For Better or worse............

[Loudstrat]

OK, we all have giggled at Rothfields predictions (Hasler and Bennet will automatically improve, every one else doesnt) but we all know the NRL doesnt work like that. The 2011 GF was supposed to be between Saints and Melbourne :lol:.

To there's the thing - Tell us if your team will improve and why. Then do the same for the teams before and after yours alphabetically. Resist the temptation to comment on the rest. That way we can hopefully get a tru indication of what the general feeling is, without this becoming a pick on Souffs/Saints/whoever thread.

For mine:

PARRAMATTA: Definitely up. Mainly becausae Kearney has instilled a disciplined style of play - they did damn well last year being so close in so many games at about 15% under the salary cap. Sandow and Tonga head an impressive recruitment drive that hopefully will include Justin Poore. Will make the finals somewhere between 5-8.

PENRITH: Will have a rebuilding year - similar to Parra's last year. Spoon contender

NORTH QUEENSLAND: The same. Thurston needs a hand organising. Still make the finals though.

 

[juanfarkall]

OK, we all have giggled at Rothfields predictions (Hasler and Bennet will automatically improve, every one else doesnt) but we all know the NRL doesnt work like that. The 2011 GF was supposed to be between Saints and Melbourne :lol:.

To there's the thing - Tell us if your team will improve and why. Then do the same for the teams before and after yours alphabetically. Resist the temptation to comment on the rest. That way we can hopefully get a tru indication of what the general feeling is, without this becoming a pick on Souffs/Saints/whoever thread.

For mine:

PARRAMATTA: Definitely up. Mainly becausae Kearney has instilled a disciplined style of play - they did damn well last year being so close in so many games at about 15% under the salary cap. Sandow and Tonga head an impressive recruitment drive that hopefully will include Justin Poore. Will make the finals somewhere between 5-8.

PENRITH: Will have a rebuilding year - similar to Parra's last year. Spoon contender

NORTH QUEENSLAND: The same. Thurston needs a hand organising. Still make the finals though.

Good News.
You guys signed Poore a few years ago.

 

[Billythekid]

Melbourne:It's hard to say we will go up as we already were basically at the top last year. I think we will end up in a similar position. Last year we had to make a ton of changes to our team and it was always going to take a while to adjust. I think our forward pack will be perform better this year even with the loss of Blair. I also thin that Widdop will improve and will be a big part of whether or not we can win the whole thing. Will be in the top 4.

Manly: Well there down is pretty much the only direction they will go. I've got no idea how the change of coach will affect them. I think if they start well it won't mean much at all but if they start poorly we could see them really struggle the whole year. Personally i think they will do well despite losing Hasler and will still either make the top 4 or only just miss it.

Newcastle:They already looked promising last year and have a lot of young talent that is improving. They also recruited fairly well. Add in Wayne Bennett and you have a recipe for success. I'm going to say they will just miss the top 4 but will be a genuine contender for the premiserhip.

 

[anjado]

Penrith - I think on paper we are one of the worst 3 sides in the competition, this season is clearly a rebuilding year i think this season we have to sort out our entire junior development it stalled completely under Elliott, We need to sort out our halves combination picking two from Walsh,Sjeika,Burns and Austin. We need to find out what we will do about the Coote and Gordon situation.

We need Jennings to regain some form again, We need to recruit intelligently for 2013 i think our recruitment for 2012 has been pretty woeful. This season is the definition of a rebuilding year with a new coach i think a semi final appearance would be an over achievement and prove Cleary to be one of the best coaches in the game.

In my opinion we will finish between 12th-16th.

Parramatta - I think Parramatta have recruited well the main question mark for me is over Kearney i am not sure if he is actually good enough some of the football Parramatta played was some of the worst i have seen them play at least in an attacking sense.

I think Anderson was perfect for the Eels with his off the cuff method, I don't think Parramatta have the ability to turn into a team as ruthlessly efficient as the Storm. I think Kearney needs to be a bit less structured and let the likes of Hayne,Sandow have more of a free reign.

I am thinking Parramatta will finish 8th-12th.

St George - They will make the finals i think they will be in the lower half of the 8. Soward is the big question mark heading into the season i think Daniel Vidot could be a good signing and Josh Miller is one of my favourite players and should add some grunt, I hope Cameron King gets more game time next season i was impressed with him.

I think St George will be 5th -9th.

 

[DoggiesBro]

Dogs, missing the 8 by for and against in 2011, with the addition of Graham our foward pack will be better.

