1) Souths- Look a better side next year than they did this year. An ominous look about them defensively with Teo and Lima adding to an already bruising pack. and remember, Inglis will have had a whole pre-season at fullback......scary thought.
2) Melbourne- don't know how anyone would ever back them not to make the 8 with the big 3. Curious to see what they do with Widdop and Finch.
3) Newcastle- needed some serious intimidation credentials. Went out. Bought Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith and David Faalogo, three of the most intimidating forwards of the last 10 years. Gidley's return shouldn't be underestimated.
4) Brisbane- Should bounce back after a relatively disappointing season. Sure they looked average towards the end, but they'll be better for the run.
5) Cronulla- Buying the back rowers they have suggests to me that they're looking to move Gallen into the front row full time. that's not necessarily a bad thing. Lewis will give Carney even more room to do his thing. Then there's the real coup. If Michael Gordon stays fit, they've got the fullback they've needed since the Peach left.
6) Roosters- I really like this side for next year. All they need is a little direction. Some classy young forwards and backs coming into their own. Maloney and Pearce compliment each other stylistically, and SBW is the x factor that will have other teams really struggling.
7) Canterbury- Canterbury's season will again rely heavily on keeping Michael Ennis fit. I'm not sure they needed Tony Williams, but I'm not going to question Des.
8) Manly- I think manly are coming to the end of a remarkable period of time at the top. They have the class in key position to be much higher, but I think that the forward pack is starting to age a little. Still whilst the Stewarts are there, shouldn't be written off.
9) North Qld- Why do I have them 9th? Well ultimately, the retirement of Payne, and the defection of Segeyaro to Penrith leaves them without a hooker. If they can get one (I'd be looking at young Baptiste from brisbane if I were them) of any remote quality, they'll jump about 9 spots up in my list. If Thurston goes down, they'll drop 6.
10) Titans- Very hard to leave them out, as I thought their end to the season was pretty good. But they have a number of key players now at that age (Bailey, Harrison, Prince). Taylor is not they player they needed in my book, although, I'm not sure I'd want he and Idris running at me at the same time. Young Sezar will be one to watch in 2013.
11) Penrith- Cleary is a mastercoach I reckon. And whilst letting Luke Lewis go may seem like the dumbest move ever, I'm inclined to think that it's a necessary one in order to change the culture of the place. Having said that, I don't think next year is their year. 2014 far more promising.
12) Warriors- This side could feasibly not only win the comp, but they could go onto be the dominant side over the next 5 years, such is the talent they have (Locke, Johnson, et al). But they need a strong arm. Matthew Elliott is best when he has smart players who get his game plan. NZ have 1 smart player. Nathan Friend. Won't end well I reckon.
13) Canberra- Canberra have one bad year, then a good year. This year they are due a bad year. Couple that with the fact that I think that their end of season run masked some really dreadful performances earlier on. that said, have some of the most exciting youngsters coming through.
14) Parramatta- Parramatta will improve in 2013. But they have to metamorphasise to become a top 8 side. If Hayne can stay fit, and Sandow can get fit, then all they need is a new dummy half, and they'll be a much improved side. Hindy's retirement is a loss. But if all the other forwards decide to put in, then they'll cover the great man adequately
15) St George- This team looks like it's rebuilding. And it needs to. It looks like a team divided, not knowing what it wants to do. the aging roster is in transition and they've not really recruited well either.
16) Wests Tigers- when the tigers lost Gareth Ellis, I thought to myself "they'll struggle without the work he does....but Heighington is capable of offsetting some of it, if he can get fit". then they lose Heighington. If rumours are true and Matt Parish becomes the head coach, consider this. Parish previously held one head coaching role. He coached the Salford City reds in the ESL. 6 games, 1 win before they mutually parted ways. Just sayin.
