tries in 5 games. Add to this 250 tackles in just a handful of games Cook will be one to watch.

Dally M: Anthony Milford
Grand Final: Broncos v Sea Eagles
State of Origin: NSW 2-1
Four Nations: Australia
Table
1 Broncos
2 Sea Eagles
3 Warriors
4 Raiders
5 Roosters
6 Sharks
7 Dragons
8 Cowboys
9 Storm
10 Rabbitohs
11 Panthers
12 Bulldogs
13 Eels
14 Knights
15 Tigers
16 Titans

@pottz99