Will Warriors finish among top eight?

The NRL season is back and there has been plenty of player and coaching movement ahead of the new campaign. Everyone expects the Roosters, coming in off the back of repeat premierships, Melbourne and South Sydney to be there or thereabouts come September.

But what about the Warriors, who finished last year 13th out of 16, and have been relatively quiet on the recruitment front?

Stuff’s rugby league scribes give their predicted top eights, and who they feel is destined for this season’s wooden spoon.

Marvin France

1. Rabbitohs 2. Roosters 3. Sea Eagles 4. Storm 5. Raiders 6. Eels 7. Cowboys 8. Knights

Wooden spoon – Bulldogs

South Sydney made the biggest splash of the NRL off-season, acquiring young superstar centre Latrell Mitchell.

However, master coach Wayne Bennett plans on playing the Origin representative at fullback, similar to the transition Greg Inglis made when he arrived at Redfern.

The Bulldogs looked to hit some form late last year, but injuries to key players like Kieran Foran and now with controversy surrounding two other front line players, the start of the season in particular will be a struggle.

Jackson Thomas

1. Sea Eagles 2. Roosters 3. Eels 4. Raiders

5. Cowboys 6. Storm 7. Warriors 8. Sharks Wooden spoon – Tigers

It felt like through most of last season Manly were over achieving, and people were waiting for the inevitable crash. But it just didn’t happen.

Under Des Hasler, the Sea Eagles play with a sense of belief other sides struggle to keep pace with and if fullback Tom Trbojevic can stay healthy, they could run the table this season.

Wests have some talent, but an underwhelming forward pack and a spine

that hasn’t played a lot together won’t be enough to lift them off the bottom of the competition.

David Long

1. Raiders 2. Roosters 3. Eels 4. Sea Eagles 5. Storm 6. Broncos 7. Rabbitohs

8. Warriors

Wooden spoon – Titans

Had a few calls gone the Raiders’ way last year we would be talking about the Green Machine this season as defending premiers.

Former Warrior Charnze NicollKlokstad has been a revelation at the back and with the arrival of highly touted English import George Williams, the Canberra spine could be the competition’s most lethal.

The Warriors have the talent to squeak into the top eight, but cannot rely solely on the work of their superstar captain again.

The supporting cast, particularly up front, need to step up.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has overcome his ankle injury and will play on Saturday against the Knights. Below: Latrell Mitchell will line up at fullback for his new side, the Rabbitohs.

Many pundits believe the Mitchell Moses-led Eels are primed for a big season. Below: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a breakout 2019 with the Raiders.