Christmas is here, and for a brief moment, the NRL world will slow down to take in the holiday period and festive season.
But with salary cap and collective bargaining agreement discussions continuing, clubs still not having full rosters for the 2023 campaign, and over 190 players remaining off-contract at the end of the season ahead, it won't stay slow for long.
Teams will be back training and making final preparations for the new season before long, and every club in the competition needs a visit from the big guy in the red suit this morning to deliver a shower of magic for the new season.
Here is what your club needs for 2023.
On behalf of the entire Zero Tackle team, I'd like to wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and safe holiday season for you and your family.
13. St George Illawarra Dragons: Jack Bird to shine
The Dragons had some major problems in 2022, but two of them could be partially fixed by a number 13 who stands up and owns the position, playing with pace at both ends of the park.
All the talk out of the Red V is that Jack Bird will be the man tasked with the difficult role, in a position where players like Isaah Yeo and Cameron Murray are among the best in the NRL.
Whether Bird can fill that role effectively for the entire season remains to be seen, but there is little doubt he has the talent to.
