hindy111
Post Whore
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No 1 - Penrith Panthers
Edwards and Too I assumed were done last year and on the downhill slide. I was wrong. Both were playing injured in 2025 but after the off season both look back to their best. Blaize and Mclean will continue to develop. Martin,Tago and Henry still to inject into side. Debutant Phillips looks handy also.
If fit they finish top 4.
No 2 - Sharks
They completely dismantled the Titans. Classy display. If they are ever a chance of winning it before they explode I reckon this would be it. Maybe the final chance with this squad to do anything. Either way its quite a strong side on paper. Some have even suggested it's the best backline in comp.(Not that I agree).
No 3 - Warriors - Putting 40+ points on the Roosters is impressive. They have so many good young fast and talented forwards. Tough pack and a solid squad. Can do damage
No 4 - Storm - Best spine in comp. But a lot of weaknesses elsewhere. Dominated rnd 1 but at home to one of the weaker sides in competition. Reffs also helped.
No 5 - Broncos- Played poor but their defense was impressive. The Panthers had to work extremely hard to get their points. Many sides woukd of conceded 50+
No 6 - Raiders - Samders looked great as did Noah Martin. There is still loads of talent in this side.
No 7 - Roosters - Flashes of great play. They'll sort it out. Just to much class.
No 8 - Rabbits - Strong squad. Id be suprised if didnt play finals
No 9 - Dogs - Very tough side. Spine but is a little disjointed. If Crighton gets injured I reckon theyd struggle to win games. If stays fit theyll be top 6
No 10 - Tigers - I like their squad.
No 11 - Knights - They have a weak pack but great ball runners. I still think theyll win games they arent expected due to Pongas brilliance.
No 12 - Manly - Like the Knights they have Turbo who looked class. I doubt they make 8 but if did it wouldnt suprise me. Either would bottom 4 if Turbo gets injured which is more likely then not.
No 13 - Dolphins - Talked up but every year they fail in 2nd half of season. I just cant have them in my 8 yet. They do have the talent to be there tho.
No 14 - Dragons - Tough loss to the Dogs. Still on their day can push most sides. But can also get flogged. No finals for then
No 15 - Titans - Rubbish. Far to many small men.
No 16 - Eels - Hard to gauge after finishing 2025 so well. After rnd 1 loss however and looking how weak the backline is and no real ALPHA prop it's easy to become pessimistic. If Moses goes down for a long period then bottom 4 will be certainty. Before a ball was kicked I felt like top 8 was possible. Ill give it untill rnd 5 but a 0-5 start wont suprise due to a tough schedule. Might be lights out by mid April. We MUST jag 2 wins from the opening 5 rounds. If do so I will be confident we are on the right track for a return to finals. But not right now.
No 17 - Cowboys - They lost the the Knights and where woefull. The squads talented enough to play finals but something isnt right.
Title chances - Total 8. I'll put a line thru sides as season goes on. But ive ruled 9 out already.
Ones still alive -
Penrith,Storm,Roosters,Brisbane,Sharks, Canberra
Smokies - Souths + Warriors
Rest making up numbers.
Edwards and Too I assumed were done last year and on the downhill slide. I was wrong. Both were playing injured in 2025 but after the off season both look back to their best. Blaize and Mclean will continue to develop. Martin,Tago and Henry still to inject into side. Debutant Phillips looks handy also.
If fit they finish top 4.
No 2 - Sharks
They completely dismantled the Titans. Classy display. If they are ever a chance of winning it before they explode I reckon this would be it. Maybe the final chance with this squad to do anything. Either way its quite a strong side on paper. Some have even suggested it's the best backline in comp.(Not that I agree).
No 3 - Warriors - Putting 40+ points on the Roosters is impressive. They have so many good young fast and talented forwards. Tough pack and a solid squad. Can do damage
No 4 - Storm - Best spine in comp. But a lot of weaknesses elsewhere. Dominated rnd 1 but at home to one of the weaker sides in competition. Reffs also helped.
No 5 - Broncos- Played poor but their defense was impressive. The Panthers had to work extremely hard to get their points. Many sides woukd of conceded 50+
No 6 - Raiders - Samders looked great as did Noah Martin. There is still loads of talent in this side.
No 7 - Roosters - Flashes of great play. They'll sort it out. Just to much class.
No 8 - Rabbits - Strong squad. Id be suprised if didnt play finals
No 9 - Dogs - Very tough side. Spine but is a little disjointed. If Crighton gets injured I reckon theyd struggle to win games. If stays fit theyll be top 6
No 10 - Tigers - I like their squad.
No 11 - Knights - They have a weak pack but great ball runners. I still think theyll win games they arent expected due to Pongas brilliance.
No 12 - Manly - Like the Knights they have Turbo who looked class. I doubt they make 8 but if did it wouldnt suprise me. Either would bottom 4 if Turbo gets injured which is more likely then not.
No 13 - Dolphins - Talked up but every year they fail in 2nd half of season. I just cant have them in my 8 yet. They do have the talent to be there tho.
No 14 - Dragons - Tough loss to the Dogs. Still on their day can push most sides. But can also get flogged. No finals for then
No 15 - Titans - Rubbish. Far to many small men.
No 16 - Eels - Hard to gauge after finishing 2025 so well. After rnd 1 loss however and looking how weak the backline is and no real ALPHA prop it's easy to become pessimistic. If Moses goes down for a long period then bottom 4 will be certainty. Before a ball was kicked I felt like top 8 was possible. Ill give it untill rnd 5 but a 0-5 start wont suprise due to a tough schedule. Might be lights out by mid April. We MUST jag 2 wins from the opening 5 rounds. If do so I will be confident we are on the right track for a return to finals. But not right now.
No 17 - Cowboys - They lost the the Knights and where woefull. The squads talented enough to play finals but something isnt right.
Title chances - Total 8. I'll put a line thru sides as season goes on. But ive ruled 9 out already.
Ones still alive -
Penrith,Storm,Roosters,Brisbane,Sharks, Canberra
Smokies - Souths + Warriors
Rest making up numbers.
