waltzing Meninga
Bench
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IMO there is not one side in the comp who can be ruled out of Premiership contention. As we saw last year, almost any side can beat any other side on their day. Below are a few reasons why I beleive every club has a shot at this years title.
Panthers - still have a great roster and have a large group of players at the club that were victorious in 2003. Any side that has Gower, Cambell, Wesser, Clinton, pulatua, Rooney and lewis has to have a good chance of the title.
Sharks - Perhaps its a bit of the case of "it has to happen one day". They are well overdue for one. Just like if a poker player plays enough hands, he will eventually get that Royal flush. they have a quality side and with the closeness of the comp this year, they may sense this as their greatest chance and become motivated and ditermined to bring some glory to the shire.
Cowboys- Grand finalists from last year and robbed of a grand final appearance in 2004. probably the most consistent performers in the finals series over the last 2 years. With the excitement of Bowen and Thurston behind a great forward pack they would have to be close to favourites.
Raiders - Potentially the tigers of 2006. A huge amount of young and unproven talent in the side leading the public to beleive they will finish towards the bottom of the ladder, just like the tigers of last year. They have probably the best organiser/play maker in the game in Jason Smith. If he stays fit, and the likes of Zillman withers and Shikofske see some quality ball from him they are capable of anything.
Newcastle - Andrew Johns, Andrew Johns, Andrew Johns.
Parramatta - Probably have the 2nd best roster in the NRL. Have shown they have the ability to destroy any side on their day. The motivation from last years heartache may give them what they need in the 2006 finals series which they will no doubt be a part of.
Dragons - Should have won last year. Have about 1000 origin players in the line up. Will start favourites for the premiership.
Bulldogs - Last years dissapointment should spur them on to bigger and better things this year. Anasta loss will be felt, but could be a blessing in disguise. Shifty Sherwin will have much more pressure on him and knowing the sort of bloke he is, this will fire him up and we should see the 2004 shifty this year and not the 2005 one. They have a coach who knows what it takes to win a premiership and a strong forward pack lead by 2 of the best in O'mealy and Mason.
Warriors - What a controversy it would be if they were to get up this year. The loss of 4 points may see the warriors adapt 'the throw the ball around and see what happens' approach. When they play this way and it sticks, they can be devastating as we saw in 2002 and towards the end of 2003. Lead by the 2 best props in the game IMO in Wiki and Price.
Souths - Showed what they are capable of towards the end of last year. Sutton is a superstar in the making. The club is finally starting to recruit key players into key positions. If they win a couple of early games and start to develop some beleif in themselves, it could be a fairy tale story for the rabbits this year.
Broncos - showed last year that they were probably the best and most consistent side of the 2005 season, however they fell flat on their face towards the end of the year. A bad year for Darren Lockyer last year, but he is a champion player and will bounce back this year. If he stays fit and plays at his best, especially in the finals series, they should go close. With the releif of no rep duty at the end of the year for Wayne Bennett, we may see him adapt a different approach to the season this year rather than giving us the "season is too long" excuse which negatively impacts on his players at the end of the season.
Tigers - Have a stronger side this year than what they had to win the title last year. Recruited very well in the off season and have the best halves combination in the game in Marshall and Prince.
Manly - The dark horse for this years title. BK will relish in his new responsibility as captain and will have anonther strong season. Matt orford will enjoy being behind BK watmough, Menzies and Kite, which is IMO a better forward pack than what the storm had last year, and we should see him become even more devastating this year when he is on his game. If he shows consistency this year they are a massive chance. The retirement of Terry Hill will do them the world of good with a far superior centre in Bell coming in to replace him
Storm - Have shown some blistering early form in trials. I don't beleive they will miss orford as much as they think. Don't get me wrong his loss will be felt, but they still have who I beleive is their best half in Scotty Hill. If he and Billy slater are able to form a relationship similar to Prince and Hodgson last year for the tigers they should be right up there come the finals series. With the form Matt King and Slater showed last year, they are not going to find it hard scoring tries. Mick Crocker should add some much needed grunt and solid defence around the ruck area that they missed last year.
Roosters - Recruited very well in the off season. It seems Ricky stuart is keen to move Finch to Hooker and introduce Jamie Soward into first grade at half back, which is by far their best option. He is another potential superstar, and if he can develop a successfull combination with Braith Anasta they should be hard to stop behind a forward pack of Morley, Fitzgibon and Ashley Harrison.
