NRL kicks off

 SYDNEY: Hope and expectation.

As the Eels and Broncos share the honour of launching the 2016 Telstra Premiership season tonight, their respective fan bases wrestle with the strongest emotions associated with Round 1.

For the home side, an aggressive recruitment drive that yielded Kieran Foran, Michael Jennings, Beau Scott and Michael Gordon — and an early piece of silverware that came back with them in excess baggage from the Downer NRL Auckland Nines — has given one of the heartiest home crowds great cause for optimism.

For those cheering on last year’s runners-up, a settled roster that has seen the addition of James Roberts to replace the retired Justin Hodges in the centres means the Broncos will carry the tag as premiership favourites into the season opener.

Hope and expectation: Two vastly different emotional states that can be simultaneously heightened by a strong showing in the first game of a new season.

The big-name signings are all there for the Eels along with former Manly flyer Clint Gutherson on the wing and Nathan Peats returning at hooker after suffering a spinal fracture in Round 23 against the Roosters last season. 

Other than Roberts the only new faces in the Broncos team that lost the grand final are Englishman Greg Eden on the wing and Josh McGuire returning from his Achilles tendon injury in place of Mitchell Dodds who is now in the Super League.