I think recruitment will have a massive bearing on the ladder position this year. With such a busy off season, some clubs are looking better than others purely on who they've recruited.
I've got the Broncos as the only definite team to make the top 4. On paper the Sharks, Warriors and Cowboys should fill in the rest of the top 4, but god knows if that will actually happen.
Manly have recruited well and should make the 8 with the likes of Myles, Walker and Taupau on board. The Storm once again have a good squad and will be playing finals footy, even if Slater and Smith are turning 33.
The Raiders look to have a solid squad with the additions of Sezer and Lima, and should contend for the finals if they produce similar form to last year. The Dragons have filled plenty of holes in their squad and will be looking to do the same.
Souths are a relative unknown, obviously my heart says they can do well but with so much depth lost, they could very well struggle if injuries hit, and if they play like they did in the last few rounds of 2015 they're in trouble.
Personally it wouldn't surprise to see the Bulldogs and Roosters miss out on the 8. Both teams have lost big players and haven't really replaced them yet, and I think it'll take a while for the new players to strike up a combination. Looks like the salary cap is finally doing it's thing.
The Eels and Panthers are finals bolters. If the Eels new recruits gel together they could be a force, especially if Michael Jennings jumps on board. The Panthers similarly have a good squad but injuries keep messing them up, plus they'll be looking for a few players to find new positions i.e. Moylan in the halves.
My bottom four definites are the Tigers, Titans and Knights, who all have done decently in trying to fill big holes in their squads, but still have a bit to go. Not quite ready to compete in the top 8. Obvious, I know, but it is what it is.
No doubt most of our predictions will be wrong, but from what I gather this is what I think will happen.
