The 2012 NRL season kicks off this weekend, and already there are some tough games ahead. After what is always claimed to be the best off-season ever, now is the time when we will see how clubs are actually going, how combinations are building, and how coaches have influenced their new clubs.

I can’t wait to get my teeth in to some decent NRL action, and here is Sports Banters 2012 NRL Preview for Round 1.

Also, feel free to sign up to our new footy tipping competition here. Think you have what it takes to be the Sports Banter Tipping Champion?

Newcastle Knights v St George-Illawarra Dragons – 2012 NRL Preview
Hunter Stadium, Thursday 7.30pm

The NRL couldn’t have planned for a better opening game of the season. Newcastle will have one of the strongest home crowds all season, with aggressive pricing on all season tickets, as well as cheap family options. It also sees the match-up between Wayne Bennett and his former club.

As well as a few of the coaching staff, Darius Boyd has also followed the coach, Buderus returns and Snowden slots into the front row. Throw in Mullen and Gidley in the halves, Uate on the wing and Houston in the back-row; the Knights have a strong side.

How much impact Bennett has had will soon become apparent, with the pressure of this first up clash.

The Dragons are used to high-pressure games, having performed consistently over the last few years. However they have suffered a blow in the loss of Bennett, Boyd and Gasnier.  The Dragons have widely been written off this year, including by yours truly, however they are a chance here of an upset win. All they need to do is handle the pressure better than the Knights, and hope that the enviable record they have at Hunter Stadium helps them across the line.

Sports Banter Tip – Dragons

Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos – 2012 NRL Preview
Parramatta Stadium, Friday 7.30pm

With the game on Thursday night, we only have one game on Friday this week, with the Eels v Broncos.

In a big loss for the Eels, Jarryd Hayne is out with injury. Interestingly, this will provide the perfect test to see if Chris Sandow has what it takes to run the team around on his own, without relying on Hayne’s input. That was one of the main goals in the changes in halves at the club, to take pressure of Hayne – well here is their chance.

Kearney has now had a chance to mold the club into his vision, and we will see how he has brought everyone together in the offseason. Should make for enthralling viewing.

This will be the first game for the Broncos in Life After Darren Lockyer. How will they go? Will someone step up and get them over the line when the going gets tough? Will Peter Wallace stand up and lead the team around the park.

All in all, it’s a tough game to pick, Parramatta are at home, however I feel the Broncos will be stronger first up.

Sports Banter Tip – Broncos

Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm – 2012 NRL Preview
Canberra Stadium, Saturday 5.30pm

After an injury ravaged 2011, the Canberra Raiders come in to this game at full strength. After playing about 38 seconds in 2011, Campese will be looking forward to getting back out there. I have a question over how much confidence he will have, with how his previous injuries might be weighing on his mind. It might take him a few weeks before he hits his straps.

Shaun Berrigan slots into the centres, pushing Joel Thompson to the bench. With Robinson fit, Dugan, Croker and Ferguson, it is a strong backline. Likewise with Learoyd-Lahrs, Shillington, White and Tilse, the forward pack has punch.

However the Raiders are coming up against one of the most consistent performers in the NRL, in the Melbourne Storm, a team that also boasts Cronk, Slater and Smith. That is normally enough to tilt my tips towards the Storm. Also taking in to account Melbourne’s record over Canberra, which is impressive, I think the Storm will come away with the cash here.

Sports Banter Tip – Storm

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – 2012 NRL Preview
Centrebet Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm

The second Saturday NRL game is an interesting match-up, with both sides boasting new coaches. In an interesting twist, these two coaches actually coached against each other in last year’s grand final, albeit for different clubs, a fact they are probably having a slight chuckle over.

Otherwise, this seems a fairly underwhelming game for mind, other than the fact both teams are equally so, which will probably lead to a cracking game.

The interesting points for both these teams is to see how their halves perform. Walsh and Burns for the Panthers are building a combination, and now have enough experience that they should be delivering results. Likewise, the new half that the Bulldogs brought in last year, Hodkinson and his rookie partner Reynolds.

