Like this year, injuries will determine much next year, but despite that, here's my take.
1) Wests Tigers- The big question is where do they play Moltzen? A very classy side for next year. And Tuiaki AND Tuquiri on the wings....How does one tackle that?
2) Melbourne Storm- They'll be back and out for blood. Have a knack for unearthing great junior talent. Justin O'Neill will be the story of next year.
3) Canterbury Bulldogs- They have a bad year, then a good year. Next year is a good year.
4) Brisbane Broncos...Sure Inglis is there, but it's Ben Hannant who'll make the difference to this side. Webke mach II is back where he belongs.
5) South Sydney Rabbitohs- Souths are that team who you just know are about to do something big.....Burgess, Taylor, Sandow, Luke.....all about to hit their straps at the same time. Watch out!
6) St George- Losing Costigan and Smith won't hurt as bad as some think, but it'll hurt still.....The real problem is that they lack the class of a Melbourne 07 or Manly 08 to survive the GF hangover.
7) Cowboys- Have bought really well. Brent Tate may be just what the Dr ordered up north. Someone with brains who Thurston just might respect enough. Some great juniors coming through too...they're my big movers in 11.
8) Sydney Roosters- I think they over achieved this year, and Smith coached sides are like Canterbury....One good year, one bad year.....Still, there's enough class in this side to see them into the finals.
9) Newcastle- Have bought really well, especially the young talent. Costigan will give them that hard ass attitude they missed this year.
10) Penrith- Will miss Pritchard. A few of their key men (Waterhouse and Lewis) are starting to suffer those injuries that seem to keep coming back.......Lachlan Coote may be their only hope.
11) Manly- Losing Perry will hurt. Losing Hodkinson will hurt more. Matai's out for the first 8 weeks. Brett Stewart's acquittal has masked the fact that he's had two knee reconstructions in two years.....will never be the same player......
12) Canberra- I had them winning the comp next year.....Then I heard Terry Campese was out for the year...and that was all she wrote for me...Forget Orford, forget Gower....The bloke they need back is Michael Monahan...and they need him now.
13) Warriors- I think they over achieved this year. they'll miss Tate immeasurably.
14) Parramatta- Why are they in a better position than they were this year? No Cayless, No Mateo, No Inu, No Keating. And who have they replaced them with?? Noone yet.....banking on Quade Cooper.....I think they've written next year off.
15) Gold Coast- Look at the Dogs this year, and that is the titans next year. An aging roster and critically a lack of depth coming through will not bode well for the titans next year. The big fallers next year. Just the way I see it.
16) Sharks- Sadly I can see no love for the sharks. Jeremy Smith is a great player, but a bad buy at this stage of his career. He's eternally injured. Wade Graham has the potential to be a very good player, in two or three years, and he's no better than Barrett. The Sharks need to start again. Take Paul Gallen and build the side around him. It's the only way forward.......
