Knights have it all to do

Newcastle Knights were shock winners in 2001

Tulsen Tollett, who played in the NRL with Penrith and Parramatta, previews the 2002 season for BBC Sport Online.

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BRISBANE BRONCOS

Tallis is back after a bad neck injury

It's the return of the 'golden oldies' in Allan Langer and Andrew Gee as coach Wayne Bennett attempts to provide the impetus and experience missing in the Broncos' ranks last season.

Injury and poor form cost them last year and the loss of Wendell Sailor to rugby union may well dent their aspirations again.

There is the continual progress of Petero Civoniceva to look forward to as well as the return from injury of the influential Gorden Tallis.

PREDICTION - 8th

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CANBERRA RAIDERS

Last year proved to be a mediocre year in Canberra's history and I don't think that this year will provide much more joy.

If Jason Croker can steer clear of injury and potential match-winners Mark McLinden and Ken Nagas remain fit, a reasonable position could be achieved.

But it may not prove to be the perfect debut season in the NRL that former Bradford coach Matthew Elliott had hoped for.

PREDICTION - 12th

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CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

Anasta is an exciting young talent

The Bulldogs always play an entertaining style of rugby league and this season promises to be no different.

New Test cap Braith Anasta is always dangerous with the ball in hand while Hazem El Masri and Darren Smith can score tries for fun.

Up front, former Hull captain Tony Grimaldi will add strength and guile to the pack, although the loss of Darren Britt to St Helens could be a factor.

PREDICTION - 6th

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CRONULLA SHARKS

Australian coach Chris Anderson is on the mend and has added Brett Kimmorley, his former Melbourne storm protege, and Matthew Johns to his already impressive squad.

Preston Campbell, last year's NRL player of the year, may have to move to hooker, which could give the team a real cutting edge.

But the loss of Mat Rogers to rugby union will be a blow as he was a goalkicker and player of some substance.

PREDICTION - 4th

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MELBOURNE STORM

Howe was a key member of the 1999 side

British recruits Keith Mason and Ian Sibbitt find themselves in a squad most have predicted will take the wooden spoon.

But I believe Mark Murray's side have enough quality to finish on the fringes of the top eight.

They possess around half of the team that blazed a trail to glory in 1999 - the likes of Rodney Howe, Stephen Kearney and Marcus Bai - and could leave some tipsters with red faces.

PREDICTION - 10th

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NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Last season's champions have not had the most auspicious of starts to the new year.

Their World Club Challenge defeat by Bradford Bulls was followed by a well-publicised 'bust-up' between Andrew Johns and Ben Kennedy.

In Johns, they boast the best player in the world, but they are there to be shot at and it will be hard to repeat their 2001 success.

PREDICTION - 3rd

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NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Brasher will have added responsibility

The proverbial strugglers are in for another tough time, especially now that Robert Relf, Kyle Warren and last year's top pointscorer Julian O'Neill have left.

Coach Murray Hurst will be relying on seasoned performers such as Tim Brasher to help guide his team to a reasonable finish.

Home form will be of the utmost importance if the Cowboys are to be a threat this year, but it does look highly unlikely.

PREDICTION - 14th

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NORTHERN EAGLES

Manly have taken over the running of the club following a less than amicable split from their North Sydney counterparts.

On the field, they must overcome the loss of Ben Walker, who was responsible for scoring around 50% of his team's points in 2001.

The exploits of Steve Menzies could be crucial while the club will hope John Hopoate, last year's most vilified player, stays clear of trouble.

PREDICTION - 13th

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NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

Jones will pull the strings for the Warriors

The Warriors made it to the play-offs for the first time last season, finishing in a creditable eighth position.

The talented Stacey Jones will again lead from the front while Kevin Campion's last season at the Warriors will no doubt stoke his fires to produce an impressive swansong.

If the Warriors play with their heads and not as much with their hearts, the possibility of another play-off appearance is beckoning.

PREDICTION - 9th

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PARRAMATTA EELS

A team that was most people's tip to defeat Newcastle in last year's Grand Final, they can bounce back in 2002.

They have lost Jason Taylor to retirement, but the experience of new Test caps Jamie Lyon and Michael Vella will be invaluable.

And coach Brian Smith will be pressing hard to put the record straight after losing three Grand Finals (1992 & 1993 and 2001) as well as the Challenge Cup with Bradford in 1996.

PREDICTION - 1st

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PENRITH PANTHERS

Priddis is one of Penrith's new signings for 2002

Last year's bottom club have a new coach in John Lang, who has swapped the surf at Cronulla for the views of the Blue Mountains.

Lang's son Martin has joined the club as has Luke Priddis.

And they will form the nucleus of a potentially good squad that already boasts Ryan Girdler and Craig Gower.

PREDICTION - 7th

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SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

The 'bunnies' are back in the big time and ready to rumble after their two-year exile.

Their squad will need time to gel but they possess class acts in Adam Muir and Russell Richardson.

But, after the initial hype has worn off, will they have enough to stay away from the dreaded wooden spoon?

PREDICTION - 15th

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ST GEORGE - ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Barrett will lead a young Dragons squad

The Dragons were unlucky not to walk away with the big prize in 1999, their inaugural year.

Led by the irrepressible Trent Barrett and featuring other names such as Mark Gasnier, Jason Ryles and Nathan Blacklock, I expect them to at least be there or thereabouts come season's end.

PREDICTION - 2nd

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SYDNEY ROOSTERS

The Roosters have a new coach in former Australia scrum-half Ricky Stuart and kick off their season against the newly reformed South Sydney.

Then there's Brad Fittler, who has quit the representative scene to concentrate on club matters.

I expect Adrian Morley to really hit his straps this season after his injury problems while Bryan Fletcher and Luke Ricketson can help set Bondi alight this year.

PREDICTION - 5th

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WESTS TIGERS

McGuinness has pace to burn in the backline

Coach Terry Lamb will probably be happy with a mid-table finish. but whether they get it or not is another thing.

Kevin McGuinness and Terry Hill will provide the pace in the backline while the addition of former Leeds Rhinos star Robert Mears will bolster the pack.

But I'm not altogether sure that they have the attacking prowess and ability to match the 'big' teams on a weekly basis.

PREDICTION - 11th