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Humble apologies if it has been done, if not here it is. We are only 6 weeks from the NRL kickoff for 2014. What does everyone think the table will look like come Round 24? Who do you think will make the Grand Final and who will win it?
1 Roosters - Wont be as easy as many think. I think our challenge will be complacency, swollen head syndrome. I will be expecting a worrying slump at some point (probably after the origin period) followed by a strong run home.
2 Warriors - Their entire backline will generate some cricket scores this year, I promise you. Tomkins, Vatuvei, Hurrell, Johnson, Locke, 'The Fish', and Mateo is as strong as they come, and they still have a tough pack. Shaun Johnson is my Dally M Winner.
3 Panthers - Soward will shine again. Gus is the new Wayne Bennett, and will provide him with the confidence to lead them to a top 4 finish. Will be an absolutely lethal 1 to 5, though still unsure as to how Moylan will grow into the role. It always helps to have the biggest human being in the world in your team as well.
4 Rabbitohs - Relies too much on Inglis, and until that changes they won't get there. The new five eighth is good, and Sutton will introduce some mobility into the pack. Should Fergo join them, I would be tempted to move them up to 2 or 3.
5 Broncos - On the back of Corey Parker's leadership, Barba's flair and a consistent schedule for every Friday night (
) they will do well. Don't rule out the impact of Kennedy and Lowrie on the team - both great props on their day, and great leaders.
6 Sharks - would have them top 4, if not for the possibility of suspended players.
7 Storm - things start to really slow down. Bellamy is without a challenge, as is Smith. Slater is really slowing down - perhaps it is time to try him in a five eight role as his kick returns continue to lose effectiveness.
8 Dragons - Good signings in Widdop, Joel Thomson and Williams. They got rid of a lot of dead weight and I think they will have a good season, ending the 'no chin, no win' theorum. Dugan is my Dally M fullback of the year.
9 Sea Eagles - I really, really don't like their front row rotation apart from Lawrence. And their second row, though great, is very injury prone and starting to show its age. They will struggle with field position and the backline wont get the room to create like yesteryear.
10 Eels - A big improvement on the backs of Hoppa, Hoff and a reinvigorated Hayne. Don't have the pack yet to mix it with the big guns. I hear Ben Jones (yes, that Ben Jones) may make in into the starting 17 early on.
11 Raiders - Great team, perpetually poor leadership. A monster pack of Papalli, TLL, The Pillow, Tilse should make short work of the smaller teams (e.g Knights, Eels).
12 Cowboys - It all rests on Cameron King for mine. If I was confident he could produce the goods at hooker, I would have them top 8. Problem is, there was no indication at the Dragons that he does have the goods.
13 Titans - Hard to read this one. I'll suggest little improvement, as I think they need to move Cartwright on. Either players clearly not listening, or his game plan is cactus.
14 Bulldogs - Their main weapon (Barba) is gone. Aside from Inu and a smattering of obese - but effective - forwards, not much to like.
15 Knights - It will continue to get worse as the year progresses. Russell Packer - only notable signing - is sacked before a single game. Buderus is gone. Will Wayne stick around? Will Tinkler stick around? I smell scandal following them all the way to the bottom.
16 Tigers - I can see them totally imploding, with Farah quitting mid season to play Rugby or skydiving. Anasta will win himself another spoon, unless he too bails out (for a golf or commentary career) before seasons end.
GRAND FINAL:
Roosters V Warriors
RESULT:
Warriors by 4 points
1 Roosters - Wont be as easy as many think. I think our challenge will be complacency, swollen head syndrome. I will be expecting a worrying slump at some point (probably after the origin period) followed by a strong run home.
2 Warriors - Their entire backline will generate some cricket scores this year, I promise you. Tomkins, Vatuvei, Hurrell, Johnson, Locke, 'The Fish', and Mateo is as strong as they come, and they still have a tough pack. Shaun Johnson is my Dally M Winner.
3 Panthers - Soward will shine again. Gus is the new Wayne Bennett, and will provide him with the confidence to lead them to a top 4 finish. Will be an absolutely lethal 1 to 5, though still unsure as to how Moylan will grow into the role. It always helps to have the biggest human being in the world in your team as well.
4 Rabbitohs - Relies too much on Inglis, and until that changes they won't get there. The new five eighth is good, and Sutton will introduce some mobility into the pack. Should Fergo join them, I would be tempted to move them up to 2 or 3.
5 Broncos - On the back of Corey Parker's leadership, Barba's flair and a consistent schedule for every Friday night (
) they will do well. Don't rule out the impact of Kennedy and Lowrie on the team - both great props on their day, and great leaders.6 Sharks - would have them top 4, if not for the possibility of suspended players.
7 Storm - things start to really slow down. Bellamy is without a challenge, as is Smith. Slater is really slowing down - perhaps it is time to try him in a five eight role as his kick returns continue to lose effectiveness.
8 Dragons - Good signings in Widdop, Joel Thomson and Williams. They got rid of a lot of dead weight and I think they will have a good season, ending the 'no chin, no win' theorum. Dugan is my Dally M fullback of the year.
9 Sea Eagles - I really, really don't like their front row rotation apart from Lawrence. And their second row, though great, is very injury prone and starting to show its age. They will struggle with field position and the backline wont get the room to create like yesteryear.
10 Eels - A big improvement on the backs of Hoppa, Hoff and a reinvigorated Hayne. Don't have the pack yet to mix it with the big guns. I hear Ben Jones (yes, that Ben Jones) may make in into the starting 17 early on.
11 Raiders - Great team, perpetually poor leadership. A monster pack of Papalli, TLL, The Pillow, Tilse should make short work of the smaller teams (e.g Knights, Eels).
12 Cowboys - It all rests on Cameron King for mine. If I was confident he could produce the goods at hooker, I would have them top 8. Problem is, there was no indication at the Dragons that he does have the goods.
13 Titans - Hard to read this one. I'll suggest little improvement, as I think they need to move Cartwright on. Either players clearly not listening, or his game plan is cactus.
14 Bulldogs - Their main weapon (Barba) is gone. Aside from Inu and a smattering of obese - but effective - forwards, not much to like.
15 Knights - It will continue to get worse as the year progresses. Russell Packer - only notable signing - is sacked before a single game. Buderus is gone. Will Wayne stick around? Will Tinkler stick around? I smell scandal following them all the way to the bottom.
16 Tigers - I can see them totally imploding, with Farah quitting mid season to play Rugby or skydiving. Anasta will win himself another spoon, unless he too bails out (for a golf or commentary career) before seasons end.
GRAND FINAL:
Roosters V Warriors
RESULT:
Warriors by 4 points
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