The Mole: 2018 NRL Fearless Predictions

PREMIERS

No club has gone back-to-back since the early 1990s - but the Storm look to have what it takes to break the premiers’ curse. Sure, they’ve lost Cooper Cronk - but Brodie Croft is a great replacement. And they have Craig Bellamy - the best coach in the business.

Storm still dangerous without Cronk. 

WOODEN SPOONERS

Only Newcastle lost more games than the Titans last season, and the Knights have bought well whereas the Titans have lost some strike power in forwards Chris McQueen, Agnatius Paasi and Leivaha Pulu. I rate rookie coach Garth Brennan - but he has been thrown in at the deep end.

BIGGEST MOVERS

After consecutive wooden spoons, the Knights have opened up the purse strings and signed some real talent in Mitchell Pearce, Herman Ese'ese, Slade Griffin, Aidan Guerra, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jacob Lillyman, Tautau Moga, Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson. Add them to the kids Nathan Brown has been grooming over the last 18 months and you’ve got a team capable of challenging for a spot in the top eight.

BIGGEST SLIDERS

The Panthers finished seventh last season but have lost some genuine class in Bryce Cartwright, Peta Hiku, Leilani Latu and Matt Moylan. They’ve looked scratchy in the trials and word is the camp is not a happy one.

BEST BUY

Sam Kasiano - the photos of him from Storm training are positively frightening. The big man has lost 15 kilos of fat and looks a lean, mean ground-gaining machine. Craig Bellamy will get the best out of him.

TOP EIGHT

1.Storm

2.Broncos

3.Cowboys

4. Sea Eagles

5. Roosters

6. Sharks

7.Knights

8. Rabbitohs.