Doug PollardTime to have a bit of fun and predict the footy!
So with the footy about to begin (NRL and AFL), I thought it might be about the right time to make a few predictions as to how teams in both codes of footy will go this season (I know sport is not a regular thing on this blog but it's good to have a bit of variety), today, I thought we would have a look at the prospects for all teams in the NRL and where I see each side finishing:
Brisbane Broncos
After watching the WCC, there could be a mild amount of concern about the Broncos ability to score tries but their defence will win them a lot more games then they lose this season which will get them to one game short of another grand final appearance.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Canterbury Bulldogs
The loss of possibly the best forward in the game, Roy Asotasi will undoubtedly hurt the Bulldogs this season and if they get a few injuries in the forwards then they will be tested but with the likes of Mason, O' Meley and Williams (who really does need to have an injury free season) I can't see them missing the eight.
Predicted finish: 7th
Canberra Raiders
This season will be a long one for the Raiders with many experts tipping them for the wooden spoon this year particularly after the loss of many experienced players and not being able to replace those players could leave Canberra a bit short this, they won't win the spoon but they will go awfully close.
Predicted Finish: 15th
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks will surely be looking to make the 8 this year under new coach, Ricky Stuart especially with the likes of Dykes and Kimmorley in their halves and Reni Maitua to boost the Sharks forward pack. Look for an improved season from the Sharks this year; they will be around fighting for a spot in the eight.
Predicted finish: 8th
Gold Coast Titans
The new boys of the competition will find it difficult in their first season as most new teams invariably do. While they boast an impressive side with players such as Mat Rogers, Preston Campbell and Luke Bailey, there could be a problem if they suffer a few injuries in key positions, will be competitive but can't see them challenging the eight
Predicted finish: 16th
Melbourne Storm
A grand final appearance last year and some good off season buys will see the Storm as the team to beat this season. Their excellent all round play will prove much too classy this season with players like Cronk and Inglis. I can see the Storm lifting the trophy at the end of the season.
Predicted finish: 1st
New Zealand Warriors
If it wasn't for a silly salary cap breach then there is no doubt that the Warriors would have challenged for a spot in the final eight in 2006 so I can't see any different this season for the Warriors, they have good balanced side and they will challenge for the eight but should just miss.
Predicted finish: 9th
Newcastle Knights
A new coach will bring some defensive steel to the Knights, who in the past have been one of those sides to score plenty of points but then let in points in the last couple of seasons. With a combination of experience and youth, the Knights should make the eight but there are a few questions to be answered out wide with the loss of Matt Gidley to St Helens could be felt especially in defence.
Predicted finish: 4th
Manly Sea Eagles
There is one question on the lips of all Sea Eagles supporters this season: How will they go without their inspirational forward, Ben Kennedy this season?. There is no doubt Manly will a difficult side to beat when they are playing at home in front of packed houses at Brookvale and if they do well on the road then they might find themselves playing at Telstra Stadium on Grand Final Weekend.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
North Queensland Cowboys
After dominating the competition for the first couple of rounds along with the Knights and Sea Eagles in 2006, there would no doubt be an air of disappointment in the Cowboys camp as to how they finished when everything was looking so promising for them. The Cowboys will need Thurston and Smith to combine well and their forwards to be going forward if they are to be any chance of making the eight
Predicted finish: 11th
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are a bit of an unknown quantity at the moment. There are so many questions that need answering, questions such as will the Finch/ Smith combination in the halves work? Can they share the defensive work in order to allow Nathan Hindmarsh to make runs in attack? With the halves a bit of a concern I cannot see the Eels making the eight.
Predicted finish: 12th
Penrith Panthers
The Panthers disappointed in 2006 and should have done better. With players like Gower and Puletua and the amount of good young players coming through the Penrith ranks will see Penrith challenge for a spot in the lower half of the eight, if they can get their attack right.
Predicted finish: 5th
St George Illawarra Dragons
There was an exodus of experienced players at the end of last season and this will show this season as the Dragons have not brought the players to adequately fill the positions that have been left by Barrett and co who left. The Dragons challenge may fall away this season should Jason Ryles or Matthew Head get injured.
Predicted finish: 10th
South Sydney
The signings of David Kidwell and Roy Asotasi will improve the Rabbitohs this season but the question still remains their halves. Their forward pack is good enough to hurt a few sides this season but is their attack good enough to put points on the board? They will make minor improvements and jump up the ladder one or two spots
Predicted finish: 13th
Sydney Roosters
Last year was a forgettable season for the league's glamour club with Anthony Minichello injured for much of last season, the Roosters struggled and one would have to question the combination of Anasta and Soward in the halves and how they will adjust to the flat style that Chris Anderson likes the teams he coaches to play (has never worked in the past).
Predicted finish: 14th
West Tigers
After losing their star, five eighth, Benji Marshall to injury last season, there was a lot of reliance on the hooker, Robbie Farah to create attack opportunities last season but with the signing of John Morris from Parramatta could relieve Farah of trying to create attacking opportunities for them and with a good set of forwards, I expect the Tigers to be one of the biggest improvers this season.
