Winners and Losers
1. St. George
2. Bulldogs
3. Sharks
4. Cowboys
5. Warriors
6. Souths
7. Parra
8. Titans
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8. Manly
7. Roosters
6. Wests - Tigers
5. Knights
4. Penrith
3. Raiders
2. Storm
1. Broncos - The Biggest Losers
After a great Centenary season and a massive unforseen blowout in the Grand Final we arrive at the start of 2009 and WOW, What a of season.
Some of the biggest resent winner on the park have lost out huge of the park.
Without question the biggest winner for the start of 2009 has to be St. George.
Luring Wayne Bennett away from the Broncos has to be the biggest thing in Rugby League since Beetson pulled on a Parra jersey and Jack Gibson managed that eels team around the park.
Saints gains have to be a great advantage as well with the likes of Jeremy Smith from the storm, Boyd, Weyman.Costigan had a cracker of a world cup and has played under Bennett. Priddis another Bennett foot soldier gets to play under the his favourite general - again.
While
The Biggest Losers have to be the Broncos with the first new coach in 21 years.
Its the disappearing troops that are also of concern. Stagg, Hannant, Ennis, Kemp Boyd, EASTWOOD,
Carroll and young gun Moon.The list is endless.
Canterbury are BIG winners with a BUT at the end. Stagg, Ennis and Hannant all played close together at the Broncos. Hodgson over his broken leg, Morris coming of a great season is a great buy and their other big gain also coming of a great season is Kimmorley, the nucleus of a great squad.
But - Kevin Moore, can he coach this team like they need to be coached???
The Melbourne Storm are the next biggest off season losers. Folau, Smith, Crocker, Geyer, Kaufusi and
others all gone, thats got to sting big time. Butthey will be in amongst it in 09 - no doubt.
3rd on the go forward list is definitely Cronulla. Tupou - potential buy of the season. Maitua, out to prove a BIG point. Hughes, will do any and everything. Which leads me to Barrett, again, with a point to prove.
He can and will do everything for Stuart.Coming of a successful time in England and out of the St. George shadow he should shine brightly in the Sharks No. 6 jersey.
Canberra didnt fair so well in the off season - A. Loosing Neil Henry B. Loosing Weyman C. Costigan.
They will feel the pinch as they operate without Carney, Hinchliffe and Withers. Topping with it all as David Furner tries to Coach the Raiders side.
A big positive to come out of the off season came to the boys up at Townsville in the body of Neil Henry. What he brings to the Cowboys is priceless. Then theres their new ground assult to add to their astablished team. Tonga will no doubt be great, he may even earn his kangaroo jersey back. Rod Jensen, as good a footballer as anyone could want to be.Kaufusi, say no more. Paulson, young and once coached by Henry, he will go places - as will the 09 Cowboys.
4th biggest loser is Penrith nothing good came in the of season to the Panthers - yet they needed it.
They lost Puletua a great go forward guy, Wesser, full of positive thoughts and skills, Rooney, at his best a true state and kangaroo player.Their greatest lose will be Priddis, Penriths field general. Without him they will be fodder for whoever wants to have a shot at them.
Meanwhile Matt Elliott, with his head in that noose get closer to his final day. Dead man walking.
Warriors did Okay out of things, scoring a pair of Broncos in Kemp and Moon and a stray Cowboy in Lillyman. Stacey Jones (out of retirement) can only be good for things, no matter how they use him. Im sure
Mr. Wiki (to us) wont be far away. They are my wild card for 09.
Knights are only the 5th worst losers only because of the pain the other teams are feeling. No Buderus says a lot to the Knights and add Bailey to that mix and with no real new player to add to their roster Smith will have his work cut out for himself in this up and coming season.
Souths managed to pull a few logs out of the fire. Wesser will provide sould defence at the back while proving hes lost nothing in attack. Colin Best knows where the try line is no matter who he plays for. With The experience Kane Cleal will do well under Taylor as will Mundine wholl be a regular in their 1sts team.
The Tigers will no doubt fell at life without Breet Hodgson will be difficult.
Though The UKs Gareth is in the squad, he will struggle will the week in week out grind of NRL life.
Parra - New coach. New attitude. That will do them the world of good. They lost Riddell and Wagon,but their past their best. Why they let Williams get away is anyones guess. But thats Parra.
The Roosters missed the spare chair when the music stopped, loosing Tupou will bite hard, Roberts will also be missed along with Shillington. Freedy knows what his doing - I Think.
At the end of the day the Titans landed in the same spot, gaining and loosing some solid 1st graders.
Finally, Manly, again loosing a few champions in Bell and the BEAVER, as well as Williamson and Robson.
Yet they gained Tony Williams form their old foe in the eels and Chris Bailey from the hapless knights.
Dessie does know what his doing, he always did.
As for the winners of the comp
In Any order
St. George
Melbourne
Manly
Nth Queensland
Cronulla - Will have their best chance on paper anyway
Canterbury - If Moore can actually Coach
Outsiders
Roosters
Titans
Parramatta
Souths - with big Gordy there who knows
Then the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
