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After losing in the preliminary finals two years in a row, unable to take advantage of their minor premiership victories, the Sydney Roosters will be determined to take home the Provan-Summons Trophy in 2016.
Trent Robinson has strengthened his side by recruiting England international Joe Burgess, as well as rising stars Ryan Matterson and Jayden Nikorima.
With NYC graduate Latrell Mitchell also joining the NRL side, the Roosters have a dream roster.
Although James Maloney and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have left the club, so 2016 will be the beginning of a new era at Bondi, with rookie sensation Jackson Hastings finally set to step up and play in the starting side full-time.
Rookie watch
No surprises here, Mitchell is set to make a splash in 2016, with the winger sure to get a run during the Origin period or even sooner if a player in the backline becomes injured.
Mitchell has been a standout in the Roosters under-20s, crossing for 16 tries and converting kicks at a rate of 67 per cent in 26 games over two seasons.
If the Roosters’ NRL backline fails to fire, they will be shifted in favour of the Taree Red Rovers junior.
Under pressure
While he sits ahead of Brendan Elliot and Mitchell in the Chooks’ pecking order, with so many talented backs at Bondi, Blake Ferguson faces serious pressure to perform.
Ferguson will also be playing for his future, with the former NSW Blues centre off contract at the end of 2016 – and if the Roosters are to sign Sonny Bill Williams for 20117, they need to make salary-cap space.
Ferguson will also be gunning for a return to State of Origin, with both Will Hopoate and Daniel Tupou expected to miss out in 2016 as Laurie Daley flags the start of a new era.
Who will wear the Roosters’ number 1 jersey?
It appears increasingly likely that Ferguson will start at fullback come Round 1. However, one wrong move could see him dropped and replaced by Mitchell, Nikorima, Elliot or Omar Slaimankhel.
Ferguson has been training in the position over the past few weeks, with Mitchell the favourite to take over during Origin. However, Slaimankhel is also tipped for big things.
The number 1 jersey appears to be in great hands with plenty of depth and talent ready to go should a replacement for Ferguson be needed.
Can Jackson Hastings steer the Roosters toward a premiership?
Hastings is a star of the future and the man to fill the five-eighth role Maloney left vacant upon leaving for Cronulla at the end of 2015.
Hastings performed extremely well during the backend of 2015 and, at only 19 years of age, he is set to get even better. A full season starting in the NRL will help.
He is the best man for the job and if the Roosters happen to win the premiership, Hastings is sure to be a major part of that triumph.
Jackson Hastings showed glimpses of brilliance at the end of last season. Will the young half guide the Roosters to a premiership in 2016? (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Will Joe Burgess prove a success or a failure?
The NRL has received plenty of English imports over the past few years – some are rated among the game’s best while others failed to reach their potential.
Traditionally English backs have failed, with Ellery Hanley being the only player of note to have succeeded on Australian shores. Sam Tomkins and Ben Crooks arrived with big things expected of them, but both could not emulate their Super League form Down Under.
Robinson will be hoping former Wigan winger Joe Burgess can end the curse and become a household name in Australia.
Burgess is already regarded as one of the best wingers in England at just 21. He has won a Super League grand final, represented England in three Tests, and played in the 2014 World Club Challenge against his new team.
Burgess is expected to buck the British back trend and show Australians and New Zealanders just how good he is.
Can the Roosters claim a fourth consecutive minor premiership and qualify for the grand final?
The Roosters will once again be a heavy premiership contender and could again take out the J.J. Giltinan Shield. However, 2016 will be their toughest season yet as they face contention from the likes of the Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors, Cronulla Sharks and more.
Robinson has the roster to deliver a premiership, but can he get his men to sustain their form during the Origin period when stars Michael Jennings, Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner and Aidan Guerra will be out, possibly along with Blake Ferguson, Daniel Tupou, Jake Friend, Dylan Napa and Kane Evans?
Must watch
Round 1 versus Rabbitohs
Sunday, March 6, 4pm at Allianz Stadium
The traditional rivalry between Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney will continue in Round 1.
It will be Sam Burgess’ first game in the cardinal and myrtle since ending the Rabbitohs’ premiership drought in 2014.
It shapes as an exciting game and the perfect first Sunday afternoon of football in 2016.
Round 5 versus Warriors
Sunday, April 3, 2pm at Allianz Stadium
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will play his old club for the first time when the Roosters host the Warriors.
Tuivasa-Sheck will be joined by fellow Kiwi superstars Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke, Manu Vatuvei, Simon Mannering and more, in a clash of two premiership contenders.
It could come at a time when the Warriors will be under pressure to perform to keep coach Andrew McFadden at the helm of the Auckland-based club.
The game poses many interesting match-ups, such as Mitchell Pearce versus Shaun Johnson and Jake Friend versus Issac Luke, while the backs and forwards will all be going at each other with Test jumpers on the line.
Predicted best XVII
1. Blake Ferguson, 2. Joe Burgess, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 5. Daniel Tupou, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Aidan Guerra, 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Mitchell Aubusson, 15. Sam Moa, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
2016 signings
Pakisonasi Afu (Point Chevalier Pirates), Joe Burgess (Wigan Warriors), Mitchell Frei (Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Ian Henderson (Catalan Dragons), Ryan Matterson (Parramatta Eels), Jayden Nikorima (Brisbane Broncos)
2016 draw (AEST)
Round 1: Roosters versus Rabbitohs (Sunday, March 6 4pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 2: Raiders versus Roosters (Saturday, March 12 3pm @ GIO Stadium)
Round 3: Cowboys versus Roosters (Thursday, March 17 8.05pm @ 1300Smiles Stadium)
Round 4: Roosters versus Sea Eagles (Saturday, March 26 7.30pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 5: Roosters versus Warriors (Sunday, April 3 2pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 6: Rabbitohs versus Roosters (Friday, April 8 7.50pm @ ANZ Stadium)
Round 7: Roosters versus Panthers (Monday, April 18 7pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 8: Dragons versus Roosters (Monday, April 25 4pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 9: Roosters versus Knights (Saturday, April 30 5.30pm @ Central Coast Stadium)
Round 10: Titans versus Roosters (Monday, May 16 7pm @ Cbus Super Stadium)
Round 11: Bulldogs versus Roosters (Sunday, May 22 4pm @ ANZ Stadium)
Round 12: Bye
Round 13: Roosters versus Wests Tigers (Sunday, June 5 4pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 14: Roosters versus Storm (Saturday, June 11 7.30pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 15: Warriors versus Roosters (Sunday, June 19 4pm @ Mt Smart Stadium)
Round 16: Bye
Round 17: Roosters versus Bulldogs (Thursday, June 30 7.50pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 18: Eels versus Roosters (Friday, July 8 7.50pm @ Pirtek Stadium)
Round 19: Roosters versus Sharks (Monday, July 18 7pm @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 20: Storm versus Roosters (Saturday, July 23 7.30pm @ AAMI Park)
Round 21: Roosters versus Broncos (July 28-August 1 @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 22: Panthers versus Roosters (August 4-August 8 @ Pepper Stadium)
Round 23: Roosters versus Cowboys (August 11-August 15 @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 24: Roosters versus Dragons (August 18-August 22 @ Allianz Stadium)
Round 25: Sharks versus Roosters (August 25-August 29 @ Shark Park)
Round 26: Broncos versus Roosters (September 1-September 4 @ Suncorp Stadium)
Prediction
The Roosters to finish second best – both in the regular season and in the big dance.
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