The NRL season is here, and there is little doubt that plenty is set to change in the new season.
New teams will fight for the top eight, the premiership will go down to the wire again and a more competitive competition is likely because of plenty of player moves over the off-season.
Here are the top bold predictions for the new season according to NRL tipping experts, and you can have your say with plenty of great odds available
5. New South Wales get a whitewash
The Queensland Maroons will likely run out an improved team for the 2022 State of Origin series, but that hardly means they are in the same wheelhouse as the Blues yet.
New South Wales are only likely to get stronger if they can remain at full strength. James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell, joined by Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, as well as a crop of forwards who are simply unmatched.
New South Wales won last year's series 2-1 and could well have had a whitewash. With a game back in Sydney this year, Brad Fittler's men should take the series 3-0.
4. Brisbane Broncos make the top eight
The Brisbane Broncos have gone on an enormous off-season recruitment drive, picking up Kurt Capewell and Adam Reynolds among others, as well as making plenty of crucial re-signings.
They aren't going to win the competition this year - not by a long shot - but they will make the top eight on the back of more controlled performances and a forward pack which continues to improve.
Don't underrate the return of Patrick Carrigan either.
3. Penrith Panthers to make yet another grand final
The Penrith Panthers have made two grand finals on the trot, winning one of them. That should become three this year.
Despite the losses of Kurt Capewell, Matt Burton and Paul Momirovski, this is a team who look like they are going absolutely nowhere but back to the top four and the big dance once again.
2. Sydney Roosters to win the premiership
The Sydney Roosters are the team who could well improve more than any other this year as players return from long-term injuries and other youngsters, now with more experience than they could possibly have asked for, stand up.
Trent Robinson is a master as a coach, the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siosiua Taukeiaho are among the best forwards in the games, and the likes of Luke Keary, Sam Walker, Connor Watson and Victor Radley give them more creativity they could ask for.
That's not even to mention the silky smooth talents of James Tedesco.
The Roosters are favourites for the premiership and should take it out.
1. James Tedesco to trump Turbo for the Dally M Medal
On the back of the premiership, James Tedesco will reclaim his status as the best player in the game by taking out the Dally M Medal.
He was superb last year in guiding an injury-ravaged Roosters around the park and with more assistance on the attacking front this year, should take his game to another level.
