After the Broncos were head and shoulders ahead of everybody else in 2000, a number of factors should bring the competition closer together in 2001.

Firstly, unlimited interchange is a thing of the past. The Broncos' ability to pile on huge, powerful forwards and rotate them every five or ten minutes is not possible now, with only 12 interchanges permitted over the course of a game. In last year's Grand Final, the Broncos made 21 interchanges in the first half! Other teams have to adjust to this too, and it has meant a gruelling fitness regime for all teams over the offseason. It still remains to be seen how teams will cope with this massive change.

Brisbane have also lost a number of established players: captain Kevin Walters, original winger Michael Hancock, ironman lock Kevin Campion, explosive centre Tonie Carroll and giant forward enforcer Brad Thorn. The Broncos also are certain to lose Harvey Howard, the former British Test prop who cooled his heels in Toowoomba for much of the year before playing a vital role to get the Broncos into the Grand Final.

The Broncos have recruited Stuart Kelly and Casey McGuire from Parramatta, Scott Prince from North Queensland, Mark Corvo from Canberra and Nathan Murphy from Canterbury. Prince's contribution, where he is expected to play halfback - a position he hasn't played since he was 15 - will be one of the wildcard factors in the Broncos' chances.

Other teams have question marks over them too, having lost a number of players, gained new coaches, and in one case, Auckland, had the club completely ripped and rebuilt from scratch in the space of three months.

It's going to be one of the hardest competitions to pick. But here's a guide. My predictions, in finishing order before the finals:

1. Brisbane

Despite the mass changes in staff and the uncertainty of the 12-4 interchange system, the Broncos deserve to go in as favourites. Any team that boasts Darren Lockyer, Gorden Tallis, Shane Webcke and Wendell Sailor is going to cause a threat, but when you throw in Fiji star Lote Tuqiri, rising stars Ashley Harrison, Dane Carlaw, Brad Meyers, the ever consistent Luke Priddis and Michael De Vere, and the new young guns Stuart Kelly and Scott Prince and you have the makings of a champion team.

Talent won't be a problem, and forming a team should not be either, with the astute Wayne Bennett continuing his stellar career at the highest level. Taking out the impact State of Origin had in 2000 - when the Broncos lost as many as 10 players for three games - and the Broncos are looking good for another big year.

Last year: Major and minor premiers
Wildcard: Scott Prince
Achilles heel: Lack an experienced halves combination - again

2. Parramatta

Coach Brian Smith's plan to slowly cut out the dead wood and replace it with a nucleus of young talent is set to pay off. After years as bridesmaids - or in fact, not even getting that far - the Eels are set for their best season since 1986.

In 2000, the Eels struggled for the first half of the season, but gradually gained momentum towards the end of the year. Sensational wins in the finals saw them a real threat in the third week, before the Broncos closed them down in the final 5 minutes. The experience the likes of Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh, Jamie Lyon, Luke Burt, Pat Richards, Daniel Wagon and co received from that will stand them in good stead for 2001. Led by the impressive Nathan Cayless and with veterans Gary Larson and Jason Taylor to guide the youth, the Eels look to have a terrific blend of experience and youth.

Last year: 7th
Wildcard: Former Penrith half Brad Drew
Achilles heel: Brian Smith's "horses for courses" policy does little for team harmony or consistency

3. Sydney Roosters

British hard man Adrian Morley joins an already flamboyant forward pack in what could be the difference between last year's solid effort and a premiership. Morley is highly regarded for his ability - but for his suspect discipline - and should provide a welcome foil for the talented Bryan Fletcher, Simon Bonetti, Luke Ricketson, Scott Logan and Ian Rubin.

The backline is much the same as last year with one noteable omission. Adrian Lam has taken up a position with Wigan. Former Sharks and North Queensland half Paul Green has taken up the position. How he fits in with Brad Fittler and the talented Roosters backline will go a long way to determining their fate.

