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BRONCODROID ON: 2005 SEASON
Members
I took it upon myself to come up with what I thought was going to be the perhaps the season ending 2005 ladder. A hard task, though I believe there is some credit to be gained in getting your opinion out there before the "experts" writing in the glossy magazines.
I came up with a player rating guide, and marked teams accordingly. Admittedly, some of the line-ups may change, though I used my own opinion to get a gauge on the overall standing.
The only sticking point when attempting this was the fact I misplaced my Nostradamus qualities not being able to predict key injuries that could eventuate. Lets see how it goes either way...
Player Ratings Guide
10 - SUPER- Unquestionably the best at his position
9 - EXCELLENT - World rated player; arguably the best at his position
8 - VERY GOOD - Representative player or one who is on the cusp of a rep jersey
7 - GOOD - Good NRL player who could perhaps move to the next level
6 - ABOVE AVERAGE - Solid NRL player
5 - AVERAGE - Fringe NRL player
There was no need to go below the rating of 5 in my opinion.
Player Ratings Guide
80.00 and over: - Strong and balanced team; Grandfinal quality team
75.00 to 79.5: - Definite Semi-final contender with the talent to reach the Grandfinal
70.00 to 74.5: - Solid club, semifinal possibilities though a slim chance to make the Grandfinal
65.00 to 69.5: - A semifinal longshot with too many holes to be seriously considered
64.5 and under - Rebuilding project with middle of the pack objectives
Catergories
I chose to rate the following;
Fullback - Wingers - Centres - Halves - Hooker - Props - Backrow - Bench - Coach - Goalkicking
The positions where players were grouped i.e. Wingers, I rated each individual and came up with a combined rating.
CLUB RANKINGS
1 - SYDNEY CITY ROOSTERS - 82.50
My tip to prove doubters wrong in 2005 without Freddy Fittler. Still lethal and classy as ever, brilliant forward pack and everyone is chomping at the bit to silence critics.
KEY PLAYER: Brett Finch - Assumed the playmaking role in 2004 with Fittler outside him and this trend will need to continue for the Roosters to once again dominate the regular season.
2 - CANTERBURY BULLDOGS - 82.00
Tough start to season playing Dragons (H), NQ (A), Tigers (H), Sharks (A), Bye and then Roosters (H). Key players could still be out for the first 6 rounds and then rep season starts. They will be playing catch up after a slower than expected start.
KEY PLAYER: Mark O'Meley - His partner in crime Steven Price is gone and it will be upto 'Shrek' to keep this Bulldogs maching heading north and south. Added a nice offload to his game in 2004, I expect O'Meley to take right to Webcke and Rauhihi for the title of 'World's Best Prop'.
3 - PENRITH PANTHERS - 77.50
After 2 seasons of quality, Lang will have this team primed for a third season of top 4 success. Perhaps the best halves pairing with a dominant and young forward pack, game breakers outwide, the team that could spoil the top 2 honors.
KEY PLAYER: Craig Gower - Has to be Gower the playmaker and captain. He will look forward to some intersting one on one battles this season (Kimmorley R1, Orford R5, Kimmorley R11) before Origin, sadly, not one on one against Johns. Will look for a full 24 games under his belt which the end result for Penrith will be a top 4 spot perhaps top 2.
4 - NORTH QLD COWBOYS - 77.00
The momentum is with NQ going into this season and expectations are high and deservedly so. The bench is awesome, brilliant forward pack and a pocket dynamo who can change the tide of any game, the Cowboys will be a top 4 team in 2005 with GF chances if they all remain healthy.
KEY PLAYER: Matt Bowen - Needs to put together another spectacular season after debuting for Australia on the Tri-Series tour. Arguably the games best fullback, he is the spark-plug for the Cowboys who will receive alot of extra attention in 2005 as well as alot of towering bombs.[/i]
5 - MELBOURNE STORM - 76.00
Underrated and always under the radar in Melbourne, this teams is a sleeper Grandfinal team led by the brilliant Matt Orford and excitement machine Billy 'See you' Slater. Solid forwards, solid backline that can be as lethal as any, under Bellamy, always going to contend
KEY PLAYER: Matt Orford - Unfortunately, Orford is a NSW player stuck with Johns, Gower and Kimmorley in front of him. As good as any of the 3 guys mentioned when on song, he is the player in Melbourne that is at the centre of all things good. Very ala Alfie Langer in his game play.
6 - ST.GEORGE DRAGONS - 75.50
Talent wise, perhaps no team is better though injuries and inconsistency always fail the Kograh team. In my opinion, they are a legit title chance IF they can keep their best 20 healthy all season.
