League: Battle of the NRL

2009 could be the Warriors' year. Photo / Getty Images

The NRL kicks off next weekend with all 16 teams holding aspirations to get their hands on the Holy Grail. Michael Brown looks at the case for and against each club.

St George-Illawarra Dragons (TAB odds $13)
Last season: 7th

For: Wayne Bennett. No coach has been more successful and he is seen as the missing ingredient in bringing the Dragons their first premiership as an amalgamated club.

Bennett isn't the only new face – Jeremy Smith, Luke Priddis, Darius Boyd, Neville Costigan and Michael Weyman have also joined the revolution.

Against: The weight of expectations. The Dragons have consistently had one of the best rosters only to fall short and Bennett will do well to pull it all together in his first season.

They also have a tough start – Storm (A), Titans (H), Sharks (H), Broncos (A), Eels (A) – and the Dragons are notoriously bad starters, averaging just one win from their first six.

* * *

NZ Warriors ($9)
Last season: 8th

For: The Warriors are seen as real contenders in 2009 – and for good reason. They had a storming finish last year, only falling to the Manly juggernaut, and now have quality and depth across the park.

The return of Stacey Jones has been viewed as something akin to the Second Coming but the acquisitions of Joel Moon, Denan Kemp and Jacob Lillyman have been shrewd. They will look even more likely if they can add Kiwis utility Greg Eastwood.

A taste of finals football in the past two years for the players and coach Ivan Cleary will serve them well and they will have added motivation to claim a premiership for Sonny Fai.

Against: The Warriors have been poor starters for the past two seasons and they can't afford to do that again in 2009. They can't afford to play catch-up because teams just don't win the title from outside the top four.

They still lack a genuine ball-player in the forwards.

* * *

Melbourne Storm ($6)
Last season: 2nd

For: Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk ... the Storm have some of the best players around in key positions. They also have a crafty coach, an incredible ability to unearth new talent and one of the most intimidating home grounds in the league.

Against: The salary cap is starting to pinch. The Storm might be on a downward run after three years that has seen them champions (2007) and twice runners-up (2006, 2008).

They have signed all their stars except Israel Folau but have lost some power with the departures of the likes of Jeremy Smith, Michael Crocker, Antonio Kaufusi and Sam Tagataese.

The Storm's effectiveness might also be blunted by the two referees who have promised to clamp down on the ghastly grapple tackles.

In a pre-season poll, Melbourne failed to gain a single vote when the skippers of each club were asked which team was most likely to make the grand final. Conspiracy or coincidence?

* * *

Sydney Roosters ($21)
Last season: 4th

For: The Chooks must be on to something if they're prepared to move Braith Anasta back to lock – again. Anasta proved most of his many doubters wrong in 2008 but he is likely to make way for talented 18-year-old five-eighth
Ben Jones, who is already the subject of a State of Origin tug-o'-war.

If Jones impresses, the Roosters will have a good combination around the ruck with Anasta, Jones and NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce.

Against: The Roosters lost seven of their last 11 matches, falling meekly in the playoffs, and doubts abound whether they can perform as well as in 2008.

It's also hard to see where they will score, especially as they were so reliant on the bomb last season. The Roosters won't be dreadful, they just won't be among the best.

* * *

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles ($4.15)
Last season: Premiers

For: Manly were relentless in their pursuit of the title last year and they have managed to keep the majority of the premiership-winning side together. There is quality across the park and they have a smart and demanding coach in Des Hasler.

Against: There are few weaknesses with this side. But they are likely to be hit harder by Origin call-ups and no team has been able to defend their title since the creation of the NRL in 1998. (Brisbane won Super League
in '98 and the NRL in '99).

* * *

Brisbane Broncos ($12)
Last season: 5th

For: The Broncos have bought well, highlighted by their big-money acquisition of Israel Folau. They will be an exciting side under their first new coach, Ivan Henjak, in 22 years.

Against: Wayne Bennett was the Broncos, delivering six premierships. How they cope without him will be the biggest test.

They have also lost Tonie Carroll, Greg Eastwood, Darius Boyd, Denan Kemp, Michael Ennis and Ben Hannant.

* * *

North Queensland Cowboys ($12)
Last season: 15th

For: Johnathan Thurston is fit. The maestro missed half of last season and, coupled with injury to Matt Bowen, that resulted in a 13-match losing streak.

