Every NRL player has to ply their trade under pressure. Whether it be the pressure of their coach, their fans, or the players themselves, everyone expects the best out of every player across the competition.

That said, there are certain players who really need to shine in 2019.

That may sound silly, as every player needs to play well, but the below five players will enter the new year under increased scrutiny and pressure.

This list could be 100 players long, but as I see it right now, these five players are looking to have huge off-seasons so they can hit the ground running in 2019.

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1. Jack Bird

No man enters 2019 with more eyes on him that young Bronco Jack Bird. He was the Broncos marquee signing for this year yet he simply did not deliver.

Bird could not find a regular role under Wayne Bennett and will hope that a change of coach will bring about a change in fortunes.

He will be shifted back to the centres and will be expected to produce the form that saw him win a title and an Origin birth.

The Broncos probably can't win the title without a fully firing Jack Bird. That's a huge call but they're certainly better off with Bird playing well.

He looks in far better shape than he did at any time during the season and all reports are that his body is right.

Given his efforts in 2016 to play almost one armed, he has plenty of fight in him and should come back in a big way in 2019.

He has to.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 07: Jack Bird of the Broncos in action during the round five NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Brisbane Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
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41 COMMENTS

  1. You keep pushing for Pearce to be the SOO halfback. You have also said when Cronk leaves , Pearce will be back at the Roosters.
    So obviously you do love him as a player.
    Even with Keary at 5/8th, the Roosters thought their best chance of winning the premiership was to buy Cronk & punt Pearce. So that proved to be correct.
    As for the SOO results. Pearce has a dreadful record as halfback for NSW.
    I didn’t say I thought Cleary played exceptionally well in attack.
    Still NSW won the series. First time out with a rookie halfback. Winning 2-1 beats losing yet again.
    Pearce has lost so many times playing for NSW , that losing has been conditioned into him . He expects to lose!
    So again, you need to go with someone who doesn’t just expect to lose. Brad Fittler was right….
    Get the picture!