With the ‘hit and giggle' trail matches and the arduous pre-season training regimes now behind each team, fans, coaches, and players alike have set their sights on the real deal – Round 1.

For some clubs, the pre-season period could not have panned out better, whilst the unlucky remainder will be counting the cost of their campaigns.

Although there were a myriad of positives to be taken from the summer months, all teams will be striving to improve on their trail match form and learn from the lessons dealt out across them.

With the first spin of the Steeden within touching distance, we raise the big question that face each of the NRL's 16 clubs.

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St. George-Illawarra Dragons

Was their Charity Shield form real?

Sadly, for Dragons fans, the form shown in the trail match also appears likely to be a fair indicator of what 2021 has in store for your side.

Widely tipped to hold up the table this year, Anthony Griffin's men did nothing to dispel the disdain they have worn all Summer, as the Rabbits walked all over them in their 48-16 win.

The incoming coach has a roster that appears weaker than 2019, with senior names like James Graham and Tyson Frizell no longer at his disposal.

Strangely, Griffin has set about trying to reform the majority of Brisbane's spine from a decade ago, by deploying Ben Hunt, Corey Norman and Andrew McCullough in key positions.

Will this work out for ‘Hook'?

I think not. Sometimes the past is best left where it is.

Strap yourself in, St. George fans. The ride is only going to get bumpier.

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