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

[sensesmaybenumbed]

Edit* there was also the 2011 GF without roosters or Melbourne.

Well, Melbourne lost 40-0 in 2011, so yes, it was like they weren't there.

 

[mave]

Well, Melbourne lost 40-0 in 2011, so yes, it was like they weren't there.

Manly beat Melb 40- 0 in 2008

2011 Manly beat the Warriors

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

Manly beat Melb 40- 0 in 2008

2011 Manly beat the Warriors

Yep, my brain failed. Again
Thanks for the correction.

 

[SBD82]

Well, Melbourne lost 40-0 in 2011, so yes, it was like they weren't there.

Edit* NVM. Saw the rest of the posts.

 

[Knuckle-dragger]

[J]ust like Dragons fans did 60 years ago.

The repetitious disparaging remarks you make ad nauseam towards that 11-straight Dragons team is funny as f**k. What makes it even funnier is it's ancient history.

You are one f**king f**ked in the head weird merkin...

 

[TheDalek079]

storm are the only team that can win. Roosters have too many injuries. even once we get everybody back there wont be enough time for the combinations to gel properly. and all it takes is a head knock to Keary and we are gone. i feel like we'll probably get knocked out of the finals in the second week.

 

[SBD82]

Looking like a four horse race to me. Manly, Canberra, storm and roosters.

Obviously Storm and Roosters deserve their favourites status.

The first week results will be crucial. It will only take one of roosters and storm losing in the first week to put them on the path to meeting each other in the major semi instead of the GF. Given the form of Canberra and manly it’s a scenario that could easily play out.

 

[Meapro Ham]

storm are the only team that can win. Roosters have too many injuries. even once we get everybody back there wont be enough time for the combinations to gel properly. and all it takes is a head knock to Keary and we are gone. i feel like we'll probably get knocked out of the finals in the second week.

What injuries? Cordner and Friend are both expected to be back for the finals. Full strength if no more injuries and most players have been rested at some stage. Pretty well placed I’d say.

 

[jiorl]

storm are the only team that can win. Roosters have too many injuries. even once we get everybody back there wont be enough time for the combinations to gel properly. and all it takes is a head knock to Keary and we are gone. i feel like we'll probably get knocked out of the finals in the second week.

wow your a pessimistic one

 

[footy75]

storm are the only team that can win. Roosters have too many injuries. even once we get everybody back there wont be enough time for the combinations to gel properly. and all it takes is a head knock to Keary and we are gone. i feel like we'll probably get knocked out of the finals in the second week.

huh...Roosters will be fine.

 

[VictoryFC]

It's grouse watching competent teams play. If you're not watching easts, you're not living.

 

[Diesel]

There are two teams stacked with talent and playing at a different level. The only way the Storm or Roosters aren’t playing each other on October 6, is if one (or both) have an off game the weekend before the GF.

 

[footy75]

Roosters

Storm and Raiders

 

[carcharias]

I’d say Cameron Smith will be making yet another losers speech on grand final day.

Storm just can’t win Grand finals against a team that challenges them.

 

[Travitoh]

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.

Drafts are bad for sport. It promotes mediocrity and punishes success. Might as well hand out certificates for participating every year.

Good kids are forced to enter bad environments and it stunts their development. Melbourne, Carlton and Gold Coast are all proof that the draft system doesn't work if the club is broken. There is no way that the Titans deserve access to the best kid in RL.

Only 3 number one picks since the AFL draft started in 1981 have gone on to win a premiership at the club that drafted them.

Melbourne and Sydney aren't where they are because they stockpile the best kids in the game. They make them the best kids in the game.

It also creates more dead rubbers at the end of a season as clubs decide they're out of the premiership race and give up on the season. You don't get sides like Canterbury taking down top 4 contenders at this stage of the season if it means dropping down the draft list.

With a draft system, Cody Walker and Damien Cook would've most likely disappeared into the wilderness before now. Both played for NSW this year. And there are plenty of other late bloomers in the NRL that would've been missed I'm sure.

The only positive that a draft system has in the offseason is when it creates hype for a couple of the spring months. Otherwise it's very much just dictating to kids what path their career is going to take.

Clubs need to improve from within, otherwise nothing will change.

 

[Jean Capdouze]

It’s a one horse race, that lone horse is the mighty Eastern Suburbs Roosters.

 

[Canard]

I’d say Cameron Smith will be making yet another losers speech on grand final day.

Storm just can’t win Grand finals against a team that challenges them.

Would you say, the secret to beating the Storm is scoring more points then them?

 

[carcharias]

Would you say, the secret to beating the Storm is scoring more points then them?

Just give them a tough game.
They play the same almost every game.
There is no lift for grand final.
Lost to sharks
They beat cowboys who were busted
Lost to a 12 man roosters

They’re a grand final myth

 

[DC_fan]

I know we haven’t quite finished R.3 yet, but even at this early stage it really is starting to look like a race between the Roosters, Storm and Rabbitohs for the premiership.

Whilst Canberra gave my prediction a bit of a scare for a while, their bubble has now burst and they are no longer a premiership threat.

So it is now down to three teams for the premiership, the Storm, Roosters and the Rabbitohs. The three teams I predicted 23 weeks ago. Obviously being a Souths fan I hope they get there, but I have feeling it will be a Storm v Roosters grand final.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Whilst Canberra gave my prediction a bit of a scare for a while, their bubble has now burst

Lol sure why not