Sports Banter Tip – Panthers

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans – 2012 NRL Preview
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday 9.30pm

The third and final Saturday game will be played in Townsville, where the Cowboys host the Titans.

The Titans collected the wooden spoon last year, and all in all had a fairly dismal season. Over the off-season however they have been one of the most active clubs, recruiting Idris, Champion and Douglas, amongst others. This will definitely give them more punch in attack, and Douglas will stiffen up the forward pack.

The Cowboys are always a dangerous proposition, especially up at Dairy Farmers, and especially with Thurston playing. This time it’ll be in the 6, not the 7, but his impact will still remain. I will be interested to see how Lui goes at halfback, given his somewhat distracted offseason.

Despite the changes to the Titans side, I still think the Cowboys will be too strong.

Sports Banter Tip – Cowboys

Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks – 2012 NRL Preview
Leichardt Oval, Sunday 2.00pm

The Tigers are coming in to the 2012 NRL premiership with the tag of favorites, a tag that has brought plenty of teams down over the years. How will they handle the expectation?

Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah are the keys for the Tigers; they control the flow and structure of the side. When both are in good form, the Tigers are a dangerous side. Throw Ellis into the mix, and you have 3 of the best players in the NRL. Speaking of Ellis, he has announced he is returning to England at the end of the year. One of the Tigers best performers, he will be missed, and no doubt they will want to send him out on a high.

An interesting note is Sheen’s selection of James Tedesco at fullback.

All eyes will be on Todd Carney for the Sharks, one of the most talked about recruits during the offseason. He has the ability to turn a game around, and make other players around him look and play better. If he is firing, the Sharks will definitely have more points in them than in previous years. However their defence will need to hold out the Tigers, who also have point scoring potential all over the park. No doubt Gallen will be leading from the front here.

Sports Banter Tip – Tigers

New Zealand Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles – 2012 NRL Preview
Eden Park, Sunday 4.00pm

Round 1 sees a 2011 grand final rematch between the Warriors and the Sea Eagles, this time on Warriors home turf.

The Warriors will be keen to exact a bit of revenge, after going down to the Sea Eagles in the big one last year. New coach McClennan will also be hoping to get off to a winning start.

The Warriors have an exiting crop of youngsters, and last year showed what they are capable of. They will continue to improve, and I expect big things from them in future. However this is a tough first game to the season.

The Sea Eagles have not had the best of off-seasons, losing coach Des Hasler, as well as having to travel overseas for the World Club Challenge. How this has affected their preparation will be shown tomorrow.

The Sea Eagles have a classy side, with young and exciting halves. I think they will have too much class again here for the Warriors, even if it is Toovey sitting in the coach’s box, instead of running the water.

Sports Banter Tip – Sea Eagles

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters – 2012 NRL Preview
ANZ Stadium, Monday 7.00pm

Monday Night Football sees the all Sydney clash between two old foes – the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

All eyes will be on young Adam Reynolds, the rookie halfback expected to fill Chris Sandow’s shoes. It’s a big ask for the youngster, and he may take a few games to feel comfortable running the team around. No doubt a lot of new coach Michael McGuire’s time in the off-season has been spent working with Reynolds, and how he adapts to the NRL could well decide their season.

The Roosters have one of the youngest teams in the comp, and at times it has shown with their lack of consistency and discipline. Brian Smith’s bread and butter is discipline, so after a relatively low-key offseason, I’ll be interested to see how they go here. I’ve copped a bit of flack for listing the side as low as I did in my season preview, however I stand by that. I think the Roosters will develop into a good team, however I don’t think this year is their year.

Sports Banter Tip – Rabbitohs

As promised, here is Sports Banters 2012 NRL Preview for the top 8 including who we think will take out the NRL in 2012. How is your club going to fare? Be sure to keep an eye out for our bottom 8 predictions as well! 

2012 NRL Preview – North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys 2012 season will once again come down to Jonathon Thurston, however this year sees an interesting shake-up. The Cowboys have picked up Robert Lui, after he was released by the Tigers for off-field issues.

