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!
5. Which of the big guns test the open market?
There is a plethora of big-name talent currently off-contract. Stephen Crichton, Angus Chrichton, and Shaun Johnson are all free to talk to any other club, and all can command the better part of a million dollars.
Obviously a huge amount of contracts will be agreed prior to round 1, however I expect a few players to either hold out, or not sign right away.
Kotoni Staggs, Shaun Johnson, Jahrome Hughes, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, and Cameron McInnes are all players I expect to enter the season proper without a contract.
Staggs will be weary of the Broncos being diabolical in 2020 and will want a big contract upgrade. With Milford off-contract that could free up some space.
Johnson's injury will mean that the Sharks can't rush into any long-term decisions. I expect him to re-sign ultimately with the Sharks, but it won't be a quick process.
Jahrome Hughes is entering his peak as a player and is coming off a Grand Final win. He can command a monster upgrade and is linked to numerous sides with halves off contract.
Lachlan Fitgibbon has been involved (through no fault of his own) in an off-season scandal at the Knights. His 2020 was quite disappointing after being an Origin bolter at one stage. I can't see him leaving Newcastle but a big start to the season could see his value rise big-time.
Cameron McInnes, as ridiculous as this sounds, looks to be on the out at the Red V. They're linked to Andrew McCullough while there's talk McInnes himself doesn't want to shift to 13. This is a big one to watch.
Sharks won’t make the finals.
They will be fighting it out with the Broncos for the spoon.