I'm reliably informed that we are now less than 50 days from some NRL action. Although it feels like the longest off-season of all time, the days are counting down!
Still though, as we enter February, there are many questions still remaining. Dare I say more than in most previous pre-seasons?
So here I am, to save the day and answer the big questions. Given my track record is absolutely flawless (please don't search my predictions from the past) you can bank on these!
3. Will the Sharks be out of final contention by the time Shaun Johnson returns?
The Sharks will be sans their number one attacking weapon for at least six rounds to start in 2021. Depending on who you ask, Johnson will miss between six and up to 12 weeks.
He is a genius and played a huge part in the Sharks making the top eight last year despite being extremely average. That said, he's not a miracle worker and even if he is able to deliver ten wins post return, the Sharks need to be in a position where Johnson can get them back to the finals.
They'll start favourite in three of their opening ten games. If they don't win five of those ten games, it's going to be a steep ask to continue their incredible record of making finals.
Looking at the fixtures, and the fact the Sharks haven't got a set in stone fullback or five-eighth, the early answer looks to be YES! They will be out of contention, or at least find it very difficult from there.
Ultimately it will depend on Matt Moylan, who is evidently training the house down (first time we've ever heard that) and leading the way. If he returns to his 2018 form and either Will Kennedy or Conor Tracey can hit the ground running in the number one, then there's every chance I may regret this.
Sharks won’t make the finals.
They will be fighting it out with the Broncos for the spoon.