Brad Fittler believes James Tedesco and Cameron Munster will be duelling to be the new face of the NRL in 2021, with the game on the verge of its greatest changing of the guard in years.
Thursday night's kick off between Melbourne and South Sydney will mark the first time Cameron Smith hasn't started a season since 2002.
His expected retirement ends one of the great eras in the sport, following the departures of Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk in the past three years.
Not since Fittler's own retirement in 2004 and Andrew Johns sudden exit two-and-a-half years later has the game seen such a power shift.
Their absences coincided with Melbourne's rise to dominance, as the trio of Slater, Smith and Cronk also helped Queensland to eight straight State of Origin series.
Where the NRL goes from this juncture is less clear.
Penrith's crusade to last year's grand final came with the second-youngest team in the competition, with Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai and Stephen Crichton all starring.
All eyes are on the Gold Coast following their big year of recruitment, headlined by 21-year-olds Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita.
South Sydney remain favourites, with Latrell Mitchell still only 23 but looking ready to become one of the game's next great fullbacks.
And beyond that, the most-talked about player of the off-season is 17-year-old Joseph Suaalii at the Sydney Roosters.
"The stars are the young ones, aren't they?" Fittler told AAP.
"When you talk about the major movers, I think everyone is looking at the Titans on what they bought.
"I've only watched the trial but (Penrith) were very good and very fast. They looked like nothing had changed. Time is going to help them."
Individually, Tedesco and Munster look the most likely to claim Smith, Thurston, Slater and Cronk's crown and keep the Roosters and Storm as powerhouses.
Tedesco has been the best player in the world for the past three years, while the even faster rules look certain to suit the Roosters and Storm stars.
"Munster is someone who is going to come through (as the face of the game)," Fittler said.
"Teddy has an opportunity to be it as well.
"That's where State of Origin helps with the profile. If NSW win Teddy is it. But Cameron Munster last year, his series was incredible."
Bigger challenges now await for both of them at club level.
Munster has his first chance to win a premiership without the big three, something he has long stated as a goal.
He's also well aware of the talk he can be the NRL's best, and is ready for the extra spotlight without Smith.
"That comes when you have no Cam Smith, Billy Slater or Cooper Cronk," he said.
"When those big three go, someone has to take the reins. That's me, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes.
"I'm probably the elder in the group now and I need to take it forward and show where this group can go.
"I have won two (titles) with Smithy and one with Coop and Bill. So it would be nice to win one without them."
Fittler, though, isn't so sure it will be that easy.
"They win so many games on the back of (Smith)'s composure and ability not to panic," he said.
"He probably owned three or four just on the back of his nous.
"Not everyone can do that."
Meanwhile there were signs of fatigue at the Roosters in their straight-sets exit last year.
However Tedesco is adamant that early exit can be a positive for a team that had been on a high for three straight seasons.
"The last two years before that were just full on. We'd win the grand final and then we played the World Cup Challenge the year after," he said.
"We didn't really have time to slow down and reflect.
"I think it was a good for us ... Because we were definitely fatigued by the end of the last year."
Australian Associated Press
