What your NRL club wants for Christmas

A LOOK AT WHAT’S AT THE TOP OF YOUR NRL CLUB’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST

* Brisbane

Some depth at No.6, 7 and 9. Besides top-liners Anthony Milford, Kodi Nikorima and Andrew McCullough, the Broncos are looking slim in the halves and hooker departments.

* Canberra

For a quality hooker to fall into their laps. With Josh Hodgson (knee) to miss most of the season, Craig Garvey and Siliva Havili shape as their dummy-half options.

* Canterbury

A fit Kieran Foran. He’s been afflicted by quad, shoulder and hamstring issues over the last two years and holds their fate in his hands.

* Cronulla

For Valentine Holmes to prove everyone wrong. After he scored 11 tries in two games on the wing in the World Cup, a lot of people believe coach Shane Flanagan should stick him on the flank. However the Sharks are resolved to persevering with him at No.1.

* Gold Coast

To avoid the wooden spoon. That’s about as high as the Titans can aim this year. Their squad is a mess and will take a couple of years to rebuild.

* Manly

A quick resolution to the investigation into their salary cap so they can chase a five-eighth after they made the perplexing decision to let go of Blake Green without a replacement lined up.

* Melbourne

For Brodie Croft to step seamlessly into the shoes of Cooper Cronk. This season is shaping as Craig Bellamy’s biggest footballing challenge and his No.7 will decide how far his side falls, if at all.

* Newcastle

A top-eight finish. The Knights are dreaming big. Mitchell Pearce, Connor Watson and Kalyn Ponga looks like a spine capable of delivering a finals berth.

* North Queensland

For the side to do it for JT. It’s Johnathan Thurston’s last year and with Jordan McLean arriving, their premiership window is well and truly open.

* Parramatta

For Jarryd Hayne to find form. Since returning to the NRL midway through last year, he was unable to rediscover his best during his time at the Gold Coast. Can a return to his beloved blue and gold jersey make a difference?

* Penrith

For Nathan Cleary and James Maloney to form the NRL’s next dominant halves combination. As the cliche goes, it’s a nice mix of experience and youth. They could even be the new NSW playmaking combination.

* South Sydney

A fit Greg Inglis. After playing just one game in 2017 because of a knee injury, it’s hard to know how much the Queensland and Australian great has lost.

* St George Illawarra

For Ben Hunt to provide the stability they need. There was a chasm between the Dragons’ best and worst in 2017, as evidenced by their late-season fadeout which saw them miss the eight.

* Sydney Roosters

A goalkicker. Following the departure of Michael Gordon, they’re without a recognised sharpshooter. Sio Siua Taukeiaho – with a career strike rate of 30 from 39 – shapes as their most likely option.

* Warriors

A bit of heart. With Adam Blair, Tohu Harris, Blake Green and Peta Hiku joining the side, the Warriors want for nothing personnel-wise. They’ve long had the squad to challenge for a premiership but never delivered on their promise.

* Wests Tigers

For Josh Reynolds to fire. Reynolds’ form trailed off in his last two years at the Bulldogs and he will be hoping a change of scenery can reignite his career.

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