Neil Henry is expected to bring success back to the tropics and he has added some size to the forwards in Antonio Kaufusi and Manase Manuokafoa.

Against: Henry is demanding instant success but it doesn't always work like that when a new coach arrives. It became apparent in 2008 that if their stars are missing, so are the Cowboys.

* * *

Sharks ($13)
Last season: 3rd

For: Coach Ricky Stuart might have a poisoned tongue but he did some sweet talking over the off-season in convincing the likes of Trent Barrett, Reni Maitua and Anthony Tupou to move to the Shire.

The Sharks were poor in attack last season, despite their high finish, but should be better in 2009 to go with their stingy defence.

Against: They have also lost some good players in Kimmorley, Greg Bird (yes, he was a good player, even if he is an odious individual) and Fraser Anderson and it remains to be seen if Barrett still has it.

* * *
Canterbury Bulldogs ($21)
Last season: Wooden spoon

For: It can't get any worse after their annis horribilis in 2008 (SBW walked out, injuries, coach forced out, players gave up. . .).

They have hit the market hard, bringing in a swathe of new players, as well as a new coach, and are many people's dark horses for the playoffs.

Against: This is the Dogs ... they have self-destructed in recent seasons. They have a new coach and a new team and most things will revolve around Brett Kimmorley.

If he fails to fire, the money they spent on the rest of the new players could be wasted.

* * *

Gold Coast Titans ($21)
Last season: 13th

For: The Titans have come a long way in two seasons and look well placed to progress further. The addition of former Canberra fullback William Zillman is the biggest acquisition and they have added some size up front and in the backs.

Tough to beat at home.

Against: They have a dreadful away record (three wins in 12 games last season), which could still weigh heavily on them.

They rely heavily on Scott Prince and Luke Bailey and their season went off the rails in 2008 when both were out.

* * *

Newcastle Knights ($21)
Last season: 9th

For: Newcastle are building nicely under Brian Smith
and were unlucky not to make the playoffs in 2008 – their tally of 28 points was
the highest of teams to miss out since the NRL started.

They also have a talented backline, headed by skipper Kurt Gidley.

Against: The departure of Danny Buderus is a big loss. They also rely heavily on Gidley and they could struggle if he picks up an injury.

* * *

Eels ($21)
Last season: 11th

For: The Eels start with a fresh slate after their bewildering failure to fire in 2008.

New coach Daniel Anderson has been in the UK for four years and gets his mitts on a team with star quality.

Against: A lack of depth in the forwards wasn't helped by the fact the Eels were one of the least active clubs in the player market. They're also pinning their hopes on Jarryd Hayne and his likely move to five-eighth. Could be genius or could take time to find his feet.

* * *

Canberra Raiders ($41)
Last season: 6th

For: A good, young team is emerging in Canberra and they have some dangerous players. Always difficult to beat at home.

Against: They will struggle without former coach Neil Henry, who has moved to North Queensland, and Colin Best, Neville Costigan and William Zillman have also departed.

That's too much quality lost to mount a serious challenge.

* * *

South Sydney Rabbitohs ($41)
Last season: 14th

For: The Bunnies ended 2008 much better than they started it and unearthed a real talent in Dally M Rookie of the Year Chris Sandow.

They have also added quality to the backline in Rhys Wesser and Colin Best.

Against: History. They might be the most successful club, having won
20 titles, but it has been 37 years since their last.

They could be brilliant but really don't look capable of turning it around in 2009 and are highly rated to collect the wooden spoon instead.

* * *

Penrith Panthers ($51)
Last season: 12th

For: Petero Civoniceva. The big prop brings some much needed experience and
solidity to a young side full of potential match-winners.

They faded badly in 2008 but play an exciting brand
of football that will trouble many sides.

Against: They are still young and are probably two or three seasons away
from being contenders.

Their inexperience has been compounded by the losses of Tony Puletua, Luke Rooney, Luke Priddis and Rhys Wesser.

* * *

Wests Tigers ($51)
Last season: 10th

For: In Robbie Farrah and Benji Marshall, they have two of the NRL's best
game-breakers. They had no problem scoring tries last year and if they can improve their defence, they will trouble top sides.

Against: Inconsistency and the tiresome debate around Marshall and his possible sabbatical to Japan.

They also have one of the smaller forward packs around, meaning they can be dominated.