BRONCODROID on: 2005 NRL Clubs

[Broncodroid]

One last thing...

When I put this together, I was a little rushed as I was keeping an eye out for other predictions. The final result (as above) I come to the conclusion was 'work in progress'.

By all means debate and criticise, though back it up and if I agree with the valid point, ratings by all means will be amended.

Cheers

 

[innsaneink]

You lose points for self praise.....you always do. :lol:

Good appraisal though.

 

[Broncodroid]

You lose points for self praise.....you always do. :lol:

:? Care to expand innsaneink.

 

[innsaneink]

Well I gatherd by you sig you had some kahunas....LOL

Before typing criticism which I am open too, keep in mind I have the balls to give an opinion on a very debatable topic this far out from the season kickoff.

Its just that this joint is full of opinions....theres an '05 final ladder thread here somewhere, ready to be dragged up in October, and while no-ones gone to the detail you have, its all the same, all opinions.

 

[Broncodroid]

Edit: Parramatta fullback ranking from 6.0 to 7.0. Wade McKinnon was a big improver hence why I rate him and the position as 6.0, a solid NRL first grade footballer. Though after further thought and a PM from 'The Colonel', it was pointed out stats wise in 2004, he was right up there with proven performers.

A comparison:

Minichello - 18 tries - 6tck p/gm - 21.4hitups p/gm - 184mts p/gm - 22 line breaks - 26 offloads - 4156 mtrs gained NRL best in 25 games) - 118tkl breaks (NRL best) - 1731mts on kick rtns with 10.4 avg (1st in NRL)

McKinnon - 5 tries - 4.8tck p/gm - 20.5hitups p/gm - 171mts p/gm - 8 line breaks - 22 offloads - 2915 mtrs gained (team best in 17 games) - 107tckl breaks (2nd to Mini) - 1306mts on kick rtns with 10.2m avg (5th in NRL)

A move from 6.0 is justified in this case IMO.

Thanks to The Colonel for constructive feedback.

Parramatta move from 73.00 to 74.00.

 

[Southern Rooster]

2004 to 2005 IMPROVERS will be

North QLD last season saw them finish 7 then ambush Canterbury and roll over Brisbane. But a closer look at last years results saw them as the 3rd best side from round 6 onwards. I expect them to challenge for the premiership with the addition of Webb and Thurston as well as the believe garnered last season.

Parramatta last season were abysmal and this year is make or break for Brian Smith at the club. Failure should see the management look at new coaching blood out west. Tahu will be looking at cementing himself back in the NSW side. Morrison will be hoping that the Eels do well after yrs of being on the outside for NSW his old club is a place to be now #-o . Riddell brings creativity from dummy half which they have lacked. Co hesion and a good start is the key for the Eels. I see them improving the 8 is possible as is higher if all goes well.

New Zealand Warriors are the side I tip to roar back up the ladder in 2005. Last season they looked like lost souls there loss by 50 to the Wests Tigers was the most embarrassing loss I have seen from a first grade side. Wests scored tries one off the ruck and from dummy half. It had an adverse effect on Wests as they lost there next 2 by 50. The inclusion of Wiki and Price are the two best buys of the off season. The Warriors have the talent but last season lacked the direction and leadership. They have it in bucketloads in 2005 and throw in the talent that was there and they are my tip to run in the top 4 and challenge for the premiership if the hunger is back. Question marks over Kemp as coach.

Brisbane I see as finishing higher than in 2004. With the emergence of the Cowboys there rep season won't be as demanding as usual. Have a great coach and a great club structure. I think they will be improved on last year at the back end of the season. Where they have struggled for the last 2 seasons.

teams that will hold STEADY

Penrith will remain at the same level they have been for two years now. Have the same squad and will be looking to make up for a missed opportunity last season. JOhn Lang as a coach is a big plau for the men at the foot of the mountains. Have lost Girdler but have made an astute purchase in Franze. He looked good at Cronulla in 2002 before injuring his knee in 2003 and missing much of the last 2 seasons. Could be Penrith's 2005 version of Amos 2004.

Canterbury will be challenging for the title again last season saw them take out a premiership after 3 years of solid performances and fair critics would say it was a just reward for there on field efforts over the past 3 years. Losing O'Meley and Mason for the early part of 2005 might not be such a bad thing as they come back later and fresher. Canterbury have a tough start and coming through that start at 50/50 and getting players back could suit them at the back end of the season.

Melbourne have some quality and a good home ground advantage down at Olympic Park. I think there performances will be about the same as 2004 but whether that gets them into the 8 is another thing. Have some great finishers and creativity in Orford and Hill. Slater is pure excitement and was one of the few players I can remember in ages that never suffered 2nd season syndrome and in fact enhanced his reputation. Would love to see Melbourne make inroads off the field in 2005 as well. Will be around the lower realms of the 8.

