League: The Herald's picks for NRL season 2009

Our panel of league experts give you their picks for the NRL season:

Peter Jessup, NZ Herald

The Warriors have depth in all positions and after proving last year that they can make the last four - despite quality players including Steve Price, Wade McKinnon, Jerome Ropati and Manu Vatuvei spending time sidelined with injury - anything less in 2009 would be a disappointment.

The under-achieving Eels, with the discipline and analytical game plan of incoming coach Daniel Anderson, are my pick as the big improvers. The Storm have quality players in the key one, six, seven and nine jumpers and the game's best coach and will be there at the end. As will the Cowboys who have added smarts with new coach Neil Henry, size to their forwards and attacking punch in midfield with former test player Willie Tonga - provided stars Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen make good returns after surgery and stay healthy.

Manly's World Club Challenge win shows they are ready to pick up where they left off. Wayne Bennett will reinvigorate the Dragons and the Sharks back row of Anthony Tupou, Reni Maitua and Paul Gallen should get them through. The Titans will make their first finals series if Scott Prince stays injury-free.

I see the tail-enders being the demoralised Bulldogs, the Brian Smith-infected Knights without Danny Buderus, the Raiders who simply lack talent and will struggle away from home and Penrith, riven by dissension.

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Chris Rattue, NZ Herald

There is every reason for confidence about the Warriors' title chances, especially if Manly - so brilliant in 2008 - self-destruct.

The movers will be the North Queensland Cowboys. They have tweaked their side nicely, have the magical Johnathan Thurston to run the show, and enjoy significant home advantages. Their new coach Neil Henry got Canberra to punch above their weight and knows Cowboy country. They could win the title, for sure.

Cronulla look extremely likely, a very tough side who have added a touch of flair. They don't need to score a lot to win games. There is enthusiastic talk about Wayne Bennett's influence at St George Illawarra but he will need a bedding-in period, and might not have the players to fit his plans yet.

The Wests Tigers - whose coach Tim Sheens is as clever as they come - rate as a potential surprise package. They just miss my top eight.

Back to the business end. Brisbane, with Israel Folau and a new coach, might discover the Promised Land or the wilderness. Manly would need a major readjustment if Brett Stewart is sidelined and suddenly seem unstable. Melbourne have lost players.

Eeny, meeny, miny moe ... it's a Warriors (hopefully) v Cronulla final.

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Graham Lowe, coaching legend

I can't recall another season when I was so unsure of which clubs could make the semifinals.

However, even though Brett Stewart may have torpedoed Manly's chances before a ball is kicked they remain my favourites for the title.

So, don't put your house on it, but I see the top eight looking like this.

The brand of footy Manly play will carry on from the Grand Final win last year. The manner in which they dispatched Leeds (who had the massive home advantage) at the World Club Challenge convinces me.

The Warriors had good end-of-year form last season, which should give them extra confidence. Stacey Jones will provide coolness and consistency when hot on attack.

Israel Folau gives the Broncos a backline that other teams can only wish for.

For the Roosters, Anthony Minichello being back to full fitness gives them a great chance.

The Storm have too many good players not to be a threat once again.

New coach Daniel Anderson will get the best out of his players at the Eels for their fans.

As for Cronulla, Ricky Stuart is a cagey coach who will have something up his sleeve.

And there is the Wayne Bennett factor at the Dragons. They have always had the players, now they have the coach.

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Faith Lee, NZ Herald

I need to declare at the beginning that I am a one-eyed Warriors fan, and every year I say this will be it. But this season I am going in with both eyes wide open and I think they will be in the Grand Final because of the depth of the squad.

All teams have impressive starting line-ups, but if injury hits key positions this is when the Warriors will stand out.

With the return of champion halfback Stacey Jones, the Aucklanders have depth in the halves with Nathan Fien, former Bronco Joel Moon and Lance Hohaia. There is an abundance of players out wide, including massive Manu Vatuvei and new signing speedster Denan Kemp. And in the forwards the battle for the front and back row will be nearly as big as the hits on the field.

Two things may stand in our way and they are Wily Wayne and Analytical Anderson.

Wayne Bennett joins the Dragons. Notorious slow starters, they have always been a team of stars that never delivered a sparkling team performance. Bennett will bring discipline and a fast start to this team.

Daniel Anderson returns to the NRL from England to get a grip on a slippery Eels team full of talent but inconsistent on the field.

These two teams are the ones to watch for the upsets.

Bring it on.