KEY PLAYER: Trent Barrett - Barrett is creeping backwards in the pecking order and he needs a big 2004. Fails to produce consistently for the Dragons in recent years and he needs start doing so to be considered one of the premiere players in the competition. He will be helped by the emerging Matt Head.
7 - BRISBANE BRONCOS - 75.00
They have perhaps the greatest coach of his time in Bennett, the world's best player and a host of current and former rep players, you never know what you are going to get from Brisbane. Rep time as usual will be crucial, a season where they can finish much higher on talent alone.
KEY PLAYER: Darren Lockyer - The world's best player, with Lockyer so goes the Broncos. I am certain he will be looking to put a full season under his belt like Gower and will thrive on joining an elite group that being Brisbane, QLD and Australian captain. After one season as five-eight, he is entrenched as the best at his positon, the second season should be quite an encore.
8 - NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS - 74.50
The great Andrew Johns returns which boosts semi final hopes straight away though there are still concerns over Joey's ability to put a full season together. If he can remain fit, he and Buderus with a young team should do enough to secure a top 8 spot.
KEY PLAYER: Andrew Johns - The Knights have the world's best hooker in Buderus who is a difference maker, though the Knights cannot win when needed too without this man. When fit, the premiere footballer in either code, though after 2 injury plagued seasons, the jury is out on Johns and he will come back to the pack a little in my opinion. Time will tell, look forward to round 1 vs Matt Orford.
9 - PARRAMATTA EELS - 74.00
Smith will be up to his ears with pressure after a nice spending spree. He will be in a 4-5 team battle for the final position in the 8 which will not be good enough for the Eels faithful. Look for Tahu to return to pre-injury form and Stringer from the bench.
KEY PLAYER: Nathan Hindmarsh - The best backrower in the world has got some much needed help in Morrison, Riddell and Stringer. Cayless is back an ready to prove a point, Hindmarsh with more troops is going to be fresher that is daunting for the opposition.
10 - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS - 72.00
I thought they may have snuck into my top 8, I was wrong. They will improve no doubt on last seasons effort led by new captain Steven Price and NZ Test captain Ruben Wiki. 2006 will be the year the Warriors return to semi-final football more than likely.
KEY PLAYER: Stacey Jones - Jones is undergoing his first pre-season in some time as a fit player without no injury concerns, look for him to challenge for the 'best halfback' mantle again in 2005. He will see alot of room with Price, Wiki and co. carting the ball forward, the little man could drag this team to the finals surprising many.
11 - WESTS TIGERS - 72.00
The hot and cold team that is like Victoria's weather, 'beautiful one day, terrible the next'. An up and coming team as per usual, will cause some upsets and have Tiger fever raging again as the season draws where they will once again be battling for the last remaining final 8 spot.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Prince - Sheens will want Prince to take Marshall under his wing and help the kid out. Had a big 2004 and is the QLD incumbent halfback and he is the general for the Tigers. If Marshall remains fit and improves his overall game, Prince will be more lethal and could possibly be one half of the most entertaining halves pairing in the NRL.
12 - CRONULLA SHARKS - 68.00
Kimmorley or no Kimmorley, I just fail to be impressed with this team that by rights should do better. The bottom 7 on this table could be all over the place though I will stand by the fact that this team will not be playing mid September.
KEY PLAYER: Phil Bailey - I was going to be lazy and go Kimmorley here, though Bailey is a key man. If Bailey can get the immature BS out of his game and focus on the task at hand, this forward pack becomes even better. He struggles last season, end of story. We know Kimmorley will play well, if Bailey can chip in with a 2003 like season, Cronulla may just put egg on my face on this one.
13 - MANLY SEA EAGLES - 67.50
Some good buys headed in my opinion by the signing of Brent Kite and not Ben Kennedy who is too injury prone and an investment that may backfire. The maroon and white will, like the Tigers, cause some upsets and perhaps be a chance of the 8 though it is unlikely.
KEY PLAYER: Ben Kennedy - This buy is either going to be a massive success or a massive failure as BK is as injury prone as a footballer gets in the modern game sadly. When fit a real handful and was once NSW's answer to Tallis, if he can stay on the park, his talent and emotion will pull Manly higher.
14 - CANBERRA RAIDERS - 67.50
A team on the decline and this will see Elliot on the coaching hotseat. The glaring concern will be their halves which has question marks. Jason Smith will be a failure in his return to the NRL as he will not keep up, Adamson on the other hand will do just fine. Withers will be a key player this season from the bench.
