NRL season 2015 was one of the best in recent memory. A tightly-contested season, the cream rising to the top during three weeks of finals, and the greatest Grand Final of all time to complete an amazing year of rugby league.
In 2016, NRL sees the return of an adopted son in Sam Burgess, a huge cloud looming large over the teflon Roosters, and a tornado brewing across the Tasman; as forces of nature Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Isaac Luke don black jerseys alongside the lightning-quick Shaun Johnson and Thomas Leuluai.
Closer to home, the Sharks might not have Willie Beamen to offset ageing veterans, but are confident James Maloney and Chad Townsend will add necessary new dimensions to their attack, alongside dangerous strike weapons Wade Graham, Valentine Holmes and Jack Bird.
The Storm are set to manoeuvre their way to the top four position they’re so accustomed to gripping, and the Eels have assembled a track team ready to run any and all opponents off Pirtek Stadium.
Waiting for them in September will be the symbols of northern supremacy, the Cowboys and Broncos. It’s about to be lit fam, and we haven’t even mentioned Origin. See what NRL 2016 has in store for your team, with Complex league fans Steve and Tyther, and special comments from Triple J Hip-Hop Show host/Australian hip-hop legend, Hau Latukefu.
Brisbane Broncos
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Steve: I wonder what Ben Hunt’s off-season was like. Whatever he’s been doing, and I assume it was some sort of relentless Rocky Balboa training regime, has been leading up to the 2016 season. Once this dude starts his 9-month shot at redemption, he’s gonna be a monster. Otherwise, being gifted James Roberts after losing Justin Hodges to retirement is unbelievable luck, and let’s not forget last season was only Anthony Milford’s first campaign with the Broncos. If they don’t win the premiership, they’re fuckin' up.
Korr: After super coach Wayne Bennett was again handed a killer team, the Broncos will be looking to back up after a stellar 2015 campaign. Providing they have enough wins in hand coming up to the Origin period and can come out of the rep games with their stars unscathed, this team will be good odds for a top 4 finish. Keen to see the crowds give a bit of chirp to halfback Ben Hunt after the Grand Final last year.
Canberra Raiders
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Steve: I know this isn’t a fresh question, but Can Ricky Stuart coach or nah? Let’s not forget this – that head coaching job was made available when Raiders CEO Don Furner fired HIS OWN BROTHER. Canberra is the home of icy winters and colder hearts. Brrrr. They’ve got a squad good enough to make a run for the eight, and if not, Ricky's goin’ out like Ricky.
Korr: If anyone is capable of coaching a team into the ground, it’s Ricky Stuart. The halves paring of Sezer and Austin should make for some entertaining footy, and Jarrod Croker is my pick for most underrated player who wears head gear, but this team will need to capitalise on their best asset – the freezing cold Canberra nights – if they want to compete. If that means hosing down the away team's change rooms before the game in mid June; so be it!
Canterbury Bulldogs
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Steve: I’m a NSW guy, but don’t get it twisted, I know Trent Hodkinson is overrated. Subbing out Hodkinson and bringing in Mbye is like upgrading from Pau Gasol to DeMarcus Cousins. He might not have the overall game, but I know who I’d rather watch. They’re going to miss Hodkinson’s kicking, and all bets are off if Reynolds starts running sideways as he’s prone to do, but the Dogs have potential. I'd be surprised to see them finish in the eight, but they won't go down the ladder without a fight.
Korr: With one of the heaviest forward packs in the league, the big men will need to get quick with new interchange rules coming into play. Fullback Brett Morris will start the season injured, but the real test for fans will be seeing when and how gentle giant Tony Williams will decide to sabotage the 'Dogs as they carry him through another season.
Cronulla Sharks
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Steve: Can it happen this year? 2016 looks like the Sharks’ best chance for a trophy since 2009. Paul Gallen is 35 and somehow still able to walk on those battered, weary, weird-sized legs of his, but this has to be his final stand. The recruitment of James Maloney brings in a premiership-caliber playmaker, but this Valentine Holmes-Jack Bird-Ben Barba logjam at fullback is definitely an issue. Slotting Jack Bird in at centre seems like a waste, but for mine, Holmes has to be the first-choice number one. With a little luck, these guys could take it all the way to the Grand Final, but I can’t see them getting over the Broncos or Cowboys.
