With a player like Johnathan Thurston calling the plays, you can’t discount the Cowboys. Under new coach Matt Elliott, Penrith players have reportedly trained like demons during summer. But much could fall on the shoulders of halfback Craig Gower. Parramatta also has a new coach in Hagan, who will bank on halfback Tim Smith combining with discarded Rooster Brett Finch – a risky proposition. The Warriors will be giant-killers but are too erratic to be considered contenders, while Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall [RIGHT] will carry plenty on his problematic shoulders with halfback Scott Prince no longer alongside him. It’s universally accepted that Canberra – in a rebuilding phase under rookie coach Neil Henry – is favourite for the wooden spoon. Yeah, right: they’ll probably win it at a canter.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Next: The Finish >>