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.
Key ins: Adam Blair, Blake Green, Tohu Harris, Gerard Beale
Key outs: Kieran Foran, Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Bodene Thompson
2017 Finish: 13th
Verdict: Like every year, they look good on paper but are almost certain to disappoint again.
Key ins: Jack Bird, Matt Lodge
Key outs: Ben Hunt, Adam Blair, Benji Marshall, Tautau Moga
2017 finish: 3rd, preliminary final
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.
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.
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.
Key ins: Matt Moylan, Josh Dugan, Aaron Gray
Key outs: James Maloney, Chris Heighington, Jeremy Latimore
2017 finish: 5th, elimination final
Verdict: Luke Lewis and Paul Gallen are both getting on. But has the Sharks' premiership window closed? A lot hinges on Moylan.
Key ins: Michael Gordon, Leilani Latu, Jai Arrow
Key outs: Jarryd Hayne, Tyrone Roberts, Chris McQueen
2017 finish: 15th
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.
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.
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.
Key ins: Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga, Connor Watson, Jacob Lillyman
Key outs: Dane Gagai, Rory Kostjasyn
2017 finish: 16th
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?
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.
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.
Key ins: James Maloney
Key outs: Matt Moylan, Peta Hiku, Leilani Latu
2017 finish: 7th, semi-finals
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.
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?
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.
Key ins: Cooper Cronk, James Tedesco, Reece Robinson
Key outs: Mitchell Pearce, Kane Evans, Michael Gordon, Connor Watson
2017 finish: 2nd, preliminary final
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.
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.
Tanah Boyd arrives on a two-year deal after Shaun Johnson’s retirement.