Balance sheet of power
By Paul Kent
July 30, 2004
THE financial year is over, the June 30 anti-tampering deadline has passed, and the annual profit and loss statements are in. Gentlemen, the envelopes please.
Brisbane
The Broncos' only real signing is Justin Hodges - the best centre in the game when at his peak. Hodges can have a large impact on the game when firing, and if right in Brisbane will add to the Broncos' strikepower significantly. As a ball-runner he will also help offset much of the pressure playing outside Darren Lockyer. Again the Broncos will rely on the impact of their youngsters, who will be better next season than they are this season (which will have a few teams nervous), while few of their elder players will be any worse for the extra year.
Balance Sheet: Profit.
Bulldogs
Once again the Bulldogs have lost plenty of depth for next season, the continued fallout of 2002's salary cap crisis. The pack will look significantly weaker with the losses the Dogs have suffered. The Bulldogs also like to play a quick brand of football, a tough ask for the inexperienced replacements now required to come through, though it is helped by a big pack that more often than not capably handles its opponents. On top of that the forwards are also improving their ball handling, making them tougher to contain. Lastly, as if they need more, the Dogs are also very dangerous in broken play.
Balance Sheet: Loss.
Canberra
The Raiders are in transition mode at the moment and it remains to be seen whether they can get it right in time for the finals. After a slow start in the player market the Green Machine has recovered by buying in numbers. The retention of key players Simon Woolford, Mark McLinden and Clinton Schifcofske helps. If fitter next year, the Raiders will have the base to maintain the style of footy they are trying to play now, though their strength up front is a question with the loss of Ruben Wiki and Luke Davico. Two big losses.
Balance Sheet: Loss.
Cronulla
The Sharks have been fairly quiet in the market, concentrating on retaining their current squad rather than looking for outside improvements. The big bonus for the Sharks will be Luke Covell, a strong goalkicker that will fill an area that has been a real trouble spot for the Sharks of late. That alone should turn some close losses their way.
Balance Sheet: Profit.
Manly
The Sea Eagles have added significantly to the firepower in their pack with the recruitment of Ben Kennedy and Brent Kite, but still come up skinny around the halves and three-quarters. The Sea Eagles struggle for depth and, to make any dent next season, will have to stay as healthy as possible for as long as they can. A tough ask.
Balance Sheet: Profit.
Melbourne
Already without a relatively big pack, the Storm have suffered some damage with the loss of captain Stephen Kearney, as well as Kirk Reynoldson and the expected losses of Rodney Howe and Danny Williams. This affects the Storm, who rely on bashing you up with their forwards before letting the likes of Matt Orford and Scott Hill set up outside men like Billy Slater.
The Storm will need to rely on what depth they have coming through to make up for their losses.
Balance Sheet: Loss.
Newcastle
Newcastle's biggest bonus doesn't show up on the profit and loss statement, it being the return of Andrew Johns from a season-long injury. The Knights have been forced to change their style since Johns was injured. Newcastle are now at their most effective when the forwards concentrate on rolling forward to get the backs to the strike zone. The loss of Ben Kennedy, Michael Ennis and Matt Parsons will trouble the Knights, though, whose forward depth has already been deeply tested this season. Timana Tahu's departure will also bring undone the right-side combination of Tahu and Matt Gidley, possibly the most difficult right side combination to defend against in the NRL.
Balance Sheet: Loss.
New Zealand
Despite their size and power, the Warriors are an anomoly that doesn't prefer a power game. The recruitment of Steve Price and Ruben Wiki will offset that to a strong degree, enabling the Warriors to better be able to grind forward before having to go wide to score their points. Both can play 80 minutes, enabling coach Tony Kemp to make better use of the rest of his pack, and are players with few errors in them - the big plus for the error-bound Warriors.
Balance Sheet: Profit.
North Queensland
Johnathan Thurston could be the quality five-eighth the Cowboys have needed for so long while the recruitment of Carl Webb and Justin Smith will add power and variation in the back row. But how can you measure the loss of Kevin Campion and Glenn Morrison, whose impact can't be measured in a stats column. Still, even with utility Nathan Fien also having departed North Queensland are a team on the improve.
Balance Sheet: Profit.
Parramatta
Having concentrated on recruiting big, bulky players last season, the Eels realised their errors and for next year have gone for speed and variety. Timana Tahu will add strike out wide while Mark Riddell will give punch in the middle. Glenn Morrison, Chad Robinson and Paul Stringer will also round out the Eels pack nicely, stopping the Eels from getting bogged down as they can do now.
Balance Sheet: Profit.
Penrith
The Panthers' depth has taken a blow, losing Ryan Girdler, Martin Lang, Amos Roberts, Paul Whatuira and the up-and-coming Richard Fa'aoso. The Panthers like to get their big forwards to play tight and bash their way upfield before turning it over to the backs in the opposition 40m, where they like to use the ball. The losses will affect the Panthers' strikepower.
Balance Sheet: Loss.
South Sydney
The Rabbitohs offset some losses in the pack with the signing of Peter Cusack and Scott Logan. Shannon Hegarty's inclusion out wide, with the likes of Adam MacDougall's return, will continue the improvement being seen in the Rabbitohs attack. The building blocks are in place, can the Rabbitohs hope?
Balance Sheet: Profit.
St George Illawarra
The Dragons are trying to imitate the Roosters in defence, trying to play catch-up before the finals begin. The salary cap has bitten hard, but the Dragons have good depth coming through, though, but will need to keep the majority of their top players on the park to keep from being overstretched. Having said that they are the most dangerous team in the competition when in full flight.
Balance Sheet: Loss.
Sydney Roosters
Aware of how difficult it is to replace Brad Fittler, the Roosters have replaced him with three players. To counter Fittler's creative ability the Roosters have bought Amos Roberts and Joel Monaghan - first and equal fifth on the NRL's tryscoring list - and Brett Firman to play five-eighth. The Roosters have the best depth in the NRL.
Balance Sheet: Loss.
Wests Tigers
The Tigers continue their impressive build-up of recent years, adding size to their small, mobile pack. While Scott Sattler's loss will impact, depth has improved overall. Slowly, Wests fans ...
Balance Sheet: Profit.
The Daily Telegraph
