EACH NRL TEAM'S OPENING MONTH FROM TOUGHEST TO EASIEST:
1. BRISBANE (vs Melbourne, North Queensland, St George Illawarra and Sydney Roosters):
Play last year's two grand finalists as well as fellow premiership threats St George Illawarra in the opening four rounds. The first-up trip to Melbourne is a doozy, given the Storm haven't lost in round one since 2001
2. GOLD COAST (vs Canberra, Cronulla, South Sydney and Warriors):
Tough start for Garth Brennan's men who have two of last year's top four in the opening month plus a trip to Auckland. Makes round one against Canberra crucial
3. NEWCASTLE (vs Cronulla, Penrith, Canberra and Dragons):
Difficult run to begin a season of high expectations with three top-eight teams from last year in the opening month. At least they have Cronulla, Penrith and Dragons at home as their new spine combination takes shape
4. NORTH QUEENSLAND (vs Dragons, Brisbane, Cronulla and Canberra):
Don't leave Queensland which is a huge plus, but Michael Morgan's life as chief Cowboy will still begin against three teams from last year's top eight
5. ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA (vs Cowboys, Souths, Brisbane and Newcastle):
Tough opening month particularly given the off-season they've had. North Queensland and Newcastle weren't finalists last year but many expect them to push up the ladder
6. MANLY (vs Wests Tigers, Roosters, Warriors and Souths):
Hard start when considered they're also without Tom Trbojevic for the opening fortnight. Home match against Warriors has also been moved to Christchurch
7. PARRAMATTA (vs Penrith, Canterbury, Roosters and Cronulla):
Need a better start than last year where they lost their first six. Have three tough opponents to start first month, with the Bulldogs their only game against another cellar-dweller from 2018
8. PENRITH (vs Parramatta, Newcastle, Melbourne, Tigers):
Desperately need to bounce back from off-season dramas against Parramatta. Will also be plenty of headlines around Ivan Cleary hosting the Tigers
9. MELBOURNE (vs Brisbane, Canberra, Penrith and Canterbury):
Renowned fast starters with advantage of eight-day gaps between first four games. Bodes well for the beginning of life without Billy Slater
10. SYDNEY ROOSTERS (vs Souths, Manly, Parramatta and Brisbane):
Trent Robinson has given his men plenty of time to get over the World Club Challenge win ahead of round one. Would shock if they didn't win at least two of first four
11. SOUTH SYDNEY (vs Roosters, Dragons, Gold Coast and Manly):
First two games against teams they played in last year's finals will indicate where they stand before they should go in favourites against the Titans and Manly
12. CANTERBURY (vs Warriors, Parramatta, Tigers and Melbourne):
Have a very winnable beginning to the season - music to the ears of coach Dean Pay. The Bulldogs need to start fast to keep the momentum from the end of last year and alleviate any questions over Pay's future
13. CANBERRA (vs Titans, Melbourne, Newcastle and Cowboys):
Have three sides who missed last year's top eight and also host to Melbourne. Getting off to a better start than last year will be crucial, after capitulatingin their opening three games
14. WESTS TIGERS (vs Manly, Warriors, Canterbury and Penrith):
Much softer run than last year than when they faced - and beat - Melbourne and Roosters in opening fortnight. Three games at their suburban grounds to start should help
15. CRONULLA (vs Newcastle, Titans, Cowboys, Eels):
Dream start with no teams from last year's top eight in opening four rounds. The Knights and Cowboys away loom as difficult trips, although they did flog the former last week in a trial
16. WARRIORS (vs Canterbury, Tigers, Manly and Titans):
Only have to leave New Zealand once in opening month that doesn't include an opponent from last year's top eight. Should give their halves time to gel.