Last year: Second and Grand Finalists
Wildcard: Paul Green-Brad Fittler combination
Achilles heel: Adrian Morley's discipline

4. Penrith

The Panthers had a solid year in 2000, overcoming their traditional injury crisis to finish fifth and put in an admirable display in the finals. 2001 should be an improvement for them, despite not being active in the player market in the offseason.

As they say every year, the key for Penrith is stability. If they can keep their best squad on the paddock for most of the year, they will be a very tough outfit to beat. Up front they have the powerful Tony and Frank Puletua, Matt Adamson, John Cross, Scott Sattler and Craig Greenhill. Out wide they have the electrifying ability of Ryan Girdler, plus the emerging talents of Chris Hicks, Shane Elford and Rhys Wesser.

Last year: Fifth
Wildcard: Tony Puletua
Achilles heel: Injuries

5. Canterbury

The most successful club of the past 20 years, it's commonly said the Bulldogs don't have two bad years on the trot. 2000 was definitely a bad year. The club struggled into 11th place and never looked a threat to the title. Their once trademark dogged - pardon the pun - defence was gone, and left was a team of armgrabbing slugs.

Might sound harsh, but this season things will be different. They have bought well, with speed merchants Brett Howland from the Sharks and Luke Patten from St George-Illawarra boosting their potency out wide. Up front, the Bulldogs remain solid with Darren Britt again set to lead their pack along with Newcastle standout Paul Rauhiihi, David Thompson, Steve Price and 1st Division Grand Final winning captain Adam Peek.

Last year: 11th
Wildcard: Travis Norton
Achilles heel: The Hughes Brothers

6. St George-Illawarra

Off field turmoil and a shocking run with injuries ended any hope the Dragons had of avenging their tragic 1999 Grand Final loss in 2000. However, with their biggest distraction gone, and the chance to build a solid team without any big heads, the Dragons should be able to improve in 2001.

Willie Peters joins the squad from England and Paul McGregor, captain in 1999, comes out of retirement. The Dragons' fragile forward pack should be bolstered by a fully fit Lance Thompson and Craig Smith, with some talented toilers coming along nicely in the form of Luke Bailey, Chris Leikvoll and Chris Nero.

Last year: 9th
Wildcard: Paul McGregor
Achilles heel: Temperament

7. Newcastle

Andrew Johns' hissyfit after the Roosters came from behind to beat them in last year's preliminary final was more than just frustration over the end of their season. He knew it was the last chance for a while to be a serious premiership threat. With brother Matthew Johns leaving, along with a host of other players - Tony Butterfield, David Fairleigh, Paul Rauhiihi, Lenny Beckett to name just a few - the Knights are set for a lean 2001.

However, any team that boasts the talents of Matt Gidley and Andrew Johns will win its fair share of games, and they have the ability to make the eight. Unfortunately for the passionate fans of the Hunter Valley, that's about as far as they'll go.

Last year: 3rd
Wildcard: Robbie O'Davis: can he stay on the field?
Achilles heel: Lack of forward muscle

8. Melbourne

The 1999 premiers took a big dive in 2000, starting with losing their first four matches of the season. They have suffered further dents with Australian Test halfback Brett Kimmorley leaving, along with dependable centre Tony Martin's move to the UK.

The Storm are still strong up front, but the limited interchange will impact their effectiveness. Halfback Matt Orford is still an unknown quantity, and his combination with five-eighth Tasesa Lavea and the rest of the side will be crucial.

Last year: 6th
Wildcard: Rodney Howe: capable of being a hero and a villain
Achilles heel: Lack of experience in the halves

9. Northern Eagles

After a disappointing 2000, the Eagles are set to improve in 2001, but they are still likely to fall short of the finals. The Eagles have recruited some star talent in the backline, with Test halfback Brett Kimmorley, talented former Bronco Ben Walker and outstanding young Knights winger Lenny Beckett.

