2021 NRL Season Predictions

Embed from Getty Images

After one of the most turbulent seasons in the history of rugby league, all 16 NRL clubs will be hoping a return to normalcy results in premiership glory.

Can the Storm go back-to-back? Which team will be the biggest improvers? Will the Broncos get off the bottom of the ladder?

As with every set of predictions, these are entirely subjective and meant to be taken in good faith. I'm happy to own that I backed the Broncos and Bulldogs to make the finals in 2020, but I also tipped Will Kennedy to finish last year as Cronulla's preferred fullback!

Rugby League has impacted my life for the better in so many ways. I hope every fan experiences the highs of winning and stands by their team during the dark times. Bring on 2021! 

First up - some of my key picks for 2021:

NRL Premiers Melbourne Storm

Top Point-scorer Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs)

Top Try-scorer Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks)

State of Origin NSW (2-1)

World Cup Postponed due to COVID-19

Most Improved Jacob Host (Rabbitohs)

Best Signing Joey Lussick (Eels)

Rookie of the Year Jake Howarth (Storm), Naufahu White (Roosters), Daine Laurie (Tigers)

16TH - NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

The Cowboys were spared a lot of deserved criticism last year due to the train wreck experienced by their higher profile Queensland rivals. Making little movement in the transfer market with journeyman Lachlan Burr the only signing of note, former Warriors mentor Todd Payten looks set to have a tough job with a squad that has struggled to adapt to life post-JT.

Crystal Ball - Jake Clifford is denied an early release to Newcastle and left to languish in reserve grade over the final two months of the season. 

15TH - ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 

Paul McGregor's time at the joint venture needed to come to an end, but it remains to be seen whether Anthony Griffin is the man to restore the club to its former glory. Set to field a youthful backline and benefit from a fully fit Jack Bird, inconsistent playmakers Ben Hunt and Corey Norman will need to fire for the Dragons to have any chance of making an impact.

Crystal Ball - The form of Blake Lawrie and Josh Kerr results in representative prop Paul Vaughan being relegated to the bench for much of the year. 

14TH - BRISBANE BRONCOS 

After finally hitting rock bottom with a wooden spoon finish in 2020, new coach Kevin Walters will need early wins to regain the faith of supporters. Set to field a number of different playmakers over the course of 25 rounds, it's hard to imagine the Broncos posing a serious challenge for the top eight.

Crystal Ball - After being informed he won't be offered a new contract for 2022, Anthony Milford is granted a mid-year release to sign a short-term deal in England. 

13TH - WESTS TIGERS

Staring down the prospect of missing the finals for a tenth consecutive season, the Wests Tigers will be banking on veteran prop James Tamou instilling a tougher edge throughout the playing ranks. Boasting a dangerous backline headlined by enigmatic centre pairing Joey Leilua and James Roberts, coach Michael Maguire will be hoping young Queenslander Jake Simpkin can follow in the footsteps of Harry Grant in the number nine jersey.

Crystal Ball - After failing to lead the joint venture to the finals for the eighth straight year, halfback Luke Brooks finishes the season in reserve grade. 

12TH - CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

Overhauling their roster in an effort to break a finals drought dating back to 2016, the Bulldogs will need a competitive start after beginning their past three campaigns in dismal form. Renown for their tenacity and team spirit, second chance coach Trent Barrett will be focused on overhauling the side's lacklustre attack as an early priority.

Crystal Ball - Jake Averillo thrives in the number six jersey after beginning the year as a centre.

11TH - MANLY SEA EAGLES 

Enduring a dismal 2020 cruelled by injuries and a lack of defensive grit, the Sea Eagles will be banking on a fit-and-firing Tom Trbojevic to improve their fortunes. Investing heavily in outside backs at the expense of a recognised dummy half, returning favourite Kieran Foran shapes as a player capable of determining where the side finishes up.

Crystal Ball - After struggling with multiple makeshift number nines, Des Hasler is forced to purchase a recognised hooker prior to the transfer deadline.

