YOUR NRL CLUB’S STORYLINE FOR THE SUMMER
BRISBANE: All eyes will be on Wayne Bennett and whether he will stay on after being told he’s not required in 2020. Brisbane must find a replacement, while Bennett could walk sooner if he has an offer elsewhere. Corey Oates is also still unsigned, and has said Bennett is crucial in his future.
CANBERRA: The Raiders’ English imports arrive this summer, with forwards John Bateman and Ryan Sutton Canberra’s two biggest signings. Ricky Stuart will look to them to replicate the feats of Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead.
CANTERBURY: Kieran Foran is expected to be fit for the pre-season but hasn’t been anywhere near his best since leaving Manly in 2015. Canterbury looked a team on the rise at the end of 2018, and he could take them to the next level alongside Lachlan Lewis.
CRONULLA: Valentine Holmes’ contract will be key. Cronulla will want to re-sign him before November 1 and stop North Queensland from formally offering him a deal. Holmes was Cronulla’s best this year at fullback as he scored 22 tries and led the NRL for linebreaks.
GOLD COAST: Tyrone Peachey’s Kangaroos selection means he won’t arrive until after the beginning of pre-season, but just last month he indicated he was having second thoughts. The Titans have insisted he’ll have to honour his deal, but how happy will he be?
MANLY: Coach Trent Barrett’s future remains unresolved despite him handing in his resignation in July. Manly must also find a way out of their 2018 mess, despite Kane Elgey being their only signing and playing with a $330,000 deduction in their salary cap.
MELBOURNE: Cameron Smith’s contract is yet to be finalised after he made his future a talking point in grand final week. Melbourne will also want to lock Cameron Munster up for beyond 2019 before November 1.
NEWCASTLE: Nathan Brown is still mulling over whether to move Kalyn Ponga to five-eighth, and will leave a decision with the young star. Newcastle are still in the market for a big-name middle forward, and will be ready to swoop if any become available.
WARRIORS: Stephen Kearney will be hoping for the most stable off-season in years, with few changes at the club. The only challenge could be a Kiwi tour of England, sure to feature several Warriors.
NORTH QUEENSLAND: Ben Barba’s returns to the NRL for his first pre-season since he returned a second positive test to an illicit substance at Cronulla in 2016. Barba has been a stand-out player in the English Super League this year, and he’ll look to replicate that for a Cowboys side without Johnathan Thurston.
PARRAMATTA: The Eels need a positive pre-season and big start to 2019 otherwise the heat will intensify on coach Brad Arthur. The findings from a football department review are due, and that will be key in how they turn things around.
PENRITH: How they fill their head-coaching role will be the biggest story of the summer, as the links to Ivan Cleary continue. For now, caretaker Cameron Ciraldo remains the front-runner to take over.
SOUTH SYDNEY: Will Anthony Seibold re-sign in the summer and put Brisbane speculation to bed before the season starts? He was coach of the year in 2018 and has the Rabbitohs on the right path. Veteran John Sutton is also yet to sign a new deal.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA: Change is afoot off the field at the Dragons with new chief executive Brian Johnston taking charge. Questions will be asked of how they treat their pre-season after another late-season fade.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS: The defending premiers will start the summer as 2019 favourites, but all eyes will be on the fitness of their big names. Cooper Cronk isn’t expected back at training until January while English winger Ryan Hall will miss the start of next season.
WESTS TIGERS: Will Ivan Cleary be there in March and how long will the saga roll on? There were reports as recently as this week the Tigers had approached Penrith for a payout with Cleary contracted until the end of 2020.
