It's too hard to be making these predictions so early on. But I reckon there'll only be maybe two openings at the most for teams outside the eight this year to get in next year. This season's top seven are a class above the bottom eight, and should remain that way next year, with the Eels the wildcard if their shopping spree yields results. Still, there's usually one team with big expectations that flops each season, so I could forsee an opening there, and I doubt the raiders will make the eight either. On paper though, you couldn't go past the Roosters, Dogs, Dragons, Storm, Cowboys, Broncos, Eels and Panthers making up the eight, in no particular order.
