The week before the start of the Telstra premiership is a time of anticipation, excitement, and perhaps even a touch of nervousness. Despite best efforts to prepare yourself for the season ahead, regardless of how well you performed the previous year, there is always that element of anxiety as you approach your first premiership match. There is always that nagging voice in the back of your head asking if you are really ready for the challenge ahead.

The early rounds are usually inconsistent as teams strive for rhythm, cohesion and confidence. There will be new rule interpretations (we will talk a lot about this over the next few weeks), hopefully some new styles of play, experimentation perhaps; and youngsters will be introduced to the rigours of NRL football for the first time.

Until you actually get out there and play a few games, get a taste for the strength of your opponents and test yourself again at this level, you can never really be sure about what the new season may hold.

Mind you, I think there are a few teams that we can confidently predict will be bouncing around the top of the ladder for most of the season – the definite premiership contenders.

THE RABBITOHS  

The defending premiers could not have been more impressive with the way they have presented themselves for the new season. There is certainly no grand final hangover here. Since their memorable premiership victory in the first weekend of October 2014, the South Sydney side has swept all before them in the lead-up to the 2015 premiership.  Auckland Nines. World Club Challenge. Boom. Boom. Like most people I was interested to see how they would perform without Sam Burgess. I also have a high regard for the contribution of Ben Teo, who has moved on from the club as well. However, there is no doubt the acquisition of Glenn Stewart will add a new skill dimension to their game. The new-found confidence of halves Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary is there for all to see. Greg Inglis has begun 2015 in scintillating form. He looks like a man on a mission. Yep, the Rabbitohs are definite premiership contenders.

THE BULLDOGS 

Des Hasler's men won't be far away all season. The Bulldogs boast an outstanding forward pack led by their new skipper, Englishman James Graham. They have recruited brilliantly through the acquisition of talented young hooker Michael Lichaa from the Sharks and the speedy Brett Morris from the Dragons (how the hell did they pull that one off?). The Bulldogs play a brand of football that torments almost every defensive system in the competition. They are big, aggressive and skilful. Now with the Morris brothers playing outside State of Origin halves Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds one would have to think this team are capable of rising to a whole new level. Losing grand finalists traditionally start the new season highly motivated. I have no reason to believe the Bulldogs won't be serious contenders again in 2015.

THE ROOSTERS 

Despite the fact they were minor premiers in 2014, I felt this side never really rose to the heights achieved the previous year when they were premiers. Still, they did play some very good football. On their day they have the ability to tear other sides apart. This club has a wonderful roster. I watched Blake Ferguson play in a lower-grade trial early in February. Everything about this trial suggested Ferguson will soon be back to his best and that can only bode well for the Roosters in 2015.

THE COWBOYS 

You would have to think it's only a matter of time before the Cowboys lift the premiership trophy. This is a serious football team. Their Achilles heel in recent years has been the inability to consistently win in Sydney. The Cowboys need to come to terms with their performances on the road if they hope to capture the major prize. If anything, the Cowboys have improved their roster for 2015 with strategic purchases in the shape of Jake Granville (Brisbane), Kelepi Tanginoa (Parramatta), Ben Hannant (Brisbane) and Justin O'Neill (Melbourne). I really believe they will add something to the Cowboys. Don't be surprised if the North Queensland boys sweep all before them this season. They look to be among the top four contenders. However, there are a number of teams capable of playing themselves into title contention if injuries are kind and they play to their potential. These teams are all capable of making the finals.

THE SEA EAGLES 

You can't discount them. Their back line is so potent; so many great players. The Sea Eagles are capable of beating anyone on their day. They have been up for a long time, though, and one starts to wonder whether or not their forward pack can keep matching some of the bigger teams. The seemingly never-ending saga surrounding the future of their talented halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans has been an unwanted distraction during the lead-up to the competition (more on this in the coming weeks). Hopefully it is all sorted soon and the boys can settle down to a committed campaign.

THE STORM 

Like the Sea Eagles, the Storm boys have been playing a superior brand of football for a long time. This team is so professional, so well drilled and so committed that there is no doubt they will win their fair share of games during the season. But one wonders whether they still have the firepower to match it with the top sides. Don't underestimate this team. However, I see no premiership in their immediate future.

THE SHARKS 

Forget the horror season of 2014. Have a good look at the playing roster. They have talent, experience, match-winners and grunt. I think this team is being grossly underestimated. If new recruit Ben Barba can provide the X-factor that produces try-scoring opportunities, the Sharks can match any side in the competition. The Sharks are my dark horse when it comes to top-eight selections.

THE WARRIORS 

Brilliant one day, frustrating the next. This team has the talent to beat any team. The problem is they also spend a good portion of the year beating themselves. I don't think any team likes to play against the Warriors and for this reason you have to rate them as a top-eight contender. They have a fair way to go before they convince me they can match it with the top sides in the big games. I do predict they will flog a number of teams by big scores.

THE KNIGHTS 

Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Knights in 2014. After a horror start to the year, however, they won a large portion of their games at the back end of the season. In the end they finished with 10 victories for the season and only four points outside a top-eight finish. Don't write this team off in semi-final calculations. New coach, new attitude, clean slate. The Knights are definitely capable on their day.

THE TIGERS 

The new kids on the block. A group of exciting young talents ready to stake their claim. These lads are afraid of no one – and they aren't afraid to experiment with their attacking football. Maybe 2015 won't be the year they challenge for a title. But there is no reason they can't make a run at the finals. In 18 months' time, though, they could well be a serious contender for top honours. I think the Tigers will give their fans a lot of fun this season. And tremendous encouragement for the future.

THE BRONCOS 

Wayne Bennett has immediately shaken up the playing roster and stamped his authority. The Broncos have flexed their financial muscle in a quick-fire recruitment drive that sees Anthony Milford (Canberra), Mitch Garbutt (Melbourne), James Gavet (Wests Tigers), Darius Boyd (Newcastle), Travis Waddell (Newcastle) and Adam Blair (Wests Tigers) all now calling Brisbane home. Not too many clubs have the ability to totally overhaul their roster in such a short space of time.  Bennett made it all happen within a month. He is certainly getting serious about returning the Broncos to the top of the pile. We shall watch their campaign with great interest.

THE EELS 

They have been impressive in the trials. The unexpected loss of Jarryd Hayne was definitely a blow. I do like the purchases they have made during the off-season, however. Brad Takairangi (Gold Coast), Anthony Watmough (Manly), Danny Wicks (unattached), Reece Robinson (Canberra), Cody Nelson (Gold Coast), Ben Crooks (Hull FC), Shannan McPherson (Salford), Beau Champion (Souths). There are some real tradesmen in this lot and all will be out to prove a point. Don't be surprised if the Eels have a say in the 2015 premiership race.

Just below all these teams I rate St George-Illawarra, Gold Coast and the Raiders. I am not saying these teams cannot make the top eight, but they will have to do a lot of things right over a long period of time to lift themselves into contention. Good luck to the team that you support. Only four days to go, my friends. I'm counting the minutes.