Introducing the Late Mail Crew: Paul Grzadka, Andrew Molinaroli and Brad Preston join the NRL Fantasy Podcast team and talk all the key team changes over the off-season and what they mean for Fantasy.
Which new recruits will get a bigger role at a new club? How will the forward rotations shape up in 2019? And which young guns are set to step up and become Fantasy bargains?
The Late Mail Crew are set to join the weekly NRL Fantasy Podcast rotation next season.
NRL Podcast: Why all three Queensland clubs will play finals in 2019
Steve Renouf is tipping that the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys will all play finals football in 2019 in this week's NRL Podcast.
Renouf has cast his eye over the three teams and identified the players in each he believes will be crucial to lifting their sides into the finals.
The three Queensland-based clubs last reached the finals together in 2016, the only occasion that has occurred since the Titans entered the competition in 2007.
Renouf has identified new Titans signings Shannon Boyd and Tyrone Peachey as pivotal to their surge into finals football, with the continued development of AJ Brimson another factor.
The experience of Josh McGuire and attacking brilliance of Ben Barba are tipped to help inspire the Cowboys into the top four and Renouf insists Michael Morgan is ready to step up after the retirement of Johnathan Thurston to run the team.
In the Broncos' case, it is the continued development of enforcer Tevita Pangai jnr and talisman five-eighth Anthony Milford that Renouf believes will lift the Broncos into the top two and challenge for the title along with the return of Maroons and Test back-rower Matt Gillett from injury.
Renouf also dissects the fallout between the Broncos hierarchy and former coach Wayne Bennett and why the story of how and why Bennett sacked is not over.
NRL Podcast: Soward's early 2019 predictions
The 2019 season won't kick off for close to four months, but Jamie Soward has already made some bold calls.
After providing power rankings for each team after every round in 2018, the 2010 premiership-winning five-eighth has given a detailed insight into who he thinks will be the big movers next season.
Despite the retirement of Johnathan Thurston, Soward has identified the North Queensland Cowboys as the team to improve the most – climbing from 13th to well inside the top eight.
Soward also thinks the Newcastle Knights will benefit from Nathan Brown's ability to recruit the likes of David Klemmer and play finals football for the first time since 2013.
The former New South Wales playmaker also has his say on whether this year's premiers – the Roosters – will go back-to-back, and whether the Parramatta Eels can avoid a second straight wooden spoon.
NRL Podcast: Lewis on league, life and his cancer battle
Without a positive outlook on life Luke Lewis may not have enjoyed an illustrious NRL career or beaten cancer.
In 2012, the two-time premiership winner endured the toughest period of his life. He was first told he was no longer wanted at his boyhood club – the Penrith Panthers – to then be diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after singing with Cronulla.
Instead of fearing the worst, Lewis phoned Shane Flanagan to ensure his new coach he hadn't signed a "dud".
In the latest NRL Podcast, Lewis speaks to Zac Bailey about the period in his life is detailed in his recently released autobiography Cool Hand Luke Lewis.
The 35-year-old spoke about his rise from NRL hopeful to grand final hero and how he dealt with several setbacks across his 18-year professional career.
Cool Hand Luke Lewis can be purchased from all good bookstores or online at www.newhollandpublishers.com.
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.
