YOUR NRL TEAM'S TOP EIGHT CHANCES FOR 2019
* BRISBANE
Matt Gillett, Jack Bird and Jaydn Su'a return from injury. Have lost Josh McGuire and Korbin Sims but have a brilliant young pack.
2019 prediction: 2nd.
* CANBERRA
Out go Junior Paulo and Shannon Boyd, in come Englishmen Ryan Sutton and John Bateman. After Blake Austin's departure, questions remain about Sam Williams and Aidan Sezer.
2019 prediction: 15th.
* CANTERBURY
After a horror year, look set to lose David Klemmer. Nick Meaney, Christian Crichton and Corey Harawira-Naera could prove astute pick ups.
2019 prediction: 16th.
* CRONULLA
Have lost four of their back five - Valentine Holmes, Edrick Lee, Ricky Leutele and Jesse Ramien. Josh Morris has been their only pick up. Still have a great pack.
2019 prediction: 8th.
* GOLD COAST
Tyrone Peachey, Shannon Boyd, Brian Kelly and Ryley Jacks fill the holes that have plagued them. They have strike in their backline for the first time in a long time.
2019 prediction: 10th.
* MANLY
Despite suffering never-ending problems, they still have a great side on paper. Should climb under Des Hasler but top eight looks like being a year away.
2019 prediction: 12th.
* MELBOURNE
Billy Slater's gone, leaving Cameron Smith as the only remaining member of the big three. It shouldn't be underestimated how much of an impact Slater had on their defensive systems.
2019 prediction: 6th.
* NEWCASTLE
With Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga in the halves, the sky is the limit. Tim Glasby, Jesse Remien, Edrick Lee and David Klemmer shapes as the missing pieces in their puzzle.
2019 prediction: 4th.
* NORTH QUEENSLAND
Johnathan Thurston is gone but Michael Morgan and Jake Clifford are a halves pairing which can take them into the future. Josh McGuire and Ben Barba are big ins.
2019 prediction: 9th.
* PARRAMATTA
Blake Ferguson will give them thrust out of the back field. Junior Paulo and Shaun Lane are the big bodies that they needed.
2019 prediction: 13th.
* PENRITH
Ivan Cleary is a defensive specialist and it's here that the Panthers must improve. The loss of Trent Merrin and Corey Harawira-Naera has left a massive hole in their pack.
2019 prediction: 7th.
* ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Korbin Sims is a straight swap for Leeson Ah Mau. They must improve in the back half of the year. There's no reason it can't be their season.
2019 prediction: 3rd.
* SOUTH SYDNEY
Angus Crichton is gone, but outstanding young prospect Cameron Murray is ready to step up. If the coaching swap does go ahead, expect Wayne Bennett to have a point to prove.
2019 prediction: 5th.
* SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Blake Ferguson's loss is a hammer blow. Brett Morris is a great competitor while Ryan Hall is expected to miss the start of the season with a knee injury. Angus Crichton only strengthens an already great pack.
2019 prediction: 1st.
* WARRIORS
2018 finish: 8th
Shaun Johnson has been told he's free to look elsewhere - this could prove a distraction. Despite breaking their finals drought, still one of the most inconsistent teams in the competition.
2019 prediction: 11th.
* WESTS TIGERS
2018 finish: 9th
Have picked up Paul Momirovski and Ryan Matterson from the Roosters but other than that haven't been active in the market. Will need to find something in attack.
2019 prediction: 14th.