With the kids like Kasiano, Taupau, Jackson, Finucane, Gavet, Browne pushing through we will be better off.

With the addition of Hasler we will improve a heap and hopefully stop the 20 minutes of crap during a game which cost us half our defeats. Hopefully can make Pritchard and co hit their straps too.

Ryan was great for us for several years but has been way off for a while, i think Ennis getting the C next to his name will be a big lift for the club, especially at least with talking to the refs.

Idris is a loss in attack no doubt, Lafai though looked the goods and is certainly far better in d.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Warriors: I think we will improve- with a proper centre combination and a benefit of of GF experience for our young stars, a fit Vatuvei and a more experienced Locke and Johnson, I think we're looking at a top 4 finish, and hopefully we can go one better in the finals.

Titans: Should improve- have bought some talent, and they can hardly get worse.

Broncos (there's nobody after us alphabetically so I'll go to the start of the list): I think they'll be around the same- Lockyer is a massive loss but they have some excellent youngsters coming through who'll be better for the experience they gained last season. Always a threat.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Melbourne:It's hard to say we will go up as we already were basically at the top last year. I think we will end up in a similar position. Last year we had to make a ton of changes to our team and it was always going to take a while to adjust. I think our forward pack will be perform better this year even with the loss of Blair. I also thin that Widdop will improve and will be a big part of whether or not we can win the whole thing. Will be in the top 4.

Manly: Well there down is pretty much the only direction they will go. I've got no idea how the change of coach will affect them. I think if they start well it won't mean much at all but if they start poorly we could see them really struggle the whole year. Personally i think they will do well despite losing Hasler and will still either make the top 4 or only just miss it.

Newcastle:They already looked promising last year and have a lot of young talent that is improving. They also recruited fairly well. Add in Wayne Bennett and you have a recipe for success. I'm going to say they will just miss the top 4 but will be a genuine contender for the premiserhip.

As a knights supporter, I feel like I must disagree with you. The knights found it impossible to beat top 8 teams last year and they had next to no go forward for the majority of the year. Gidley was pathetic in the halves and mullen was out of form. If it wasn't for the Macdougall/Uate combination the knights probably wouldn't have even made the 8. 2012 will be a much better season I feel.

 

[AuDragon]

Broncos: Lockyer leaves enormous shoes to fill for Norman, Hunt or Capewell. I think the first will get the nod despite the greater experience of Hunt, unless Capewell pulls something out of his rear side that no one has witnessed yet.
Having Hook as the coach is a blessing, as I would be deeply worried if we were still under Henjak's (lack of) lead and missed Locky's steadying leadership on the field.
As such, and given most of our youngsters will notch another year experience on their belt, I expect a top 8, possibly top 4 performance again...

Warriors: Definitely my favourite in the premiership's race. Quality and youth accross the park, with great U20's waiting on the sideline can only lead to an assault of Manly's title, but will the new coach make the cut? Top 4 imo.

Bulldogs: Despite Hasler's defection, I don't believe he can perform miracles with what is one of the NRL's poorest rosters. Barba is the only player remotely capable of that X-factor, unless Pritchard decides it's time to play well more often than 1 in 5 games...
The Hasler factor may keep them safely away from the spoon, but I see no top 8 in my crystal ball.

 

[RWB]

Better

Titans - Almost impossible for them not to go better given their recruitment + coming last and it's an obvious one but there's still a big quesiton mark over their spine. 6-10th

Cowboys - I feel it was a rebuilding year for them last year, a lot of new faces but they should perfect their style this year. Definite top 4 for me, can win the premiership if they find a decent dummy half. 2nd-4th

Worse

Penrith - Obvious reasons, lost a lot of quality and didn't have a lot to begin with. 15-16th

Brisbane - Not sure where their points are going to come from. One of Hoffman/Norman/Hunt need to really step up into a dominate ball playing role if they're to make the top 8... Mcullough too needs to improve. 9-12th

 

[Big Pete]

Brisbane Broncos: Stagnate. The loss of Lockyer throws a spanner into their plans of mounting a serious premiership charge but if the spine can match the quality surrounding them they could be in with a real shot. The inclusion of Civoniceiva ensures the front row is in the best shape it's been in since 2006 and with the amount of depth and the collected nature of Griffin I believe they're in with a chance around September.

Canberra Raiders: Improve. 2011 was a horror season for them and I can't see it getting any worse. The bulk of their season will rest on the shoulders of Dugan & Campese. Both players have health concerns which isn't too promising but there's no doubt in my mind if that both of them can stay on the field the Raiders will be pressing for a return to the finals. Still need to find themselves a hooker and get rid of Furner before they can make a serious claim to a premiership.