Panthers - still have a great roster and have a large group of players at the club that were victorious in 2003. Any side that has Gower, Cambell, Wesser, Clinton, pulatua, Rooney and lewis has to have a good chance of the title.
Sharks - Perhaps its a bit of the case of "it has to happen one day". They are well overdue for one. Just like if a poker player plays enough hands, he will eventually get that Royal flush. they have a quality side and with the closeness of the comp this year, they may sense this as their greatest chance and become motivated and ditermined to bring some glory to the shire.
Cowboys- Grand finalists from last year and robbed of a grand final appearance in 2004. probably the most consistent performers in the finals series over the last 2 years. With the excitement of Bowen and Thurston behind a great forward pack they would have to be close to favourites.
Raiders - Potentially the tigers of 2006. A huge amount of young and unproven talent in the side leading the public to beleive they will finish towards the bottom of the ladder, just like the tigers of last year. They have probably the best organiser/play maker in the game in Jason Smith. If he stays fit, and the likes of Zillman withers and Shikofske see some quality ball from him they are capable of anything.
Newcastle - Andrew Johns, Andrew Johns, Andrew Johns.
Parramatta - Probably have the 2nd best roster in the NRL. Have shown they have the ability to destroy any side on their day. The motivation from last years heartache may give them what they need in the 2006 finals series which they will no doubt be a part of.
Dragons - Should have won last year. Have about 1000 origin players in the line up. Will start favourites for the premiership.
Bulldogs - Last years dissapointment should spur them on to bigger and better things this year. Anasta loss will be felt, but could be a blessing in disguise. Shifty Sherwin will have much more pressure on him and knowing the sort of bloke he is, this will fire him up and we should see the 2004 shifty this year and not the 2005 one. They have a coach who knows what it takes to win a premiership and a strong forward pack lead by 2 of the best in O'mealy and Mason.
Warriors - What a controversy it would be if they were to get up this year. The loss of 4 points may see the warriors adapt 'the throw the ball around and see what happens' approach. When they play this way and it sticks, they can be devastating as we saw in 2002 and towards the end of 2003. Lead by the 2 best props in the game IMO in Wiki and Price.
Souths - Showed what they are capable of towards the end of last year. Sutton is a superstar in the making. The club is finally starting to recruit key players into key positions. If they win a couple of early games and start to develop some beleif in themselves, it could be a fairy tale story for the rabbits this year.
Broncos - showed last year that they were probably the best and most consistent side of the 2005 season, however they fell flat on their face towards the end of the year. A bad year for Darren Lockyer last year, but he is a champion player and will bounce back this year. If he stays fit and plays at his best, especially in the finals series, they should go close. With the releif of no rep duty at the end of the year for Wayne Bennett, we may see him adapt a different approach to the season this year rather than giving us the "season is too long" excuse which negatively impacts on his players at the end of the season.
Tigers - Have a stronger side this year than what they had to win the title last year. Recruited very well in the off season and have the best halves combination in the game in Marshall and Prince.
Manly - The dark horse for this years title. BK will relish in his new responsibility as captain and will have anonther strong season. Matt orford will enjoy being behind BK watmough, Menzies and Kite, which is IMO a better forward pack than what the storm had last year, and we should see him become even more devastating this year when he is on his game. If he shows consistency this year they are a massive chance. The retirement of Terry Hill will do them the world of good with a far superior centre in Bell coming in to replace him
Storm - Have shown some blistering early form in trials. I don't beleive they will miss orford as much as they think. Don't get me wrong his loss will be felt, but they still have who I beleive is their best half in Scotty Hill. If he and Billy slater are able to form a relationship similar to Prince and Hodgson last year for the tigers they should be right up there come the finals series. With the form Matt King and Slater showed last year, they are not going to find it hard scoring tries. Mick Crocker should add some much needed grunt and solid defence around the ruck area that they missed last year.
Roosters - Recruited very well in the off season. It seems Ricky stuart is keen to move Finch to Hooker and introduce Jamie Soward into first grade at half back, which is by far their best option. He is another potential superstar, and if he can develop a successfull combination with Braith Anasta they should be hard to stop behind a forward pack of Morley, Fitzgibon and Ashley Harrison.
