Like I've said if Ivan wants to bail next year is the time with no Api or Kikau. Can see us dropping back the 4thish
Just out of interest, which 3 teams do you think are going to leapfrog us next year?
I see (and note this is just my opinion) most of the top teams ‘going backwards’ from a quality perspective:
- Melbourne loses half its forward pack, and has horrendous depth because it has so much invested in its spine (which has a 1 and 9 which seem to perpetually be not 100% healthy).
- North Queensland are probably the ones most likely to stay still or improve due to the age and make-up of their squad (and I really rate Payton as a coach). But if they finish top 4 their draw will become harder next year and they will need to spend more time in Sydney playing at night.
- Broncos lack of quality in their spine will eventually start to tell.
- Parra losing their hooker and barnstorming second rower (sounds familiar). While not as good quality as ours, still important pieces in a squad which overall is lower quality than ours.
- Sharks and Rabbits could improve, but doing so from a really low base. Rabbits are probably the best bet to challenge for the top 4 if they can keep Latrell on the field (haven’t done that for a while though) they don’t destroy the young halves confidence (looks like they are trying hard) and the can get Cody to care.
- Roosters just look weird. I’m not sold on Walker being the next big thing; looks to me like a spot off the bench would be the best for him to turn a game, but such a small guy on the pine would be a luxury. Sadly Keary has to be under a cloud to ever be back and Tedescos game is evolving (in a way that reflects him getting older). I don’t trust Smith yet as a hooker, and outside JEH and potentially Lodge if he stays, they don’t have any men in the forward pack.
So we won’t be better but I think we could still be top of the pile given where we seem to be at the moment and our coaching staff’s ability to pivot the team and game plan to reflect the needs and skills of the team that turns out every week.