Lui will slot into halfback, with JT moving to 5/8. Thurston is a class player, and I have no doubt he will continue to influence his dominance all over the park, it’ll just be with a 6 on his back instead of a 7. This will also set him up well for State of Origin, where he will take over from Lockyer.

The Cowboys have other players, a coach etc etc, but who are we kidding. If JT is fit and firing, then they’ll win games, and will feature at the end of the season. If he’s injured or goes through a form slump, all bets are off.

2011 Finishing Position: 7th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 8th

Premiership Odds: $15

2012 NRL Preview – Canberra Raiders

After a disappointing 2011, the Canberra Raiders will be under pressure to perform in 2012, none more so than coach David Furner. Canberra have been building an exciting squad of junior players for years, and have developed into what looks a quality side on paper, however their on-field results have fallen short of expectations.

Their 2011 season highlighted the effect that the loss of a senior member and play-maker can have on a side. With Terry Campese missing for the entire season, the team struggled. Although Josh McCrone performed admirably as his replacement, and Sam Williams gaining needed experience in first grade, the return of Campese in 2012 should see the team go to another level.

With a strong forward pack, and an exciting crop of young outside backs, the team has strengths all over the park. I’ll be interested to see how Waddell and Buttriss go this year at hooker, a position I thought the club has been weak in for several years. Although retired captain Alan Tongue spent most of his time there, he was a fill-in at best, with no other real options.

The club as also recruited Shaun Berrigan, an interesting choice after the failed Matt Awful experiment last year, however an old nut out wide with the likes of Ferguson and Croker might be just what the doctor ordered, keeping heads screwed on, and brain-explosions (a Ferguson special) to a minimum.

All in all, I expect Canberra to improve markedly on their 2011 year, and should be right up there at the end of the season.

2011 Finishing Position: 15th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 7th

Premiership Odds: $26

2012 NRL Preview – Brisbane Broncos

The loss of Darren Lockyer to retirement could well define the Bronco’s season for mind. With 2011 being the continual drama of Lockyer’s last this, or his last that, and lets win it for Lockyer, I wonder what is going to drive them in 2012.

They have in impressive team of youngsters, and a few old nuts, and I think they will still perform well without Lockyer, however in a close game, I wonder who they will look to, to get them over the line.

Third Man Sam will run all day, Hodges, well lets not speak of him, Parker is a workhorse, and Yow Yeh and Hoffman are exciting young players. It’ll make for interesting watching, however for 2012 I don’t think they’ll quite have what it takes to get them through to the October long weekend.

2011 Finishing Position: 3rd

Predicted 2012 Finish: 6th

Premiership Odds: $11

2012 NRL Preview – New Zealand Warriors

The Warriors finished off 2011 in barnstorming fashion, making the grand final before going down to the Sea Eagles. They have an outstanding crop of youngsters coming through, and I expect them to remain strong for the forseeable future. You need look no further than the Warriors representation in all 3 grades on grand final day for proof of that. The club has depth, and talent coming through the ranks.

A big lose however is Ivan Cleary, who is an outstanding young coach, and molded the team into the side they are now. However his replacement Brian McClennan is no stooge, and should be able to keep the club moving in the right direction.

Shaun Johnson proved a revelation last year, and has been likened to Benji Marshall. If his development continues, he could turn into a genuine superstar of the game.

I think the warriors have the firepower to make an impact in 2012, and will be challenging for a spot in the top 4.

2011 Finishing Position: 6^th (Grand Finalists)

Predicted 2012 Finish: 5th

Premiership Odds: $10

2012 NRL Preview – Newcastle Knights

All eyes will be on the Newcastle Knights this year, with new coach Wayne Bennett coming to the club. The resulting changes will see a markedly different team taking the field than the one that did last year.

Two of the biggest recruits are Darius Boyd, who has followed his mentor from the Dragons, and Kade Snowden, who has returned home from the Sharks. This will see a reshuffle seeing as Boyd will slot into fullback. This frees up Kurt Gidley to move permanently into the halves. Snowden will toughen up the front row.

