The top eight

[legend]

Who do you think and in what order do you think the teams will finish after 26 rounds? Here's mine. Eighth spot will hard fought between Melbourne, Warriors and Eagles. The last four includingmy beloved raiders are now only of nuisance value.

Parra
Brisbane
Canterbury
Knights
Sharks
Dragons
Roosters
Storm/Warriors

 

[imported_Rasputin]

OK, time to have another crack at this.
Brisbane
Parra
Knights
Canterbury

Sharks
Roosters
Dragons
Storm

Knights have the easiest draw from here and as long as Johns holds up shouldn't lose too many from here. Broncs will recover now that SOO is over and even though i'm eels to the bone I think they have two losses in them yet.

 

[G@v]

Parra (2)
Broncos
Knights (1)
Bulldogs
Roosters
Sharks
Storm
Dragons

I think the run in for the Warriors might prove to much, I hope I'm wrong!

 

[Studebaker]

1. Brisbane - Difficult to go past a side that still has many great players, as well as the very best coach in Bennett. Will come good at the business end of the season, as they have done for many seasons,and once again be the team to beat. Not much else to say really, except that the team does its talking on the field.
2. Newcastle - Any side that has 'Joey' should respectfully be feared. Have'nt done all that much to overlyimpress me as yet, but will pull out the big guns come Semi Final's time. A very level-headed and studious coach in Hagan, will see them the most consistent team of the Semis. A side, when in form and all players areaccounted for, can go at it with the best.
3. Bulldogs - Not only have been the surprise package (to all else but us 'Doggy supporters) thus far, but have produced some stars of the future. A poor showing last year, coupled with an angry bunch of loyal supporters, has sparked a new flame into the side. The only thing that concerns me, come the business end of the Season, is their (the teams) lack of Finals football experience. If they can string a couple or so wins, it will go a long way in the team beleiving in themselves that they can go further. Time will tell.
4. Eels - A side that has thus far gone beyond many peoples expectations as well as lived up to a few others. A team of youngsters that have matured remarkably. The enthusiasm and tenacity of the team can not be doubted, with solid forwards and more than decent backs.However, the youthfulness of the side will either choke come the first round of the Semis, or march right into the last few standing. Coach Smith willalso be a telling factor in the scenario. Arrogant and somewhat obnoxious, but has the credentials where it matters.Should be interesting to follow.
5. Roosters - Was last years bridesmaide a fluke ? I think so, but this is 2001. A side with the experience and leadership qualities of 'Freddy', is a side that must be feared and respected - immensly. All this bullshit about Fitler being over the hill and not as good as he once was is exactly that - BULLSHIT. The man thrives on pressure football. Fitler in the Semis is like a kid in a candy store - unstopable. The Chooks must show the same consistency and intensity as they did last year to progress into the last few standing. Have had plenty of finals experience in the last few years or so, and could possibly go one better this year than last. A serious title contender IMO.
6. Melbourne - The loss of Kimmorley was the big news pre-season, but many seem to have forgotten that pretty quickly. Have the forwards to do major damage to the big guns in the Semis, and could quite possibly be the surprise package of the Finals. Anderson is still a master coach. Lack of crowd support away from Victoria could be a huge telling factor when playing in Sydney.
7. Sharks - The loss of 'ET' and Healy will play against the Sharks in the Semis. They've yet to win a title, and unfortunately this season will be no different.
8. Dragons - Even though they have shown some signs of ability and determination within the last few weeks, their showings earlier on in the competition is still undenying proof the the side has no consistency whatsoever. With champion players like Blacklock, Smith, Hart, and Peters, just to name a few, makes you wonder what has happened this year. Same old same old, I guess.Will have been very lucky to make the final eight .... will be even luckier to progress one game beyond that. Andrew Farrar was an above average to good player, but has proven to be a very ordinary coach. The definate black sheep of the side.

 

[legend]

Well, the Roosters will probably make the eight but at this stage they will just be cannon fodder for the big guns. The season is about to go right off track and they still have to play Parra, Saints, Brisbane and the Sharks (I think). On their current form it's hard to see them notching up wins against those form sides.

The side that has shocked me the most is the Sharks. Their recent form suggests they will probably finish about fifth just ahead of the dragons(sorry Willow). The top four is pretty much sealed and it will only be the placings that change.

As for Canberra, well the less said the better.

BTW, welcome Studebaker. I look forward to your input.