KEY PLAYER: Ryan O'Hara - 'Rhino' needs to put up his hand and assume the leaders role now Davico and Wiki are gone. He has a new halves pairing, new pack, O'Hara needs to show 2003 form and lead the way for a Canberra team that will struggle.
15 - SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS - 64.50
Rebuilding and rebuilding again. McRae will need at least 2-3 seasons to work his magic here, look for them to slowly climb the ladder. I have them last as their is still some uncertainty there, could easily finish higher.
KEY PLAYER: Joe Williams - What Souths don't need is second year syndrome happening to this little champion who does it all on the football field. The playmake, goalkicker, kicker in general play...McRae will have everything crossed hoping he is able to reproduce 2004 form otherwise the merry go round at half begins again.
Very open competition in 2005 with a tight race I envision for the bottom half of the 8.
I am certain Sydney, Canterbury and Penrith will once again be entrenched in the minor premiership battle with the Storm, Cowboys, Dragons and Brisbane duking it out for the top 4 spot.
Newcastle should return to semi final football with a fit Johns and Buderus though it will not be as easy as it once was for Newcastle fending off the likes of Parramatta, Wests and New Zealand. Manly are a roughie there.
Canberra I can't see troubling the 8, they are going to perhaps be closer to the bottom of the table if anything as I may have been a little bit generous in marking them. No real legit threat wide without Monagham who have a awesome try scoring rate, Graham is ok, Frawley is still largely an unknown quantity who may have been the benfactor of some good inside backs at Brisbane.
Cronulla could be alot closer to the action if all remain fit, Souths I cannot see getting off the bottom unless Canberra stink worse than I have predicted which is a real chance again.
TOP 5 DALLY M CHANCES
(no particular order)
- Matt Orford - Melbourne Storm
- Darren Lockyer - Brisbane Broncos
- Nathan Hindmarsh - Parramatta Eels
- Anthony Minichello - Sydney Roosters
- Matt Bowen - North QLD Cowboys
OTHER INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Top Try Scorer - Scott Donald - Manly Sea Eagles
Top Point Scorer - Hazem El Masri - Canterbury Bulldogs
Rookie of the Year - Kade Snowden - Newcastle Knights
Members
I took it upon myself to come up with what I thought was going to be the perhaps the season ending 2005 ladder. A hard task, though I believe there is some credit to be gained in getting your opinion out there before the "experts" writing in the glossy magazines.
I came up with a player rating guide, and marked teams accordingly. Admittedly, some of the line-ups may change, though I used my own opinion to get a gauge on the overall standing.
The only sticking point when attempting this was the fact I misplaced my Nostradamus qualities not being able to predict key injuries that could eventuate. Lets see how it goes either way...
Player Ratings Guide
10 - SUPER- Unquestionably the best at his position
9 - EXCELLENT - World rated player; arguably the best at his position
8 - VERY GOOD - Representative player or one who is on the cusp of a rep jersey
7 - GOOD - Good NRL player who could perhaps move to the next level
6 - ABOVE AVERAGE - Solid NRL player
5 - AVERAGE - Fringe NRL player
There was no need to go below the rating of 5 in my opinion.
Player Ratings Guide
80.00 and over: - Strong and balanced team; Grandfinal quality team
75.00 to 79.5: - Definite Semi-final contender with the talent to reach the Grandfinal
70.00 to 74.5: - Solid club, semifinal possibilities though a slim chance to make the Grandfinal
65.00 to 69.5: - A semifinal longshot with too many holes to be seriously considered
64.5 and under - Rebuilding project with middle of the pack objectives
Catergories
I chose to rate the following;
Fullback - Wingers - Centres - Halves - Hooker - Props - Backrow - Bench - Coach - Goalkicking
The positions where players were grouped i.e. Wingers, I rated each individual and came up with a combined rating.
CLUB RANKINGS
1 - SYDNEY CITY ROOSTERS - 82.50
My tip to prove doubters wrong in 2005 without Freddy Fittler. Still lethal and classy as ever, brilliant forward pack and everyone is chomping at the bit to silence critics.
KEY PLAYER: Brett Finch - Assumed the playmaking role in 2004 with Fittler outside him and this trend will need to continue for the Roosters to once again dominate the regular season.
2 - CANTERBURY BULLDOGS - 82.00
Tough start to season playing Dragons (H), NQ (A), Tigers (H), Sharks (A), Bye and then Roosters (H). Key players could still be out for the first 6 rounds and then rep season starts. They will be playing catch up after a slower than expected start.
