Top 4 Predictions For 2010

[Guest]

What makes you say that? I really think this could be the year they miss the 8. No Hunt, no, Taylor, no Hodges for 6 months, they will rely a lot on an aging Darren Lockyer, who I believe is 2 years past his best.

I need to start paying more attention.

[Guest]

1) Dogs - another very good year in store, can win it

2) St George - as above

3) Manly - Orfords departure will be a blessing. Will surprise many

4) Melbourne - very hard to beat as usual

As for the rest....

5) Souths - Lang will be excellent for them, and Burgess will be regarded as just about the best forward in the comp by seasons end.

6) Parramatta - won't replicate last years run - top eight but not top 4

7) Titans - lots of wins at home but lacking up front

8) Tigers - surely due. Tuqiri a shadow of former (league) self

Saints, Melbourne, Titans and Eels for me.

In no particular order:

Titans: Bird will give them the mongrel they have lacked
Storm: Same old, same old
Saints: They will still be consistent
Eels: 2nd phase play will be the order of the day this year and these guys seem to be the best exponent of it.

Dogs: Should make the 8. Don't like their bench, if they retain last year's approach. Lack mongrel to go all the way. Need Conrad T. and Micky P. to stay injury free and make a difference.

Roosters: Smith will have them bouyant and as long as he has learnt from his Newcastle experience they should be near the 8. He needs to handle moving players on better this time around. Just don't have the depth across the park, so need to keep the top 20 relatively healthy for a top 8 spot.

[Guest]

Imadog - who is Conrad T?

[Guest]

Saints, Melbourne, Titans and Eels for me.

In no particular order:

Titans: Bird will give them the mongrel they have lacked
Storm: Same old, same old
Saints: They will still be consistent
Eels: 2nd phase play will be the order of the day this year and these guys seem to be the best exponent of it.

Dogs: Should make the 8. Don't like their bench, if they retain last year's approach. Lack mongrel to go all the way. Need Conrad T. and Micky P. to stay injury free and make a difference.

Roosters: Smith will have them bouyant and as long as he has learnt from his Newcastle experience they should be near the 8. He needs to handle moving players on better this time around. Just don't have the depth across the park, so need to keep the top 20 relatively healthy for a top 8 spot.

I'm not certain that Canterbury's season is overly reliant on Micky Paea

[Chookies74]

I'm not certain that Canterbury's season is overly reliant on Micky Paea

Certifiable GOLD BULLION

[Billy Gunn]

Top 4 in no particular order

ST George - Bennett has them well drilled and they will will the games they need too

Melbourne - Still defy the salary cap burden in the same manner that Brisbane have for so long......wonder what the common denominator is ???

Titans - I rate Carty as a coach and I think they are ready to really have a crack at the title and the NRL would love to see them win with AFL starting the following season

Penrith - They are my real dark horse this season I think after a rough few years they have built a nice culture out there and might be the real surprise packets.


The next 4 will be , again in no real order

Tigers - They have bought well and I can see it paying off for them, I do think they paid too much for Lote but if they stay fit in key positions they will be dangerous

Bulldogs - As much as I hate to say they will are a good team, no champions but very well drilled.

Parramatta - Probably similar to last season slow start but once they get going will win plenty of games. Cant see them being title contenders.

Canberra - Will finally scrap in, lots of good kids not sure about the coach though ???

[Chookies74]

Penrith - They are my real dark horse this season I think after a rough few years they have built a nice culture out there and might be the real surprise packets.

Penwif should go alright if they can keep Petro, Lewis, Waterhouse and Jennings on the park.

[Guest]

Imadog - who is Conrad T?

Conrad Ta'akimoeaka: Big bopper who has a bit of mongrel about him. Really bends the line back, unfortunately has had 2 season ending injuries in consecutive years. Will give us great impact off the bench, as long as he can string some games together. Comes from the James Pickering school.

[Guest]

I'm not certain that Canterbury's season is overly reliant on Micky Paea

True, but he will give us some impact off the bench. That's the point.

[Guest]

What makes you say that? I really think this could be the year they miss the 8. No Hunt, no, Taylor, no Hodges for 6 months, they will rely a lot on an aging Darren Lockyer, who I believe is 2 years past his best.

Their depth for one and I rate Henjak as a coach.

Chook.

[Guest]

The Broncos have no experienced front rowers,and Thaiday as the only experienced second rower.Their depth in these positions is even worse as was even stated by Henjak himself.
They will lose more than they win this season.
Bottom 5 for mine...

[Headless Chook]

Their depth for one and I rate Henjak as a coach.

Chook.

I see their forwards depth as one of their biggest issues. Thaiday and Parker are the only forwards they have who I even rate. They're really counting on guys like Teo, Sims and Setu taking it to another level and I don't think they can do it.

[Guest]

I see their forwards depth as one of their biggest issues. Thaiday and Parker are the only forwards they have who I even rate. They're really counting on guys like Teo, Sims and Setu taking it to another level and I don't think they can do it.

God only knows why they let that Taylor go.

[elo]

Dogs, Storm and Titans will be there, not sure about the 4th - Easts will do

[TheLoneRooster]

Dogs, Storm and Titans will be there, not sure about the 4th - Easts will do

The Eels elo, don't you think they'll be in there with those three that you mentioned? I see the Roosters bottom half of the 8 at best.