For what it's worth....
1. Warriors - last years finals appearance will have done them well. Good team on paper. I'm expecting a big year from the Kiwi boys.
2. Tigers - Lost nothing, great pack, great halves and great backs. And a great coach. They remind me of the Saints last year in that they have had a team together for a while, had the same coach for a while and know the Tigers system inside and out. Only difference with the Saints side is that this time there are some superstars in the side. Remind me a lot of the Storm also actually in that they have built a great core side with few outside recruits.
3. Saints - we are all gunning for you...
4. Dogs - Recruited unbelievably well. That side on paper should make them top 8 material, but if they gel they are a top 4 side. I'll go the positive option.
5. Storm - still can't go past them as a finals side. Still got that 1,7,9, have some quality backs and forwards, and have recruited some good quality players. Woolnough might be their Yak (Cusack), while Champion is quality and Blair just needs a good run with injuries. The coach is no slouch either. Good on them. Last year is gone.
6. Roosters - we will come back to the pack a bit this season I think. I think we are probably two or three years away from winning a grand final. We've got a lot of key youngsters who are yet to peak and our side is still a bit unsettled. The time will come but we need to play regular finals football first. Carney and Pearce should get us into the Top 10, while the rest should push us to top 6. In other words, we will stay in the same spot on the ladder but won't make the GF.
7. Manly - good side on paper. Only concern is the halves. I'd be disappointed if were a manly fan if they couldn't make the eight without relying on the halves based on the rest of the sqaud.
8. Souths - I want them to make the finals. So they can get knocked out in the first week. Seriously though, have a good side on paper but big question marks about their halves.
9. Broncos - Lockyer isn't the player he used to be while Wallace is a hack. If these two don't perform then I think they will struggle. Also got a lot of players eligible for second year syndrome.
10. Raiders - Without Campese they might have made the eight just on the back of the pack and Vidot, Dugan, Croker and co, and new signing Orford. But if Orford doesn't play like some are suggesting they will be a top 10 side. Probably need the confidence of a few early wins to make a run.
11. Parra - Hayne, Mannah, Hindmarsh and Moi Moi should keep them off the bottom but beyond that? Still got HUGE question marks over their halves.
12. Cowboys - Johnson will bring a lot to the pack while Thurston is Thurston. Those two plus Tonga and Bowen should also keep them off the bottom but an injury or suspension to Thurston and one or two of the others and they are in trouble. And until they sort out a partner for Thurston they won't make the finals regularly.
13. Titans - tipping a big injury to Prince to end their season. But honestly, beyond Prince they do struggle with genuine playmakers, their pack is OLD and their backs - albeit speedy - aren't that great. The side hasn't really evolved over the years, and think last year was their best chance. They've had a good run but I think that run is over. I'd be pissed if I were a Titans fan given the poor evolution of the side.
14. Sharks - I'm expecting the Sharks to start to make their way off the bottom over the coming years, starting this season. Second best pack in the comp in my opinion, while Graham and Gardner are talented little sods. Smith is a huge signing. Gallen, Snowden, Smith and Douglas is one scary pack. Just a matter of stringing a few wins together.
15. Knights - It's all about Mullen isn't it? Gidley is a great player, but they can't rely on him all the time. The day Mullen gets his confidence and consistency back is the day the Knights start winning premierships. Costigan and Houston will bring a lot, while Uate will trouble a few centre/wing pairings over the coming season. But if they lose Mullen and/or Gidley, or Costigan and Houston are suspended, then it's a hard left on to Struggle Street. All five of them could be gone for Origin - four of them highly likely.
16. Panthers - the soccer star had a good season last season, but Walsh can't rely on kicking his way to victory any more. Until he can find another component to his game, or another partner in crime, then I think it's Struggle Street.
Grand final - Tigers have to be there. They've being building to this for a long time and this year is the best chance they will have in a long time. Beyond them, any of the other finals sides are a chance, except Souths and Manly.
