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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Canterbury Bulldogs

Pro

Lachlan Lewis on the rise. It was a rough 2018 for the Bulldogs with one of the few shining lights coming out of the season being young half Lachlan Lewis. With Kieran Foran back in the side, Lewis can flourish alongside an experienced partner.

Con

Huge loss in player experience. To avoid salary cap dramas, the Bulldogs had to let go of an excess of NRL experience. Greg Eastwood, David Klemmer, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Moses Mbye and Aaron Woods were all let to go to allow salary cap space, leaving a much younger Bulldogs side remaining.

Best 17

  1. Nick Meaney 2. Reimis Smith 3. Will Hopoate 4. Kerrod Holland 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Lachlan Lewis 7. Kieran Foran 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner.

    SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Lachlan Lewis of the Bulldogs runs out during the round 24 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Canterbury Bulldogs at UOW Jubilee Oval on August 26, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/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.💪🐔👍