You might be right, but if he cops more heat it's going to free up other guys around him to be more productive. Melksham, Petracca, Neal Bullen, Garlett, Hannan all have the ability to pick up some load.
Having one of the best lists in the league is the main reason I'm keen to back them. Motivation is just my personal opinion that it may help, could be wrong.
It wont free them up though. The loss of Hogan means that everyone has to take a step up, so the #4 forward is now the #3 etc. So if anything they will find things tougher, there definitely wont be any freeing up of the players having to step up though.
Its a premiership. Every club is 100% motivated to win it regardless of last years results