It’s beginning to look like a three horse race for the premiership

[DC_fan]

Ok, so you started the thread 3 months premature!

No

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

I am beginning to think that the top four will be Melbourne Storm, Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders, and Cronulla Sharks. The Grand Final of course will be the Roosters vs the Storm.

 

[footy75]

yup Roosters or Storm.

Roosters back to back looking more and more likely.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Even if we don't make the GF I hope someone other than the Storm or Roosters do. Don't want another "who gives a f*ck" Grand Final.

 

[This Year?]

If the Melbourne Storm don't win the premiership in 2019 it will be the biggest choke since the Parramatta Eels in 2001.

 

[jk13]

The saints 09 choke says hello

 

[This Year?]

The saints 09 choke says hello

yeah nah, Saints '09 they barely won the MP and looked shot heading into the finals. Parra looked invincible in '01 just like the Storm do this season.

 

[Perth Red]

yeah nah, Saints '09 they barely won the MP and looked shot heading into the finals. Parra looked invincible in '01 just like the Storm do this season.

Storm are beatable with a certain game plan. Sharks have shown how to do it by being grubby and messing about at play of ball to put them off their game. Surprised more teams havent used the approach.

 

[Apey]

Yeah, I think the Storm will get beaten again. Hopefully not by the Roosters.

 

[adamkungl]

Yeah, I think the Storm will get beaten again. Hopefully not by the Roosters.

angry react

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

Not even 3, it's down to 2, and big shock who they are.

 

[Someguy]

If the Melbourne Storm don't win the premiership in 2019 it will be the biggest choke since the Parramatta Eels in 2001.

Underestimating the roosters here! Injuries to key positions all season long, resting of players and pretty much just cruising all season.

Storm haven’t had any of these issues (expect a few fullback injuries but their 5th option is better than many teams 1st) if they had would likely be level pegging with the roosters on the table. Storm have looked very beatable in many games and have been lucky in a few (warriors and bulldogs games stand out here) have lost to teams that play tough football and were probably only another 5-6 penalties away from losing to a weakened Souths team.

Based on results it could be seen as a choke but looking at squads and circumstances a win over a full strength roosters (if they ever get anywhere near full strength) would be quite an upset.

 

[Someguy]

Not even 3, it's down to 2, and big shock who they are.

If sharks are in the 8 they are a genuine contender imo.

 

[TheFrog]

Winning the premiership, making the GF, making the top 4 and making the top 8 should all carry a salary cap penalty (obviously smaller going down) that persists for 10 seasons. Something like $70k for the premiership, 35k for the GF, 25K for top 4 and 20k for top 8 (probably percentage based). If after 10 years it isn't working, increase the penalties. Something has to be done about the same clubs enjoying perennial on-field success. It makes for a very unsatisfying competition. The AFL have the draft with bottom teams having first pick and that seems to work, but we've got nothing.

 

[Valheru]

The Storm have won 6 games by a penalty goal.

They are extremely beatable and not just by the roosters.

 

[SBD82]

Winning the premiership, making the GF, making the top 4 and making the top 8 should all carry a salary cap penalty (obviously smaller going down) that persists for 10 seasons. Something like $70k for the premiership, 35k for the GF, 25K for top 4 and 20k for top 8 (probably percentage based). If after 10 years it isn't working, increase the penalties. Something has to be done about the same clubs enjoying perennial on-field success. It makes for a very unsatisfying competition. The AFL have the draft with bottom teams having first pick and that seems to work, but we've got nothing.

Why should success be penalised?

You know what I think should be done about some clubs experiencing perennial on field success? The other clubs need to be better. They should aim higher, be innovative, and play to their own strengths.

 

[TheFrog]

Why should success be penalised?

Because some clubs have advantages over others, and the same old teams winning it year in and year out makes for a boring competition. And the AFL do it successfully with the draft. Note Brisbane leading the AFL.

 

[SBD82]

Because some clubs have advantages over others, and the same old teams winning it year in and year out makes for a boring competition. And the AFL do it successfully with the draft. Note Brisbane leading the AFL.

What advantages do Melbourne have over the Panthers?

 

[SBD82]

Because some clubs have advantages over others, and the same old teams winning it year in and year out makes for a boring competition. And the AFL do it successfully with the draft. Note Brisbane leading the AFL.

As an aside, In the past 20 years, the following (11/18) teams have won the AFL.

West coast
Richmond
Western Bulldogs
Hawthorn
Sydney Swans
Geelong
Collingwood
Port Adelaide
Brisbane Lions
Essendon
North Melbourne

In the same 20 years the following (11/16) teams have won the NRL:
Roosters
Melbourne
Sharks
Rabbitohs
Manly
Dragons
North Qld
Bulldogs
Panthers
Tigers
Knights

In the past 10 years these (7/18) teams have won the AFL:

West Coast
Richmond
Western Bulldogs
Hawthorn
Sydney Swans
Geelong
Collingwood

While in the NRL it’s these (7/16)
Roosters
Melbourne
Sharks
North Queensland
Rabbitohs
Manly
Dragons

On what do you base your argument that the draft is creating a more even competition?

 

[TheFrog]

What advantages do Melbourne have over the Panthers?

Where do I start? Even having the best coach in the game is an advantage. They get looked after in so many ways.

We have advantages too. We make the finals most years these days. We have depth other clubs dream of. We wouldn't be exempt from it. I'd go for a draft instead with bottom teams getting first pick (the AFL system) but can't see the wider NRL community going for it. The AFL only get away with it because it doesn't get challenged. But either way, the same teams playing in GF after GF is not going to do the game any good at all.