One eye on the future: The NRL clubs already looking towards 2022 A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Replay A Set the default text size A Set large text size
In Part 2 of my season preview series, we’ll look at the NRL clubs that have already written off the upcoming season and are instead focusing their attention on 2022.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Key additions: Poasa Faamausili (Roosters), Jack Bird (Broncos), Daniel Alvaro (Eels), Andrew McCullough (Broncos)
Key subtractions: Tyson Frizell (Knights), Euan Aitken (Warriors), James Graham (St Helens), Jacob Host (Rabbitohs), Korbin Sims (Hull KR), Jason Saab (Sea Eagles)
NRL 2021: Sydney Roosters season preview nrl.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nrl.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Broncos
The first three weeks of the season will be tough without the suspended Payne Haas but even when the Origin prop returns the Broncos still look undermanned upfront with David Fifita and Joe Ofahengaue moving on.
The wooden spooners need young bucks Thomas Flegler and Patrick Carrigan to go to another level in 2021 and veteran Alex Glenn to stay injury-free and defy Father Time if new coach Kevin Walters is to restore pride at Red Hill.
Behind the scenes with Tedesco, Sergis and little league stars
Raiders
John Bateman is a massive loss but the experience of former Titan Ryan James will help ease the blow of losing the rugged Englishman.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin described Cameron McInnes s season-ending knee injury as sad and said trial form would be crucial to determining who takes his place.
Hours after McInnes went down with a ruptured ACL at training, curtailing his playing career in the Red V ahead of a move to Cronulla in 2022, St George Illawarra went down 36-28 to their outgoing captain s next club in an emerging players trial at PointsBet Stadium.
Only those who played 12 or fewer NRL matches in 2020 were eligible.
Speaking afterwards, Griffin acknowledged McInnes, who was touted to start at lock with the Dragons expected to sign Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough, is a tough man to replace.