West Tigers: Stagnate: Time is ticking for the Tigers and if they fail to win the premiership this year I get the feeling that this will be the end for their current generation. A real talented squad and if they can show a little more composure I believe they will finish somewhere inside the final four. Big task heading into the season is finding their best player to fill in at fullback and halfback. I get the feeling there will be a lot of chopping and changing and this will impact on them. Like the Broncos, look strong in the backs and the forwards but the spine leaves me with some doubts.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

Tell us if your team will improve and why. Then do the same for the teams before and after yours alphabetically. Resist the temptation to comment on the rest. That way we can hopefully get a tru indication of what the general feeling is, without this becoming a pick on Souffs/Saints/whoever thread.

Wests Tigers - I think top 4 this year. Blair will make a difference. Surely we can't have another year of injuries like 2011. I'm also tipping Lawrence to be one of the best players in the NRL.

Sydney Roosters - Who knows. I hardly pay any attention to them.

Brisbane Broncos - Broncos turned themselves around in 2011 after a crap 2010. I expect them to do well in 2012. Some good young players coming through and they always seem to have a solid forward pack.

 

[StormHi]

Melbourne Storm - we will get Better Our spine is the same O'Neil back from Injury and a far better Foward Pack then last year (And what even better No goddamn Beau Champion)

Bulldogs - Will improve but not enough to see the top 8 will miss out again but only just give Hassler 2 years tho and they will be knocking on the door.

Penrith Panthers - Poor bastards Lost alot gained nothing I really do feel for them

 

[Moffo]

Dogs: although I'm willing them on with all of my heart, I honestly don't think that hasler and Graham will be enough to change it all. Guys like Pritchard, Morris, ennis and hodkinson need to show some serious consistency for us to be a threat. I'd be happy if we made the 8

Canberra: I find it funny that most people are saying that their team and others will improve. It's not possible for them all to improve guys! Anyway, I think Canberra will be the same old shit until they get a new coach. Some of their star players were well off the boil last year and like the dogs they need for them to turn it around. I don't think they will - 12th:16th

Cronulla - same old story for them, like the forwards but still have a shite backline (with 1-2 exceptions). Would like to see them push for the 8 but need something else in their backline. 12th-16th

 

[Loudstrat]

Good News.
You guys signed Poore a few years ago.

Yes, "Poore"ly put. We did but if he fires he'll be like a new recruit.

Broncos (there's nobody after us alphabetically ................)

Melbourne
New Zealand
Newcastle

And I have no idea about Stormhi's interpretation of the alphabet!

 

[Canard]

Im guessing he based that call on the word Storm not Melbourne

 

[billy2]

Knights - everyone has seen the high profile recruits, but there has been very little focus on Bennett cutting a dozen 'journeymen' players like Kaufusi, Ciraldo, McDonnell, Karawana, Mika, Southern, Tolar etc - and replacing them with 20, 21 and 22 year old rookies like Mata'utia, McKinnon, Stig, Roberts, Rodney Mason (brother of Willie), Kyle O'Donnell (brother of Luke), Korbin Sims (youngest Sims brother), Khaele Bowen (nephew of Matt), Robbie Rochow, Ethan Cook, Likiliki, Maipele Morseau etc etc.
It's possible that 2013 and 2014 is more the focus for the Knights than 2012, but it's also possible that Bennett can bring through the most exciting group of rookies in Knights history as early as this year, because most have already had a game or two of firstgrade.

 

[Murf]

Anyway, I think Canberra will be the same old shit until they get a new coach. Some of their star players were well off the boil last year and like the dogs they need for them to turn it around. I don't think they will - 12th:16th

I see what you did there.

 

[Billythekid]

As a knights supporter, I feel like I must disagree with you. The knights found it impossible to beat top 8 teams last year and they had next to no go forward for the majority of the year. Gidley was pathetic in the halves and mullen was out of form. If it wasn't for the Macdougall/Uate combination the knights probably wouldn't have even made the 8. 2012 will be a much better season I feel.

I don't mean i thought yous looked competitive last year. I mean you showed signs that you could be competitive in the future. Some of your players looked really good but weren't consistent. I think Bennett will change that. I don't think we disagree on all that much.

 

[betcats]

Penrith - f**ked.

Parra - Less f**ked then Penrith.

St. George - Hopefully f**ked but probably not.

 

[StormHi]

Oops Diddnt read it right will re-do my predictions!!