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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Penrith Panthers

Pro

Cleary combination. Nathan Cleary has rode a wave of success in his first three seasons as an NRL star and now he gets the chance to play under his Father, Ivan. Ivan knows the ins and outs of his son's game and could be the key to unlocking more of his play-making arsenal than what we've already seen.

Con

Missed tackles. Three Penrith players were in the top 10 of most missed tackles with Viliame Kikau (82), James Fisher-Harris (90) and James Maloney leading the pack with 161 missed tackles. The Panthers made more missed tackles than any other side in 2018, with 975.

Best 17

  1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Dean Whare 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Wayde Egan 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris 14. Tyrone May 15. Hame Sele 16. Tyrell Fuimaono 17. Moses Leota.

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers looks dejected during the NRL Semi Final match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium on September 14, 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.💪🐔👍