NRL proving grounds: What every club needs to succeed in 2021

Even the best teams in the NRL have a point to prove … but what does each team need to do or fix to succeed in 2021?

1. Brisbane – It wasn’t all Anthony Seibold’s fault

Can’t attack? Seibold’s fault. Play the pokies? Seibold’s fault. Don’t put effort in? Seibold’s fault. Well, this underperforming and overpaid playing group can’t hide behind their former coach anymore. The Broncos will be under the microscope more than any other side. Culture is such an overused word but can Kevin Walters bring the magic he helped create when the Broncos were once the most powerful club in the country?

2. Cronulla – Claiming a major scalp, early

Remarkably, the Sharks went through last season without beating a side in the top eight. They were gifted with the easiest draw of the any side, too. They made the eight and put up a decent fight against the Raiders but were bundled out of the competition. They play Canberra and Parramatta in round two and three, respectively, and need to win at least one of those games to erase any potential demons.

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The Sharks need to start off well in 2021 … and they’ll have to do it without Shaun Johnson. Picture: AAP.

3. Titans – Dealing with expectations and huge salaries

One of the success stories in 2020, finishing as the top-ranked Queensland side – not that they had much to beat. This season arrives with expectation. It comes after improved performances and some really strong additions in Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Herman Ese’ese and David Fifita. They should be making the top eight.

4. Roosters – They aren’t a spent force

Had a dramatic fall from grace at the back end of last season. It was a slump no one saw coming and hit them so fiercely that they couldn’t find a way out – losing their last three games, including a 60-8 drubbing from Souths. They have been at the top for so long with back-to-back premierships, but has it all finally caught up on this great team?

The Roosters fell short when it mattered most in 2020 after back-to-back premierships. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

5. Warriors – Home is where the heart is

The feel-good story of 2020, leaving their family and friends behind just to ensure the rest of the competition could take to the field. Many assumed the Warriors’ on-field performances would just fold by the end of the year but even with needing to borrow players from rivals, they showed grit that had been missing from the club in recent years. Now people are expecting them to improve – this is historically when the Warriors have struggled.

6. Eels – Capitalising on the premiership window

The time is now for Parramatta. They started the year well but didn’t really look like a premiership-winning side by late in the season. It is clear nothing short of a grand final finish will appease the long-suffering Eels faithful. And there is no reason why they should not be there. Excuses are out the window – it’s time to deliver.

7. Bulldogs – No cap excuses

“It will take time” has been the familiar tune coming out of Belmore in recent years. Well, the time is now for Canterbury. For too long they have hidden behind poor salary cap management of prior administrators, but they are almost in complete control of their own destiny this season. They’ve brought in high-profile recruits – no more important than coach Trent Barrett – and while they are still not a top eight side, there needs to be significant improvement shown.

8. Manly – Tom Trbojevic’s hamstrings

The $1 million legs have let Tommy Turbo down in recent years. He has played just 19 games in two years and as one of Manly’s marquees, that makes it tough on the club. There is no doubt his value when he gets on the field but they just need to get him fit and nurse him through the season.

The Sea Eagles finals hopes rest on whether Tom Trbojevic can stay healthy in 2021. Picture: Getty Images.

9. Wests Tigers – The enigma that is James Roberts

Does Michael Maguire have the special tonic that has eluded some of the game’s best coaches, including Wayne Bennett? There is no doubting Roberts’ ability, but it is off the field where his greatest tests will come. Plenty of Tigers have lots to prove but none more than Roberts, who the club have gone out on a limb for in signing him.

10. North Queensland – Can they ever get over Jonathan Thurston’s retirement?

Going into their third season without Thurston and are yet to make the finals without him. They have revamped the coaching staff and Todd Payten is known for thinking outside the box. He needs to unlock the magic that once shone in Michael Morgan, who has battled a shoulder injury. Scott Drinkwater and Valentine Holmes’ combination also needs dramatic attention if the Cowboys are to return to finals football.

11. Raiders – They have improvement in them

Grand finalists last year and preliminary finalists in 2020. Not a bad two years for a Raiders side who had not made the finals the past two seasons. But what it means now is they need to find something extra. The battled on this year minus a host of players – most notably co-captain Josh Hodgson.

They were near perfect in 2020 but just fell short at the final hurdle … but can the Panthers go one better in 2021? Picture: Getty Images.

12. Panthers – It was no fluke

It is hard to believe that this time 12 months ago a lot of people didn’t even have Penrith in their top eight, let alone finishing the regular season losing just one game. Some of the gloss of what they achieved was taken off by a grand final loss. Now they need to back it up. The young players can’t fly under the radar anymore but they have enough talent to shine again.

13. Dragons – Anthony Griffin is the man to turn the tide

Have won just one finals game since Wayne Bennett left way back in 2011. That’s a horrible record. Griffin is no-nonsense coach. The pre-season has been gruelling with a hard edge. The Dragons have been meek when tested in recent years, and Griffin won’t stand for that.

14. Rabbitohs – Bennett’s last chance for immortality

No one has won a premiership as a head coach at three different clubs. Bennett hasn’t been able to progress the Rabbitohs into a grand final in his first two seasons at the club, with South Sydney falling one game short of a premiership decider in the past two years. Bennett is out the door at the end of 2021 so can the game’s greatest coach produce one more memorable moment?

15. Storm – Gen Next the best

Continue to produce genuine superstars. They were supposed to be a spent force when the likes of Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater left the club. But new marquee players have emerged, the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and now Harry Grant. All eyes will be on Grant to see if he can back up what he produced at the Tigers. The Storm are on the cusp of producing a new and long-term big three.

Storm have proven they can win without Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, but can they succeed without Cameron Smith? Picture: Getty Images.

16. Knights – Making KP the man

Kalyn Ponga bravely battled a shoulder injury for the back end of last season and his dip in form was reflected in the way the Knights played. Newcastle will have to do without their marquee fullback for the first few games of the season after he underwent a shoulder reconstruction. But when Ponga is back, they need to protect him and not allow him to get bashed by opposition teams as much as he has in recent seasons.