Is there any reason we can’t challenge for the title in 2025?

[hindy111]

I think we can challenge for the title every year - it's the beauty of being a fan.

But I genuinely think our roster is pretty strong across the park - probably our biggest area of concern is our pack; it is an aging forward pack, and questions arise surrounding our props.

But we have very good halves, very good backs, and genuine strike power.

Hard to not see us in the 8, imo.

My Dad has us in his top 4. I agree with him.
Take out Storm, Brisbane and Penrith who is better? I reckon nearly every other side has a squad capable of top 8.
We have Moses and Brown. If both had career seasons we will make top 4

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I've already purchased grand final tickets....

*Billie Eilish

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I think we can challenge for the title every year - it's the beauty of being a fan.

But I genuinely think our roster is pretty strong across the park - probably our biggest area of concern is our pack; it is an aging forward pack, and questions arise surrounding our props.

But we have very good halves, very good backs, and genuine strike power.

Hard to not see us in the 8, imo.

Under a salary cap there’s no excuse for not having a roster good enough to make the eight. So when teams struggle to win even ten games it’s usually because their most expensive players spent long stretches on the sideline, or there were internal issues within the playing group.

 

[Pazza]

There are two things we do better than anyone else in this comp:

1. The long kicking game

2. The most skilful set of middle forwards in the game.

Our running game in the halves is also elite. If we can leverage these traits and add a much better defence/kick chase than we did under BA. With a healthy roster, I dont see why we can't have a very good season.

 

[TheParraboy]

Challenge for the title ?

Loser talk

Ive already purchased platinum front row World club Challenge seating..

 

[hindy111]

Under a salary cap there’s no excuse for not having a roster good enough to make the eight. So when teams struggle to win even ten games it’s usually because their most expensive players spent long stretches on the sideline, or there were internal issues within the playing group.

Unlucky, tough draw also

 

[Eelogical]

There are two things we do better than anyone else in this comp:

1. The long kicking game

2. The most skilful set of middle forwards in the game.

Our running game in the halves is also elite. If we can leverage these traits and add a much better defence/kick chase than we did under BA. With a healthy roster, I dont see why we can't have a very good season.

It's going to take all of 2025 to coach BA out of our team. By the time 2026 comes around and we've flushed more dead wood out of our system along with some new signings and our COE pumping them out we'll be a top four prospect at the very least. This year? We're not a chance.

 

[Pazza]

It's going to take all of 2025 to coach BA out of our team. By the time 2026 comes around and we've flushed more dead wood out of our system along with some new signings and our COE pumping them out we'll be a top four prospect at the very least. This year? We're not a chance.

I think we can be competitive, 5 to 8 competitive

 

[Eelogical]

I think we can be competitive, 5 to 8 competitive

So in essence we won't challenge for the title. 5 to 8 is a long stretch for me but I do respect your opinion.

 

[King-Gutho94]

So in essence we won't challenge for the title. 5 to 8 is a long stretch for me but I do respect your opinion.

I think its very possible we have a 2019 type season rebounding from a horrible year.

In that 5th-8th range to build onto next season where we can entrench ourselves into the top 4.

 

[Eelogical]

I think its very possible we have a 2019 type season rebounding from a horrible year.

In that 5th-8th range to build onto next season where we can entrench ourselves into the top 4.

Time will tell, but my expectations aren't high. At least not GF contender high, which is what this thread is about.

 

[Pazza]

I hope we get our act together quick, how many good years does Moses have left....

 

[strider]

My Dad has us in his top 4. I agree with him.
Take out Storm, Brisbane and Penrith who is better? I reckon nearly every other side has a squad capable of top 8.
We have Moses and Brown. If both had career seasons we will make top 4

Agree .... its a big mosh pit after a few standout sides

 

[Eelogical]

Let's at least see if we can win those games that we are expected to win. Tigers, Bulldogs, Raiders, Dragons and Tigers again between now and mid April will tell us more.

 

[Incorrect]

Agree .... its a big mosh pit after a few standout sides

Speaking of mosh pits...... Great gig at UNSW on Friday night seeing Shihad play their last ever Sydney show...

Must have seen them ~30 times since 98.... Always delivered. Professionals....

 

[AnonymousLurker]

I think we will find out by around round 4 what side we will be

but I see no reason why we can’t , make the semis and it’s a new comp and anything can happen

realistically need top 4 finish to be a chance which we will probably just miss .

put it this way we make the 8 but we won’t be fodder because we would have played under our new systems for an entire year and will be a different team to the one in first month of footy.

 

[the phantom menace]

Given the improved attitudes and squad depth - and some fresh tactics - we'll probably finish somewhere between 6 and 10... hopefully in the top 8.

From there you just have to string two wins in a row to be in the final four - something they only managed once in 11 years under the previous regime - but anything seems possible now.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Like every year, there are plenty of reasons why we wont, but no reason why we can't.

 

[Gronk]

Like every year, there are plenty of reasons why we wont, but no reason why we can't.

I understand why there is some unique excitement about this year, but every pre-season brings with it a spring time feel and more often than not a false sense of increased competitiveness.

The mere fact that we have been analled with shit injuries for a bit suggests that we unlikely to cop it again PLUS our depth seems to be much improved, signals to me that this year should be better. However honestly we have been in this situation mid Feb probably 15 times recently over the decades and failed to produce.

Hopefully Ryles can return the focus of the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 years. We need to hit n stick with tackles and finish off those attacking efforts.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

It's all about our defence, we won't have trouble scoring points. But to really challenge we need to fix our defence. That's what I am looking for, during the first part of the season.