20. Second rower of the Year

Angus Crichton will have a wow of a year for the Chooks. Remember the right edge combination between Cooper Cronk and Kevin Proctor at Melbourne? This will be just as potent, with the back-rower to score at least eight tries during the season.

19. Hooker of the Year

Damien Cook won’t have the headline moments he had this year, but the zippy rake will do enough to ensure his state and international jerseys weren’t a one off, especially with Wayne Bennett mentoring him.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 13: Damien Cook of the Rabbitohs leaves the field during the NRL Charity Shield match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on February 13, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

18. Prop of the Year

Ryan James. The Titans won’t play finals footy, but will go closer than most think, largely on the back of smart recruitment - and James. Despite his strong form, don’t be surprised if the prop misses out on Origin selection. Again.

17. Halfback of the Year

Nathan Cleary will hit career best form playing under his father in 2019, and that’ll result in the bloke with the biggest chin in the NRL claiming the award.

16. Five eighth of the Year

Kalyn Ponga will win this gong alongside the Dally M, and well deserved. Expect him to light up the Origin arena in his first full series.

15. Centre of the Year

Latrell Mitchell is unstoppable. Fast, strong and agile - try and stop this kid from claiming the award.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Latrell Mitchell of the Roosters looks on during the round 16 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Melbourne Storm at Adelaide Oval on June 29, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

14. Winger of the Year

Suliasi Vunivalu was outshaded by Josh Addo-Carr in 2018, but the Fijian flyer will hit his straps next year, and show us why Melbourne have the best wing combo in the competition.

13. Fullback of the Year

James Tedesco is a freak, and it’s easy to see how much moving to a decent team improved his individual game in 2018. He hasn’t even come close to his ceiling yet, but he’ll edge closer next year.

12. Shock move

Wayne Bennett is undoubtedly keen to bring Pangai Jnr to Redfern in 2020, but he needs to shed salary cap room first. Expect that to come in the form of George Burgess being moved on - and he’ll feel right at home in the ever cold nation’s capital when he joins the Raiders.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 15: Tom Burgess of the Rabbitohs watches on during the NRL Semi Final match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

11. State of origin debutants

Jesse Ramien, Tevita Pangai Jnr and Victory Radley will all play State of Origin football for New South Wales, while Queensland will see Joe Ofahengaue and Kurt Mann debut for the state.

Here are predictions:

50-41

40-31

30-21

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