 

[Studebaker]

I don't think the Saints and Sharks will be a major problem forthe Roosters, Legend. The Eels could be, and the Broncos most definately be.
I just got a gut feeling about the Chooks this year, Legend. I know for a fact that they were devestated after last years runner-up award, and will be determined to make amends.They haven't been overly impressive as far IMO, but as we all know, Finals football is a whole different ball game every year.
We'll wait and see shall we.
It's nice to be here away from thebitching (WORL), although I'll probably surf between here and their regularly.
It's after2.00am in the morning here, and I'm off to bed.
We'll talk again soon.
Studebaker.

 

[legend]

If it's 2am that would put you either on the West coast of the U.S or Canada or in Hawaii. Anyway, the Sharks are playing pretty good at the moment and the Dragons have the wood on the Roosters but it should be a great run home.

 

[imported_bronco]

Well its a 10 horse race for the finals so heres my top 10 come round 26, here goes....

1. Brisbane Broncos 39 points Draw: Bulldogs(H), Storm(A), Roosters(H), Dragons(A), Sharks(A), Raiders(H), Eagles(A) - Well call me biased but although they have a very tough run home i think they can get through most of it with Kevvie and some confidence back on board. I think Wally lewis described their style of play beautifully: "their confidence is boardering on arogance", thats the attitude they are going to need to have if they are a challenger for the title.
2. Parramatta Eels 38 points Draw: Storm(A), Cowboys(H), Dragons(H), Bulldogs(A), Tigers(H), Eagles(H), Roosters(A) - Their run was ended against the Warriors and although they hit back well today i expect them to find a little bumps along that road home to the finals. No team are bullet proof in this comp and the Eels are no exception, i hope they are piped at the post by the Broncos.
3. Newcastle Knights 37 points Draw: Warriors(A), Raiders(H), Sharks(A), Tigers(H), Dragons(H), Cowboys(A), Panthers(H) - Well with Joey back on board they are looking at a very strong run home, I think they'll come into the finals firing but may be hampered by an easy run home with the cowboys and panthers. Still a force to be reckoned with and after 4 straight losses they will of recovered well at 3rd place.
4. Canterbury Bulldogs 33 pointsDraw: Broncos(A), Warriors(A), Tigers(H), Eels(H), Cowboys(H), Sharks(H), Dragons(A) - Well a very tough run home and yes a few will flame me for this and rightly so, i'm probably being extremly unfair on them but theres a few games there that i can see them dropping, still top 4 material at the end.
5. Sydney Roosters 31 points Draw: Panthers(A), Sharks(H), Broncos(A), Storm(H), Warriors(A), Dragons(H), Eels(H) - Even though their recent form would suggest other wise i see them coming home strong even though there are a few tough games there. This roosters side will find their feet eventually and i see them lifting their game at the right time of the season.
6. St George-Illawara Dragons 30 points - Cowboys(A), Panthers(H), Eels(A), Broncos(H), Knights(A), Roosters(A), Bulldogs(H) - The Dragons are looking very good come finals time for me, they are going to come home strong. They have a very tough run home those last 5 games will make or break them but i think they are up there with the top sides now even though their place on the table would suggest otherwise.
7. Cronulla Sharks 30 points Draw: Eagles(H), Roosters(A), Knights(H), Warriors(A), Broncos(H), Bulldogs(A), Tigers(A) - Well i have doubted them since the start of the season and i still doubt them, although they are sitting in 5th spot at this present moment i see them slipping with a few class teams coming to town to knock them over.
8. New Zealand Warriors 25 points Draw: Knights(H), Bulldogs(H), Panthers(A), Sharks(H), Roosters(H), Storm(A), Cowboys(H) - Well once again call me biased but they are always strong at home and if they can win all their finals games and the panthers one away they will be in the finals with the Eagles and Storm finishing poorly. If they can get themselves up from todays loss and get players like stacy and betham back on board quiclkly the sky is the limit.
9. Melbourne Storm 24 points Draw: Eels(H), Broncos(H), Eagles(A), Roosters(A), Panthers(A), Warriors(H), Raiders(A) - Well i see them finishing poorly, i think they have had their chance, they were playing well but the Knights well and truely showed them up and i think its a steady run downhill for the storm although it could be the exact opposite thing, you never know with the storm.
10. Northern Eagles 24 points Draw: Sharks(A), Tigers(A), Storm(H), Cowboys(H), Raiders(A), Eels(A), Broncos(H) - Well the Eagles have plenty of promise but their second half form lately really shows me that they lack the ability to finish teams off and that can be crucial at this time of the year. Still a strong showing in just their second year in the comp.

Well thats my run down on the situation.

