The conference that fielded the most teams in the top eight in 2015 looks set to do so again.

The NRL South conference ended 2015 in similar fashion to the previous four this decade: with the Melbourne Storm champions and the other three teams playing catch-up. However, what was different was how close the Storm went to being toppled by not one of its conference rivals but potentially all three throughout the course of the season.

Both the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the St George Illawarra Dragons joined the Storm in the top eight. The Sharks have recruited a new halves pairing in James Maloney and Chad Townsend and, with Ben Barba now at fullback, now have the firepower across the park to challenge for the NRL South once again.

The Dragons’ conservative defence-focused style may have gotten them close to a conference championship at certain stages of last season, but they will need to evolve their game if they are to remain a contender.

The unknown in the NRL South is the Canberra Raiders. The Raiders have recruited strongly once again over the off season and now possess a depth of talent in their squad not seen in years. They now have the potential to claim their first NRL South conference title in a long time.

But the more things change, the more they stay the same. The Storm will remain favourites to defend their conference crown as long as Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk remain healthy. They are far too consistent a side not to be in contention come the end of the season.

Predicted conference champion: Storm

Predicted surprise performers: Raiders