Who are the genuine title threats for this year?

[boxhead]

The community seems very divided on the Eels' chances, I'm noticing a lot of Storm fans in particular are saying they are contenders; I'm guessing because of Stephen Kearney? I don't give them much hope myself, but they do have a tendency to have a good year and then a bad year; they also tend to over-achieve in a year where they are expected to do little (2009).

Not meaning to annoy anyone sorry, just asking what people think of them.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

As long as Jarryd Hayne is there the Eels are always a chance.

 

[Southern Rooster]

The community seems very divided on the Eels' chances, I'm noticing a lot of Storm fans in particular are saying they are contenders; I'm guessing because of Stephen Kearney? I don't give them much hope myself, but they do have a tendency to have a good year and then a bad year; they also tend to over-achieve in a year where they are expected to do little (2009).

Not meaning to annoy anyone sorry, just asking what people think of them.

They have a decent enough bunch of kids and a decent coach. Everyone will be looking to impress and I think they can be competitive and sneak into the top 8. Some good kids to watch for as well.

 

[_Johnsy]

Certainty
Saints Roosters Titans Tigers

Very good chance
Warriors Penrith Souths Melbourne

Chance
Manly Brisbane Canterbury NQ (Big improvers IMO)

Not much hope
Canberra (No campo) Cronulla Parramatta Newcastle

 

[Slackboy72]

:lol:
The greatest attacking team of the modern era was the 2001 Eels, if you believe Souths with their halves can score more than 839 points in the regular season than.....well there isn't much to say.

On topic, I believe that the Dragons, Storm, Tigers, Roosters, and Warriors will be the teams to beat next year. The Bulldogs and Souths are bolters too.

Any other team though, including Dogs and Souths actually, could quite easily finish anywhere on the table.
I think the competition has good balance again this year, I think every team has a chance at the 5th through to 8th spots in the finals.

Only a souffs supporter could delude themselves into thinking that a team that hasn't played yet with proven frailties right across their 3/4 line is the "greatest attacking team of the modern era".

Gold Jerry. Gold.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I think we may do better then most people think. We wont be a threat to the competition, but im sure we will impress a few.

 

[Cockadoodledoo]

i think teams who will rely on man example carney wont be a chance this year




teams with more options in attack and can defend will be the threats


Dragons and there arent that many other teams


Maybe storm

tigers are a 50/50 if they can find 2 or 3 other players outside of marshall

Broncos

warriors

Panthers if they learn anything from last year

What options do the Dragons have in attack? Archer? the touch judge?

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I think the Tigers will have learned a lot from their Prelim loss. They played their holes out that night and almost pulled it off.

teams will still have to grind to beat Saints and they are the masters. Storm will go well until rep season or have a couple of injuries. Roosters will need to find some grit on the edges but this year was no fluke.

For me, Saints & Tigers are the stand outs. Sliders to be Gold Coast and Manly.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Tigers, Roosters, Storm and Bulldogs will be 3-6 (in that order) and the outside contenders. 1 and 2 (and the grand finalists) will be Dragons and Souths. The greatest attacking team in the modern era will just be too much for Dragons hyped defense. Rabbitohs with a comfortable win. GI, Clive Churchill Medallist.

Isn't the Rabbitohs of 2011.

Even though I'm a Knights fan, I'd have to say the Eels team of 2001 was/is the greatest attacking team of the modern era.

 

[LESStar58]

The community seems very divided on the Eels' chances, I'm noticing a lot of Storm fans in particular are saying they are contenders; I'm guessing because of Stephen Kearney? I don't give them much hope myself, but they do have a tendency to have a good year and then a bad year; they also tend to over-achieve in a year where they are expected to do little (2009).

Not meaning to annoy anyone sorry, just asking what people think of them.

That's why I'm nominating them.

Think about it; there's been a spattering of first year coaches over the years who have taken teams and improved them to contenders or premiers (Ricky Stuart 2002, Michael Hagen 2001, Steve Folkes 1998). Given he's also the Kiwis national coach I wouldn't be surprised to see Mooks turn Parra into a consistent team of contenders.

 

[Red Bear]

I'd agree the Titans to slide, Prince's form the last year or two hasnt been much chop, Mat Rogers was very important, especially back half of last season, forward pack isnt exactly young. Might scrape the 8 but will be pretty unthreatening.

 

[_Johnsy]

I'd agree the Titans to slide, Prince's form the last year or two hasnt been much chop, Mat Rogers was very important, especially back half of last season, forward pack isnt exactly young. Might scrape the 8 but will be pretty unthreatening.

Their forward packs strength has been their speed & mobility (much like the Tigers). They have rarely been a menacing pack.

 

[Fingerbang]

My smokey prediction for 2011....Sharks to make the top 8.

 

[cleary89]

Highly likely

Saints, Rooster, Tigers, Warriors

Likely

Titans, Penrith, Melbourne, Souths

Possibly

Dogs, Manly, Broncos, Canberra,

No chance

Sharks, NQ, Eels, Knights

 

[Moffo]

i'd give NQ more chance then Manly

Manly are farked....

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

i'd give NQ more chance then Manly

Manly are farked....

In that case Moffo, given your record, a Saints Manly GF is a near given :lol:

 

[Jud]

For what it's worth -

The top 8 will be, in no particuler order:

Tigers
Roosters
Dragons
Storm
Dogs
Broncos
Raiders
Souffs

It pains me to include the Redfern lads, but am looking forward to the tears after a first week of finals booting.

The winner.......... would love to say the Tigers with complete confidence, but our reliance on Benji worries me. Having said that, if he stays fit, we will beat anyone. And Moltzen will add some extra spark!

Storm, Dragons and maybe Roosters, with Dogs as a smokey.

 

[RWB]

Agree with the majority in here; Dragons, Tigers & Roosters.

Panthers, Dogs & Rabbits the outsiders for me.

Storm don't have the depth to compete imo, they'd need a dream injury free run. Still a great starting team though.

 

[Paul Hewson]

No-one seems to have mentioned that Souths have a Dead Man Walking in John Lang.

Thats almost always a recipe for disaster to let the coach and players know a year in advance of his demise. Players switch off and discpline becomes a big issue.

Some clubs thrive on a bit of turmoil, Canterbury for example, but weaker clubs like Souths (and the Cowboys) haven't "thrived" on anything for 20+ years so I reckon its a big negative.

John Lang was always only going to be in the job for 2 years. He did not want to coach beyond that. This is his choice and not the clubs. He was very upfront about this when he took over from JT.

 

[BunniesMan]

John Lang was always only going to be in the job for 2 years. He did not want to coach beyond that. This is his choice and not the clubs. He was very upfront about this when he took over from JT.

Hey! Who said you could let reality get in the way of a good story. That troll was having a good time and you ruined it.