Will we beat top-4 teams in 2022?

[ism22]

Our biggest flaw in 2022 seemed to be that we couldn't crack any of the big 4. Like we didn't just lose... we were thrashed! Blame injuries/suspensions all you like but I'm seriously concerned about the path we're on.

We've lost players too. Friend, Cords, Morris x 2 and Liu are no longer on our books. A few BIG losses there IMO.

Will our returning players and new signings be enough to crack the big-4? I assume we'll be something like the following in round 1...

1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Momirovski
4. Manu
5. Suaalii
6. Walker
7. Keary
8. JWH
9. Watson (with Verrills still suspended)
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Sitili
13. Radley

14. SST
15. Butcher
16. Baker
17. Atoni

[4 the all in brawl]

3 of the top 4 in 2021, will be significantly weaker in 2022, whereas touch wood we will be significantly stronger than we were this year...

Of the top 4 sides from last season,

Souffs will be a a fair bit weaker having lost their spiritual leader in Reynolds, 2 other origin quality players plus Skelator no longer is coaching them. They have also lost a couple of other players, definitely a chance for us to take their scalp.

The Riff and Storm have also lost some quality, the Riff have lost Burton who is an absolute star and should anything go wrong with Cleary they could be in a whole lot of trouble. They have also lost a few other quality players such as Capewell, Naden, Momo, and May (who was a useful back up half) plus they will have to contend with every team fired up to play a big one against the Premiers. I think they will be still entrenched in the top 4 but they appear to be a little bit weaker for next year. Plus whether they have the hunger remains to be seen.

Storm are losing some quality cattle but I have them as the team to beat and I am not sure we will have their measure yet, but they have lost the Fox, Nicho Hynes, Finucane off the top of my head and also NAS might not be able to play unless he drops his anti vaxx stance. However they will always find replacements who play to a standard which Bellamy demands and I am not sure we can overcome them.

Manly will be stronger next year as they are a young team on the rise, the only drawback for them is whether Tommy Turbo can back up and play as well next year as he did this year. It was one of those once in a life time seasons from Tommy but I am not discounting another stellar season from him, he is a absolute freak.

I think we are a chance of taking Souffs spot in the top 4.....

[Thirteen]

I think we are an experienced forward or two short next season.

[Easts75]

Would love to see Sitili coming off the bench. He can still be a devastating player for us but just my opinion isn't a starter or 80min player

[Tennessee Tornado]

I think we are an experienced forward or two short next season.

Whilst we might be missing some seniority in the pack, we now have a stack of youngsters who now have significant NRL experience

Don’t underestimate the benefits that this will bring into the new season

[lordteddy]

Would love to see Sitili coming off the bench. He can still be a devastating player for us but just my opinion isn't a starter or 80min player

I agree. I always think back to that game against Melbourne in 2019? where he breaks the line in overtime and sets the team up for a Latrell field goal.

While no doubt he is a great player, he doesn't seem to have the ability to dominate for 80 minutes and has defensive lapses. He is still young and has the talent to become a great edge player though.

[Thirteen]

Whilst we might be missing some seniority in the pack, we now have a stack of youngsters who now have significant NRL experience

Don’t underestimate the benefits that this will bring into the new season

I’m not underestimating the experience that the youngsters have gotten. I just think to win a premiership you need good experienced forwards and we are short of these. If two of our current experienced forwards go down then we are going to be very short.

[lordteddy]

1. Teddy
2. Toops
3. Momirovski
4. Manu
5. Suaalii
6. Walker
7. Keary
8. JWH
9. Watson (with Verrills still suspended)
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Sitili
13. Radle
14. SST
15. Butcher
16. Baker
17. Atoni

I would like to see one of Atoni/Baker dropped for Keighran.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Both Butchers ahead of Atoni, and why have you swapped Walker and keary? Can't see that happening. You need a utility on the bench as well.

[Juggler]

We will start with Hutch instead of Walker IMO.

[The Brain]

Manly were in top4 we beat them during the season.

[ChookMaster]

We will start with Hutch instead of Walker IMO.

Surely not… Keary is back now and does Hutch’s job x100 better.. Hutch and walker clicked well bc Hutchison assumed that leading role while walker took control of other things and didn’t need to worry a lot more then he should.. With kez back he will simply take that role back and with the development of Sammy over the off season I’m expecting a solid combo to form hopefully over the duration of the season next year.

[ism22]

Both Butchers ahead of Atoni, and why have you swapped Walker and keary? Can't see that happening. You need a utility on the bench as well.

My thinking with Keary is that he's our #7, but was injured in 2021. Apparently #7 is the 'leader' of the two halves so I feel that this role suits Keary better than Walker.

Haven't seen Atoni yet. For clarity, I picked him over Nat Butcher. He may well be playing for the Bears though.