I've been highly impressed by Canberra, Souths and Manly I must admit, three teams I thought would struggle.
But as far as the 8, round 3 is awfully tough to pick after, too long to go, but here's a go anyway.
1 Brisbane Broncos - they've lost one so far, and I thought they played a good game there anyhow. The pack is staggering. Thorn, Webcke, Petrols 70centsalitre. But one guy I'm getting really enthused over is David Stagg. He reminds me of Gary Larson. Gary Larson was a phenomonal player for mine. Also Lockyer seems to have found a halves partner. Not a bad outfit when you think that the likes of Tame Tupou haven't been spotted yet in first grade, nor Neville Costigan.
2 North Queensland Cowboys - they ARE the real deal for mine. Jonathon Thurston is an Origin star in waiting at halfback. He is getting on the back of Webb, Rauhihi, and Tronc's massive yardage and working well with in my opinion the best back three in the business - Williams, Sing, Williams. There is no weak link here. Rod Jensen for mine is the most underrated player in the comp, and a great asset. They'll go really close.
3 Melbourne Storm - their home ground to me is a bit like Ericsson in 2002. A bit of a graveyard. If they pick up enough wins on the road top 4 is on. I often look at some of the fringe players in a squad to ascertain depth which for mine is vital, and I've got to say Brett White looks a good prospect. Orford and Slater are the best 1/2 combination in the league.
4 Canterbury Bulldogs - Predict a slow start with O'Meley injured. You've got to consider, no Steven Price, no Mark O'Meley, no Willie Mason. I'd be interested to see percentage wise how many metres they carved up last year. Mason will return later in the year, O'Meley will be back sometime soonish I guess, when they come back in they'll be an altogether different team. Nothing against Csizlowski etc., but he and those others don't have the go forward of Price and Wiki. The factors here though are SBW, Roy Asotasi, Utai, Sherwin, Anasta and a great player in Andrew Ryan. They're still an outstanding outfit.
5 Manly Sea Eagles - Predicted not a good season for them, but by jingos they've started well. I'll give a massive wrap to Michael Monaghan. I thought he was a fantastic player at Canberra, just bursting with potential (I recall a game for them against Melbourne where I thought he changed the whole game on his own). Then you've got Stewart and Donald etc to work off him. Dangerous. I can only see one aspect of their game that could bring them into question, its just a feeling I have, over zealous intimidatory tactics. I sensed Manly were going to be close to a major altercation after the Auckland game, they played tough, REAL tough, and it was like Hill and co were baiting the opposition to get it on. Thats playing with fire. Particularly for a club not renowned no major depth. Otherwise, Manly look like they're back.
6 The Warriors - I think they are travelling a lot better than last year. Stacey Jones IS taking the line on again. He is making breaks, making line break assists. Nathan Fien is like what PJ Marsh used to be, a really aggressive sniper, and he's making yardage and putting guys over the advantage line. And thats dangerous with a pack that consists of the likes of Paleaaesina, Wiki and Price. Then you have the likes of Latu to come on after that. The one thing that could hurt them is a lack of composure to win tight contests. They've been in all 3 games this year, and had chances to win all 3, but only have 2 points thus far. Still, I don't think they're far off their best.
7 Sydney City Roosters - A bit of a slide, but hard to be at the same levels without Brad Fittler. Stuart though will get Brett Finch running the show again, just how he goes without Freddy beside him will be the key point - I think he'll still be terrific, but not quite as well organised as last year.
8 Saint George Illawarra Dragons - Call me senile, just have a hunch somethings about to go down at the 'Gong. I sense Brown may be pushed very soon, and a top line coach, whether it be either of the Anderson's, Gould, will grab the bull by the horns and reshape a very highly talented, but highly under achieved squad into something pretty good towards the end of the year. Lot of talent, just seem to be going through the motions, and I sort of feel their mateship to the likes of Brown, Paul McGregor etc is losing them sight of where its at. I feel those sorts of guys don't feel they're in a position to discipline and get up the players because of how close they are to the situation.
Canberra to finish on the fringe of the top 8. Just on Penrith, I often think "bulking up" regimes are a step in the wrong direction. This certainly was the case with the Warriors. Even the win over Saints didn't really impress me too much.
