After an all-too-familiar summer plagued by negative headlines and off-field atrocities, the NRL bounces back the only way it knows how on Thursday night – with the commencement of another enthralling premiership season.

How will the Rabbitohs handle the departure of Sam Burgess? Will Manly slide? Can the Roosters rediscover their brilliant best?

• Wayne Bennett slams NRL Integrity Unit 
• Remember the Titans: can they avoid the boneyard?

League expert Will Evans has run the rule over all 16 clubs, and reckons he’s picked the winner of the 2015 NRL Premiership.

Ben Hunt could take his game to another level in tandem with Anthony Milford. Photo: Getty

BRISBANE BRONCOS

Why they can win it: The return home of the game’s greatest coach Wayne Bennett is a compelling storyline – and one likely to restore the flailing Broncos to immediate heavyweight status. The arrival of arguably the NRL’s hottest talent, Anthony Milford, to play alongside the breakout star of 2014, Ben Hunt, is a tantalising prospect, while the squad is brimming with experienced Test stars.

Why they can’t: The Broncos are short a quality tryscoring winger (assuming Dale Copley will move to centre before long) and their front-row depth is questionable, while they will be treading water until fullback Darius Boyd returns from injury. The Origin drain is sure to hit the Broncos with a wallop once again.

Key player: Hunt can take his game to another level with Milford on board to take some of the pressure off. Brilliant last year despite the lack of a genuine five-eighth to partner him, Hunt was a revelation off the bench for Australia.

One to watch: Joe Ofahengaue shapes as the long-term answer to the Broncos’ front-row prayers and could be a 2015 sensation if Bennett is prepared to take a punt on him.

Predicted finish: 3rd

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Why they can win it: Despite several high-profile rejections, Canberra ultimately recruited well. There’s enough youthful exuberance in the backline and hard-headed experience up front that, if it all clicks, could see the unfancied Raiders at least become a fringe finals contender.

Why they can’t: Too many untried combinations and unknown quantities in a new-look line-up, while the Green Machine are sorely lacking in recognised match-winners. It seems the Raiders’ brass are the only ones who rate Ricky Stuart’s coaching ability – and with just 18 wins in his past 75 games, it’s not hard to see why he’s friendless outside the capital.

Key player: It’s a hard call on a player with just eight NRL appearances to his name (and only two starts) but halfback Mitch Cornish needs to develop into the Raiders’ focal point – and fast.

One to watch: Blake Austin was outstanding in several backline positions for the Tigers last year; the 24-year-old may prove one of the buys of 2015 as he gets the chance to settle into the five-eighth role alongside Cornish.

Predicted finish: 15th

Tim Lafai is a key man for the Bulldogs. Photo: Getty

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Why they can win it: Brett Morris is a huge addition and former Cowboys youngster Curtis Rona gives them even more desperately-needed scoring punch. New captain James Graham, Aiden Tolman and Josh Jackson lay a peerless platform – and there’s still Klemmer, Pritchard and Kasiano to come off an insane bench!

Why they can’t: The remarkable charge to the Grand Final papered over some gaping cracks – the Bulldogs were appalling in the back half of the regular season. Consistency from NSW halves Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds is a major concern, while there’s little key-position depth and the effect skipper Michael Ennis’ departure will have has been underestimated.

Key player: Confirmed as one of the NRL’s most valuable players by virtually every statistical breakdown, Graham is such an inspirational performer and his leadership is top-shelf.

One to watch: Tim Lafai was stiff to miss out on the Kangaroos’ Four Nations squad – watch the destructive right-centre bulldoze his way into NSW Origin contention.

Predicted finish: 7th

CRONULLA SHARKS

Why they can win it: Cronulla has recruited well – most notably in the form of Michael Ennis and Gerard Beale – and finally boast a potent three-quarter line to complement one of the strongest and most experienced engine-rooms in the NRL. The lifting of the ASADA cloud has rejuvenated the club, while also restoring influential coach Shane Flanagan to his post after a one-year ban.

Why they can’t: The Sharks appear to be pinning their hopes on Ben Barba turning into a marquee half when he only has a couple of good seasons at fullback (way back in 2011-12) on his chequered resumé. For all his flaws, Todd Carney was a world-class playmaker capable of sparking a side that hasn’t had a player score 10 tries in a season since 2008. Barba isn’t.

