LOL @ me if I've already put a prediction in here which no doubt will completely be against what I do here LOL
1 Melbourne Storm - They look a cut above squad wise again
2 North Queensland Cowboys - The addition of Burns to the halves is a good touch, as long as Sione "Don't mind if I do" Faumuina continues to get suspended they'll go well
3 Warriors - Liking the addition of Tate, sceptical about the loss of Gatis and concerned about the impact of weak organisational and kicking halves
4 Sydney Roosters - I've got question marks on O'Meley at the Chooks, but largely I think it's an impressive pack and I'm expecting big things from James Aubusson
5 St George Illawarra Dragons - Expecting big things this year from Jamie Soward and Rangi Chase. I think they're best leaving Gasnier in centres and letting these kids run the show.
6 South Sydney Rabbitohs - Eddie Paea, really there's so much hype it'll be good to see a Kiwi halfback come through.
7 Manly Sea Eagles - The loss of Michael Monaghan is massive, and I also will add that Chris Hicks was a seriously underrated winger who did a lot of good hit up work early in a set to get them going forward
8 Brisbane Broncos - the addition of PJ Marsh is a smart move, but I'm still concerned about who partners Lockyer, perhaps they're best suited with Hunt at half. They've lost some great players though, and the pressure will be on Taylor to man up on behalf of Petrols 70calitre
9 Parramatta Eels - I'd rate them a lot higher, but I think Tim Smith's kicking game will be a loss if he's out "indefinitely". Also PJ again was a gutsy little competitor. I'm expecting a big season from both Mateo and Burt.
10 Cronulla Sharks - Greg Bird is the man here, he could move them anywhere up to the top 4. A bit of inexperience out wide though, but a gun backrow.
11 Gold Coast Titans - Scott Prince had a stellar season last year, but he needs to stay on the paddock all season for them to survive. Josh Lewis is a kid on the rise.
12 Wests Tigers - Good pick up in Matt Head to direct them around, if he can stay on the paddock. I think their pack is a little too light and could get rolled. Glass shoulder is also the $50m question, if he is fit and confident he can be the gamebreaker they desperately need. I expect a big season from Chris Lawrence.
13 Canberra Raiders - I'm surprised I've got them down here, they seriously have one of the gutsiest packs in the comp, and a seriously underrated one. There's not many of their forwards that I wouldn't want in a squad, they're usually big units with good mobility and ball skills. I suspect what they did to Parramatta last year in the first 20 or so will become something more consistent over the next couple of years. I'm expecting a big season from William Zillman, and I'm liking the look of Adrian Purtell. The one player I don't rate though for some reason is Withers, and I think you need that spark out of dummy half.
14 Penrith Panthers - They're better off without Gower, because he caused the club a load of culture problems with his antics, and Petero will be a sensational signing, but I think the halves need a season to regroup and then we could see a seriously special era for this team, much the same way I think Canberra will start to develop into a consistently good football club given they've taken the steps and time with patience to develop some good keen youngsters.
15 Canterbury Bulldogs - So much going on here, they need Sonny Bill on the paddock 24/7. Sherwin's kicking game usually gets them repeat sets which they feed off, and I suspect that's a big loss although he's not rated by most. Ben Roberts needs to find more consistency.
16 Newcastle Knights - IMHO they're starting off a process that will be beneficial for them long term, to rebuild. Their halves need time to gel together consistently in big heat games. Patterson and Vuna excite me.
I think this competition will be very tight actually, I think the bottom three or four will still be pushing the gate for finals footy very very late in the season. Some of those teams I've got down below I have no problems with saying they could be top four teams. It should be a great competition, again.
sarcasm