Predicted finish: 6th
Brisbane Broncos
After watching the WCC, there could be a mild amount of concern about the Broncos ability to score tries but their defence will win them a lot more games then they lose this season which will get them to one game short of another grand final appearance.
Canterbury Bulldogs
The loss of possibly the best forward in the game, Roy Asotasi will undoubtedly hurt the Bulldogs this season and if they get a few injuries in the forwards then they will be tested but with the likes of Mason, O' Meley and Williams (who really does need to have an injury free season) I can't see them missing the eight.
Predicted finish: 7th
Canberra Raiders
This season will be a long one for the Raiders with many experts tipping them for the wooden spoon this year particularly after the loss of many experienced players and not being able to replace those players could leave Canberra a bit short this, they won't win the spoon but they will go awfully close.
Predicted Finish: 15th
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks will surely be looking to make the 8 this year under new coach, Ricky Stuart especially with the likes of Dykes and Kimmorley in their halves and Reni Maitua to boost the Sharks forward pack. Look for an improved season from the Sharks this year; they will be around fighting for a spot in the eight.
Gold Coast Titans
The new boys of the competition will find it difficult in their first season as most new teams invariably do. While they boast an impressive side with players such as Mat Rogers, Preston Campbell and Luke Bailey, there could be a problem if they suffer a few injuries in key positions, will be competitive but can't see them challenging the eight
Predicted finish: 16th
Melbourne Storm
A grand final appearance last year and some good off season buys will see the Storm as the team to beat this season. Their excellent all round play will prove much too classy this season with players like Cronk and Inglis. I can see the Storm lifting the trophy at the end of the season.
Predicted finish: 1st
New Zealand Warriors
If it wasn't for a silly salary cap breach then there is no doubt that the Warriors would have challenged for a spot in the final eight in 2006 so I can't see any different this season for the Warriors, they have good balanced side and they will challenge for the eight but should just miss.
Predicted finish: 9th
Newcastle Knights
A new coach will bring some defensive steel to the Knights, who in the past have been one of those sides to score plenty of points but then let in points in the last couple of seasons. With a combination of experience and youth, the Knights should make the eight but there are a few questions to be answered out wide with the loss of Matt Gidley to St Helens could be felt especially in defence.
Predicted finish: 4th
Manly Sea Eagles
There is one question on the lips of all Sea Eagles supporters this season: How will they go without their inspirational forward, Ben Kennedy this season?. There is no doubt Manly will a difficult side to beat when they are playing at home in front of packed houses at Brookvale and if they do well on the road then they might find themselves playing at Telstra Stadium on Grand Final Weekend.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
North Queensland Cowboys
After dominating the competition for the first couple of rounds along with the Knights and Sea Eagles in 2006, there would no doubt be an air of disappointment in the Cowboys camp as to how they finished when everything was looking so promising for them. The Cowboys will need Thurston and Smith to combine well and their forwards to be going forward if they are to be any chance of making the eight
Predicted finish: 11th
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are a bit of an unknown quantity at the moment. There are so many questions that need answering, questions such as will the Finch/ Smith combination in the halves work? Can they share the defensive work in order to allow Nathan Hindmarsh to make runs in attack? With the halves a bit of a concern I cannot see the Eels making the eight.
Predicted finish: 12th
Penrith Panthers
The Panthers disappointed in 2006 and should have done better. With players like Gower and Puletua and the amount of good young players coming through the Penrith ranks will see Penrith challenge for a spot in the lower half of the eight, if they can get their attack right.
Predicted finish: 5th
St George Illawarra Dragons
There was an exodus of experienced players at the end of last season and this will show this season as the Dragons have not brought the players to adequately fill the positions that have been left by Barrett and co who left. The Dragons challenge may fall away this season should Jason Ryles or Matthew Head get injured.
Predicted finish: 10th
South Sydney
The signings of David Kidwell and Roy Asotasi will improve the Rabbitohs this season but the question still remains their halves. Their forward pack is good enough to hurt a few sides this season but is their attack good enough to put points on the board? They will make minor improvements and jump up the ladder one or two spots
Predicted finish: 13th
Sydney Roosters
Last year was a forgettable season for the league's glamour club with Anthony Minichello injured for much of last season, the Roosters struggled and one would have to question the combination of Anasta and Soward in the halves and how they will adjust to the flat style that Chris Anderson likes the teams he coaches to play (has never worked in the past).
Predicted finish: 14th
West Tigers
After losing their star, five eighth, Benji Marshall to injury last season, there was a lot of reliance on the hooker, Robbie Farah to create attack opportunities last season but with the signing of John Morris from Parramatta could relieve Farah of trying to create attacking opportunities for them and with a good set of forwards, I expect the Tigers to be one of the biggest improvers this season.
Predicted finish: 6th
