Its Anyones Premiership

Should there be a queue forming outside the judiciary's door after a brutal opening round of the National Rugby League (NRL) this weekend it could bring a wry smile to the games' embattled administrators.

Hopefully then, the water cooler gossip and talkback rants will be about what's actually happened on the footy field.

NRL chief executive David Gallop is surely praying for stupendous play rather than stupid hits to hog the headlines on Monday.

The timing of the Bulldogs, and then Melbourne Storm, sex scandals could not have come at a worse time for a code free from the shadow of the Rugby World Cup.

League had a level playing field this year. And the faithful fans could reflect on a successful 2003 where the "That's My Team" rallying cry was embraced and unfancied Penrith's grand final triumph added the feel-good factor to the people's game.

The alleged behaviour of Bulldogs players around a Coffs Harbour resort poolside put paid to a continuation of 2003's fairytale year. This scandal and its aftermath put the same club's salary cap shame of two years ago squarely in the shade.

Everyone from the Prime Minister down to the concerned mum who won't let her son play the game, let alone encourage her daughter to watch it, have had their say.

Now it's the players' turn to make a statement.

Former New Zealand Warrior Motu Tony, who lines up for the Broncos against his old club in Brisbane on Sunday, encapsulated the feeling shared by players tarred with the same brush applied to the Bulldogs.

"A lot of what's happened with the Bulldogs has given the game bad publicity but come Friday night when the games start, hopefully we can start winning people back."

It promises to be a tough ask even if, on paper, the competition is as wide open as it's ever been.

The cavernous Telstra Stadium in Sydney will provide an early acid test where a doubleheader ? involving the Bulldogs ? kicks off on Saturday.

As an aside, it will be interesting to see how the notoriously volatile section of the Bulldogs supporters react to the inevitable baiting heading their way.

On the field, Bulldogs' players can also expect to be sledged ? off the record of course ? and how they handle all that adverse reaction plus the replacement of try-scoring Kiwis centre Nigel Vagana may influence their title chances.

Rugby and Australian Rules supporters won't be the only ones gloating at the Bulldogs' expense, rival clubs will be privately smiling a powerhouse has shot itself in the foot yet again.

There are no such problems at perennial favourites the Sydney Roosters, with last year's runners-up again expected to figure at the business end of the season in October.

Ricky Stuart will again manage an impressive squad headed by Brad Fittler, Luke Ricketson, Craig Wing, Craig Fitzgibbon and Adrian Morley.

The Panthers will be on everyone's radar this season after last season's rags-to-riches ride but only workhorse Scott Sattler is a notable omission from the premiers; over-achieving squad.

Craig Gower, Ryan Girdler, Tony Puletua and Luke Priddis will again guide a crop of rookies with five-eighth Preston Campbell claiming "the young guys don't know what pressure is.

"Some people still don't think we were the team to beat last year, but I think we've got the side to do it again."

The New Zealand Warriors, lauded here as the great entertainers, can again expect to figure in the post-season but can they go one better than 2002?

As usual much will rely on little general Stacey Jones staying fit to guide a bruising pack around the field and whether the ball players can curb their "Harlem Globetrotter" flair when it's important to knuckle down.

Australia's No 1 player Andrew Johns is over his career-threatening neck injury but Newcastle will also need him to stay healthy throughout if the Knights are to add to their two premierships come October.

The non-achieving Eels have bought in bulk this year, with eight props on the roster as Brian Smith sacrifices skills for strength. After falling at the last hurdle in 2001 and the Eels need to reward their success-starved fan base and get the early shot to upset the Bulldogs on Saturday.

No frills Canberra and Melbourne are also widely tipped to make the play-offs while Brisbane cannot be discounted despite a wretched run home last season which saw Queensland's standard bearers finish eighth.

Last season's also-rans Wests Tigers, Manly, Cronulla, St George Illawarra, North Queensland and South Sydney have rebuilt extensively and expensively during the off-season with the Dragons appearing best placed to figure in the finals providing they are spared a similar injury toll to 2003.

Sadly for the code's romantics, foundation club South Sydney Rabbitohs look destined to hold onto their wooden spoon.