ROOKIES TO WATCH IN THE NRL

Isaiah Iongi - Parramatta

The Penrith junior faces the big task of replacing former captain Clint Gutherson as the Eels' fullback. He played one game for the Panthers last year but new coach Jason Ryles has seen enough from the crafty 21-year-old to believe he can help usher in a new era at the Eels. He was named NSW Cup fullback of the year in 2023 and Penrith's Jersey Flegg player of the year the season prior.

Leka Halasima - Warriors

The barnstorming forward made an eye-catching NRL debut against Canterbury last year. Still only 19, the Tongan-born Halasima has been named on the bench for the Warriors' season opener in Las Vegas ahead of experienced forwards Bunty Afoa and Tom Ale - a big endorsement from coach Andrew Webster. With four appearances to his name last season, he remains eligible to become the first Warriors player to win Dally M rookie of the year.

Carter Gordon - Gold Coast

The former Wallaby has been honing his rugby league skills with the Titans since last July. He'd been rated Australian rugby's best fly-half prospect, but turned his back on the 15-man game to compete for an NRL debut in a talented Titans backline this season. A back issue hampered his participation in the NRL trials, but Gordon showed promise starting at both centre and five-eighth for Tweed in the Queensland Cup last year.

DALLY M CONTENDERS

Nathan Cleary - Penrith

It's hard to believe he still hasn't won one. The four-time premiership-winner is widely regarded the NRL's best player but has been denied a maiden medal largely by injuries, and his superstar teammates polling votes. It will be interesting to see how he gels with Jack Cole and Blaize Talagi, who are both jostling to replace Jarome Luai as his halves partner this season.

James Tedesco - Sydney Roosters

A mass exodus of star teammates in the off-season has left a lot of responsibility on Tedesco's shoulders this year. But Tedesco showed no signs of slowing down last year; only one vote stood between the veteran fullback and a second Dally M Medal in 2024. His leadership in the backline will be particularly crucial as the Roosters prepare to field a centre pairing of Mark Nawaqanitawase and Robert Toia, who have played one NRL game between them.

Kalyn Ponga - Newcastle

Injuries - concussion chief among them - have meant he's yet to play more than 20 games in an NRL season. The fullback needed only 18 regular-season games to win the medal in 2023, what could he do with a full complement under his belt? He's had the luxury of a full pre-season, thanks partly to his controversial decision to turn down a Kangaroos jersey, and a fit Ponga is a dangerous Ponga for the Knights' NRL rivals.

PREDICTED LADDER

1. Melbourne

2. Penrith

3. Cronulla

4. Brisbane

5. Canterbury

6. Manly

7. North Queensland

8. Sydney Roosters

9. Newcastle

10. South Sydney

11. Canberra

12. Warriors

13. St George Illawarra

14. Gold Coast

15. Dolphins

16. Parramatta

17. Wests Tigers