The 2019 NRL season is almost upon us and it's time to preview each team's chances at finals football for the season ahead.

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Parramatta Eels

Pro

Fans. The Blue and Gold Army will christen the new Bankwest Stadium in 2019 in full force despite having a disappointing 2018 campaign. The fans will come flooding in for the new season with the excitement of a new home and they can bring back the intimidating Parramatta atmosphere that previously made Parramatta Stadium a tough place to win at.

Con

Trying a new spine. Young gun Dylan Brown is set to make his NRL debut in 2019 alongside Mitchell Moses in the halves while Reed Mahoney who has only played nine first grade games will take the no.9 jumper. The 180 games of NRL experience between the four (Gutherson, Brown, Moses, Mahoney) means the Eels have one of the most inexperienced spines in the league.

Best 17

  1. Clint Gutherson 2. George Jennings 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Junior Paulo 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Daniel Alvaro 11. Manu Ma'u 12. Shaun Lane 13. Nathan Brown 14. Marata Niukore 15. Tim Mannah 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Will Smith.

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Mitchell Moses of the Eels looks on during the round 11 Parramatta Eels and the New Zealand Warriors at ANZ Stadium on May 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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5 COMMENTS

  2. I seem to agree with a lot of these teams but really disagree with the knights. Tim Glasby, who started for the Storm and was apart of the QLD team from the last few years WILL NOT BE on the bench. I think Glasby will start at lock over Barnett who will be on the bench. Also I think SKD can’t play any defence and is only a wing now and he beats Nathan Ross. Sione Mata’utia will be the centre inside him. Obviously Ross won’t be in the bench so there’s a place for James Gavet there.

    Also with the West tigers no David Nofoaluma… No way does Josh Reynolds start round 1 in 6 over Benji. Benji was half the reason Brooks played so well last year and he deserves to start the year there. Reynolds is coming back off a huge lay off with injury and also offers ability to cover hooker off the bench. In the preseason game against the Warriors Benji rested the second half and Reynolds looked like he didn’t know the system or what to do.

    • I agree too. I left the tigers out because of salary cap dramas, Lawrence injury, old legs benji and Robbie, Zane Musgrove not registered and unsettled spine.

      The knights have the cattle. No excuses if they click.
      Brownie first coach sacked?

  3. Roosters have got plenty of depth with Mitchell can cover fullback, Lachlan Lam or Brock Lamb has 5/8 and half covered. Lindsay Collins will be on the bench and Nat Butcher will be the first in line as backup bench forward followed by Poasa Faamausili and Sitili Tupouniua as the next back up bench forwards. Ryan Hall when fit will push for a wing spot plus we have Matt Ikuvalu as another back Morris can cover centre if needed and Aubusson can cover in the backs and backrow forwards. Plenty of players at the Roosters who are multi skilled in various positions.💪🐔👍

    • Forgot to mention this is Cronks team. Keary proved a great backup in the Grand Final and half a Preliminary Final to easily handle the halfback leadership skills but with a fit Cronk Keary reverts back to his brilliant 5/8 running game with great passes at speed.💪🐔👍