1. Michael Jennings (Penrith)
The most talked about player in the preseason – and now one of the top half-dozen paid players in the NRL – Jennings is engaged in an open feud with Penrith supremo Phil Gould, who has made no secret of his desire to offload the highly-paid underachiever. Gould put a rocket up Jennings last year but it did little to change his attitude, the centre again encountering plenty of trouble off the field while putting little effort in on it. Jennings reportedly doesn't want to go anywhere while Gould told him not to turn up to post-Christmas training. He has been linked to the Roosters, Titans, Tigers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Dragons and Eels ... but his high price has made moving him hard. Needs to prove he is worthy of anything resembling the ridiculous contract he is on.
2. Scott Prince (Brisbane)
The ex-Australian halfback returns to the Broncos after a decade away, and arrives with plenty of expectations. His signing was a clear indication that the Broncos brass believes they have the team to win a premiership – only a playmaker was needed. He is nearing the end of his career but can leave a hero if he brings Brisbane a premiership. He could also skulk out Matt Orford style if the move does not work.
3. Jamie Soward (St George Illawarra)
There is no half under more pressure than St George Illawarra No.6 Jamie Soward. The New South Wales five-eighth in 2011, a shocking finish to that year followed by a poor start to 2012 saw Soward not even named for Country before being dumped for the Blues. He eventually found himself dropped by Dragons coach Steve Price. Clearly down on confidence, it was rumoured that Soward would be granted a release to move to Wigan or Japanese rugby. Off contract at the end of 2013 and clearly the Dragons best half, he will need to step up his game to win another big deal. The injury to probably halves partner Kyle Stanley did not help his prospects.
4. Adam Reynolds (South Sydney)
Reynolds turned in such an outstanding debut season with South Sydney that he was a runaway winner of the Dally M Rookie of the Year award and was touted as the next New South Wales No.7. There have been plenty of halves who have burst onto the scene though, only to struggle in year two and beyond. Reynolds is hoping to go the Daly Cherry-Evans route and not the Tim Smith way. He seems to have the head to survive second-year syndrome and could leave the saviour of the Blues to boot.
5. Jamal Idris (Gold Coast)
Signed a big-money deal with the Titans early in 2011 for the 2012 season and seemed to give up any desire to play rugby league since. He showed up on the Gold Coast dreadfully out of shape and played nearly all of last year with injury, a dearth of enthusiasm and an extra 15kg. Blessed with enough natural talent that he played Origin and Test football all before the age of 21, he has quickly faded into irrelevance. Another lazy preseason and Idris will have his card marked as someone who simply doesn't give a damn.
6. Terry Campese (Canberra)
The Raiders skipper and star pivot has played just eight games over the last two seasons, wrecked by two serious knee injuries and a groin pull. While he is a wonderful player, he has been a black hole for the Raiders since signing a five-year deal in 2010. With Josh McCrone and Sam Williams emerging as an effective pairing and Campese set to start the season on the sidelines again, the skipper faces a key year that could see his role diminished, his position changed or his contract threatened.
7. Jarrod Mullen (Newcastle)
When Wayne Bennett arrived at Newcastle, it was hoped he could channel Jarrod Mullen's talents just as he did Jamie Soward's at St George Illawarra. It didn't work out that way with Mullen suffering another inconsistent season. The Knights half continues to get chance after chance but rarely seems to improve. Mullen needs to show he has the hops to live up to his rep or risk being heaped as nothing more than an average half.
8. Chris Sandow (Parramatta)
The Eels halfback signed a mammoth deal to switch from the Rabbitohs last year and was an epic bust, Parramatta winning just six games and the wooden spoon with a disinterested and overweight Sandow dropped to the NSW Cup at one stage. New Parramatta coach Ricky Stuart has reportedly got Sandow fitter but Stuart has a poor record as an attacking coach. With a shocking backline, Sandow would seem to have too many stumbling blocks in front of him for his unstructured style to succeed. He will be the focal point again of any Parramatta failures.
9. Sonny Bill Williams (Sydney Roosters)
Returns to rugby league after a five-year exile following his shocking walkout on Canterbury in 2008. In the meantime, by all reports, he has been playing tickle fights in France, Japan and New Zealand and beating down on the cast of The Golden Girls. While there is a good deal of hype surrounding his return, it shouldn't be forgotten that when he left the NRL, he was contributing not a lot to a wooden spoon winning side. He has a reputation as a supreme athlete but it will be severely undercut if he stinks it up at Easts.
10. Adam Blair (Wests Tigers)
Signed to a $500,000-a-year deal last season, Blair was arguably the biggest bust of 2012. The opportunity cost of his signing was Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita, both who had big years for the Sharks, with Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington and Beau Ryan departing this year as the Tigers endured further salary cap pressure. Blair was a Tim Sheens man. Mick Potter won't be so kind. He is just 26 but needs to prove he is not just a player whose reputation was enhanced by playing in Craig Bellamy's system. He does look just an average player though, and perhaps that is being generous.
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