1. Storm. They have lost a few players but I love there signings. Kafusi and Kasiano will slot right in. Plenty of ypung guys on the way up and Brodie croft fills the Cronk void easily.
2. Cowboys - Made the final without the games best player. The spine of Morgan,Thurston,Coote, Granville means multiple points of attack. Throw in Scott back along with Hess the arrival of Mclean and young back up half Martin. You also have the games best forward Big Toumalolo. While we all question Roosters salary cap and Brisbanes up at Nth Qld theyve put quite a squad together un noticed.
3. Penrith Panthers - A poorly coached team dealt with injuries and off field drama yet still managed to make finals. An impressive run towards the end of season does see them in good shape. And managed without Moylan,Latu,Blake come finals.
I just do not see many guys in this team anywhere reached their peak. Cartwright had a disastrous season and will come good. As did Moylan. There 2 stars players, while Merrin also had a season to forget..RCG has come on leaps and bounds and is a great prop. Cleary,Edwards,May,Yeo,Blake,Dwz, Jfh, Chn, Kikau,Cartwright,RCG are all gaining valuable NRL experience and most under the age of 23. Throw in former Reps Merrin,Tamou,Moylan and this team could finally be destined for big things. The only red flag is Wallace. One important role and on the down hill slide.
4. Roosters - The likes of Tedesco and Cronk should have them at 1 right? They have lost a few handy players though. Watson is a real gem, Guerra was playing well and Evans gave them depth.
How much unrest will the Cronk signing have though? And the team has too many injury prone players.
Jwh,Cordner and Tedesco will be key but all seem too be injury prone. I also feel too many flashy players and not enough gritty ones in the side. Will play some attractive footy and are a big impressive side. Most players are at good age.
5. Saints - Dugan was a nuisance and the arrival of Hunt is massive. Brisbane will miss him. Graheme will have a point to prove. I like this team a lot. Great backrow and forwards. Smart halves who will be in peak and a good hooker. Only fault is lack of speed in the backs.
6. Eels - We go into the season with the same halves who are both highly talented. When was the last time this happend? Semi is a big loss to the team but I do feel he is not as important as fans make out. He had some brilliant moments only Semi could do but not without faults.
This is not the most skillfull or talented team by any means. But it will be the most gritty. Most the players are at the age of peak. Most have experience. Moses has potential to be best half in the game. Bevan who I felt was slightly dissapointing and of course injuries to blame will add plenty this season coming up.
Gutherson was the form player of the comp. Had these two been fit for finals we beat the storm and maybe are in the grand final. A real shame.
The squads only weakness is hooker. I doubt the young Mahoney would be anywhere near ready and while King and Kaysa do ok I am not sold on either. I reckon BA recruits guys based on mentality and not skill alone. And the reason why most his signings have been excellent. Moving forwards the Eels need to keep Moses,Gutherson,French,Tepai and build around that core. It should be an exciitng 10yrs.
7. Brisbane- They will be there abouts. I think they will miss Hunt and have also lost a lot of depth. I just do not see them getting better. A few guys are looking aged. I see a good side but would be suprised if made the top 4.
8. Bulldogs - Foran and Woods. I say no more. It is a good team. A lot depends on Foran and at what level he gets back too. If spends to many games out I think theyl struggle but 2 aussie props means plenty of go forward. I am taking a gamble putting them at 8. The whole team dynamics could blow up. Graheme and Reynolds where big personalites and showed a lot of heart in that team. But I feel theyl bounce back.
9. Raiders - Its the Canberra way. One good year followed by a bad. Even at 9 i can see them making the top 8. Problem is the spine. Wighton is more a centre. And the two halves are just not elite. Good but not elite.
Its a solid forward pack though and I can see them as a dark horse.
10. TITANS - Keep Ash Taylor fit and I reckon we see Hayne explode next season. Just do not see Hayne fading out. He will get his head right and show up all the media. Titans always played with heart. I see them doing well.
11. Sharks - Just an old squad who have won the title. Can only see them continue to slide. No finals for Gallens final year.
12. Manly - Just dont feel the forwards can get the job done. Bar Tapua and Jake trib its uninspiring. They are a top 8 chance but I doubt they make it.
13. Souths. A lot depends on how Inglis comes back. Reynolds staying fit. And Burgess.
The coach has put faith in recruiting and signings lots of promising juniors. Just not sure how good some of them are or if they where even top of their former teams junior priorities. I can see an up and down season from them. If Reynolds stays fit they are a top 8 chance but such a huge if. He seems to always miss 8 games a season.
14.Tigers - Ivans built a gritty looking side. Problem is it looks like a spare change kind of side filled with other teams rejects. I dont think they will be easy beats. Will play a grinding style not customed for tigers fans. Could be the most boring team in the Nrl.
15. Knights - Ranked 15th yet I can see them playing finals. The side is built for the future and showed great team spirit. I am not sure it will all click in 2018 but Browns doing good things. Watson,Ponga are exciting signings. Along with tugers they been most active but I prefer Browns recruiting.
16. Warriors - Sure there better then this but with side had this season they played with no heart or desire. How SK is still in a job is beyond me. People picked them with Foran as a certain top 4 side. Most dissapointing side of 2017.