Hometown boy Danny Buderus has also returned home after a stint in the English Super League. No doubt he’ll be hoping that a good season with the Knights will put a nice finishing touch to his career. How his body will hold up to the intensity of the NRL will be interesting. Matt Awful showed last year that it is easy to loose the edge, with no other comp in the world matching it with the NRL.

There will be plenty of pressure on the Knights, however one thing is certain, the people of Newcastle will be behind the team. With the Knights offering bargain priced tickets, big home crowds a redeveloped Ausgrid Stadium will help the Knights over the line. If Bennett can work his magic, anything is possible.

2011 Finishing Position: 8th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 4th

Premiership Odds: $10

2012 NRL Preview – Manly Sea Eagles

The 2011 premiers have had a turbulent off-season, with off-field and back office drama dominating the headlines. The loss of coach Des Hasler has shaken the club up, and the challenge for new coach Geoff Toovey will be to focus the side, and keep the players minds on the prize.

They still have fairly much the same side, particularly the key players in the halves and at fullback, to once again be competitive. If Brett Stewart is fit at fullback, there will be plenty of points on offer. 2011 also showed how much of a force Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran are in the halves.

With the loss of Hopoate and Robertson out of the backline, I wonder if Manly have sufficient depth if they are to suffer a few injuries. If Stewart goes out injured, I’m just not sure if there is sufficient firepower to cover for him.

With the eyes of the NRL world firmly on them, the pressure is going to be on from the very start of the season. How they start they season may well set the tone for their year to come. It’ll certainly make for interesting viewing, especially against the bulldogs in Round…

2011 Finishing Position: 2^nd (Premiers)

Predicted 2012 Finish: 3rd

Premiership Odds: $9

2012 NRL Preview – Melbourne Storm

Bellamy, Slater, Cronk and Smith…. what more needs to be said. Although they gone through some testing times since 2010, Melbourne will once again be competitive, based purely on these guys. Bellamy is a top-notch coach, with the spine of the club intact, they still have the firepower to challenge. Whether or not they can go the whole way remains to be seen, but they should still easily make the top 4.

The loss of Adam Blair to the Tigers is a big loss in their forward pack, however they have gained Jason Ryles from the Roosters. Personally, I think Ryles is past it, however Bellamy has shown in the past that he can get the best out of players that have otherwise been discarded. He showed that with Troy Thompson, who after a lackluster career with the Raiders, performed well and did a job for the team.

Ryan Hoffman also returns home for the English Super League, and will be looking forward to once again making an impact for the Storm.

2011 Finishing Position: 1st

Predicted 2012 Finish: 2nd

Premiership Odds: $9

2012 NRL Preview – Wests Tigers

The Tigers have been installed as premiership favorites coming in to the 2012 NRL season. Some say the Tigers say they should of won the comp in the last couple of years, with the squad they have. Personally I think they have been lucky to get where they are – they strike me as a team that always has everything fall their way. Some say you make your own luck. Me, I’m waiting for that luck to run out.

On the other hand, Benji Marshall is one of the most exciting players in the competition, and with Robbie Farrar at dummy half, they certainly aren’t without talent. There has been a reshuffling of the side from 2011, with Gibbs and Fafita going to the Sharks, while Blair moves to the Tigers from Melbourne. They have also lost Payten to retirement, McKinnon to the ESL, and released Lui after he had another whoopsie. Joel Reddy slots into the backline, and I expect Moltzen will play half back, after walking out on his deal with the Dragons.

The Tigers do have a very good team, and I rate Tim Sheens as a coach. They have one of the best home crowds in the NRL, always helping to win the odd penalty, and the ability to put quick points on the board when needed. If they stay injury free, they will definitely be up there, but whether they’ll be holding the trophy is another matter.