Wests Tigers will be around the same as 2004 I think they have a team that has a solid work ethic and they will win there fair share of games and even surprise a big gun or two along the way. Benji Marshall emerged last year as a immense talent beofre injury and Wests performance did go into a slight decline after his injury. Will finish around 10th,11th again. There time for the 8 is coming but I don't think it is 2005.

SLIDERS for 2005

Cronulla for mine could be a slider for 2005. Have bought Dykes back home to Cronulla but he has not done much for the best part of 5 years. Kimmorley and Bailey really need to be at there best in 2005. A return to form of the Peach wouldn't go astray either. Have a solid base up front though. I see them possibly finishing as low as 12th in 2005. BUt they as Broncodroid said "Could be a team that might look ordinary but will in fact be better" another to watch early. There are a lot of if's and but's and maybe's around Cronulla in 2005.

Canberra have lost experience. They have lost there leading try scorer and attacking weapon out wide. I really think that unless the Raiders can unearth a few kids who can come straight in and cause havoc for them they will be in the bottom 3. For mine the early value bet of 2005 at $21.00 for the spoon.


UNKNOWNS for 2005

Sydney are a team that has a big ? over them this season. 2004 saw them waste another opportunity at a premiership making it 2 in a row. They have lost there champion in Brad Fittler and have players being courted by the lure of big spending overseas clubs as well as having a lot of players that have played a lot of footy in the last 3 years. Brett Firman there replacement for Freddy has a history of injury and has played one season in the last 4. Question remain over the defense out wide. BUT there is no doubting there class and the coaching ability of Stuart, Cartwright and Co. Same say they will hold steady some say they will start to fall away. In betting parlance I'd watch them first before putting any cash on.


St George Illawarra are again a club that could be in any category. Improvers if injuries and little things don't bother them. The same if the produce the same hot/cold form or worse if there form becomes more cold than hot. Nathan Brown really needs to stand up this year. No good being a nice guy as nice guys usually run second. Saints are the only side in the premiership that you could state could do the following.

1. Win the thing
2. Miss the 8

Manly have bought in some big names BUT a few of them have ?? over them. How many games will Manly get out of Kennedy and how many minutes per game. Brent Kite had a great 2004 for Saints but will he be able to back that up in a side that contains a lot less of the star quality that Saints did. They have the ability to score points and if they can harness an ability to stop leaking them a run at the 8 is not out of the question. If they still leak em they willbe good to watch and win there fair share of games but will be about the same as 2004. Did finish off 2004 in good style and the teams that have usually done that from outside the 8 one year tend to have a solid year the year after.

South Sydney the poor ole rabbits have been promised a light at the end of the tunnel for years now and that light usually turns out to be a train to come along and crush there dreams. This year though the person promising the light has a track record of providing light to others who have spent years in the dark. They have a solid core group of kids they have signed and have bought astutely from the Roosters whom have been successful as a club over the last 5 years so bringing in people that can help build that sort of rapport and show the way is a good thing. have a handy forward pack and with Hegarty and a fit McDougall pair out wide will cause some upsets along the way. After years of false promises Souths could be on there way back. It won't be in 2005 but the seeds could well be sowed in 2005.

Newcastle last year really struggled without Johns and have since moved heaven and earth to keep him. Will it be a good move. Time will tell. Kurt Gidley came of age in 2004 and really looked the goods and at 5/8 outside Johns he will only get better. Buderus for me really shone last season and shouldered a huge burden for Newcastle and a reapeat performance in 2005 will be needed if the Knights are to progress to the finals. Interesting to note since they won the premiership in 2001 Johns has played only 15 minutyes of finals footy and as such the Knights have not got to second base come September since. have lost some good quality in Tahu and Kennedy and O'Davis but will really need there younger brigade that got a bit of a runl ast season to come on. I see the next 2 seasons as a bit of a changing of the guard in Newcastle and in 2005 a finals birth would surprise. With or without Joey.

My tips for the 8 in 2005

Canterbury
North QLD
Penrith
New Zealand
Sydney
Brisbane
St George Illawarra
Melbourne

Wooden Spoon
Canberra

Dally M Player of the year.
Craig Gower

 

[Broncodroid]

Nice post Souther Rooster.

I agree with the "changing of the guard" in Newcastle and admittedly they snuck into my 8 given I did not want bet against Joey and Buderus. Johns IMO will be lucky to finish the season, though when I went through the teams, I worked on the fact he would be there for 24 games as would Buderus, the Gidley's and Simpson. Very much all fingers crossed if your a Knights fan when talking about the top 8 and semi final time with Parramatta, Wests and NZ on your tail.

