Rooster vs Rabbitohs

Matchup - The forwards packs are impossible to ignore with both teams having a group of big, aggressive and very mobile lads to do the dirty work. I think the Bunnies have a bit more skill in their pack which could give them an edge but with SBW and Boyd Cordner on the edges, the Roosters will be able to attack through the middle and on the edge.

Key man - Dylan Walker is a young player with a whole lot of potential, but he'll have to demonstrate his ability to lead a group of established NRL stars. The work he did at centre last season could give him a good base to be able to run the ball as well as distribute it to keep the Roosters guessing.

Watch out for - The battle of the rakes. The Roosters have Daniel Mortimer up their sleeve to support Jake Friend while Isaac Luke will have to play the 80 for the Rabbitohs.

Verdict - Roosters <12. The depth of the tri colours to give them the edge.

Bulldogs vs Broncos

Matchup - Josh Morris/Chase Stanley vs Jack Reed/Dale Copley. Both teams have centre pairings that wouldn't really worry too many NRL teams. The are however, all solid players who will do a good job but someone will have to do something pretty fantastic to give their team the edge.

Key man - Sam Perrett has been given the fullback spot for the Dogs and will have to show an ability to distribute the ball and create a few opportunities for his outside men ... unless Des Hasler wants him to just focus on his running game, hmmm.

Watch out for - Really interested to see how Josh Hoffman goes at six. A strong runner, he'll have to perform a few classic half duties to support Ben Hunt but his relationship with Ben Barba could also be important.

Verdict - Broncos <12. They have a lot to prove to their fans and I reckon that their pack is good enough to compete with the Dogs allowing their outside backs to shine.

Panthers vs Knights

Matchup - Lewis Brown/Elijah Taylor vs Beau Scott/Robbie Rochow. The Panthers are giving up a lot of size on their edges to the Knights but the greater mobility of Brown and Taylor could give Scott and Rochow a few problems.

Key man - The hopes of Newcastle are going to fall upon the shoulders of Tyrone Roberts and if he can provide a spark and direction for the Knights, I'd expect them to be too strong for the Panthers.

Watch out for - How much excitement and pizzazz Matt Moylan can bring to a pretty mundane spine for the Panthers.

Verdict - Knights >12. The Panthers will build in to the season while the Knights have too much muscle and fire power throughout their 17.

Sea Eagles vs Storm

Matchup - Josh Starling/Brenton Lawrence vs Jesse Bromwich/Bryan Norrie. The prop rotation for the Sea Eagles is perhaps their weakest aspect, but in my mind it will be their most under rated. The Storm have some guys who do their job to near perfection and this will be an interesting arm wrestle.

Josh Starling has shifted from Redfern to Brooky

Key man - Ben Hampton will partner Ben Roberts in the halves and must give the Storm a fair bit on attack to compete with Manly's halves.

Watch out for - Manly's bench. These guys will feature heavily throughout the season and they pack a fair bit of fire power - Jesse Sene-Lefao, James Hasson, Jamie Burher and Dunamis Lui are all typical Manly style forwards.

Verdict - Manly >12. Can't see the Storm keeping up with the Sea Eagles, especially without Cooper Cronk.

Cowboys vs Raiders

Matchup - Jason Taumalolo vs Josh Papali'i. While they might not line up directly opposite each other, these two will look to give their teams strong ball running as well as a bit of footwork. Two dynamic, strong and athletic characters who's teams need them to make a big impact.

Key man - Jack Wighton has been shown a lot of faith by Ricky Stuart and he'll have to support Terry Campese for the Raiders to have a chance here. They're up against Thurston/Lui who have a good combination together and will look to dictate proceedings.

Watch out for - Matt Allwood in the centres for the Raiders. A young lad up against one of the best centre pairings in the league.

Verdict - Cowboys >12. Way too much fire power for the Cowboys and have the edge on the Raiders in every department.

Dragons vs Tigers

Matchup - Braith Anasta vs Michael Witt. Both these two will play supporting roles to their halves partners and are both experience, battle hardened halves. Whoever can contribute that little bit extra will give their team the advantage.

Key man - Adam Quinlan gets a run for Josh Dugan and he will have to offer a whole lot of support to Witt and Gareth Widdopp. We know what to expect from James Tedesco at the back for the Tigers but Quinlan is more of an unknown quantity.

What to watch for - Leeson Ah Mau must have impressed Steve Price over the off season as he gets a run in the second row. He'll give the Dragons a hard running option on the edge to go along with Joel Thompson and Tyson Frizell off the bench.

Verdict - Tigers <12. The Tigers have built a team that combines experience with youth and they'll have too much muscle in the forwards, especially off the bench.

Eels vs Warriors

Matchup - Jarryd Hayne vs Sam Tomkins. Two fullbacks who will want to get their hands on the ball as often as possible. Look for them to set up plenty of opportunities as well as being there to finish a few.

Key men - Dane Nielsen and Carlos Tuimavavae will have a big task ahead of them lining up against WIll Hopoate and Willie Tonga. I think this was a big reason as to why Konrad Hurrell was left out of the team as the Warriors will need to be very good defensively on their edges.

Watch out for - Tim Mannah (like Jarryd Hayne) has stuck strong with the Eels and he'll be out to rediscover his Origin worthy form. What better opportunity to do so against the Warrirors?

Verdict - Warriors <12. A few too many weapons and a forward pack that should get on top of their opposition gives the Warriors the edge here.

Sharks vs Titans

Matchup - Michael Gordon vs William Zillman. Two fullbacks who aren't superstars and who don't provide as much a threat as some of the others. Zillman will look to facilitate the Titan's halves while Gordon will have to add a bit to the Shark's attack.

Key man - Dave Taylor will give us a glimpse of what his 2014 could look like. If he's near his best, the Titans should be able to dismantle the Sharks with ease.

Watch out for - Tupou Sopoaga will come off the bench for the Sharks and will add a bit more athleticism than Matt Prior.

Verdict - Titans >12. They have a dynamic halves pairing and a pretty beast forward pack...enough for me.