Sure, I'll give it a crack.
Front runners
Storm - Retain the neucleus of a premiership winning side. Will go close again
North Queensland - Kept their good guys and have the beginnings of an awesome halves combination in Thurston/Burns
Parramatta - I hate to say it, but they should continue to play well
Penrith - If they can sort out their halves, they'll improve
New Zealand - Should go one game better than this year
Flops
Manly - They should make the eight, but the demoralising effect of such a heavy Grand Final loss may damage them more than they think
Saints - Failure
Sharks - 41 years and won f**k all
Bulldogs - Their time is over, or feels like it, a dip is due.
Grand final - Melbourne vs. Parramatta
Wooden Spoon - Wests
SOO - NSW