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Predictions 2021 top 8 predictions

top eight 2 0 2 1


  • Total voters
    179

kit66

Bench
Messages
3,577
Panthers
Rabbits
Storm
Raiders

Eels
Roosters
Dragons
Titans

Warriors
Tigers
Knights
Sharks

Bulldogs
Sea Eagles
Cowboys
Broncos
 

MugaB

Coach
Messages
11,822
Top 8 (in no order)
Panthers
Rabbits
Storm
Raiders
Warriors
Roosters
Titans
Sea Eagles

Bottom 8 (also in no order)
Tigers
Dragons
Knights
Sharks
Bulldogs
Eels
Cowboys
Broncos
 

flippikat

Bench
Messages
4,378
anyone rate the cowboys for top 8. they have been busy, a chance ;)

Not the 8 this year - but certainly one of those teams pressing for a playoff spot late in the season, and falling just a couple of wins short.

Got a feeling that their stock is on the rise, though.. and soon they'll be contenders - just not yet.

I think any lack of star power in their roster may actually be relished by Todd Payten.. he strikes me as a coach who could build a very competitive team from journeyman players.. the whole "champion team that beats a team of champions" thing.
 
Last edited:

flippikat

Bench
Messages
4,378
Top 8 (in no order)
Panthers
Rabbits
Storm
Raiders
Warriors
Roosters
Titans
Sea Eagles

Bottom 8 (also in no order)
Tigers
Dragons
Knights
Sharks
Bulldogs
Eels
Cowboys
Broncos

I can't fault your top 8, but for bottom 8, I'd put Cowboys, Bulldogs & Eels a bit higher, Dragons, Knights & Tigers a bit lower.

Something like..
Eels
Cowboys (Late season rally, falls short)
Bulldogs
Knights
Tigers
Sharks
Dragons
Broncos
 

flippikat

Bench
Messages
4,378
I did write in "NO ORDER"

D'oh! Sorry.. missed that - been a mad, sleepless few days (summer has arrived in Wellington, and hotter nights with it).

I think I tried to go for a more holistic way of picking teams rather than just "who have they signed?" - as I think the culture & vibe in a team can almost be as important as gains & losses - hence the Cowboys being near the 8 and Newcastle further down the ladder than others are picking (for instance).

Still, it's all just guesswork - yeah?
 

flippikat

Bench
Messages
4,378
Darkest of horses with Payton coaching, but the forward pack is a shadow of the Cows pack of a few years back, and Taumalolo is starting to show signs of wear.

The way he took a demoralised Warriors squad & restored their self-belief - and actually got them looking like they were having fun - speaks loudly of his ethos.

Todd builds teams up, and I'm sure he can make something decent with the Cowboys - no matter the roster.

Once they get the look of a "team on the rise", the decent signings will come. But it all starts with making the best of what he has - and I'm convinced he's gonna do that this year.

They'll get close to the 8, but *just* miss it - and that'll be great for year 1.
 

GongPanther

Referee
Messages
28,281
In these threads everyone always picks basically the same Ladder as last year with a few minor changes i.e swapping 4th and 5th, 8th and 10th

The average annual turn over from the Top 8 is 3 with with one Top 4 side missing out
Three players have been ruled out for this season due to training injuries. I hope for all teams sake thus is not a precurser to the season ahead.

If it is, naming a top 8 side will be pure guesswork.
 

SmashEmBro

Juniors
Messages
638
Top 5 in no particular order
Storm
Penrith
Souths
Roosters
Raiders

Next 6 teams will be determined by the results of 5 or 6 games, so really could be anyone
Warriors
Titans
Manly
Knights
Sharks
Eels
 
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