The Ivan Cleary era ends and the Michael Maguire era begins with a Luke Brooks re-signing but not too much player movement in terms of new recruits or departures.
A fit-again Josh Reynolds will rejoin the three-way halves battle with Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks and could well start the year from the interchange, meaning budding hooker Jacob Liddle may have to again bide his time behind Robbie Farah.
The recruitment of Roosters back-rower Ryan Matterson will relegate some NRL-calibre forwards such as Luke Garner, Josh Aloiai, Robbie Rochow and Chris McQueen to reserve grade to start the year.
Resident NRL.com expert Jamie Soward says:
"As long as Marshall is fit he's the best five-eighth at the club. Josh Reynolds, coming off a big recruiting season last year with injury, he could be the utility player of the year. Coming off the bench, being able to play anywhere in the side, bringing energy, not having to think too much really suits him.
"Their bench will change throughout the year. Your stalwarts of Matterson, Lawrence, Taylor, Matulino and Packer, that's a good forward pack. Your bench is going to have to stand up through the year - Twal, Eisenhuth, Aloiai, Chee Kam. It looks like a stronger and more consistent side than they had last year."
NRL.com's predicted Round 1 team:
- Moses Mbye
- David Nofoaluma
- Mahe Fonua
- Esan Marsters
- Corey Thompson
- Benji Marshall
- Luke Brooks
- Russell Packer
- Robbie Farah
- Ben Matulino
- Chris Lawrence
- Ryan Matterson
- Elijah Taylor
- Josh Reynolds
- Michael Chee-Kam
- Matt Eisenhuth
- Alex Twal
Other squad members: Josh Aloiai, Oliver Clark, Tyson Gamble, Luke Garner, Jacob Liddle, Sam McIntyre, Chris McQueen, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, Zane Musgrove, Robbie Rochow, Dylan Smith
