Now it is the National Rugby League’s turn to open their season on a Thursday.

Following Cronulla’s drought-breaking title success last year, all 16 clubs approach the new season with fresh optimism.

If the Sharks can do it, why can’t us say supporters of clubs like Parramatta, Canberra and Gold Coast Titans.

The Eels are out to end 31 years in the premiership wilderness and possess one of league’s excitement machines – Tingha talent Bevan French.

French, who made a stunning impact on the wing in his debut season last year, crossing for 19 tries in 13 games, is a key man for the blue and gold.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has given French first crack at the fullback role, a position he filled as a 15-year-old in Tingha’s First Grade side.

French has put in the hard yards on the training track under the guidance of legendary conditioner Ron Palmer and Arthur is confident he will not have go switch to Plan B at any stage this season.

“Bevan will get the first opportunity at fullback,” Arthur said earlier this year.

“He's trained all pre-season there.

“Full-backs clock up the most kilometres in the game so they do a lot of running. So we've had a big focus with Bev in terms of his work at training.”

French will don the No.1 jersey when the Eels play Manly at Lottoland (formerly Brookvale Oval) on Sunday afternoon.

Many of the media pundits and ex-players have Canberra locked in as a grand finalist this season.

The Raiders fell agonisingly short of the decider last season and will be attempting to win the competition for the first time since 1994.

Canberra’s halfback in that era was Ricky Stuart, now the coach of the Green Machine, a club which boasts Scone’s Adam Clydsdale.

Clydsdale, who turned 24 last month, will provide some spark off the bench in his bid to regularly play at the top-level after four appearances during his first year in the capital.

"​I believe I'm a first grader so I think I can do it," Clydsdale said ahead of the Auckland Nines.

Speaking of Auckland, the great enigmas of the NRL remain the New Zealand Warriors.

A new coach, Stephen Kearney and captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, could result in improved fortunes for a team which boasts Farrer alumni Matt Allwood.

Outside back Allwood is looking to add to his 18 career first-grade appearances firstly with Canberra and in the land of the long white cloud.

Allwood has missed selection in the Warriors team for round one against Newcastle, although Aberdeen’s Tyler Randell was named in an extended Knights side.

Utility Randell has played 39 games for Newcastle since his debut in 2014.

Quirindi prop Andy Saunders has crossed from Penrith to Canterbury in his bid to crack a first-grade debut at the age of 22.

Glen Innes-born Slade Griffin will press his claims for a regular berth in the Melbourne Storm side.