The good: The signing of David Mead may not have exactly electrified the NRL, but the former Titan is a quality recruit for Wayne Bennett. He adds some genuine pace out wide and gives them finishing on both sides of the field. Should fire at Red Hill.

The bad: It's difficult to shake the distinct feeling that 2015 was Brisbane's chance. It's hard enough to get to grand finals, let alone win them, so the stars would need to align again in a very short space of time. Replacing Corey Parker is impossible and his loss will be hugely felt. Ben Hunt will also be gone in 2018.

The ugly: Benji Marshall could be a masterstroke from Bennett. Or he really might be on a steep decline and taking up a valuable roster spot. The second scenario would see the super coach under pressure from fans and ex-players, many of whom are already hugely sceptical of the move.

CANBERRA RAIDERS

The good: One game away from a grand final and second on the ladder says this could be a very good year for the green machine. They haven't quite followed the "you have to lose one to win one" model, but neither did the Sharks. Should be older, wiser and a huge chance of going all the way. Now come with an added Dave Taylor.

The bad: There will be no more of the "lovable overachievers, everyone's second team" chat in 2017. The Raiders are squarely on the radar and must deal with the added expectations from their fans and the added zeal of rival teams. It's up to Ricky Stuart to manage the transition from underdogs to one of the better chances.

The ugly: Even with their strong performance in 2016, a stable roster and quality across the park, the Raiders have yet to properly shake that feeling of unpredictability and, on occasions, unreliability. How they stand up if things go awry early will tell the tale.

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

The good: Things didn't quite go to plan for the Dogs in 2017, finishing seventh before going out in the first round of the finals. Des Hasler's spot looks assured, for now, and young stars such as Moses Mbye should only improve in 2017.

The bad: The post-season fallout where Hasler was forced to fight for his job resulted in a broom being put through the support staff at Belmore. Now Hasler has command again, he must show the board they made the right call. The tension is real.

The ugly: Sam Kasiano appears to have shed a mountain of weight in the off-season. We liked the plus-size dad-bod much better.

Where's the weight? Sam Kasiano has dropped the excess kilos in the off-season. Photo: Renee McKay

CRONULLA SUTHERLAND SHARKS

The good: After breaking the duck and the drought, the Sharks know what it takes to get the job done at the pointy end. The signing (re-signing) of Ben Barba is risky but could be a master stroke by the end of the year.

The bad: Welcome to the top. Going back-to-back has proven impossible in the past few decades and without retired rake Michael Ennis, as well as a battle to retain its premiership stars, the going is about to get a lot tougher.

The ugly: Paul Gallen's boxing career. He might be 7-0, but is unlikely to get confused with Oscar De La Hoya anytime soon. Luckily he's still fairly handy at rugby league.

GOLD COAST TITANS

The good: There's plenty to like about the Titans in 2017. They are clearly a club building nicely, get halfback Kane Elgey back from a season-long injury absence, have locked up key big man Ryan James and get an excellent recruit in Kevin Proctor. Fancy new training facilities and a very good coach in Neil Henry make them a genuine top-four prospect.

The bad: Can Jarryd Hayne return to the sort of form that made him one of the game's best players before he departed for the NFL? Given the cap space he inherits, a budget version simply won't cut it for a club with rather lofty ambitions in the next few years.

The ugly: Anything off the field that involves nightclubs, social media, patched motorcycle clubs and illegal substances. Some discipline please gentlemen.

MANLY SEA EAGLES

The good: Expect renewal and fresh faces at Brookvale in 2017 as Trent Barrett looks for energy to go with his key men. This will be the year when the Trbojevic clan, Jake and Tom, stamp their names all over the club.

The bad: Barrett needs some luck on the injury front and early concerns for Darcy Lussick (wrist) and Jackson Hastings (ankle) won't be welcome news. A younger squad means less depth to cover holes.

The ugly: Brett Stewart's knee. That's by no means having a crack at its outward appearance. Inside, it's a mess and there's a big chance we may have seen the last of the try-scoring freak.

MELBOURNE STORM

The good: If Craig Bellamy and Melbourne have a spirit animal in US sports, it must be Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. Both grind on with relentless excellence, turn battlers into priceless role players and win, win then win some more. The signs are promising for great fullback Billy Slater and his injured shoulder.

The bad: Hard to find reasons why they won't be a top-four team again. Melbourne lost backrower Kevin Proctor, but seem to find ready-made replacements better than anyone in the NRL.

The ugly: Slater has played just eight games in the past two years and any further serious injury to his shoulder would likely spell the end of the 33-year-old's wonderful career. He deserves a better way to sign off from the game.

Golden Boot: Cooper Cronk waves to the crowd after playing his 300th game in September this year. Photo: Quinn Rooney

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

The good: The only way is up. Surely. Knights fans can look forward to more than a solitary win in 2017, even for the mere notion that year was so bad it can't be repeated. They might still be favourites for a third straight spoon, but Nathan Brown has plenty of cash in the kitty and a superb player on the way in 2018 in the shape of Kalyn Ponga. They might even start the shopping early.

