Gold Coast - a bit of a surprise to see them in the finals mix after last seasons efforts but then again, they played finals footy in 2016 with a very similar side. Is Jarryd Hayne really a cancer? The win over Brisbane is definitely the highlight so far but looking at their 3 losses, they all have been by double figure margins. Will grab more wins as the season goes on but won't play finals.
Newcastle - have we ever seen a side with the wooden spoon enter a new season with such expectation?
Definite improvement in results and deservedly so but like the GC, their losses tell more of a story than their wins. That said, they are a side still gelling and will give the 8 a good shake. Happy times are coming for the Novacastrians!
Canberra - recently got their season underway with wins against 2 of the bottom 3 teams. Otherwise, they look a shadow of the side that were a win away from a grand final. The loss of a Josh Hodgson would hurt any side but fitness has been more of the problem with them. They'll win a couple more but not too many.
Manly - flat track bullies. They're good when they get things their own way but once a side stands up to them, they go to water. Will terribly lose as many games as they impressively win and miss finals.
Cronulla - from premiers 2 seasons ago to a losing side despite still possessing a number of their premiership stars (sadly a familiar story) It's amazing how big an influence James Maloney can have on a side! Personally, i feel a lot of their problem is Moylan playing in the halves, i believe his best is at FB and with Hodkinson at the club, there's no reason why they can't line up like that except for maybe an individual's ego.
Good enough to win games and make the eight but i don't think they will.
Canterbury - improved performances on last year but not by heaps. Irrelevant again in 2018.
Nth Qld - a top 4 and potential premier tip from many (myself included) but have looked old and slow this year. The quality is there and they've all played a fair bit together bit could it be that time has caught up.
I expect them to improve eventually but are currently behind the pack and i don't know that they have enough improvement in them to get into the eight.
Parramatta - the return of Jarryd Hayne and last seasons efforts had Parra as one of the buzz teams for the top 4 and even the premiership and in the opening 30 minutes of the season against Penrith, they showed us why as they raced out to a 14-0 lead. I can only assume that they were awarded the premiership at that point and told to go home because what they have served up in the 5 and a half games after that has been nothing short of abysmal.
Good enough to improve from horror 6 rounds but will be closer to another wooden spoon than a drought breaking premiership by September.