2009 - The least open competition in many years?

[brokendigit]

For many seasons, we've been reading about how any one of 8, 9, even 10 teams can win the competition.

This year, in my opinion, we've got a clear-cut 4 teams, who have the capability of winning the GF, and realistically, no others.

By my way of thinking, Canterbury, St George-Illawarra, Melbourne and Manly have varying (but realistic) chances of taking out this year's Premiership.

I'd like to know if anyone thinks that a team from outside of these four can beat two of those teams in the Semis to win the comp?

 

[Alex28]

How does Manly have a chance? Because they beat the Bulldogs last night?

 

[Patsy]

How does Manly have a chance? Because they beat the Bulldogs last night?

because they dominated in pretty much every important area of the game

 

[t-ba]

Because they've shown they have another gear that sides like the Nukes have yet to produce?

2007 and 2008 were hardly open. Manly and Melbourne eyeballing each other and leaving everyone in their wake. This season is more open than any since 2005 imo.

 

[_STING_]

I really rate the Knights. The way the beat the Dragons was impressive. At full strength they are my choice to beat the Dogs.

I don't think Manly can go all the way unless Stewart comes back. Of the current top 8 I don't think the Panthers, Titans and Dragons can win.

Injuries will be the biggest factor in the end.

 

[Gaba]

I think its between the dragons, storm, wouldnt write off the broncos cant see any other choice out of those 3 maybe manly if they make it

The knights and dogs defence isnt up to it, and i dont think knights and dogs attack will worry the better defensive teams

 

[brokendigit]

I really rate the Knights. The way the beat the Dragons was impressive. At full strength they are my choice to beat the Dogs.

I don't think Manly can go all the way unless Stewart comes back. Of the current top 8 I don't think the Panthers, Titans and Dragons can win.

Injuries will be the biggest factor in the end.

Big call to say the Dragons can't win. You'd be one of a decreasing minority who think they can't go all the way...

 

[_STING_]

Big call to say the Dragons can't win. You'd be one of a decreasing minority who think they can't go all the way...

History is on my side ;-)

 

[Bicey_18]

I think its between the dragons, storm, wouldnt write off the broncos cant see any other choice out of those 3 maybe manly if they make it to get to the gf and lose to the dragons.

The knights and dogs defence isnt up to it, and i dont think knights and dogs attack will worry the better defensive teams

:lol::lol: Cmon Gaba

Newcastle's attack obviously worried the Dragons as they beat them 24-18 at WIN Jubilee...

 

[Boofhead]

Theres not enough Titans love here, this year they have knocked off Melbourne, Manly, Bulldogs and the Dragons. Three main players are finally back from injury this weekend (Bailey, Rogers and Minichello). If they manage to maintain the full roster for the rest of the year they will give the competition a shake up.

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of areas that they need to improve on but they are managing to win game despite their issues.

I'm thinking Manly vs. Dragons final for the moment...

 

[Bicey_18]

For many seasons, we've been reading about how any one of 8, 9, even 10 teams can win the competition.

This year, in my opinion, we've got a clear-cut 4 teams, who have the capability of winning the GF, and realistically, no others.

By my way of thinking, Canterbury, St George-Illawarra, Melbourne and Manly have varying (but realistic) chances of taking out this year's Premiership.

I'd like to know if anyone thinks that a team from outside of these four can beat two of those teams in the Semis to win the comp?

Knights have beaten the Bulldogs, Dragons, Eagles and dominated Melbourne in Melbourne only to lose it in the last 3 minutes...

However, I dont think they can win the comp. Too inexperienced imo... I think its a toss up between the Storm and Bulldogs

 

[Alex28]

So the Knights have beaten the Dragons, the Bulldogs, the Eagles, the Broncos and got within 3 minutes of beating the Storm, but are no chance.

Manly - who lets face it are an injury away from being back to oblivion - have FINALLY beaten someone of quality and they can all of a sudden win the premiership? I mean they beat the Broncos who were depleted by injury (no Hunt or Hodges), but besides the Bulldogs none of the others are a realistic shot at the premiership.

Manly are no chance. Not necessarily saying Newcastle is either, but beating most of the bottom 8 teams and having both byes already does not make a premiership threat make.

 

[Gaba]

:lol::lol: Cmon Gaba

Newcastle's attack obviously worried the Dragons as they beat them 24-18 at WIN Jubilee...

I could give reasons why , but thats history now

 

[thommo4pm]

On any given day I think any one of these 6 sides can beat the other teams:
Dragons, Storm, Manly, Dogs, Titans and Knights.
If I had to pick outside that group it would be the Cows.
Losing Payne for the season and O'Donnell for an extended period will hurt the Cows though.

Titans are getting players back at this stage of the year where as in seasons gone by they were losing players.
Melbourne and Manly just because they have quality / class players.
I still think newcastle are the most dangerous attacking team.
Dragons and Dogs have been so consistant all season.

 

[Big Pete]

It's arguably the most open competition since 2005.

2006 - It was essentially all Melbourne with servings of the Bulldogs (who were down with injury), Dragons (who couldn't find that extra gear when it mattered) and the Broncos (who had all the stars align when they mattered). Newcastle and Manly finished their race in the first week when they beat the ever living crap out of each other, Canberra were just happy to make it and the Eels were hobbling into the 8.

2007 - This was really just the Melbourne comp. with guest appearances by the Sea Eagles. The rest were either struggling with injury or were the best of a horrible bunch.

2008 - Closer competition but every team bar the Sea Eagles faded when it mattered. The only team that could've given them a show was the Broncos but we know what happened there.

2009 - It's anyone's premiership at this stage with Dragons, Dogs and Sea Eagles firming as favourites. If Melbourne can find another gear they could take it, while Newcastle, Cowboys, Titans and the Broncos can be anything on their day - they just need to find a groove.

 

[Gaba]

2007 - This was really just the Melbourne comp. with guest appearances by the Sea Eagles. The rest were either struggling with injury or were the best of a horrible bunch.

exactly what been saying all the time i said melbourne won that year by default, glad another person realise that

Why Bellamy can considered himself very lucky , if injurys didnt strike the storm imo wouldnt have won

why i keep on saying Bellamy is overrated

 

[thommo4pm]

I personally don't think Brisbane have the forwards to match it with the heavyweights of this years comp.
And with Israel out now for a while also, I think they will battle it out with Penrith for 8th spot.

 

[adamkungl]

exactly what been saying all the time i said melbourne won that year by default, glad another person realise that

Why Bellamy can considered himself very lucky , if injurys didnt strike the storm imo wouldnt have won

why i keep on saying Bellamy is overrated

:lol: Melbourne were unlucky to lose in 2006 as well. Melbourne have been by far the best side since 2006. Don't be surprised to see them when it counts again in 09. Just like no one will be surprised when Dragons are nowhere to be seen come week 3 of the finals.

 

[STG-MACCA]

History is on my side ;-)

This is a different Dragons outfit and if they are not around come the business end of this season, I don't think you can call it a failure or like many put it a "choke".

If the Dragons can put it together when it matters, they will be tough to beat and I really do think that for the first time in many years, a team will actually need to take the game from them.

 

[andirect]

i love when everyone draws a line through the broncos at this time of year, yet they always seem to go close in the end.

at this stage, the dragons, bulldogs and manly would be firming in the betting but the storm, broncos and titans can beat anyone on their day.

losing payne will really hurt the cowboys, but if someone can step up and give thurston and bowen decent service, with o'donnell coming back late in the year they could be the darkhorse. not convinced though.