The bad: Jarrod Mullen's career looks to be over after a positive test to the anabolic steroid drostanolone. It's a sad exit for the Knights' veteran, while prop Pauli Pauli dislocated his hip in a car accident during the week. Brown doesn't have the depth to cover any more unforseen mishaps.

The ugly: Another stinker of a season will stretch the patience of Knights fans to breaking point. They need to show promise and improvement, and don't need Ponga starting to wonder what he's got himself in for. Contracts ain't what they used to be, you know.

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

The good: Kieran Foran has yet to be cleared to play, but if he is and if he can get back to his best, he might finally be the missing key for the Warriors – although that sort of stuff has all been written plenty of times before.

The bad: Veteran prop Ben Matulino will miss the start of the season after undergoing knee surgery, while depth in the halves around Shaun Johnson and Foran looks a real issue for Stephen Kearney.

The ugly: The pieces look to be in place once again over the ditch, but rarely has that been turned into results. Another mid-table finish will confound and infuriate fans who expect far better.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

The good: It seems as if Johnathan Thurston has settled his future and committed to staying in Townsville until the end of 2018. That's not exactly startling news, but it takes away any sort of contract debate before the season starts. A deal appears to be a formality and the brilliant half can now just get down to business.

The bad: Talk that Matt Scott will be shopping himself around for the final contract of his decorated career won't be the news Cowboys fans want to hear. The co-captain has become as much a fixture in the wilds of north Queensland as Thurston. It's hard to play well with broken hearts.

The ugly: Paul Green must find a way to arrest what will be an inevitable slide after the highs of the 2015 grand final breakthrough. The Cowboys finished fourth last year, then lost the preliminary final to eventual premiers Cronulla. History says they will go down before they go back up.

PARRAMATTA EELS

The good: It's a new year. That's the best thing that could happen to the Eels after their salary cap disaster in 2016. Providing they can keep track of all of their invoices, they have a squad and a coach worthy of finals consideration.

The bad: No Kieran Foran, which means Corey Norman and Clint Gutherson are the likely first-choice playmakers to start the season. It's a solid pairing, but a long way from some of the elite playing duos in the NRL. Plenty to prove.

The ugly: Semi Radradra could end up being on the wrong side of his own fans. He's already decided to go to French rugby union and any more trouble off the field would surely mean the Eels faithful would rather see the back of him sooner rather than later.

Parlez-vous Français? Semi Radradra is off to France at the end of the season. Photo: Getty Images

PENRITH PANTHERS

The good: Te Maire Martin will return from the shoulder injury that ruined his 2016 season. The young Kiwi looks a top-shelf talent and along with the unbelievably assured Nathan Cleary, gives the Panthers a superb young playmaking combination.

The bad: Like the Raiders, the suspicion that something big is brewing at the foot of the mountains will mean young players will need to carry bold expectations. It's never as easy as it sounds.

The ugly: Anthony Griffin's press conferences. Yeah, good.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

The good: Robbie Farah adds creativity and leadership, Greg Inglis finished last season in strong touch and Cody Walker will only get better alongside Adam Reynolds in the halves.

The bad: Inglis aside, the Rabbitohs back line has been a touch, well, harmless. Players such as former Kangaroo Alex Johnston, Hymel Hunt and Bryson Goodwin need to be more than role players if the Rabbits are to thrive again.

The ugly: Every time Souths are down, questions arise about Michael Maguire's coaching style. Early failures would only increase the pressure at Redfern as Souths try to climb back from 12th on the ladder in 2016.

Robbie's revenge tour: Farah will want to show the Wests Tigers they were wrong to push him out of the club. Photo: Supplied

ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

The good: Tyson Frizell will be keen to build on his brilliant season in 2016, where he starred for NSW then was selected for Australia. He needs to bring that form back to his club – every single week – for the Dragons to be competitive.

The bad: You might need to Google a few players. The Dragons are light on firepower and second only to the Knights in the early wooden spoon betting.

The ugly: A pre-season army boot camp in the middle of summer looked horrific. Fans should hope the players can salute when it counts.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

The good: There were distinct signs of life at Bondi Junction late last year. Only six wins in 2016 left them second last, but with injury and off-field dramas eating into their performances, expect bold improvement. The re-signing of prop Dylan Napa was a huge pre-season boost.

The bad: Mitchell Pearce needs to forget his disaster of a season in 2016 and prove to his club and fans he's the man to steer them around. If he struggles under that pressure, the Roosters will struggle right with him.

The ugly: Their defence. The Roosters conceded 576 points last year and were on the end of some big numbers. That equation must look far prettier in 2017 if the Roosters are to return to the top eight.

WESTS TIGERS

The good: The Tigers just missed the eight and the endless Robbie Farah saga has come to an end. There should be far fewer distractions in 2017 as they try to force their way into the post-season. The list looks good enough.

The bad: Big losses to top-eight teams show there is a significant gap that needs to be closed if the Tigers are to rattle any cages of the premiership fancies in 2017.

The ugly: Pray for James Tedesco to stay healthy. The fullback is the creative spark of the back line and fans dare not dream of a scenario where he is once again out of action.