Original Blog Post:

With the trials not to far away I thought it would be a good opportunity to throw up a predicted top 8 for this years NRL and revisit after the Home and Away season.

Heres mine in order

1 Roosters
2 Penrith
3 Melbourne
4 Cowboys
5 Eels
6 Sharks
7 Broncos
8 Tigers

Blog Reply:

Interesting this...

I'm a diehard Bunnies tragic and I suspect (hope) I'll be heading to Homebush in late Sep this year once again but I certainly did not expect them to be playing the kind of football they are playing this season. Its an absolute joy to watch.

I doubt I'd have gotten close with a selection of 8 in Feb but I'm intrigued by the persistent selection of Parra in pre-season picks, why do people always feel like some kind of renaissance is going to happen out there? Apart from a Hayne inspired aberration in '09, they have stunk for a long time now. The Sydney media is always at it too.

Blog Reply:

Just having a look at this.

Ill probably land 5 out of the 8. Souths, Warriors and St George the three I left out for Tigers, and then the two big disappointments, Eels and Cowboys.

Having checked right through- anyone go close to landing all 8?

Blog Reply:



Storm
Rooster's
Bronco's
Cowboy's
Saint's
Eel's
Panther's
South Sydney

Thanx

Blog Reply:

So-- Have the Storm pulled out of the comp ??
Plus --I think Penrith are out of their depth !!

Blog Reply:


Roosters
Cowboys
Storm
Broncos
Eels
Panthers
Sharks
Rabbitohs


Raiders
Eagles
Dragons
Knights
Bulldogs
Warriors
Titans
Tigers

Blog Reply:

I think the Doggies are specials for the spoon $7 bucks at the moment

Blog Reply:

Think I can beat you Rex
TOP 8
COWBOYS-(Thirsty farewell)
MELBOURNE-(Stoic Storm )
BRONCOS-(XXXX)
RABBITOHS (Inspiring Inglis)
DOGS-(No Des--No dills. )
NEWCASTLE-(ImagiNATHAN)
ROOSTERS-(Pearced off !! )
RAIDERS-(Ricky revival )
.................................

BOTTOM 8
SHARKS- (Grumpy Gallen )
MANLY -(KiwiFruit-Cakes)
EELS -( Hopeless Hayne )
PENRITH -(Cranky coach )
DRAGONS- (Horrendous Hunt )
WARRIORS- (See Manly )
TITANS -(Drugby League)
TIGERS -(Rubbish roster ).

The Tic.

Blog Reply:

Rex,

Mid table is a fair expectation I'd have thought. Top 8 would be a bonus that even the most diehard fan would agree on.

I liked the way Brown let them play football in the latter part of the season instead of trying to instil regimented structure. This year they have to find the right balance of free flowing footy and structured attack.

The experience they bought in should help them chose the right times to do one or the other.

They showed more upside with their young guys last year than several of the teams who finished in the bottom half of the table.

Blog Reply:

Tiger,

I like what Brown has done, and they have spent well......as a Roosters man myself I have no they have picked up some very good players.

But I would think with the players they have bought in that somewhere around the middle of the table has to now be the expectation level from fans/board?

Blog Reply:

Rex,
The only way Brown will get punted from Newcastle is if they finish last again.
Everything else a plus for him and them.

They'll go OK this year I think, maybe knock on the door of the eight with what they have.

His idea isn't about a quick fix, he got them to buy experience not so much high class players. Every name player they signed have one thing in common, they've all come from clubs who were successful.

Brown was very particular about the culture these players would bring to the club more than the quality of the player themselves.

With Pongs there, they only need to find a young half back and build a team around those two and with the experience they've bought they could potentially be a big force in 2 or 3 years.... Providing they stick to the long term plan.

Blog Reply:

I see your point Rex, but as long as that club keep the current coach and Paul Gallen, my heart will overrule my head, and my attitude to the club will hover somewhere between PH..k those 2 and PH.. that club.

Plus this year I believe Gallen will fall victim to his age.

Blog Reply:

Eel,

intersting re Newcastle. Big year for Brown- if they don't make it into the 8 I reckon he's out the door. Surprise you haven't got the Sharks in there?- I know they have lost a few players, but type have also shopped well.

Blog Reply:


In no particular order,,

Certainties: Melbourne
               Roosters
               Penrith
               Broncos
Near Certainties:
               Parramatta
               Newcastle
               Cowboys
Best of the rest:
               St George
               Canberra, who obviously cant both make it, but one of them will.

   Wooden spoon   ,, 6/4 each of two
    Tigers and the Titans


Good tipping all