Souths forward Keaon Koloamatangi says he is hopeful of getting a chance to stake his claim as a starting player on an edge for Wayne Bennett this year.
With the retirement of Ethan Lowe and departure of Bayley Sironen, the Bunnies are looking for a full-time edge partner for Jaydn Su A after lock Cam Murray was forced to deputise in the role at times last year.
Koloamatangi himself had a breakout year as a middle forward off the bench in 2020, frequently charging for over 100 metres in 20 minutes or under of game time.
But the Mascot junior has always preferred the edge and is aiming to grab that spot this year.
The start of a new season brings the fresh hope for players, coaches and fans that if everything goes to plan a premiership could be just seven months away.
For modern masters Melbourne, who’ve won two of the past four grand finals, the stress levels heading into 2021 will be considerably lower than those at Parramatta, where a premiership has eluded them since Ray Price and Michael Cronin went out winners in 1986.
Back-to-back premiers in 2018-19, the Roosters know what it takes to get to September and perform at their peak on the big stage so they’ll enter their campaign more relaxed than the likes of Canberra and Newcastle, who haven’t saluted since 1994 and 2001 respectively.
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Premiers Melbourne Storm take on title challengers South Sydney in the marquee clash of the 2021 season s opening round at AAMI Park.
Both sides have picked up where they left off, cruising to big wins in the abbreviated trial season with the Storm dismissing the Knights 30-10 and last season s preliminary finalists Souths routing the Dragons 48-16.
Melbourne will start the season without both Cameron Smith and Harry Grant but have an able substitute on Brandon Smith while the Rabbitohs look well-placed to send legendary coach Wayne Bennett out on a high.
The Storm will be keen to get off to a winning start as their opening three-match gauntlet of Souths, Parramatta and Penrith is a challenging one.
A new era for St George Illawarra kicks off at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium when the Dragons host traditional rivals Cronulla in the first match of Anthony Griffin s tenure.
The former Broncos and Panthers mentor becomes the eighth coach of the joint-venture, following in the footsteps of David Waite, Andrew Farrar, Nathan Brown, their 2010 premiership winner Wayne Bennett, Steve Price, Paul McGregor and last season s interim appointment, Dean Young.
For the Sharks, coach John Morris is off contract heading into the new season, looking to extend his run of playoff appearances to three straight years after taking the reins when Shane Flanagan departed at the end of 2018.