The try scoring power isn't the same without Tahu, though they went ok without him for the majority of 2004. Quinn and Hall will hopefully improve and Carmont should continue to grow as a player in which he should be a benefactor of having Johns inside him.

David Seage will be a factor for Newcastle in their success. If he rebounds to early season form, the Knights will be fine. Though if he is a liability, the Knights lack depth their now with O'Davis gone. We could see former NSW fullback Mark Hughes back in the number 1 jersey.

 

[Raider_69]

Interesting read
keen to understand how whave no real threat out wide when we have Graham and Chalk who have awesome strike records, Frawley who if he remains health is a gun seen with brisbane and Schif at the back who when playing well is one of the most dangerous players in the game :?

but each to their own

 

[The Colonel]

Interesting read
keen to understand how whave no real threat out wide when we have Graham and Chalk who have awesome strike records, Frawley who if he remains health is a gun seen with brisbane and Schif at the back who when playing well is one of the most dangerous players in the game :?

but each to their own

I think you more or less answered the question R69. Based on depth and fitness the Raiders may struggle if injury occurs - fit they can match just about everyone however Graham and Frawley have had question marks over their fitness in recent years. Ale, Howell and other youngsters are untested at the top level so until they get a run the ??? remain. Choc didn't have the greatest start to the season last year but came good towards the end.

As it is each to their own.... ;-)

 

[thuganomics]

Nice preview.

I see youv'e heard of Kade Snowden, all our knights fans are very eager to get him on the park for 2005

 

[Raider_69]

Granted Graham and Frawley have concerns but if they go down we arnt exactly f**ked, Nate Smith as has a habbit of finding the try line and Ale scored a truck load last year in lower grades, Robertson isnt too shabby and David Milne is very quick (havnt seen enough to judge him as a player). If Graham and Frawley remain un-injured and Chalk and Mogg continue on their ways our backline could look like:

1. Schifcofske, 2. Chalk, 3. Mogg, 4. Frawley, 5. Graham

I doubt anyone could deny that definatly has the ability to carve a team up, and out depth isnt as bad as people seem to think, we have a very seccessful PL team, with some very handy back ups.

I would definatly have us as an unknown. If our rookies fire and are as good as i think they are a premiership tilt isnt out of the question, however if they arnt as good or dont fire we could wind up very low.

This year with Carney at half and that backline above we have the potential to be a very exciting team to watch, as outlined somewhere by dislacker, IMO our season hinges on what Elliot does at the selection table which honestly dosnt fill me with much confidence, but if he picks the right team and gets us playing like a well oiled machine we could give the comp a huge shake

 

[Broncodroid]

Nice preview.

I see youv'e heard of Kade Snowden, all our knights fans are very eager to get him on the park for 2005

I have seen him play alot of football as a junior as it turns out and YES, I am very keen to see him in action in the Newcastle top squad.

 

[thuganomics]

For the Raiders - is thier gonan be any room for Matt Gafa? He was a very reliable player, and had good goal kickign ability as well.

 

[hrundi99]

Well I gatherd by you sig you had some kahunas....LOL

Kahuna

/k*-hoo'n*/ n. [from the Hawaiian title for a shaman]
Synonym for wizard, guru.

Cojones

Spanish slang; meaning having balls, not scared

 

[innsaneink]

Well I gatherd by you sig you had some kahunas....LOL

Kahuna

/k*-hoo'n*/ n. [from the Hawaiian title for a shaman]
Synonym for wizard, guru.

Cojones

Spanish slang; meaning having balls, not scared

:lol:
Thanx mate,

Hope I didnt insult any wizards.

 

[The Colonel]

I would definatly have us as an unknown. If our rookies fire and are as good as i think they are a premiership tilt isnt out of the question, however if they arnt as good or dont fire we could wind up very low.

I think this is true of a lot of clubs this year - Parramatta, Newcastle, Canberra, Tigers, Manly, Warriors - they could all go well or just fall in a heap.

Parramatta on one hand have recruited more names and based on that should improve - time will only tell - but most would lean towards an improvment based on recruitment.

Canberra, on the other hand, are relying on rookies and two players who have been in England for quite a while. Question marks hover over the whole team given the fact that a lot of experience has left. Most judges, outside of the very one eyed, would consider this to be more a hinderance than a help to where they finish. As above time will only tell as to what will happen.