Korr: Having not lifted a trophy on Grand Final day in the club's 50-year history, what suggests they can do it in 2016? Not much to be honest. Veteran workhorse Paul Gallen will again be called upon to batter his body into a pulp for the Cronulla-Sutherland faithful. The fleet-of-foot trio of Barba, Holmes and Bird should ensure some highlight reel worthy tries.
Gold Coast Titans
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Steve: Man, just thinking about this team completely bums me out. Almost had Cherry-Evans, lost him. Couldn’t handle negotiations with James Roberts, lost him. Nate Myles walked. Aidan Sezer walked. Halfback Kane Elgey had a great 2015, then he did an ACL and will miss the whole season. And Kevin Gordon retired, so now they don’t even have an Instagram genius on their team. This is the team you watch while you play Adele songs after a rough breakup.
Korr: The Titans' roster has lost more than it gained in the off-season. It’s hard to see this team doing much more than making up the numbers, as they become fodder for the more clinical teams. With the other Queensland teams set to do so well, you have to ask who the hell is going to watch the Titans?
Manly Sea Eagles
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Steve: I hate this Goddamn team. They lost an international playmaker and a bunch of forwards, then inexplicably fired a skillful coach/team legend. Just when it’s looking like they’ll be terrible for a second season, the Eagles pull of a recruitment drive the Lakers would be happy with, bringing in Martin Taupau, Lewis Brown, Dylan Walker and Nate Myles. WTF Manly. They’ll be a top-6 team and a total nightmare in the finals. Fuck this team.
Hau: Wow… When I saw who the silvertails had signed, I was really impressed and genuinely excited for them. The Samoan Pusha T Marty Taupau, prescription man Dylan Walker and milkcrate-sized head Nate Myles will add so much strength and speed to the squad. Will it all gel in the first year? Who knows? But hey, how about Trent Barrett as coach, though? Shall be interesting. I will miss Toovey’s subtle and sensitive post-match conference interviews.
Korr: A permanent fixture in the finals for the past decade, the boys from Brookvale will be looking to give footy fans new reasons to hate the silvertails. With celebrity fans that include Tony Abbott and lockout lord Mike Baird, it shouldn’t take much work.
Melbourne Storm
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Steve: If you’ve read any NRL season preview since 2011, you’ve read the same thing about the Storm; “Everyone says their best days are behind them, but they’ll be there again this year,” and 2016 is no different. Jessie Bromwich is the prototype prop forward in 2016, and Cam Smith, as hateable as he is, is one of the greatest/lowkey-dirtiest players you’ll ever see. Ryan Hinchcliffe is a bigger loss than you might think, especially with another year on Smith's odometer, but the Storm will likely finish in the top 4 again this year.
Korr: I wrote the Storm off last year with ageing stars and set plays that every team had come to know and predict. But the brilliance of the big three can’t be underestimated with Cam Smith putting on a master class in the All Stars match a few weeks ago. Young gun Cameron Munster is nipping at the slowing heels of Billy Slater but the real reason to tune into a Melbourne game is the volcanic explosions from the coach's box via Bellamy’s mouth.
Hau: Look, I know I said I didn’t like the Roosters, but that dislike pales in comparison to the dislike I have for the Melbourne Storm. Especially for their big three; Cooper, Slater and Smith. I can appreciate they’re great players, but for some reason, I just don’t like them. The Storm are like the Broncos of the ‘90s for me. I hope they get the wooden spoon, the cheats.
Newcastle Knights
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Steve: First off, jack of all trades/master of none Kurt Gidley is gone, which feels like a massive relief for the Knights. I kind of like this Hodkinson-Mullen halves combo; an organiser (Hodkinson) paired with a runner (Mullen) is a more comfortable fit than two runners (Roberts-Mullen in 2015). Jake Mamo and Sione Mata’uti are genuinely exciting players, and Jeremy Smith is a certified OG. I’m trying to be kind here cos despite what I just said, this team is going to suck. Sorry Newcastle.
Korr: Taking home the wooden spoon after starting the season 4-0, the brightest part of the Knights' 2015 season was the high-vis jerseys. A few years ago they were dubbed ‘Dad’s Army’ due to an ageing roster, but Newcastle go into the 2016 season with plenty of fresh faces. They’ll need more than Mad Dog’s man shakes to avoid bringing home the spoon again though.