Cheers
bronco

 

[imported_Rasputin]

And a good one it is too, good to see you in here Bronco )

 

[Willow]

Parra
Brisbane
Newcastle
Dragons
Canterbury
Cronulla
Roosters
Melbourne or the Warriors

Wooden Spooners: Penrith

 

[Studebaker]

Legend -
I think you have your East and West Coast times mixed up. There is a 14hr difference between the East Coast of the US and the East Coast of Australia, that is the US is behind Australian time. The West Coast of the US is a further 17hrs behind the East Coast of Australia. I'm currently in Brooklyn, New York, but move around somewhat frequently. Not of a major importance, but I'm just clearing things up.
Bronco -
As much as I'd like to agree with your selection of the Auckland Warriors to finish in the final eight, I cannot in all seriousness do so. Not only would it be great for the country, the teamand new coaching sensation Daniel Anderson in their (somewhat) maiden appearance, I think it would go a long way in boosting the games and teamssupport in NZ. The Warriors have one of (if not the) toughest runs before the Semis, and even though the majority of them are at home, they'll be fortunate (IMO) to win more than two of their remaining seven games. No disrespect intended as I wish them all the verybest.

 

[Studebaker]

Legend -
Why isn't the time and date on the replies operating ?
Only a small thing, but does come in handy when you want to see exactly when a message was posted.

 

[ozbash]

it is for me studebaker, 12-43 (nz) 16/07/2001.

are you back home in oz now?

 

[legend]

According to me your post came in at 10.43 am. It shows in the top right hand corner of each post. Do you think the difference in counties and timezones would have any effect.

BTW, Are you a Mets or Yankees fan?

Last but not least if you follow the NY Giants we will have a lot to alk about in September as my Broncos and the Giants square off in the first game of Monday night football for the new season.

 

[Studebaker]

Hey there Tony.
No bud, still here in the piss-hole. I officially finish my obligations on December the 14th, and will be returning homeshortly after that.
Me and the lovely one are still deciding whether to spend X-mas with the inlaws this year in NZ.
If it does eventuate, I'll definately drop you a line. I haven't forgotten about you bud. Just a shit load of work here at the moment.
I checked out you forum the other night. What the hell possessed you to do that?All but three members, huh Tony ? It must have been one of the moments when the brain was not operating on all cylinders, aye Tony ?
Nice to see you here bud.

 

[Studebaker]

Legend -
I don't have jack on my screen bud. It just says ' Sent' and nothing else, even on the 'last message' section.Am I doing something wrong ? If I venture back into the other site (WORL), everything is fine. What's the go ?
As for the Baseball, I went to one game and it borred the shit out of me and drove me suicidal. All those wankers with those stupid f**kin hats that have those clapping hands, andevery second dicked wearing aglove in the hope that they will catch a hommer (as if)drove me close to commiting a felony (as they call it here). Lucky I was in the company ofbusiness executives.
I have zero tolerance for idiots, as I'm sure one or two here might know, but these Yanks give the term a new meaning. It comes with the territory I guess. I can't wait to get back home (Sydney) later this year. It's been an experienceI wouldn'tdon't want to persue again. Bit like Bungee jumping .... done it once, never again.

Studebaker

 

[legend]

Would never have guessed the zero tolerance bit.

As far as the Yanks go, I always found it strange that for a society as shallow as theirs they don't let advertising on the jerseys of any of their sporting teams and their is no advertising on the perimiter fencing like in Australia and the U.K.

 

[pepe]

studebaker- chris anderson is no longer coaching the storm,he was replaced by mark murray roughly 7-8 weeks ago.

willow-you are kidding about the saints finishing 4th,how aboutanother tener on them not finishing above 6th ?

1-parra
2-knights
3-broncos
4-dogs
5-roosters
6-sharks (god knows how)
7-saints
8-storm



spoon-tigers,penrith and cowboys all deserve it,it's just to hard to seperate them at the moment.

cheers pepe

 

[Ramit54]

I think the top 8 will be

1 Eels
2 Knights
3 Broncos
4 Sharks
5 Roosters
6 Bulldogs
7 Eagles
8 Dragons
Cheers Tigertread

 

[Studebaker]

Pepe -
Thanks for that, asI had no idea. That's one of the pitfalls of being away from Oz, don't get to catch up on too much going ons in Rugby League.I guess to me it kind of explains the Storms position currently on the ladder.
The strange thing is, I was in Sydney around the time you say, but never heard a thing about it.
If you could, just briefly Pepe, what happened ? Why is Anderson no longer with the Storm ?
I'm interested because I've previously met Anderson on more than one ocassion, and thought quite highly of him both as a person and his football mind. Just my opinion.