 

[Raider_69]

For the Raiders - is thier gonan be any room for Matt Gafa? He was a very reliable player, and had good goal kickign ability as well.

he is the forgotten man, even by me, he is a very handy and reliable player but unfortunatly i cant seem to find a place in the top 17 for him

 

[Special K]

Good post but I have a few problems with some rankings...

Bulldogs for fullback you have rated 7.0 while you have got Canberra and the Warriors at 8.0... Schifcofske had a shocking year last year and is the new David Peachey and Webb... Well :?

Manly and Souths at 7.5 for wingers while the storm is at 7.0, the Eels only at 6.5, Panthers at 7.5 and the Roosters at only 7.5(I'm guessing Walker dragged down Robberts lol) but the Roosters and Panthers should be higher

Raiders, Knights, Warriors and Manly centres at 7.0 seem a bit high. Manly have big centre problems...

Halves are very well done but I don't think that the Warriors are a bit high considering they don't have a 5/8 picked yet( Fien has been talked about as a hooker, Ropati is good but who knows where he will be put in). Also Tigers halves shouldn't be rated the same as Finch/Firman, Kimmorley and Dykes imo.

Storm props at 8.0 seems a bit high. Kearns is getting old and Chan spends as much time off the field as on it. I'm guessing this is based on a team being fully fit and if both the Storm and Dragons props are fully fit I don't see a .5 between them.

Cronulla at 6.5 for their backrow doesn't seem right. Gallen, Bailey, Lomu, Hilder, Bird, Dumas, Galloway and co are normally the best the sharks have week in and week out. Gallen is a awesome worker, Bailey while being hot and cold in 2004 is a classy player, Hilder is a worker, Bird is a good hole hitter(With a jnr rep record that makes Carney look stupid :lol: ), Dumas is improving all the time and puts on big hits. I think you've sold the sharks short at 6.5 with the Raiders at 7.0 and Souths at 7.5

Hooker again for Cronulla seems low when you consider the boom year Sullivan had and the fact he will be the starting hooker.

Parramatta and Manly seem to have high goal kickers and again I think Covell is higher then a 7/10 kicker.

I'm not going to look at the bench as I don't know what clubs will use and I won't look at coaches because I think that should be done at the end of the season.

But this is a very good post that I'd never have the ideas to do, but we have some different views on things. Good post

 

[Raider_69]

CANBERRA

F/B - 8.0
WING - 5.5
CENTRE -7.0
HALVES - 6.0
PROPS - 7.0
HOOKER - 7.0
BACKROW - 7.0
BENCH - 6.5
COACH - 6.0
G/KICK - 7.5

Interesting that, i think you have marked that incredibly poorly, i appreciate that its your opinion but as i outlined above our wingers have execellect strike record Graham and Chalk both average close to or over a try a game. 5.5 is very harshly marked, they are at least 7 IMO.

Halves is fair at the moment given that Carney is relatively untried and we have an aging/injury prone smith but if Smith stays healthy he and Carney could strike up a real top notch combination, the young, enthusiastic, raw talent of Carney with the guidence of the old, cool, calm head in Smith. Both have suburb kicking games, a major downfall of our season 04.

I also think maybe peoples dislike for Woolford often gets in the way of his ratings, between him and Withers our Hooker role is surely worth more than 7.0, Woolford is probably the best hooker of the rest, and by the rest i mean rep hookers like Priddis, Buderus, Smith etc
Throw lincon in the mix and i think 8.0 is fair

Bench is marked a bit harsh also, Josh Miller, Micheal Weyman, Lincon Withers and probably Ben Cross ( ) makes the bench a pretty strong one, Ben Cross probably being on the tetter with plenty nipping at his heels, i would have thought a solid 7.0 would be sufficent.

Goal kicking aswell is marked harshly, Schif and Gafa are extremely accurate, im predicting Schif to return to kicking form, also Carney is a top line kicker, he has a strike rate of about 80+% in PL

Id alos like to say that i think this system is some what flawed, take NZ for instance, they are ranked above a few teams but their coach you rate as the worst in the comp, if you have the worst coach in the comp IMO i dont think it matters who you got in the team you will go no where fast. Same thing with a team with no half back, Newcastle proved as much last year.

As said i appreciate the effort here and was a top read, and i also appreciate the way you have taken to this relatively unbiased but IMO its a flawed system and some of the ranks are way off, and ive only looked at canberra (tryed to look at them unbaisedly and i think i did)

 

[thuganomics]

For the Raiders - is thier gonan be any room for Matt Gafa? He was a very reliable player, and had good goal kickign ability as well.

he is the forgotten man, even by me, he is a very handy and reliable player but unfortunatly i cant seem to find a place in the top 17 for him

What bout on the bench, and maybe he could play a lock sort of type, and can also play in the backline?