Key player: Andrew Fifita was the code’s dominant forward during a breakout 2013 before injuries and a contract debacle spoiled his follow-up campaign. Arguably possessing more game-breaking ability than any prop since Arthur Beetson, Fifita will be a go-to player in a side light on quality ball-playing options.

One to watch: An elusive, quicksilver winger with the skills of a half, 19-year-old Valentine Holmes is in for a huge year. Ludicrously overlooked for Mitch Brown in the Sharks’ Round 1 line-up.

Predicted finish: 12th

The Titans need skipper Nate Myles more than ever. Photo: Getty

GOLD COAST TITANS

Why they can win it: They can’t.

Why they can’t: The cocaine scandal has severely depleted a squad that already ranked as the NRL’s weakest. The lack of a top-class halfback, an absence of genuine strike-power out wide and poor all-round depth already had the Titans on a wooden-spoon trajectory before the recent upheaval.

Key player: With a cloud hanging over the immediate futures of Greg Bird and David Taylor, captain Nate Myles’ importance to the side has been magnified. Myles, still among the premiership’s most valuable forwards, will likely move to the backrow as he tries in vain to inspire the ragtag Titans.

One to watch: Penrith recruit Kierran Moseley is a dummy-half livewire with a great football brain, and has a free run at the No.9 jumper initially with Beau Falloon off to court on Thursday.

Predicted finish: 16th

MANLY SEA EAGLES

Why they can win it: The Sea Eagles are a hard football team that has enjoyed sustained success despite numerous setbacks and has a habit of ramming critics’ words down their throats. They boast the NRL’s best halves combination (for one more season, at least) and the competition’s most dangerous backline.

Why they can’t: There must be a hangover from the disharmony that permeated their 2014 campaign, and Foran and Cherry-Evans’ contract negotiation circus will not be helping the mood improve. The Sea Eagles’ forward stocks have been ravaged for the second year running and it will be the shock of the decade if backrow enigma Feleti Mateo proves a quality buy.

Key player: Against the odds, Brett Stewart remains at Manly after watching his brother and close mate Anthony Watmough depart. A vintage campaign from ‘Snake’ could electrify the Sea Eagles’ season.

One to watch: A potential superstar at fullback, wing or centre (where he fills in for Steve Matai in Round 1), Clint Gutherson is the future of a Sea Eagles side on the brink of a major transition period.

Predicted finish: 11th

Up-and-coming Melbourne Storm player Kurt Mann. Photo: Getty

MELBOURNE STORM

Why they can win it: Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater may be 31, but they’re still among the NRL’s top bracket and will be primed coming off collectively their most patchy season in the last decade. With three outstanding New Zealand Test forwards, boom former Canterbury backrower Dale Finucane and a dangerous three-quarter line to complement the fabled ‘Big Three’, the Storm can’t be counted out.

Why they can’t: Questionable depth across the board after a welter of off-season departures and the failure of several highly-rated NYC guns to take the next step. Five-eighth remains a problem area, while anything resembling an injury crisis will derail the Storm’s campaign and the Origin period shapes as being as arduous as ever.

Key player: Smith and Slater are just as vital, but Cronk is the player Melbourne finds the hardest to replace.

One to watch: Versatile and mature with a nose for the try-line, Kurt Mann shapes as a real trouble-shooter for the Storm, capable of filling in at centre (where he will start in Round 1), fullback, five-eighth and backrow. A tremendous prospect.

Predicted finish: 8th

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Why they can win it: Excellent balance within their squad and unparalleled depth, with bona fide match-winners peppered throughout the team sheet. Coach Andrew McFadden began instilling defensive steel in Cleary-like fashion after taking over midway through 2014, while star recruit Ryan Hoffman brings a winning mentality and much-needed stability to the pack.

Why they can’t: The Warriors’ three perennial bugbears – slow start, inconsistency and dismal away record. They need to alleviate at least two of those if they’re to be any chance of a finals return.

Key player: Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson’s mind-blowing Four Nations performances may have been the key to finding elusive week-to-week consistency. The playmaking wizard isn’t resting on his laurels – he is hell-bent on becoming the complete No.7 and steering the club to the finals after three straight failures.

One to watch: Man-of-the-match in the NYC Grand Final and a breakout star of the Nines, nuggetty speedster Solomone Kata has earned a Round 1 debut in the centres. Watch for him to have a similar impact to Konrad Hurrell and Ngani Laumape.

Predicted finish: 4th

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