Campo's Corner: The NRL players with everything to gain in 2022

After months of predictions, precognitions and takes as hot as the Simpson desert, the NRL is finally back. 

Well, pretty much. Manly and Penrith have already crossed the threshold where all the pre-season talk must become action.

The Panthers strode into the new year with the composure and certainty of a reigning champion while questions still remain over the Sea Eagles ability to match it with the best teams in the competition. 

By the end of the weekend, 14 other teams will know a little bit more about where they stand in the 2022 premiership race. Every team has nothing to lose and plenty to prove and stars will rise and fall as they do every season. 

In the inaugural edition of Campo's Corner, which will come every Friday from now until the end of season or the end of time, whichever comes first, here's the player from every club with the most to gain in season 2022. 

Penrith Panthers – Izack Tago 

Playing left centre for Penrith over the past two years has been an easy way to score a lot of tries. Stephen Crichton crossed for 17 in 2020 and Matt Burton matched that number last year as they stamped themselves as two of the best young players in the competition. By the time 2022 wraps up, don't be surprised if Izack Tago is on that list. 

Tago is someone the Panthers have been excited about for a while and he did well in limited chances in first grade last year. But against Manly, in his run-on debut, he played a blinder. Not only did he charge over for the first try of the season, he was consistently involved and brought a strong physicality on both sides of the ball. His hard shot on Tom Trbojevic to force an error in the second half was one of the plays of the night and his commitment to effort areas, like chasing kicks