Thursday
Friday
All the attacking brilliance aside, it was the Warriors third-ranked defence that saw them go deep into last year’s finals series.
Their attack will build into the season but replicating last year’s defensive form will be their focus – and my question – to begin the season.
Cronulla Sharks
As a big Braydon Trindall guy, I’m looking forward to seeing him play regular first-grade this season. He’s got the attacking output to complement Nicho Hynes nicely in the halves but it’s in defence where the questions will be asked.
In fairness to Trindall, that question needs to be asked of Cronulla as a whole. Their left edge was paper-thin at times last year and the spaces around Hynes are becoming a bit of a target, too.
How much Craig Fitzgibbon has improved this Sharks defence over the summer will go a long way to determining their 2024 campaign.
Melbourne Storm
I’d already circled Melbourne’s depth as a potential issue heading into this season so we’re doubling down today.
Both the pack and backline feel an injury or two away from looking very skinny… not something we’ve come to expect from one of the better managed rosters in the NRL.
The left backrow position was my focus in the above article and the surprise Round 1 selection of Joe Chan in the No.11 jersey only adds fuel to the fire.
As a footy fan however, I’ve got my eye on Melbourne’s right edge of Jahrome Hughes, Eli Katoa, Nick Meaney and Will Warbrick. Can they be the Storm’s point of difference in 2024?
Penrith Panthers
Where to from here? The Panthers have evolved and improved steadily over the last three seasons to now be crowned the undisputed champions of the NRL modern era.
What changes (if any) Ivan Cleary makes to this side moving forward is my question; Penrith have been ahead of the curve for years now and we can expect them to set trends again in 2024.
How they navigate the loss of Stephen Crichton could also have major ramifications on Penrith’s season, although history suggests they’ll fill the void well enough.
Saturday
Parramatta Eels
Where to rank this current Parramatta squad is what I’m asking myself over the first few weeks of the regular season.
Even with the emergence of J’maine Hopgood and Will Penisini the Eels roster still feels top heavy and particularly vulnerable during the representative period.
Top tier at their best and frustratingly poor at their worst, we’ll hopefully get a better idea of what to expect from the 2024 Eels in the coming weeks.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Cameron Ciraldo needs to find his first-choice spine… and quickly.
Too much of the Bulldogs attack currently relies on Matt Burton running down the left edge. Pairing him with Viliame Kikau and Stephen Crichton is an appealing option, but does their attack have a lower ceiling without ‘Critta’ out the back?
Is Drew Hutchison or Toby Sexton the better fit at halfback? Is Jaeman Salmon a starting lock? Who does Reed Mahoney share the hooking role with?
The opening rounds should turn a few of these questions into answers.
Gold Coast Titans
The most intriguing element of the Titans attack this season will be how Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson are involved from fullback and centre, respectively.
With Campbell and David Fifita – an important part of the Titans attack – both absent for now though, I’m looking elsewhere; Sam Verrills.
On paper he’s a crafty dummy-half who can flourish behind a stacked Gold Coast forward pack. Could this be the year Verrills has some injury luck and puts it all together?
St George-Illawarra Dragons
I’ll be watching the Dragons much more closely than usual this season. I’m cautiously optimistic about what Shane Flanagan can do with this squad, even if we don’t see the results right away.
Where St George have (or can) improve is my question to kick off the year.
Much of the rhetoric will focus on Kyle Flanagan but he’s only one part of the attack. So many of these current Dragons players have upside and it won’t surprise to see a few of them breakout in season 2024.
I want to know who that might be.