Ok now that we got some unfortunate news and that the season is at reach,I reckon I'll have another go.
1.Manly
2.Cowboys*
3.Eels
4.Warriors*
5.Storm
6.Sharks
7.Souths
8.Knights
Now this is still a pretty vague guess of things,the top 3 imo opinion are a bit more concrete than the other 5 excluding the Storm that will finish somewhere in the 8.
Manly - Very similar to Storm 2006 where in they were consistent and overachieving and then when it came to the final,they were embarrassed and beaten.
Because of this,they'll want to right the wrongs.
Cowboys - Ok we're quite high up there,but note the *,this is on a few teams because imo it's all down to how they go in the first few games.
If we are winning games convincingly without Thurston before he comes back,we're only going to be more lethal when he returns.
If not we'll be 6/7th.
I've become a bit more confident about the Murray saga,and I think the players will either try and have him go out on a high note or play happily knowing a new coach is on the way.
Eels - They have a great team,all they can do is improve more and try and become more consistent.
Warriors - They're another questionable team in regards to starting positions,if they can find a suitable replacement for Wade and somehow have him back early,they'll have this spot.
If not I would say 8/9th.
Storm - I'm surprised so many people have them up the top again and back to back.
Of course this is very possible however they don't have a fire in their belly this time round.
They were on a mission last year,this year isn't going to be the same.
Sure on paper their team is ridiculous...but I think their intensity will drop a little.
Sharks - Yes brave prediction lol,if their coach isn't an idiot with the halves and don't have brain explosions than they may very well be premiership contenders(yes I just said that).
Souths - They built a foundation on what's to come last year,now they need to keep it up.
Knights - Knights have fire in the belly from last year,their intensity will raise and their young will have something to prove.
I do think that a number of teams in the 16 can make the 8,it's just too hard to tell though and this is just a bit of a guess still at this stage.
I can however outline who I think won't be making the 8 to narrow it done a tad.
Bulldogs - Quite honestly their team looks average with aging and tired players.
Sonny Bill's great but he doesn't determine matches.
This period will be a time of rebuilding imo.
Sorry Tim lol.
Tigers - They were just awful last year(except when they kicked Cow's bums LOL!) and that was with their two star players.
I can't see things changing really.
Canberra - They just don't impress me,and perhaps they'll improve up the ladder a bit but I really cannot see them competing with the teams in the 8.
