here are my final predictions for Season 2008:
///--- The Top 4 ---///
The Cowboys - The Dynamic Duo of Thurston and Bowen, Some of the best recruitment of 2007 bringing Travis Burns, Ben Harris and John Williams to the far north. A formidable home ground advantage and excellent foward depth given the number of player blooded last year.The only downside is Murray being sacked before the season has even started. If Thurston plays the majority of the year they are my pick for the minor premiership.
Melbourne Storm - The reigning premiers, Smith, Cronk, Slater, Inglis, Falou, Bellamy - The Storm have the personel to go back to back. Will be interesting to see how they cope while Bellamy is on Origin duty. Have lost a few players but their production line will likely spit out more than adequet replacements. Add the best home ground advantage in the league and a well drilled workman like pack and they are top 4 near certanties.
Brisbane Broncos - Some astute purchases sees a far more balanced Broncos team take the field in '08. The club now has far greater creative attacking options with the introduction of Wallace and Marsh. Terrific pack depth with Clinton, Hannatt (bolter for Origin duty), Thaiday, Carroll, Eastwood, Stagg, Sims, Parker, Taylor, Kenny, Ennis and PJ Marsh all on the books. Hodges is the number 1 centre in the game and Hunt is always dangerous chiming in from the back, and is rock solid in his kick returns. The club will want to send Bennett out on a high note.
Parramatta - Probably the best starting 3/4 line in the comp. Add to that a solid pack with the right mix of workman and explosiveness and they should be dangerous. While Smith and Finch are a solid halves combination that should take the team into the top 4, they probably lack that extra class to take them to the Grand Final. Eliminated in Week 2 or 3 of the finals.
///--- 5th - 8th ---///
Manly - Solid defensivly, but the loss of Monaghan and Burns will hurt them with regards to halves depth. Will finish in the middle of the top 8.
South Sydney - Good coach, great front office. A fanstatic defensive team that will worry the opposition when they are on the attack with the addition of Wing and Issac Luke being the first choice hooker. Kidwell (likely) playing more games will be a huge plus. Will improve on there '07 results by a place or two.
The Warriors - A fearsome pack, good home ground advantage and talented coach should see them make the 8. Looking forward to seeing the debut of Sonny Fai and Packer. Will need to unearth or purchase a game breaking half to be true premiership contenders. McKinnon out for the season is a real shame.
Canberra Raiders - A talented young side with a highly rated tactician for a coach and the best home ground advantage in the comp outside of Melbourne. They have the most under-rated pack in the comp with some great depth. All they need is someone to step up and partner Carney in the halves (Herbert?, Campese?) and a bit more flair in the hooking role (perhaps the signing of Flannagan from Wests Tigers as was rumoured?). Important year for the Raider with over half their top 25 squad off contract. If they get their rectruitment and retainment right their is no reason they can't be legitiment contenders in a season or two's time.
///--- 9th - 12th ---///
Gold Coast Titans - A really good starting side that will go close but just come up short due to a lack of depth. A very important year for the Gold Coast with a large portion of the playing roster off contract. The correct recruitment and retention could see them emerge as a powerhouse club over the next few seasons.
Cronulla Sharks - A great pack but ordinary halves and backs. Another year of close but no cigar for the Sharks. Noddy needs to go if they are to have a hope.
Sydney City Roosters - Fittler is untested over a season long campaign, and O'Mealy (burnt out) and Mason(good in a winning side but hit him hard early and he goes missing) are over-rated. Have lost alot of depth in the halves losing Wing, Soward and Lewis. Will have a more consistant season but fall short.
St. George-Illawarra Dragons - Will improve on '07, but the doubt over the coach for '09 will be a worry. The last couple of years has seen some poor player retention. The fact that the Saints' finances are slowly diving into the red shows that there are issues with the front office. Close but not close enough.
///--- The Bottom Four ---///
Newcastle - Will have a more consistant season than '08 and should be safe from the spoon. If a team above falters they may finish higher. The very definition of a rebuilding year, but Smith should be given the bennifit of the doubt.
The Bulldogs - Lacks pack depth and impact (excluding Sonny-Bill), flair in the halves and speed in the backs. The coaching situation is unclear and the board has just had a big shake up. Will take some scalps if the opposition come unprepared, but are in desperate need of a new game plan.
Wests Tigers - A poor undersized pack, injury prone halves in Marshall and Head (Morris doesn't count) and no home ground advantage to speak of (5 home ground in '08!) equal an ugly '08 for the Tigers. Recruitment is consistantly poor and their management has still somehow put them $250,000 over the salary cap. The one shinning light is Robbie Farrah, who will likely be unavaiable for 3 games mid year due to Origin duty. Post Canberra Tim Sheens has a win ratio of about 40% and only taken a team to the finals once, Spoon contenders if Penrith don't beat them to it.
Penrith Panthers - The most over rated coach in the competition and not an established halve to speak of. Lazy ill-disiplined fowards, and although they have a solid back line will their halves be able to service them with quality ball? Another lean year for the Panthers despite the signing of Petro. My pick for the Spoon.
