Who is favourite for next season?

[roopy]

The Wildcats must be favourite, but the Bulls must be spewing about losing two years in a row.
Other team have also seen the benchmark raised and must be thinking about how they need to get themselves a few players with professional or semi professional experience.

The team that wins next year will have to raise the bar again, because I can't see the Bulls or the Wildcats standing still, and the Knights, Sharks and Slayers are all capable of finding a few overseas guys, especially the Slayers, who have a strong NZ connection to work with.

It all looks good for the standard of the comp to take off next season.

 

[USA_Falcon]

With the Vikings and the Manterays most likely merging, I think the Mantarays have to be contenders. With the young talent they were starting to get at the end of the season, they were starting to look good. Look for these young guys to play the entire next season. Now add the experience on the field of Tomahawk Tim Griffens and you have power, speed, and experience. I "The Falcon" or "Tomahawk" will be leaving the Bulls and joining the Mantarays. Look for the Mantarays to test the waters out. They will definatly be better then last year. You could also see them in the Grand Final next year also.

As for the Bulls they will be loosing some key players. From what I hear Carl Barr, Mike Edwards, and Tony Coletti will not be back next season. Thes three players are hanging up thier cleets. Also herd Dave Nui is now in retirment, but he has said this for the past 3 years. There is also some internal problems that could come out early in the season with the Bulls. However they do have a few young college football players expercing interest in playing next season. If these people come out the Bulls will be the fastest they have ever been. Also I believe the Bulls could be stronger then last year.

New Jersey gets better each year, and are tired of coming up short. Watch out for the Sharks.

The Knights were rebuilding, and if Rahul can stay healthy, they will be contenders.

The Wildcats have alot of talent, but were not as good as percieved. I think this will show in the 2004 season.

Expect Philly to be just were they left off last season. Jeff Preaston is getting old, and Joe Keller is a game from retirement. These two players are the Fight.

D.C. all depends on what they do during the off season. They are the question mark. We will have to wait and see.

 

[roopy]

It is great to finally get some news.

Does it look like being a 7 team comp next year?, or will another side be found before the season kicks off?

Where will the merged Matarays/vikings be based, Media or new jersey?

Are many sides finding new players for next year?

 

[East Coast Tiger]

maybe the Fight should reconsider their sister club deal with Souths...

 

[Alan Shore]

maybe the Fight should reconsider their sister club deal with Souths...

Exactly - Owen Craigie isn't a great example for aspiring players.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

I never bag Owen (even when everyone else is) coz he's from my home Shire, but there's a slight possibilty you may have a point.

 

[hot dog]

Players are beating down the doors to come over to the US. If the other teams are recruiting as well as the could be; the 2004 season will be the best ever, hands down.

Wildcats looking for 2 in a row.