History is the best guide in a comp where the player points cap prevents large variations in outcomes for teams.
The Entrance, premiers in 2007, 2003 and losing grand finalists in 2004 are not in the comp.
Sydney Bulls - Premiers in 2004 and 2006, losing grand finalists in 2005 and 2007 and 3rd place in 2003 (also Premiers in 2002 and losing grand finalists in 2001 in the Metro Cup) - look the favourites. In 2007 they had their weakest squad in their 8 year existence but are much stronger in 2008.
Cabramatta - 3rd in 2006 and 2007, 5th in 2004 and 6th in 2005 - Lost some top class players from last year but will still be strong.
Windsor - Premiers in 2005, 3rd in 2004, 5th in 2006 and 2007 - Expect a much better performance from the Wolves this year. Local junior, Leigh Hopkins has returned to the club to captain the JBC team after a career of 150 games in the NRL and ESL. Craig Trindall, who played 3 games in the NRL at 27 years of age, is also back and some would say that he has been the most dominant player below NRL for the last 8 years. He scored 3 tries in a game in Premier League on a number of occasions over the past 2 seasons.
Wentworthville - 2nd in 2003, 3rd in 2005, 4th in 2004, 2006 and 2007 - lost several players from last year and early season form will indicate whether they have failed to recruit adequately, with the fortunes linked to the performance of JV partners,
Parramatta.
6 of the other 8 teams will be playing in either their first or second season in the comp, which makes it difficult unless they have a histrically strong junior base.
Belrose led the comp for about 9 rounds last year and dropped out of the 5 only in the second last week. If they have retained the 2007 squad they wull again be competitive and make the 5 for the first time.
Mounties look like the nuisance team with several players of reasonable standard but will struggle to fit the squad within the points cap.
