The NRL kicked off last night. Michael Brown of APNZ assesses the changes at each club and their chances of success.
Broncos
2013: 12th
Key gains: Ben Barba, Martin Kennedy, Todd Lowrie, Daniel Vidot
Key losses: Scott Prince, Peter Wallace, Corey Norman
Coach: Anthony Griffin
Captain: Corey Parker/Justin Hodges
Prospects: Barba will add spark but pressure on young halves. Pre-season form a worry
Bulldogs
2013: 6th
Key gains: Reni Maitua, Chase Stanley, Pat O'Hanlon, Kayne Brennan, Damien Cook, Tyronne Phillips
Key losses: Ben Barba, Dene Halatau, Steve Turner, Danny Galea, Kris Keating, Martin Taupau, Paul Carter, Leilani Latu, Jack Littlejohn, Joel Romelo
Coach: Des Hasler
Captain: Michael Ennis/Frank Pritchard
Prospects: Underperformed in 2013 and struggling to find a fullback. Already hit by early-season injuries
Cowboys
2013: 8th
Key gains:Lachlan Coote (out for season)
Key losses: Matt Bowen, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Dallas Johnson, Ashley Graham,
Coach: Paul Green
Captain: Johnathan Thurston/Matt Scott
Prospects: On a high after Auckland Nines win and Green has added more steel. Depth a worry but playoffs contenders
Dragons
2013: 14th
Key gains: Gareth Widdop, Joel Thompson, Dylan Farrell
Key losses: Jamie Soward, Matt Cooper, Nathan Fien, Chase Stanley,
Coach: Steve Price
Captain: Ben Creagh
Prospects: Not good. Plenty of changes but Price is a man under pressure so little time to make it work
Eels
2013: 16th
Key gains: Will Hopoate, Lee Mossop, Corey Norman
Key losses: Reni Maitua, Cheyse Blair
Coach: Brad Arthur
Captain: Jarryd Hayne/Tim Mannah
Prospects: Favourites for third consecutive wooden spoon but Arthur's disciplined approach should see them climb off the bottom
Knights
2013: 7th
Key gains: Clint Newton, Michael Dobson
Key losses: Danny Buderus, Neville Costigan, Kevin Naiqama, Russell packer
Coach: Wayne Bennett
Captain: Kurt Gidley
Prospects: Overachieved in 2013 and injury to Jarrod Mullen a big blow. Could struggle to make the eight
Panthers
2013: 10th
Key gains: Jamal Idris, Jamie Soward, Brent Kite, Peter Wallace, Elijah Taylor, Kevin Naiqama
Key losses: Lachlan Coote, Brad Tighe, Luke Walsh, Clint Newton
Coach: Ivan Cleary
Captain: Kevin Kingston/Peter Wallace
Prospects: Club building nicely and have added good depth. Could take time to gel but should go well
Rabbitohs
2013: 2nd
Key gains: Joel Reddy, Lote Tuqiri
Key losses: Roy Asotasi, Matt King, Michael Crocker, Jeff Lima
Coach: Michael Maguire
Captain: John Sutton
Prospects: Getting closer to elusive title with powerful back but questions over backs and depth. Top four on cards again
Raiders
2013: 13th
Key gains: Lagi Setu, Kyle O'Donnell, Kurt Baptiste
Key losses: Blake Ferguson, Joel Thompson, Sandor Earl (banned), Shaun Berrigan, Sam Williams, Joe Picker, Jonathan Reuben, Hayden Crockett, Dimitri Pelo, Michael Picker
Coach: Ricky Stuart
Captain: Terry Campese
Prospects: Year of change for young and talented squad under new coach. Could flourish or flounder
Roosters
2013: 1st (premiers)
Key gains: Remi Casty
Key losses: Luke O'Donnell
Coach: Trent Robinson
Captain: Anthony Minichiello
Prospects: Laden with talent, the Roosters have the potential to be the first club to win consecutive titles since Brisbane in 1997/98.
Sea Eagles
2013: 4th (beaten grand finalists)
Key gains: Cheyse Blair
Key losses: Bret Kite, George Rose, Joe Galuvao, Richie Fa'aoso
Coach: Geoff Toovey
Captain: Jamie Lyon/Jason King
Prospects: Strong side who should make top four again
Sharks
2013: 5th
Key gains: Blake Ayshford, Matt Prior, Eric Grothe Jnr, Daniel Holdsworth
Key losses: Jayson Bukuya, Tyronne Peachey, Ben Ross, Chad Townsend, Ben Pomeroy, Mark Taufua
Coach: Peter Sharp (Shane Flanagan's appeal still pending)
Captain: Paul Gallen
Prospects: Tough outfit who did well in 2013 to put turmoil aside and question is whether they can do it again. Lost some key players but should make the top eight
Storm
2013: 3rd
Key gains: George Rose
Key losses: Gareth Widdop, Maurice Blair, Jason Ryles, Brett Finch, Junior Sa'u, Lagi Setu
Coach: Craig Bellamy
Captain: Cameron Smith
Prospects: Depth will be tested but Bellamy finds a way to get the best out of his players. Top four contenders again
Titans
2013: 9th
Key gains: Maurice Blair, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Brad Tighe, Siuatonga Likiliki,
Key losses: Jamal Idris, Luke O'Dwyer
Coach: John Cartwright
Captain: Greg Bird/Nate Myles
Prospects: Tough pack and plenty of talent in the backs means they should be pushing for the top eight
Warriors
2013: 11th
Key gains: Sam Tomkins, Chad Townsend, Jayswon Bukuya
Key losses: Elijah Taylor, Todd Lowrie, Russell Packer, Steve Rapira
Coach: Matt Elliott
Captain: Simon Mannering
Prospects: Top-eight finish minimum requirement with good off-season signings, better depth and familiarity with Elliott's ways.
Wests Tigers
2013: 15th
Key gains: Pat Richards, Dene Halatau, Martin Taupau
Key losses: Benji Marshall, Blake Ayshford, Joel Reddy, Eddy Pettybourne, Lote Tuqiri
Coach: Mick Potter
Captain: Robbie Farah
Prospects: Immensely promising roster but way too soon for them to make a mark.