2011 Finishing Position: 4th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 1st

Premiership Odds: $8

The 2012 NRL season kicks off this weekend, and with all clubs completing their trial games, things are gearing up towards the opening round. After what has seemed an interminably long off-season, I can’t wait for the action to kick off!

With the action on the field getting better each year, and the competition closer and closer, 2012 is shaping up as a cracking season, With the new independent commission in place, a new finals system implemented, and a new broadcast deal around the corner, league has never been stronger, now is the time for clubs to capitalize and string together solid performances on the field.

With that in mind, here is Sports Banters 2012 NRL Preview for the bottom 8. How is your club going to fare? Be sure to keep an eye out for our top 8 predictions as well.

2012 NRL Preview – Penrith Panthers

There have been some big shake-ups out at the foot of the mountains, with Phil Gould slotting into the Director of Football and King Poombah role. One of his first missions was operation Cleary, and he got his man. How will he go is a very good question.

Cleary is a good coach – he helped transform the Warriors into the team that won its way through to the grand final in 2011. Will he be able to do the same thing at Penrith? I just don’t know. I don’t think the club has the talent that the warriors had. I suspect this may be more of a re-building era for the club, with Gould looking to improve the processes around the targeting, training and retention of Penrith juniors. Cleary’s influence on the club may also take a season or two to become apparent. They have had a lot of movement in their roster, and I think it’ll take the better half the season before everything clicks for the penny panthers. Look for a better show in 2013.

2011 Finishing Position: 12th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 16th

Premiership Odds: $26

2012 NRL Preview – Sydney Roosters

I’m not quite sure what to make of the Roosters. Their squad reads like a Toyota Cup side, with very little experience across the park. Other than a few oldies in the likes of Perrett, Anasta and Minichello, most the team are practically school kids.

How they’ll go after a full season is my question. There are some exciting young players, and some big hard-hitting forwards, but will they have the mental strength to make through the season, especially if the going gets tough, or the team suffers a few injuries.

I still think there are a few cultural issues at the club as well. As mentioned, experience is lacking at the club. Minichello looks to be on the way out, and even Captain Canasta hasn’t been re-signed, as yet, for 2013.

Time will tell, but I think Brian Smith will have his hands full, keeping this team up for the entire season. They’ll win a few games, and score points, and turn a few heads, however I can’t see them challenging at the end of the year.

2011 Finishing Position: 11th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 15th

Premiership Odds: $21

2012 NRL Preview – St George-Illawarra Dragons

I just can’t get enthusiastic about the Dragons this year. Bennett is gone. Boyd is gone. Gasnier is gone. Soward is Jamie Soward. I’ve no idea who the coach is.

They still have the likes of Cooper, Nightingdale, Creagh etc, certainly are still a talented side – but do they have the same aura that they had a few years ago? The loss of Bennett as coach is a big one, he got the club where no else was able to since the 70’s. However his replacement won’t be under the blowtorch initially, and so the Dragons should enjoy a fairly anonymous start to the season.

They could well come out surprise me, and perform very well, however I just can’t see it. Expect a big slide down the ladder.

2011 Finishing Position: 5th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 14th

Premiership Odds: $15

2012 NRL Preview – Parramatta Eels

The Eels are a conundrum. After setting the world on fire in 2009, making the Grand Final, only to loose to a salary cap cheating Storm, the side has under-performed. Stephen Kearney has now had time to make a raft of changes to the squad, now it is a matter of pulling everyone together and stringing performances together on the field.

Chris Sandow is a good addition to the side, they badly needed a quality half to take the pressure of Hayne. With Ben Roberts also in the halves this year, Hayne should be able to pick and choose when he gets involved, instead of having to run what was becoming a one-man-band.

They have made some positive changes, however I think that Sandow and Roberts will take time to find their feet, which in a close competition can spell the end of your season. The future is bright for Parra, I just don’t think 2012 is their year.

2011 Finishing Position: 14th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 13th

Premiership Odds: $17

2012 NRL Preview – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

The biggest news off the offseason has been the recruitment of Des Hasler as head coach. In a move that will certainly make the next Bulldogs v Manly clash an interesting one, the Bulldogs are banking on Hasler being able to do the same thing for them that he has done at the Eagles. Turn them into consistent performers year in year out, and maybe pick up a premiership or two along the way.