If the Eagles can keep their best forwards - Nik Kosef, Mark O'Meley, Steve Trindall, Adam Muir and Paul Stringer - on the field along with captain Geoff Toovey, they can mould into a real force. A finals position is not out of the equation, and they will be battling with Melbourne, Newcastle, the Sharks and Wests Tigers for the final two spots in the 8.

Last year: 12th
Wildcard: Ben Walker: can he reach his potential?
Achilles heel: Injury and Josh Stuart's discipline or lack thereof

10. Wests Tigers

The Tigers looked the goods for the first half of 2000, sitting comfortably in second place behind the Broncos. However, they fell away in the second half of the season to finish outside the top 8.

Coach Wayne Pearce is gone and in his place, perennial winner Terry Lamb. Lamb brings that winning spirit and the brains to do it, but whether he has the talent to do it is another question. The halves are very bare for the Tigers, with the enigmatic Craig Field the only specialist. He will be partnered by the equally inconsistent Owen Craigie in what shapes as a dangerous combination for the Tigers more so than their opposition.

Up front the Tigers are solid with the outstanding Luke O'Donnell, Shane Walker and Tyran Smith, the affable Darren Senter and solid toilers Mark O'Neill, John Skandalis and Jason Lowrie. A finals berth seems unlikely however.

Last year: 10th
Wildcard: Craig Field
Achilles heel: Lack of a halves combination

11. The Sharks

The Sharks have lost some pretty handy players in the offseason - Andrew Ettingshausen and Brett Howland - and have done little to boost their playing stocks. Given that they went backwards a long way in the previous 12 months, it's hard to see anything other than a further fall back in 2001.

They have average forwards, with the only standouts the firey Jason Stevens, and the linear Martin Lang, and apart from the immensely talented Mat Rogers and David Peachey at the back, there is little in the way of organising ability in the halves. Matthew Daylight joins the club in the halves, but is unproven at NRL level. The Sharks will struggle to make an impression on the premiership trendsetters.

Last year: 8th
Wildcard: Jason Stevens
Achilles heel: An injury to David Peachey or Mat Rogers

12. Canberra

The Raiders are talking upbeat about their 2001 chances, saying that anything less than matching last year's performance would be a disappointment, where they finished fourth. However, the Raiders need to be realistic. They have lost Laurie Daley, Brett Mullins, David Furner and Mark Corvo. While they've picked up Clinton Schifcofske, Michael Hodgson and Odell Manuel, they still lack that championship quality Daley, Furner and Mullins brought them.

The Macs, Mark McLinden and Andrew McFadden will take on a far more important role in the halves, but it's a lot to expect them to perform the same miracles the side did last year. Winning at home will still be in their range, but they will struggle away from Bruce.

Last year: 4th
Wildcard: Mark McLinden
Achilles heel: Inexperience

13. North Queensland

After attaining yet another wooden spoon last year, the Cowboys can't get any worse. However, they have done little to boost themselves for a renewed campaign in 2001, simply throwing away Paul Green and losing the talented Scott Prince. Ty Williams joins them, a talented local, but he can't do everything. North Queensland should thank the Warriors inept previous administration for giving them a chance to avoid the spoon.

Losing Tim Brasher for the season is a bitter blow for the Cowboys.

Last year: Stone motherless last
Wildcard: Julian O'Neill
Achilles heel: The football team

14. New Zealand Warriors

Virtually a new club, the Warriors were reinvented after the Tainui group nearly sent the New Zealand club to its grave. The Warriors will struggle to put together a strong side, although they have been boosted by resigning Logan Swann, Ali Lauitiiti, Stacey Jones and Jason Death. The Warriors also secured the services of Broncos premiership winning lock forward Kevin Campion, whose good attitude and consistency will be a godsend for the enigmatic Kiwis.

However it's difficult to see them achieving any history other than their first wooden spoon.

Last year: 13th
Wildcard: Ali Lauitiiti
Achilles heel: Depth

From then it's onto the finals. From this distance the crystal ball is a bit cloudy, but I see an Eel and a Bronco grappling with an object resembling the NRL trophy in the backdrop.

Go you Broncos!