So far...
Still think Broncos will be thereabouts and Knights will make the 8, probably not likely they'll finish as high as 4th and 5th though.
Both teams look underdone and struggling to effectively utilise strong rosters.
Sharks are doing better than expected but still think they'll miss the finals, luck with injuries will make or break their season.
Eels are looking more like the side that came 4th in 2017 than the spoon holders of 2018, but will they maintain this momentum?
Safe to say my spoon tip is wrong, they've shown enough to think they'll comfortably avoid it.
Can't see where the Titans are getting a win from at the moment though.
Can't see where the Titans are getting a win from at the moment though.
So its safe to say these teams will make it
Roosters
Souths
Storm
Sharks
Raiders
Then there is the unknown in the middle...3 of which will make it
Dragons
Parra
Broncos
Manly
Knights
Tigers
NZ
Then there is the teams we can just a bout write off
Panthers
Cows
Titans
Dogs
I think you are being exceedingly kind to the warriors. They have looked awful most of the way so far.
I think you are being exceedingly kind to the warriors. They have looked awful most of the way so far.
We make it look like a struggle to score 2 to 3 tries a game. And then some of our bigger forwards are highly likely to allow a try or two (especially Matt Scott) as their lateral movement is non-existent.
Matt Scott just stood and watched on two separate occassions as Cam Murray and George Burgess ran through a gaping hole next to him. I couldn't believe how slow he's gotten.
He may have been afraid to dive and test out the knee....?
It's been hard to watch Matty Scott lately. Best prop forward of his generation and now looks barely a first grader. I think he'd be much more valuable to the team off the bench, though. Ditto to Coen Hess.
I remember reading an interview with willie mason after he did his knee in the one off test against the USA some time ago and he reckoned it was 18 months before he was 100% again in terms of power, movement and confidence.Scott will be 34 later this year. In terms of rugby league payers it is proverbially "ancient". Add in the ACL injury he had in 2017 and it is no wonder he is slowing down. ACL injures take ages to get over physically, and players often taken longer after they get back to laying before they get over it mentally. For mine it is no surprise he is slowing down as that ACL injury would make him a bit concerned about any sudden lateral movement in case it re-injures that knee.
I remember reading an interview with willie mason after he did his knee in the one off test against the USA some time ago and he reckoned it was 18 months before he was 100% again in terms of power, movement and confidence.
I don't think Broncos are sure of being there. Still just 5W,6L and with several rep players. I think they probably will make it but it's premature to say they are sure things when they currently have a losing record.
Roosters, Storm and Souffs are definites, Knights and Raiders are most likely will be's.
You can probably rub out Titans, Dogs and I have to be honest, Panthers...I'd say the other 8 teams are jostling over the 3 other places. The Dragons could soon be rubbed out if they don't start winning again.
Get em in for eternal glory or embarrassment
I tipped Parra for the premiership in 2018 and haven't been able to sleep ever since. Dark times.
The categories are
LADDER 1-16
GRAND FINAL AND PREMIERS
ORIGIN (2-1 or sweep)
DALLY M
FIRST COACH SACKED (in which we'll count no contract for 2020 as sacked, BUT this can be trumped by an immediate sacking)
WILDCARD PREDICTION (anything you want, not covered in the above)
Roosters
Souths
Storm
Broncos
Knights
Panthers
Raiders
Tigers
Cowboys
Dragons
Sea Eagles
Warriors
Sharks
Titans
Bulldogs
Eels
GF Souths def Broncos
SOO NSW 2-1
DM Mitchell Pearce
Coach Brad Arthur
Bold prediction:
Justin Holbrook will be the next coach signed up