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The optimists, pessimists and realists guide to the NRL season

Phil Lutton

Broncos

Schooner half full: "We've got so much finals experience now, the time feels just right and Wayne Bennett's cunning plans are about to come to fruition. Plus, we've signed Benji Marshall!"

Schooner half empty: "There's not even a hint of a breeze finding a way through the rapidly closing premiership window, Ben Hunt is leaving, we can't replace Corey Parker and the coach has seen better days. Plus, we've signed Benji Marshall!"

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Sober reflection: "We're definitely a finals team but you don't get too many cracks at the big one. Suspect 2015 was the one that got away."

Raiders

Schooner half full: "Last year was the perfect learning season, the boys are ready to take the next step, Ricky Stuart will have them firing and at least Jarrod Croker can come in fresh once he recovers from his knee injury. Already booked a hotel in Sydney in October."

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Schooner half empty: "Croker is crocked before it even starts, Ricky's going to have a meltdown, everybody knows we're coming and the pressure will be crushing. Already booked a hotel in Bali in October."

Sober reflection: "There was the distinct feeling we were building to something special last year. Croker injury not the ideal start to the year but we could be the real thing."

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Bulldogs

Schooner half full: "There's nothing like consistency. Same players, same coach, big pack ... we'll hit the ground running from game one and won't miss the finals from there. Woof woof."

Schooner half empty: "We've signed exactly zero players of any note, Des Hasler is on thin ice, have all the creativity of an accounting convention and will be lucky to finish in the top 10. Wake me when it's over."

Sober reflection: "Scraped into the eight last year, out in the first week of the finals, signed nobody ... could get a bit ugly."

Sharks

Schooner half full: "So no team has gone back-to-back since the Broncos in the early 90s? Sounds like a challenge. With Gal staying back to concentrate on club duties, we'll be making some more history. Lights out."

Schooner half empty: "So no team has gone back-to-back since the Broncos in the early 90s? Bugger."

Sober reflection: "We look like a top-four side but the reality of trying to defend an NRL crown has been a massive hurdle for even the best teams of their generation. Will be there when the whips are cracking though."

Titans

Schooner half full: "Jarryd Hayne looks like a rugby league player again. He'll be back to his best, Kane Elgey and Ash Taylor are quality halves and Neil Henry has made some excellent buys like Kevin Proctor. Top four or bust."

Schooner half empty: "It's the Gold Coast. I'm just waiting for something bad to happen."

Sober reflection: "On paper, we're a genuine finals side. But a premiership might be a season or two away just yet as the young playmakers find their feet."

Under pressure from the off: Bulldogs coach Des Hasler.

Under pressure from the off: Bulldogs coach Des Hasler. Photo: Getty Images

Sea Eagles

Schooner half full: "Tom Trbojevic is a new cult figure, Blake Green helps DCE in the halves and Jackson Hastings could be a great pick up. We'll be back in the eight in no time."

Schooner half empty: "Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Brett Stewart: Gone, gone, gone. Finals hopes: gone, gone, gone. If Trbojevic doesn't score at least three tries a game we're cooked."

Sober reflection: "There's some intriguing signings so I give us some hope of sneaking into the finals if Trent Barrett can get them all paddling in the same direction and have a bit of luck with injuries."

Storm

Schooner half full: "Gains and losses? Don't care. Last time I checked we still had Smith, Cronk and Slater's coming back at some stage. I assume we'll be in the grand final again. Premiers most likely."

Schooner half empty: "I hope Cameron Smith's 40th birthday celebrations don't become a distraction."

Sober reflection: "Everything suggests we'll be a top-four side yet again, grand final realistic, as is a premiership. Too good to discount."

Warriors

Schooner half full: "Kieran Foran? Genius when he's right. He's out of the spotlight over here. This is the season we deliver on our talent."

Schooner half empty: "Kieran Foran? Could be the worst signing since, er, Parramatta signed him. Thought we did well to finish 10th to be honest."

Sober reflection: "I'll get back to you in round 26. By that point, I'll have some clue if we are the real deal or not."