A coach of that caliber also attracts quality players to the club. Unfortunately in this respect Hasler was late to the party, and hasn’t had a chance to have much of an input on squad selection. The club has lost Armit, Hodgson, Idris, Morrin, Roberts, Ryan and a few others, and have gained not much.

The club still boasts Ennis, Morris (the slower one), and Barba, and if Trent Hodgkinson fires at halfback, the club will be competitive. Stagg is a tackling machine, and a few of the clubs juniors will be stepping up in class as well.

However I still see 2012 as a feet-finding year for the club, with eyes on better results in 2013.

2011 Finishing Position: 9th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 12th

Premiership Odds: $11

2012 NRL Preview – Gold Coast Titans

Wooden Spooners from 2011 – the pressue is going to be on the Titans in 2012 to lift their performance. Scott Prince will not be happy with the season he had last year, and will definitely be looking for an improved performance. Greg Bird is a quality player, and will make an impact wherever he plays.

The club has recuited well in the offseason, picking up fringe rep players Champion and Idris. Luke Douglas slots into the front row, he was a hard worker for the Sharks, as well as being seemingly unbreakable. They should see good value for their money with him. The addition of Myles to the front row should also see a bit better go forward, assuming he isn’t just up the Gold Coast for a holiday.

I’d be surprised if the Titans had another year like 2011. I’m definitely expecting an improved performance, with them a sneaky chance of sliding into the top 8.

2011 Finishing Position: 16th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 11th

Premiership Odds: $26

2012 NRL Preview – Cronulla Sharks

Todd Carney. Paul Gallen. 4 Words, and it sums up Cronulla’s 2012 chances.

Gallen is one of the best, if not the best, player in the world today. His motor is legendary, and his leadership, both on and off the field, is sorely needed at a club that has been perennial cellar dwellers since they entered the competition. Still without a premiership, and with a dicey-at-best financial situation, the club badly needs on-field success and press coverage, both in order to lift its stature as well as reconnect with the people of the shire.

Shark Park used to be a cauldron, a cold Saturday night; a fresh breeze off the water, strong, parochial home crowd, teams hated the road trip down to the shire. These days, the place doesn’t have the same aura.

One thing sure to change this is a little player goes by the name of T. Carney. An inform Carney is one of the best crowd-pullers going. In what was a risky recruitment move, seeing as his past history of off-field discretions has seen him punted from two clubs, the Sharks survival may well ride on his tattooed shoulders.

Regardless of how well Carney runs the team around the park, and how well Gallen gets them moving forwards, I’m still not sure there is enough class out wide to score the points that Cronulla is going to need to win matches. No doubt Carney is a freak, however he can’t do it all. Quality finishers are always necessary, and two of Cronulla’s best are already laid out with injury. Do they have the depth and talent necessary? Time will tell. Certainly they’ll win more games than last year, but will they win enough to have them in the right half of the draw come September?

2011 Finishing Position: 13th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 10th

Premiership Odds: $21

2012 NRL Preview – South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Rabbitohs come in to the 2012 season with a new coach, in Michael Maguire. Reports have surfaced suggesting Maguire is a bit of a hard-arse at training, and will give the team the structure and discipline they have been lacking.

The other big news with the Rabbitohs is the loss of Chris Sandow, who has moved the Parramatta. South Sydney hasn’t purchased a replacement, and instead are pinning their hopes on rookie halfback Adam Reynolds to do the job for them.

Personally, I think they are experimenting with Reynolds, biding their time until Cronk comes off contract at Melbourne at the end of the season. I think they’ll make a big play for him, and I wonder if that is going to shift their focus from the current season.

I think they’ll be bordering on the 8, however I don’t expect them to make a big impact.

2011 Finishing Position: 10th

Predicted 2012 Finish: 9th

Premiership Odds: $15