KEY PLAYER: Mark O'Meley - His partner in crime Steven Price is gone and it will be upto 'Shrek' to keep this Bulldogs maching heading north and south. Added a nice offload to his game in 2004, I expect O'Meley to take right to Webcke and Rauhihi for the title of 'World's Best Prop'.
3 - PENRITH PANTHERS - 77.50
After 2 seasons of quality, Lang will have this team primed for a third season of top 4 success. Perhaps the best halves pairing with a dominant and young forward pack, game breakers outwide, the team that could spoil the top 2 honors.
KEY PLAYER: Craig Gower - Has to be Gower the playmaker and captain. He will look forward to some intersting one on one battles this season (Kimmorley R1, Orford R5, Kimmorley R11) before Origin, sadly, not one on one against Johns. Will look for a full 24 games under his belt which the end result for Penrith will be a top 4 spot perhaps top 2.
4 - NORTH QLD COWBOYS - 77.00
The momentum is with NQ going into this season and expectations are high and deservedly so. The bench is awesome, brilliant forward pack and a pocket dynamo who can change the tide of any game, the Cowboys will be a top 4 team in 2005 with GF chances if they all remain healthy.
KEY PLAYER: Matt Bowen - Needs to put together another spectacular season after debuting for Australia on the Tri-Series tour. Arguably the games best fullback, he is the spark-plug for the Cowboys who will receive alot of extra attention in 2005 as well as alot of towering bombs.[/i]
5 - MELBOURNE STORM - 76.00
Underrated and always under the radar in Melbourne, this teams is a sleeper Grandfinal team led by the brilliant Matt Orford and excitement machine Billy 'See you' Slater. Solid forwards, solid backline that can be as lethal as any, under Bellamy, always going to contend
KEY PLAYER: Matt Orford - Unfortunately, Orford is a NSW player stuck with Johns, Gower and Kimmorley in front of him. As good as any of the 3 guys mentioned when on song, he is the player in Melbourne that is at the centre of all things good. Very ala Alfie Langer in his game play.
6 - ST.GEORGE DRAGONS - 75.50
Talent wise, perhaps no team is better though injuries and inconsistency always fail the Kograh team. In my opinion, they are a legit title chance IF they can keep their best 20 healthy all season.
KEY PLAYER: Trent Barrett - Barrett is creeping backwards in the pecking order and he needs a big 2004. Fails to produce consistently for the Dragons in recent years and he needs start doing so to be considered one of the premiere players in the competition. He will be helped by the emerging Matt Head.
7 - BRISBANE BRONCOS - 75.00
They have perhaps the greatest coach of his time in Bennett, the world's best player and a host of current and former rep players, you never know what you are going to get from Brisbane. Rep time as usual will be crucial, a season where they can finish much higher on talent alone.
KEY PLAYER: Darren Lockyer - The world's best player, with Lockyer so goes the Broncos. I am certain he will be looking to put a full season under his belt like Gower and will thrive on joining an elite group that being Brisbane, QLD and Australian captain. After one season as five-eight, he is entrenched as the best at his positon, the second season should be quite an encore.
8 - NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS - 74.50
The great Andrew Johns returns which boosts semi final hopes straight away though there are still concerns over Joey's ability to put a full season together. If he can remain fit, he and Buderus with a young team should do enough to secure a top 8 spot.
KEY PLAYER: Andrew Johns - The Knights have the world's best hooker in Buderus who is a difference maker, though the Knights cannot win when needed too without this man. When fit, the premiere footballer in either code, though after 2 injury plagued seasons, the jury is out on Johns and he will come back to the pack a little in my opinion. Time will tell, look forward to round 1 vs Matt Orford.
9 - PARRAMATTA EELS - 74.00
Smith will be up to his ears with pressure after a nice spending spree. He will be in a 4-5 team battle for the final position in the 8 which will not be good enough for the Eels faithful. Look for Tahu to return to pre-injury form and Stringer from the bench.
KEY PLAYER: Nathan Hindmarsh - The best backrower in the world has got some much needed help in Morrison, Riddell and Stringer. Cayless is back an ready to prove a point, Hindmarsh with more troops is going to be fresher that is daunting for the opposition.
10 - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS - 72.00
I thought they may have snuck into my top 8, I was wrong. They will improve no doubt on last seasons effort led by new captain Steven Price and NZ Test captain Ruben Wiki. 2006 will be the year the Warriors return to semi-final football more than likely.
