NRL 2024 burning questions: The player with the most to prove at every club

From Dally M winners and new signings, to ageing veterans and big money playmakers. MICHAEL CARAYANNIS takes a look at which players are under the most pressure in 2024.

Tyrell Sloan (L) and Deine Mariner (R) need to deliver for their clubs in 2024.

They might not be the highest earner or a headline act but they will play a key role in determining your club’s premiership hopes. MICHAEL CARAYANNIS takes a look at which players are under the most pressure in 2024.

BRONCOS

Deine Mariner

Youngster who will, at some stage, get a chance to fill the spot left by Herbie Farnworth who finished the season as one of the game’s best centres. The 20-year-old has played just six games but already teammate Billy Walters has declared that Mariner is “very fast and very raw”. He shapes as another key strike weapon in an already potent backline but will have to play second fiddle to Selwyn Cobbo early in the season.

RAIDERS

Josh Papalii

The veteran prop had probably his quietest season in recent memory in 2023. He struggled to make the impact in the middle of the field which has been a trademark of any success Canberra has had. The 31-year-old has a mutual contract option for 2025 but he needs to start the season strongly to show that he is not a spent force.

Josh Papalii needs to prove he isn’t a spent force after his quietest season in recent memory. Picture: Getty Images

BULLDOGS

Drew Hutchison

One of 10 new signings for the Bulldogs as he looks to solve their problematic halves situation. Gets a chance to cement himself as a first choice half for the first time in his career. Needed to take pressure off Matt Burton and try to open up not only Burton’s running game but give the ball to outside backs including Stephen Crichton, Josh Addo-Carr and Jacob Kiraz.

SHARKS

Toby Rudolf

The criticism surrounding the Sharks has been their lack of punch in the middle of the field. Rudolf is now entering his fifth season in the NRL and is in a period of his career where props take the step from being good players to becoming elite. He needs to create some havoc in the middle to help his side get on the front foot.

It’s time for Toby Rudolf to step up and give the Sharks some punch in the middle of the field. Picture: Getty Images

DOLPHINS

Thomas Flegler

Arrives as a marquee signing off the back of making his Kangaroos debut. Finished the season strongly at the Broncos but was aided by playing off a forward middle rotation which included Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan. Needs to take pressure off an ageing forward pack and set the tone.

TITANS

AJ Brimson

The conundrum that former coach Justin Holbrook was unable to solve was how to ensure Brimson and rising star Jayden Campbell were both in the game at the same time. Brimson is too good of a talent not to be used. It becomes a major talking point for new coach Des Hasler with suggestions Brimson may be shifted to the centres.

SEA EAGLES

Luke Brooks

Will start a season for the first time not needing to be the main man. But all eyes will be on Brooks to see how he adjusts at his new club. The pressure of running the side will be left to Daly Cherry-Evans while the brilliance should be up to Tom Trbojevic. That should free Brooks up to play his best footy.

For the first time in his career Luke Brooks is not the main man...but all eyes will still be on the former Tiger. Picture: Jeremy Piper

STORM

Christian Welch

The Melbourne forward pack came under heavy fire late in the season. There is no doubting the attacking brilliance the side has but they need more from their big men. Welch is the skipper and needs to find a way to bruise the opposition players. His trademark late off-loads need to stay too.

KNIGHTS

Kalyn Ponga

Let’s just double down and go with the obvious one here. Because, really, without Ponga firing can Newcastle really challenge for a premiership? After years of showing glimpses, Ponga produced his most consistent season last year and led Newcastle to the finals. If he can get near that form again then the Knights will be looking for more than just a top eight finish.

He may have won the Dally M medal, but he needs to fire for the Knights to be a genuine premiership threat. Picture: Getty Images

COWBOYS

Jason Taumalolo

Minutes and his impact on games are well down. The Cowboys co-captain still has four years left on his mega deal but his 2023 performances were a shadow of the player who was once the game’s most destructive forward. The Cowboys need a rejuvenated Taumalolo to once again get back into finals contention. With a host of rising stars in their forward pack, questions will be asked if Taumalolo can’t produce.

EELS

Dylan Brown

Didn’t get near his 2022 form. A serious off-field incident played a part but Brown owes it to the Parramatta Eels to rediscover his best performances. Still one of the best defensive halves in the game, it was his running game which needs to come back into play.

After a season to forget in 2023, Dylan Brown owes it to Parramatta to rediscover his best form. Picture: Getty Images

PANTHERS

Jarome Luai

You know all eyes will be on the Panthers playmaker in what will be his final year at the club. He managed to start in the grand final despite a badly bruised shoulder. The off-field distractions of his future and some strange comments by coach Ivan Cleary will be brought up again if Luai doesn’t fire.

ROOSTERS

Spencer Leniu

He brought the fire to the Panthers line-up and was engaged in a very heated on-field altercation with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Now they are teammates. Waerea-Hargreaves has shown white line fever plenty of times during his long career and now he gets to partner with Leniu. Expect plenty of fireworks.

RABBITOHS

Jack Wighton

You could put all of South Sydney here after the way they dipped out of the competition last season. However, Wighton arrives as the big name signing who is supposed to take South Sydney from contenders to premiers. He will shift back to the centres but the heat will be on Wighton producing.

The pressure will be on Jack Wighton to help turn South Sydney into premiership contenders. Picture: Rabbitohs Digital

DRAGONS

Tyrell Sloan

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has made it a personal mission to turn Sloan’s form around. Naturally gifted but there are still serious question makes on his defensive application. Flanagan will have Sloan complete a mini-boot camp aimed to give him some much- needed steel. If it all comes off, then he could become the long-term fullback the Dragons have craved.

WARRIORS

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

It was an outstanding signing to entice Tuivasa-Sheck back from rugby to play out his career in the NRL. He will return to the NRL in a new position at centre and into a Warriors side who were the feel-good story in 2023. We have seen other champions take time to readjust upon their return but if RTS can get near his pre-rugby form he could be the Warriors missing ingredient.

WESTS TIGERS

Jayden Sullivan

A new recruit who has an opportunity to prove he is up to the NRL. Will battle it out for a starting spot but the Tigers have invested heavily in the former Dragon by signing him to a four-year deal worth about $500,000 a season.