Thank god it's Friday!

It might be an oldie but it's definitely a goodie. And there will be plenty of league fans saying it this week.

And I don't just mean it's the end of the week and time for the beer to be on ice at your chosen place of work.

This Friday is even more special.

Why? If you have to ask you obviously haven't been waiting all summer for the NRL to get back under way.

So league fans how good is it?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a little more spring in my step this week.

And this season looks set to be one of the best.

The changes to the interchange rules are from my point of view one of the most exciting.

This is going to see coaches having to actually look at their squads in a different way but they're also going to have to keep a much better eye on the playbook.

And for those one dimensional teams who often get stuck in the same game plan week after week that's going to mean they're in trouble.

I'm also looking forward to seeing how fit the teams are this year.

Most teams have had a pretty good pre-season with all the old war horses saying they're feeling great and ready to rumble.

I'm sitting on the fence for the moment when it comes to picking my top eight.

I have shared my picks with a few mates but I'm not willing to put them out on the line just yet.

But as most of them will tell you I struggle to pick my nose some times let alone get my footy tipping right.

I do think the Storm will be in the top four along with the Sea Eagles and I am backing the Rabbitohs to make the eight as well.

But right now I think there's a bit too much water to go under the bridge yet.

The other competition I'm watching very closely is the one for coaching spots in 2009.

The two who are under the most pressure are obviously Nathan Brown and Steve Folkes.

But as we all know a series of losses in the first five or so rounds usually means a spot on death row for the unfortunate coach.

Add in to the mix Wayne Bennett, Daniel Anderson, Graham Murray, Stephen Kearney and Ian Millward who are all sitting waiting for a call and it's surely got to be quite tense at a few clubs.

I've had the pleasure of being in Sydney for the past couple of days and gee it's definitely building towards fever pitch here.

Unfortunately I'm going to be stepping off the plane at Auckland Airport about the same time the season kicks off when the Rabbitohs and the Roosters get stuck in to it.

But I'm bubbling over the edges about this season and I can't wait for it to get going.

So if you haven't joined our Yahoo!Xtra NRL tipping competition get in to it and you could be in to win a trip to the League World Cup grand final.

And even if you don't win you can at least have the pleasure of saying you knocked off a few of your mates and a few journalists in the process.