10TH - GOLD COAST TITANS 

Touted as a team on the rise off the back of an impressive recruitment drive, the Titans will be hoping to carry their strong finish to last year into 2021. Making the most of his second chance at the big time, newly appointed co-captain Jamal Fogarty looms as a key figure in the side's bid to feature in September.

Crystal Ball - A key playmaking injury coincides with a mid-season run of losses

9TH - CRONULLA SHARKS 

Bowing out in the opening week of the finals over the past two years, the Sharks will be looking to prove their worth against the heavyweights of the competition. Unable to beat a top eight team once last season, an injury-free campaign could see Matt Moylan regain his status as one of the best attacking players in the game.

Crystal Ball - Experienced outside back Josh Dugan silences his critics to earn a new deal. 

8TH - NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Breaking back into the finals after a seven-year absence, the Knights will be aiming to feature in back-to-back play-offs for the first time since 2003. Welcoming hardened second rower Tyson Frizell to the club, the search for consistency is set to be a primary goal for coach Adam O'Brien in his second year at the helm.

Crystal Ball - Exciting speedster Starford To'a enjoys a breakout year with 15 tries. 

7TH - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Coming off a year of hardship and sacrifice as a more resilient outfit, the Warriors will be looking to improve further under the watch of new mentor Nathan Brown. Welcoming a host of new faces headlined by premier front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake, captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be eager to make his final season one to remember ahead of his switch to the 15-man code.

Crystal Ball - Tohu Harris is named captain of the New Zealand national team following another outstanding season. 

6TH - PARRAMATTA EELS

Beginning last season as the team to beat before bowing out of the play-offs in straight sets, the Eels have too much class to miss the finals - but a premiership appears unlikely. Acquiring some handy buys in Isaiah Papalii and Tom Opacic, the signing of Bryce Cartwright could be a masterstroke if the much-maligned forward can recapture the form that saw him on the cusp of NSW selection.

Crystal Ball - Reed Mahoney and Joey Lussick form a potent combination out of dummy half.

5TH - SYDNEY ROOSTERS 

Coming off a disappointing season (by Roosters' standards) with back-to-back losses in the finals, 2021 shapes as a career-definer for coach Trent Robinson. Heading into the year with an untested playmaker, captain Boyd Cordner rested for half the season and versatile stalwart Mitchell Aubusson hanging up the boots, the Tricolours will remain competitive without being the premiership force of recent years.

Crystal Ball - The Tricolours struggle to find a regular partner for Luke Keary with Lachlan Lam, Sam Walker, Drew Hutchison and Adam Keighran all spending time in the halves. 

4TH - PENRITH PANTHERS

The Panthers may have won 17 games in a row last year, yet the sting of saving their worst for last is set to be the enduring memory. Losing several experienced players over the off-season, it's unlikely Ivan Cleary's men will be able to recapture the heights of 2020.

Crystal Ball - Canterbury-bound playmaker Matt Burton sees out the entire season at the foot of the mountains and steps up following an injury in the halves.

3RD - CANBERRA RAIDERS 

Finishing one game short of the grand final after many dismissed their chances in the wake of Josh Hodgson's season-ending knee injury, the Raiders will be hoping 2021 bring about greater luck with injury. Enduring a traumatic first season in the nation's capital, premiership winner Curtis Scott will be primed to bounce back with a vengeance.

Crystal Ball - A wealth of forwards sees veteran Iosia Soliola struggle to crack the top 17.

2ND - SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS 

Starting 2020 slowly before finding form at the right time of year, the Rabbitohs appear set to challenge for the title after falling short in three consecutive preliminary finals. Boasting a roster stacked with talent and experience, little-known forward Jacob Host could be one of the buys of the year after taking up an opportunity to learn under Wayne Bennett.

Crystal Ball - Latrell Mitchell thrives in the number one jersey and earns a New South Wales recall.

1ST - MELBOURNE STORM

Even without Cameron Smith at the helm, the Storm are far-and-away the best team in the league. Boasting a roster stacked with veterans and young guns yet to reach their prime, coach Craig Bellamy has cultivated a culture of success that stands above the rest.

Crystal Ball - Josh Addo-Carr becomes the first Storm player to score five tries in a match