Name the NSW backline
Tony Webeck: James Tedesco, Brett Morris, Michael Jennings, Jack Bird, Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, Adam Reynolds.
Chris Kennedy: 1. Tedesco 2. Ferguson 3. Leilua/Dugan 4. Hayne/Jennings 5. Trbojevic 6. Moylan 7. Maloney (14. J Bird). Tedesco has to play fullback. If Ferguson continues his Four Nations form he's an auto-pick but I'd prefer a specialist over Dugan at centre. The winning halves combo from 2016 Game Three stays but Nathan Cleary is bashing on the door (with Adam Reynolds and Mitch Pearce also in the frame). Hayne will need to show he's still got what it takes, and Leilua that he can keep it up in the first 10 weeks of 2017 otherwise the likes of Jarrod Croker, Michael Jennings and James Roberts come into contention. Josh Mansour's injury opens the door for Tom Trbojevic but I'm not writing off Brett Morris.
Dominic Brock: 1. James Tedesco 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jarryd Hayne 5. Josh Mansour/Brett Morris 6. Matt Moylan 7. James Maloney. I personally think Mitchell Pearce makes more sense in the halves than Moylan but I reckon NSW will stick with the halves combination from Game Three last year.
Andy Bryan: 1. Tedesco, 2. Ferguson, 3. Dugan, 4. Hayne, 5. Mansour, 6. Maloney, 7. Pearce. I think Moylan will be in the team somewhere, so pencil him in on the bench. Hayne has proven he can play and star at centre and I think Tedesco has to play in the No.1. If Pearce is back to his best, he's the best choice for No.7 with Maloney at 6.
Martin Gabor: 1. James Tedesco 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Josh Dugan 4. Jarryd Hayne 5. Josh Mansour/Brett Morris 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary.
Adrian McMurray: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jarryd Hayne, 6. James Maloney, 7. Mitchell Pearce. Despite the myriad fullbacks available for selection, I'm tipping Tedesco to retain his spot at the back. Ferguson and Dugan should continue their Kangaroos combination, while Leilua and Hayne would form a potent combination on the other edge. Mitchell Pearce's return would force Matt Moylan to the bench in this scenario.
Jack Brady: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Jarryd Hayne, 3. Josh Dugan, 4. Michael Jennings, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. James Maloney.
Which team will be the biggest improver?
Tony Webeck: Do the Eels count? They're a definite top-eight team for mine. Outside of that, expect a BIG bounce back from the Roosters.
Chris Kennedy: In terms of form/wins, the Roosters. Ladder-wise, Eels.
Dominic Brock: The Roosters will jump from 15th to a finals spot – they're just too good not to and will be desperate to bounce back from last year's derailed season.
Andy Bryan: In terms of games won, Newcastle will improve the most. But as far as ladder position, the Roosters will make the biggest jump after a disastrous 2016 campaign.
Martin Gabor: The Roosters won't finish 15th again any time soon. The Tricolours were aiming for their fourth straight minor premiership last season, but a combination of ill-discipline, injuries and a string of narrow losses had them rooted near the bottom of the ladder from the get-go. They will be much better in 2017 – maybe even a top-four side.
Adrian McMurray: You'd imagine the Roosters will make the biggest move up the ladder, while the Eels and Rabbitohs should also be in for a much better season.
Jack Brady: The Parramatta Eels. Obviously salary cap dramas ruined their 2016 season as they looked to make the top eight for the first time since 2009. The Eels will make the top eight in 2017.
Which team will slide the furthest?
Tony Webeck: It will be one of Des Hasler's finest accomplishments if he can get the Bulldogs to the finals again and I think the Sharks' premiership hangover will hit hard and see them finish outside the top four at the very least.
Chris Kennedy: Sharks. They've lost Ennis, their forward pack is a year older, plus the premiership hangover. I can't see them making top four, nor past the second week of finals.
Dominic Brock: I enjoy watching the Wests Tigers and they came within a whisker of a top-eight finish last season but could struggle to match that this year with some big clubs set to leapfrog them on the ladder.
Andy Bryan: The Sharks still have a very competitive team, but have the potential to drop a few places after finally getting that monkey off their back with premiership glory. The loss of Ennis and Barba are big holes.
Martin Gabor: The loss of Benji Marshall and Mitch Rein, plus the potentially season-ending injury to Drew Hutchinson, point to a tough year for the Dragons. They have struggled to score points for a number of seasons and that won't be made any easier with the attacking triumvirate not there in 2017. They finished 11th last season, and I've got them dropping down to 15th.
Adrian McMurray: It might not be the best year for the Bulldogs, Dragons and Wests Tigers.
Jack Brady: Off-season dramas at the Bulldogs wouldn't have helped their cause but even then they'll surely struggle to break into the eight in 2017. Things need to change dramatically in terms of their attack if they're going to mix it with the best teams. With pressure mounting on coach Des Hasler, it'll be interesting to see how his players respond.
Best recruit of 2017?
Tony Webeck: For the game's sake I hope it is Jamal Idris at the Wests Tigers but Robbie Farah's arrival at the Rabbitohs has the ability to turn them into premiership threats almost overnight if Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Adam Reynolds have big years.
Chris Kennedy: I tipped Kieran Foran in this category last year so I'm reluctant to double down on him but if he gets it together he could end up being the answer for the Warriors that he wasn't for Parramatta. Kevin Proctor to Titans, Blake Green to Manly, Jamie Buhrer to Knights and Nathan Brown to Eels are all great buys but I think I'll take James Tamou to be buy of the year at Penrith following Trent Merrin's outrageous form last season.
Dominic Brock: Kieran Foran to the Warriors, if he plays, or James Tamou boosting an already strong-looking Panthers side.
Andy Bryan: A few contenders here. If Kieran Foran is fit and healthy and is in a good space, then he has the potential to be a game-changer for the Warriors. Blake Green will also provide Manly with a key that has been missing since Foran left the Sea Eagles.
Martin Gabor: If he plays, Kieran Foran shapes as the most important signing in Warriors history. The classy five-eighth would be the perfect foil for Shaun Johnson in the halves and would almost certainly help them end their five-year finals hiatus.
Adrian McMurray: James Tamou. Exactly the leader a young Panthers pack needs.
Jack Brady: It's hard to split between James Tamou (Panthers) and Blake Green (Sea Eagles). While obviously their careers have had completely different trajectories, their importance to their new clubs is paramount. Tamou is the final piece to an already entertaining puzzle at the Panthers as they reaffirm their premiership credentials. Green's presence will help settle Daly Cherry-Evans into the new-look Manly team following the star halfback's mixed 2016 season.