North Queensland Cowboys
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Hau: All I’m hearing right now is Drake’s Back To Back. How ill would that be if the Cowboys ran out onto 1300SMILES stadium to that track?! “Back to back like I’m on the cover of Lethal Weapon / Back to back like I’m Jordan ’96, ’97… whoooaaa!” As a matter of fact, I see both the Cowboys and the Broncos back in the GF again. JT will probably win the Dally M again, too. That guy is just amazing. Did you catch the World Club Challenge match against Leeds? “Is that a world tour or Tamou’s jaw” Ouch!
Steve: As it tends to do, the premiers' pre-season trip to the UK will take it’s toll, and another year on the clock won’t do JT any favours. On the plus side though, Jason Taumalolo is a motherfuckin’ monster (Nicki voice) now a year closer to his terrifying prime, and that Coote-Morgan-Thurston-Granville spine is close to untouchable. The Cowboys will comfortably be a top four team, but as far as back-to-backs, history is an almost unbeatable opponent. There's a reason no team has been able to pull it off since last century.
Parramatta Eels
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Steve: Corey Norman - Michael Jennings - Semi Radradra is going to be legitimately frightening for rival defences setting up against the Eels this year, that might just be the best left edge in the league. On paper, Foran & Norman are the most exciting halves combo in NSW, and the Eels have made improvements right across the park. Will it be enough in 2016? Time will tell, but I would love to see them sneak into the final eight.
Korr: With several big off-season acquisitions including Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings and Michael Gordon, the Eels have a team on paper that could do some damage. Getting that team, who over the past few seasons have developed an unrivalled losing culture, to perform is the task for head coach Brad Arthur. If they don’t perform early in the season keep an ear out for cries for Arthur’s head. Oops almost forget the obligatory Jarryd Hayne name drop. Jarryd Hayne!
Hau: Before the Raiders entered the competition, this was my team during the ‘80s. So I have a soft spot for the Eels. 2016? Although they’ve had some great signings in the form of Michael Jennings, Keiren Foran and Beau Scott, even my soft spot can’t argue that again they won’t make the finals. 2017? They definitely will.
Penrith Panthers
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Steve: Matt Moylan is overrated. I’m really not trying to throw shade here, but he’s overrated in the same way J-Dilla is overrated. The way people go on and on about Dilla, it’s impossible anyone could ever be as good as people say he is. Moylan isn't the second coming of Jesus, but he is a great fullback who teams with an excellent backline at the foot of the mountains. Speaking of feet, the footwork in this forward pack is unbelievable; Tyrone Peachey, Bryce Cartwright and Trent Merrin will constantly keep opponents on their toes. It seems like the Panthers are a season and a halfback away from being a force, but when it clicks, they're gonna be unstoppable.
Hau: Spewing Jamal Idris no longer plays for the Mountain Men. I rate him highly. But in any case, the Panthers will push on without him and with the likes of Trent Merrin, Peta Hiku and Suaia Matagi joining the squad in 2016, I’m sure they’ll go hard. Also, I’m a big Jamie Soward fan, so it will be good to see him have a good season. Lastly, shout out to my fellow Queanbeyan brother, Brent Kite, who retired last year playing with the Panthers. You had a great career cuz, you are the man.
Korr: The little train that almost could in 2014 quickly became the train that couldn’t as the mountain men, plagued by injuries, played themselves back into their notorious middle-of-the-table form last year. With a new coach and 2016 marking the 5th year in Gus Gould’s fabled 5 year plan, we can expect… something from the Panthers.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
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Steve: Big Sam is back, and ready to put 12 bros on his shoulders for another campaign. The stats will tell you Burgess is a beast, but it’s also his leadership which was sorely missed by the Bunnies in 2015. Burgess alone won’t gift Souths a shot at redemption though, and losing both Isaac Luke and Dylan Walker certainly doesn’t help things. I see them as a middle of the road team, with potential to do more if things go their way.
Korr: Will the return of Sam Burgess see the return of the glory glory? Souths should stay top eight contenders again this year, but with a fan base that held protest marches to see the team reinstated into the NRL, why stop there? Let's see them riot until they’re given another trophy.
