ISAIYA KATOA: Will be the Dolphins' inaugural five-eighth after beating out Anthony Milford. Penrith were disappointed to lose the teenage star last year, despite their cavalcade of talent in the halves. And it's for good reason. Katoa starred in their under-19s and under-21s premierships and later played half for the star-studded Tonga at the World Cup.
PAUL ALAMOTI: Powerful centre who has been regarded as Canterbury's best local junior for some time. Played under-18s State of Origin for NSW and was named in the Australian Schoolboys merit team in 2019. Impressed in the Bulldogs' two trials, and will line up in a left edge that includes Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Josh Addo-Carr.
JOSIAH KARAPANI: Will have to wait a little longer to make his NRL debut after being named on South Sydney's extended bench to start the season. When he does play, it's expected the centre will impress. A rugby union player growing up in New Zealand, Karapani was denied a debut last year through illness, but has been the stand out young gun of the Rabbitohs' pre-season.
DALLY M CONTENDERS:
JAMES TEDESCO: In an era of great fullbacks, Tedesco remains the most consistent. Reclaimed the No.1 jersey in the Dally M team of the year last season, and will be in the reckoning for the top gong if the Roosters fire as expected in 2023. How he operates in an attack where Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii could both end the year as roving centres will be fascinating.
NICHO HYNES: Was the success story of the NRL last year after claiming the Dally M in his first season as a full-time halfback at Cronulla. Defences may be more aware of him this year, but the signs from the All Stars and Sharks' pre-season trial suggested he looks even more dangerous this year. Will miss the round one with a calf complaint.
NATHAN CLEARY: The Dally M is about the one award that has eluded him after a superb three years at Penrith. Will face the challenge of bonding with a new dummy-half this year with Apisai Koroisau gone, but Cleary should still be among the game's premier players as the Panthers push for a three-peat.
LATRELL MITCHELL: Was the form player of the competition on return from a hamstring injury at the end of last season, as South Sydney reached another preliminary final. Busted through players and broke the line for fun during that run and, if he can stay on the field for the whole year, should make the Rabbitohs genuine title contenders again.
TOM TRBOJEVIC: Not since the days of Andrew Johns has one team's hopes hung so delicately on the fitness of one man. At his best, Trbojevic is the most dazzling attacking player in the NRL but he has been limited to 44 games in the past four seasons. Manly are desperate for the fullback's pre-season trip to the USA to be successful in ending his rough run of injuries.
PREDICTED LADDER:
1. Penrith
2. Sydney Roosters
3. South Sydney
4. Cronulla
5. Melbourne
6. North Queensland
7. Parramatta
8. Brisbane
9. Canberra
10. Manly
11. Canterbury
12. Gold Coast
13. Wests Tigers
14. Warriors
15. Dolphins
16. Newcastle
17. St George Illawarra
20°C