KEY PLAYER: Stacey Jones - Jones is undergoing his first pre-season in some time as a fit player without no injury concerns, look for him to challenge for the 'best halfback' mantle again in 2005. He will see alot of room with Price, Wiki and co. carting the ball forward, the little man could drag this team to the finals surprising many.
11 - WESTS TIGERS - 72.00
The hot and cold team that is like Victoria's weather, 'beautiful one day, terrible the next'. An up and coming team as per usual, will cause some upsets and have Tiger fever raging again as the season draws where they will once again be battling for the last remaining final 8 spot.
KEY PLAYER: Scott Prince - Sheens will want Prince to take Marshall under his wing and help the kid out. Had a big 2004 and is the QLD incumbent halfback and he is the general for the Tigers. If Marshall remains fit and improves his overall game, Prince will be more lethal and could possibly be one half of the most entertaining halves pairing in the NRL.
12 - CRONULLA SHARKS - 68.00
Kimmorley or no Kimmorley, I just fail to be impressed with this team that by rights should do better. The bottom 7 on this table could be all over the place though I will stand by the fact that this team will not be playing mid September.
KEY PLAYER: Phil Bailey - I was going to be lazy and go Kimmorley here, though Bailey is a key man. If Bailey can get the immature BS out of his game and focus on the task at hand, this forward pack becomes even better. He struggles last season, end of story. We know Kimmorley will play well, if Bailey can chip in with a 2003 like season, Cronulla may just put egg on my face on this one.
13 - MANLY SEA EAGLES - 67.50
Some good buys headed in my opinion by the signing of Brent Kite and not Ben Kennedy who is too injury prone and an investment that may backfire. The maroon and white will, like the Tigers, cause some upsets and perhaps be a chance of the 8 though it is unlikely.
KEY PLAYER: Ben Kennedy - This buy is either going to be a massive success or a massive failure as BK is as injury prone as a footballer gets in the modern game sadly. When fit a real handful and was once NSW's answer to Tallis, if he can stay on the park, his talent and emotion will pull Manly higher.
14 - CANBERRA RAIDERS - 67.50
A team on the decline and this will see Elliot on the coaching hotseat. The glaring concern will be their halves which has question marks. Jason Smith will be a failure in his return to the NRL as he will not keep up, Adamson on the other hand will do just fine. Withers will be a key player this season from the bench.
KEY PLAYER: Ryan O'Hara - 'Rhino' needs to put up his hand and assume the leaders role now Davico and Wiki are gone. He has a new halves pairing, new pack, O'Hara needs to show 2003 form and lead the way for a Canberra team that will struggle.
15 - SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS - 64.50
Rebuilding and rebuilding again. McRae will need at least 2-3 seasons to work his magic here, look for them to slowly climb the ladder. I have them last as their is still some uncertainty there, could easily finish higher.
KEY PLAYER: Joe Williams - What Souths don't need is second year syndrome happening to this little champion who does it all on the football field. The playmake, goalkicker, kicker in general play...McRae will have everything crossed hoping he is able to reproduce 2004 form otherwise the merry go round at half begins again.
Very open competition in 2005 with a tight race I envision for the bottom half of the 8.
I am certain Sydney, Canterbury and Penrith will once again be entrenched in the minor premiership battle with the Storm, Cowboys, Dragons and Brisbane duking it out for the top 4 spot.
Newcastle should return to semi final football with a fit Johns and Buderus though it will not be as easy as it once was for Newcastle fending off the likes of Parramatta, Wests and New Zealand. Manly are a roughie there.
Canberra I can't see troubling the 8, they are going to perhaps be closer to the bottom of the table if anything as I may have been a little bit generous in marking them. No real legit threat wide without Monagham who have a awesome try scoring rate, Graham is ok, Frawley is still largely an unknown quantity who may have been the benfactor of some good inside backs at Brisbane.
Cronulla could be alot closer to the action if all remain fit, Souths I cannot see getting off the bottom unless Canberra stink worse than I have predicted which is a real chance again.
TOP 5 DALLY M CHANCES
(no particular order)
- Matt Orford - Melbourne Storm
- Darren Lockyer - Brisbane Broncos
- Nathan Hindmarsh - Parramatta Eels
- Anthony Minichello - Sydney Roosters
- Matt Bowen - North QLD Cowboys
OTHER INDIVIDUAL HONORS
Top Try Scorer - Scott Donald - Manly Sea Eagles
Top Point Scorer - Hazem El Masri - Canterbury Bulldogs
Rookie of the Year - Kade Snowden - Newcastle Knights
Well written!
