NRL Pressure Gauge: The weight of expectation hangs heavy on these stars

They may not face the spotlight of performing in front of an international audience at Allegiant Stadium, but each of these players has plenty to prove when their season kicks off this weekend.

They’re the other guys.

Unburdened by the spotlight of Las Vegas, but facing similar scrutiny heading into the NRL season.

James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell, Luke Brooks and Tom Trbojevic went into the season opener with the weight of expectation on their shoulders and all walked away from Las Vegas with their reputations enhanced.

But what about the players under pressure from the other teams whose season kick off comes a week later and, for the Tigers who have the Round 1 bye, two weeks later.

While they may not face the spotlight of performing in front of an international audience at Allegiant Stadium, they are just as much under the pump for different reasons this season.

These are the players with the most to prove when their season kicks off.

Tom Fleger. Art by Boo Bailey

Originally published as NRL Pressure Gauge: The weight of expectation hangs heavy on these stars