ChipNChase
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Eight rounds behind us, and we have what is shaping as another down-to-the-wire finish. With the Cowboys recent compounding over the last 2 weeks, we are left without a standout for the title.
The following is my impressions on the achievements of each team to date, and how I think the forthcoming weeks will see them fare;
Parramatta: Up 16-0 against the Eagles and then folded like a French pastry. No stamina or endurance has this once great team looking like the footy equivalent or an impotent Ugly Dave Gray. Don't think they will quite make the eight.
Canberra: If not for the yards from dumby half of Woolford and the try-scoring/goal kicking of Schifcoske, they would never beat an egg. Credible performance against the Broncos, but losing from 18-0 up at half time is disgraceful. Outside eight, and languishing next year even more noticably.
Cowboys: The class team of first 6 rounds, they have suffered in the last 2. Point scoring prowess right across the park, they are almost a cert for Top 4 if they can shrug off weak offerings lately and get back to the razzle dazzle footy we all love.
Panthers: Have proven their title to be a one-off. Showing nothing of what they once were with Wesser ageing and Robert gone. Gower needs some serious re-coaching. Married life must be affecting him...Outside top 10.
Rabbitohs: Oh-so-close against the Knights, but once again came up bridesmaids. Look for improvement over next few years - The same old by-line I know, but Rusty will improve the scene 6-fold.
Storm: Greg Inglis making Storm look great in recent weeks. Like other years, have started brilliantly, but need to retain this form to build a solid play-off foundation for finals footy. Top 8 certs.
Newcastle: After scraping home against Souths, only a mad punter would take them for the title. The biggest one man side in the history of the game, if Johns stays fit (yeah right), they should make the eight but fizzle out fairly quick.
Broncos: Classic Broncos footy has seen them do all they have to and not a lot more. Grind out their wins, nothing like the flashy footy of yesteryear but getting the job done more often than not. Lockyer is a true champion, reads the play like Nostradamus. Top 4 prospects, top 8 definites.
Roosters: Gus Goulds criticism has done the job and Roosters are on a trot. Finch done no favours telling the fans to kiss his a$$, but God knows Gus Gould should be used to that. Hard to see any team coached by Ricky not maing finals, tipping them to make the 8 if they keep the ball away from Anasta.
Bulldogs: Looking limp now playing under salary cap. Good win against Warriors in NZ over the weekend though. Goal-kicking of El Masri should see them into the 8 though, and once there are always a big danger team.
Sharks: Another team coming good. Injured list getting shorter and results coming on the board. Outside 8 chance.
Dragons: Serial underperformers. No more to say. Should make eight, but if history is any useful precursor, will inevitably start flapping around like a fish out of water very soon after.
Tigers: A team demonstrating how reliant they are on key personnel - Not to same extent as Newcastle, but on a second tier behind them. I am tipping run of injuries to continue, and think they will miss 8 as a result.
Sea Eagles: Some tough victories by the Northern boys have left me very impressed. Have the backs and right balance of forwards to give this years comp an almighty shake. Top 4, and potential grand finalists.
Welcome everyones opinions...
The following is my impressions on the achievements of each team to date, and how I think the forthcoming weeks will see them fare;
Parramatta: Up 16-0 against the Eagles and then folded like a French pastry. No stamina or endurance has this once great team looking like the footy equivalent or an impotent Ugly Dave Gray. Don't think they will quite make the eight.
Canberra: If not for the yards from dumby half of Woolford and the try-scoring/goal kicking of Schifcoske, they would never beat an egg. Credible performance against the Broncos, but losing from 18-0 up at half time is disgraceful. Outside eight, and languishing next year even more noticably.
Cowboys: The class team of first 6 rounds, they have suffered in the last 2. Point scoring prowess right across the park, they are almost a cert for Top 4 if they can shrug off weak offerings lately and get back to the razzle dazzle footy we all love.
Panthers: Have proven their title to be a one-off. Showing nothing of what they once were with Wesser ageing and Robert gone. Gower needs some serious re-coaching. Married life must be affecting him...Outside top 10.
Rabbitohs: Oh-so-close against the Knights, but once again came up bridesmaids. Look for improvement over next few years - The same old by-line I know, but Rusty will improve the scene 6-fold.
Storm: Greg Inglis making Storm look great in recent weeks. Like other years, have started brilliantly, but need to retain this form to build a solid play-off foundation for finals footy. Top 8 certs.
Newcastle: After scraping home against Souths, only a mad punter would take them for the title. The biggest one man side in the history of the game, if Johns stays fit (yeah right), they should make the eight but fizzle out fairly quick.
Broncos: Classic Broncos footy has seen them do all they have to and not a lot more. Grind out their wins, nothing like the flashy footy of yesteryear but getting the job done more often than not. Lockyer is a true champion, reads the play like Nostradamus. Top 4 prospects, top 8 definites.
Roosters: Gus Goulds criticism has done the job and Roosters are on a trot. Finch done no favours telling the fans to kiss his a$$, but God knows Gus Gould should be used to that. Hard to see any team coached by Ricky not maing finals, tipping them to make the 8 if they keep the ball away from Anasta.
Bulldogs: Looking limp now playing under salary cap. Good win against Warriors in NZ over the weekend though. Goal-kicking of El Masri should see them into the 8 though, and once there are always a big danger team.
Sharks: Another team coming good. Injured list getting shorter and results coming on the board. Outside 8 chance.
Dragons: Serial underperformers. No more to say. Should make eight, but if history is any useful precursor, will inevitably start flapping around like a fish out of water very soon after.
Tigers: A team demonstrating how reliant they are on key personnel - Not to same extent as Newcastle, but on a second tier behind them. I am tipping run of injuries to continue, and think they will miss 8 as a result.
Sea Eagles: Some tough victories by the Northern boys have left me very impressed. Have the backs and right balance of forwards to give this years comp an almighty shake. Top 4, and potential grand finalists.
Welcome everyones opinions...
