The champion NRL conference for 2015 returns full of favourites for the 2016 season.

It’s not every year the NRL conference containing the wooden spooners is also crowned champion, but such was the case for the NRL North in 2015.

The Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys were two of the standout teams in 2015, and their consistent performances contrasted with the disappointing seasons of the Gold Coast Titans and the Newcastle Knights who finished at the bottom of the ladder.

2016 promises much of the same for all four teams. The Broncos reclaimed the NRL North conference title, and were only several seconds away from claiming the conference-premiership double. Club legend Justin Hodges has retired, but in his place will be excitement machine James Roberts. They promise to be even stronger than the team of last season.

The Cowboys begin their premiership defence with the ability to field the same 17 players who won the grand final, which is an ominous sign for the rest of the NRL North conference. Having lost their conference crown to the Broncos on only for and against, there is every chance the title race will go down to the wire yet again.

What started as a promising off-season for the Titans has turned into a horror show. The bungled management of Roberts’ contract saw their star centre head to their NRL North conference rivals, while the season promising young half Kane Elgey was over before it even began due to a torn ACL. All signs point to 2016 being another disappointing year for the Gold Coast side.

The Knights can’t go any lower on the ladder after claiming the wooden spoon. The signing of coach Nathan Brown and New South Wales halfback Trent Hodkinson should provide the team with the consistency and improvement Newcastle so desperately need, but will it be enough to challenge for the NRL North conference title?

Predicted conference champions: Broncos

Predicted surprise performers: Knights