Your guide to the 2019 NRL season

There is never a dull moment in an NRL offseason and this one was no different. Major player movements at times overshadowed by scandal, it's been a tough five months for the NRL brass. But, footy is finally back.

Here's a look at the major signings, biggest worries and key stats for every side ahead of the 2019 premiership.

ROOSTERS

2018 finish: Minor Premiers

Key signings: Brett Morris, Ryan Hall, Angus Crichton

Biggest worry: Tough origin period

Their blessing is also their curse and while the Roosters will be tipped by many, and rightly so, to go back-to-back, they will be hit hard through the Origin period with their squad featuring so many representative players.

Stat: Last year the Roosters were top five in points scored, line breaks, post contact metres and tackle breaks.

STORM

2018 finish: Second

Key signings: None

Biggest worry: Contract distractions

Melbourne are set to have 16 players off contract in 2020. Contract talk can often be a distraction for players, and a lot of noise will be made about that throughout the season.

Stat: Melbourne ran out of dummy half more than any other side last year (320) and to great success, eating up valuable metres time and time again in behind the ruck.

RABBITOHS

2018 finish: Third

Key signings: Wayne Bennett Biggest worry: Depth

The Bunnies made little to no moves in the off-season but lost some valuable back-up players. Hymel Hunt, Zane Musgrove, Robert Jennings, Jason Clark and Richie Kennar all departed leaving Souths a bit light on outside backs in particular.

Stat: Souths can flat out run. They led the NRL last season in total carries and total run metres.

SHARKS

2018 finish: Fourth

Key signings: Shaun Johnson, Josh Morris

Biggest worry: Discipline The Sharks have a premiership calibre side on paper, but let themselves down through discipline. They were top five for errors and penalties conceded in 2018.

Stat: The Sharks were the most prolific side in terms of offloads last season, leading the league with 323 second phase opportunities.

PANTHERS

2018 finish: Fifth

Key signings: Ivan Cleary, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

Biggest worry: Sex tapes scandal Penrith have been in the news for all the wrong reasons this offseason and it has to have taken a toll on the playing group. It will fall on senior players and coach Ivan Cleary to push through this year. Stat: The Panthers had the most missed tackles (975) last year

BRONCOS

2018 finish: Sixth

Key signings: Anthony Seibold, Shaun Fensom

Biggest worry: Young side The Broncos forward pack in particular is young, and experience counts in the NRL. Come finals time it pays to have players who have been there, done that.

Stat: Brisbane had the second best completion rate (79 per cent) last season.

DRAGONS 2018 finish: Seventh