Hau: This is wifey’s team and if my son grew up to play for them, I wouldn’t be mad at it. I like them. Great to watch. Pretty ordinary season last year, though, I guess they really missed Big Sam Burgess’ meters up the middle. But the good news is, Slammin’ Sam is back in the fold after an awesome stint in rugby. Bruh, I can’t blame you for wanting to play for England in the Rugby World Cup, but seriously, England were the Meek Mill of the tournament. Took mad L’s. Anyways, Rabbitohs for the semi finals.
St George-Illawarra Dragons
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Steve: This team confuses me. On paper, that list really doesn’t look like a top-eight team, but they made it work in 2015. Then looking at their off-season roster movement, it’s like they got ride of nine players, then signed nine new players of pretty much the same quality. The Dragons aren't obviously better or worse, they're just like a new team who will somehow finish 8th again like they did in 2015.
Korr: The thing I’m looking forward to most from the Red V this year is giant forward Mose Masoe returning to the NRL, that and Tyson Frizell smashing his way around the park. Unfortunately both will start the season injured, so if you’re going to a Dragons game, sit yourself about 10 rows back and wait for a stray Benji Marshall flick pass – you can pretend it’s still cricket season.
Sydney Roosters
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Steve: Shaun Kenny-Dowell is free, and at the time I’m writing this, Mitchell Pearce has so far escaped any serious discipline for his canine couchplay. But the Roosters hardly have that 'OJ and Johnny walking out of the LA County Court' swagger. After a rough pre-season and decimated with off-season departures, this is a shadow of the team who took out 2015’s minor premiership.
Korr: With a preseason from hell including halfback Mitchell Pearce humping a dog and international winger Shaun Kenny-Dowell being dragged through courts on domestic violence charges, it seems new halves coach Andrew Johns has brought his infamous off-field antics to the team too. The boys from Bondi will be hoping they can perform as well as The Eighth Immortal did on the field, as they try to salvage a season which has almost been lost before it started.
Hau: The pretty boy team of the comp. Never liked them, never will. Even when great players like Brad Fittler, Sonny-Bill Williams and Michael Jennings played for them, people like Justin Hodges, Todd Carney and Nate Myles further cemented my dislike for the tri-coloured eastern suburbanites. They’ll still go hard in the paint, but with the loss of Sheck, Jennings and Maloney, it will be more of a struggle then previous years. Well, I definitely hope that will be the case.
New Zealand Warriors
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Steve: Look at that spine. Just sit back and look at the names: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Isaac Luke. I’m watching every Warriors game this year, no question. I don’t care if it’s my son’s birthday, I’m on the couch with an L&P and a bag of Rashuns. There’s no weakness in this squad, but that unfortunate history of underachieving could be a bigger hurdle than it seems.
Hau: I always love watching the Warriors play because it’s like watching 13 of my cousins running around the paddock. Well, except for that one token white fulla who always seems to be positioned as the play maker, because if it were another Islander or Maori, the outside backs would never get the ball. But with their great off-season signings Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Isaac Luke and returning Warrior OG, Ali Lauitiiti, they will be one to watch in 2016. Will make the finals for sure.
Korr: Year after year they field a team on paper that can win the comp. Year after year they come up short. Some roster changes see the Warriors enter the 2016 campaign with more depth, but like D12 this team relies too heavily on one man; Shaun Johnson. If he doesn’t bring his A-game every week they can write this one up as ‘another year they could’ve won it’. Former coach Ivan Cleary is circling, so look for a change if results don't come early.
Wests Tigers
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Steve: What is this mess? Really wtf is going on here? We keep hearing the halves have a lot of potential, but are both still turnstiles in defence. Martin Taupau gave everyone a reason to tune in to Tigers games every week, but they let him walk, and Robbie Farah will play first grade, despite the fact the team basically said they don’t want him. What a mess. I feel for you Tiger fans out there.
Korr: Don’t believe the hype! That’s the message we can take regarding much talked about halves paring of Brooks and Moses, who got bashed around the park last year. With the loss of enforcer Martin Taupau and captain/ex-captain/un-wanted/injured Robbie Farah still hanging around it’s easy to see why these guys are $101 to win the premiership.
