NORTH Queensland will be the big improvers, the Broncos will struggle with a rebuilding year, while the Titans will again be Queensland’s best chance of snatching the NRL trophy.

This is what lies ahead for the state’s three NRL clubs according to former Queensland Origin backrower and Penrith grand final hero Scott Sattler, who was asked to make his predictions for the new season for fogs.com.au.

Sattler said the Cowboys, Broncos and Titans were probably the hardest teams in the competition to get a feel for, given all of the clubs have had big changes in their playing or coaching ranks.

The Broncos have barely been out of the news in the off-season – changing chief executives with Paul White taking over from Bruno Cullen, being left a strike weapon down after the departure of Israel Folau and the near-miss with Greg Inglis, and then the sacking of coach Ivan Henjak for Anthony Griffin.

“I just don’t know with the Broncos. You are so used to seeing them playing finals football. But I think at the moment the Broncos are going through a real development phase,” Sattler said.

“Justin Hodges is going to be great, but it is going to take him a while to get going. Do they have the depth? I’m not sure.

“When the season gets down to the wire, I think the Broncos will be fighting and scratching to get into the final eighth position.

“I don’t think it is a bad thing for them. But it will probably be a little painful for them this year while their younger players just get used to the week-to-week grind of playing in the NRL.

“But they will see the benefits of it 18 months down the track.”

The Cowboys too have a new CEO, and have had a clear-out of the coaching staff, which lead to the demise of legendary trainer Billy Johnstone, and have been the most active of the three clubs in the player market.

But after a run of below-par seasons, Sattler says the Cowboys are now in the right position to live up to their potential.

“I think they can turn it around this year, and a big part of the reason for that is Johnathan Thurston is coming into the season without having had major off-season surgery – and that’s the first time in a long time,” Sattler said.

“I think the signings that they have made have been very smart signings. Obviously they won’t have Brent Tate for most of the year, and that is a horrible blow for them.

“They have a smart, tough coach. And if Neil Henry and Thurston can get on the same page, I think they will achieve great things.

“Thurston and Matty Bowen are injury-free. Matt Scott will further prove himself as one of the top props in the game.

“And I think signing Dallas Johnson will prove a masterstroke. The Cowboys had their best years when they brought Kevin Campion to the club, and I think Dallas fits that mould perfectly.

“He will just bring that hard edge, that mental toughness to the team, the same way Campion did, and I think the Cowboys’ attitude will transform because of it.”

The Titans meanwhile have been the most stable in the off-season – largely ignoring the player market, re-signing coach John Cartwright to a new long-term deal and, aside from former Maroon Mat Rogers, largely keeping their top squad intact.

But there are fears this stability may in fact be stagnation, with the Titans – already one of the oldest teams in the NRL – having another year on the clock and not much to show in the way of new faces.

“They have lost Rogers, and that will be a big blow,” Sattler said. “But I think the real sticking point for the Titans will come at around Round 16 or 17.

“I still expect them to be in the top six, maybe top four. They are weak in the centres and that will hurt them, and I’m still not sure what they will do for a No.6.

“But their biggest asset is the guy that sits in the coach’s box. Carty has an aura about them, and he gets the players to listen. If he can keep the young guys’ attitudes and enthusiasm high in the back end of the season, they could do well.”

Across the league, Sattler expects Wayne Bennett to create even more history – leading the Dragons to become the first team in the NRL era to win back-to-back titles.

“Losing Costigan and Jeremy Smith will hurt the Dragons,” Sattler said. “But we all know with Wayne he has a habit of finding some unknown and turning them into a superstar.

“Saints will be the ones to stop, but I also really like the look of the Tigers. They will be ones to watch, and I think the Warriors could really step up this year as well.”