Knights

Schooner half full: "You know what other teams can't compete with? Youth and energy. Youth, energy and community spirit. That's the Holy Trinity of rugby league right there."

Schooner half empty: "The only way our roster could scream 'Wooden Spoon' more clearly is if it was written out on an actual wooden spoon."

Sober reflection: "We may not come last. Maybe second last, or third last. But there's hope on the horizon. Kalyn Ponga needs to get the hell down here."

It looks like it will be a long season ahead for the Knights.

It looks like it will be a long season ahead for the Knights. Photo: Tony Feder

Cowboys

Schooner half full: "Johnathan Thurston, that guy could play forever. He just gets better and better, ditto Matt Scott. Top four looms again and we know we can win grand finals."

Schooner half empty: "The only way is down after you jag a premiership. Our stars are getting on and Paul Green has to manage the decline before any rebound. Hope we make the eight. How the hell did we let Ponga go to Newcastle."

Sober reflection: "We've got too much quality not to make the finals, even contest if things pan out, but I can't see things getting any easier than last season."

Eels

Schooner half full: "Salary cap scandal? That's old news. Kieran Foran? Old news. Semi Radradra? All right that's actual news. But if the club can manage to stay out of trouble, we've got enough guns and depth to be a finals player."

Schooner half empty: "I'm just waiting for Brad Arthur to announce he's also moving to Toulon."

Sober reflection: "Well, 13 wins last year would have put us in the finals if it wasn't for docked points. With an arguably better side, that's right on the table in 2017."

Panthers

Schooner half full: "Anthony Griffin is the new Wayne Bennett. Nathan Cleary is the new Peter Sterling. Matt Moylan is the new Darren Lockyer. We're going to be the new premiers."

Schooner half empty: "James Tamou is going to have as much impact as Rove's radio comeback."

Sober reflection: "The squad looks to have plenty of upside. Top four not out of the question and from there, who knows? All the pieces are in place for a big season."

Rabbitohs

Schooner half full: "Adam Reynolds will finally get healthy, Greg Inglis has his knee in tip-top shape, Sam Burgess still wants to be here. Tick, tick, tick, hello finals football. Bring out the bell."

Schooner half empty: "GI's knee has less cartilage than my grandma's hip, Adam Reynolds is rugby league's Shane Watson and Sam Burgess is dreaming of taking his whippet for a walk on the Bradford moors. I'll still turn up at random sports events in a Souths jumper."

Sober reflection: "The finish to last season was promising and if we can keep our key men fit, the roster suggests finals aren't a bridge too far."

The Rabbitohs will be hoping Robbie Farah can put last season behind him and rediscover his best form.

The Rabbitohs will be hoping Robbie Farah can put last season behind him and rediscover his best form. Photo: Getty Images

Dragons

Schooner half full: "We picked up Paul Vaughan. He's really big. And I can't wait to see what Jack de Belin does with his hair."

Schooner half empty: "We hardly score any tries, which seems to be a fairly important part of winning games. Josh Dugan is thinking of going to French rugby. Spare me."

Sober reflection: "Another tough year ahead. Any advancement on 11th would be a decent result."

Roosters

Schooner half full: "There's absolutely no possible way that we are as bad as we appeared to be last season. Plus, we start the year with all of our stars fit and available. Can we go from second last to the finals? Of course we can."

Schooner half empty: "Maybe that was our new reality. Maybe the tri-colour flag has been lowered to such an extent we're closer to the tail than the top. At least Jake Friend is a fantasy footy gun."

Sober reflection: "Last season was a disaster, we only need some average luck and management to skyrocket back up the ladder in 2017."

Tigers

Schooner half full: "Jason Taylor won't have Robbie Farah to fight with, which means he can help us climb one more spot on the ladder and get the yellow and gold into the finals where they belong. Jamal Idris? Second coming of Mal Meninga."

Schooner half empty: "Robbie was the heart and soul of the club. Plus, we had the second worst defence in the game last season. Plus, I really miss the Magpies."

Sober reflection: "There's more than enough attacking firepower to upset top-eight teams and even a small improvement in defence sees us right in the mix for the finals."

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