Immortal, i see you are makin your opinion clear, but only against other peoples. I'd like to see your standings
I usually don't like to do the ladder for next year because theres no many if & buts to it, but have a dig anyway
1.Bulldogs - despite injuries at beginning of the season they are most likely to be the No.1 team. Have had no major losses other than Price. Price was great player but certainly not vital to winning a premiership
2.Rooster- We don't really know what will come for Roosters next year with Fittler gone & by virtually a rookie when you compare the experience between the 2. Firman has been tipped by some to be the next Australian halfback after his steller rookie season with St George Illawarra, & Stuart will continue to get the best out of his players
3.Broncos- Not all that much has changed. Broncos may have lost a bit of 'fear-factor' with Tallis no longer with them but have found another intimidating player in Thorne, & Broncos don't seem to get all that phased when Lockyer isn't playing
4.Dragons- Will still lose some of the games that should no doubt be theres, but will improve. They had the 5th best attack & 2nd best defence in the 2004 season which shows that they can be the best, but will once again come down to attitude. Brown may have a tough time with some big losses in Kite, Riddell, Firman & Withers. Dragons have a far better percentage of winning when Barrett is playing, so he will play a huge part in how high they finish at the end of the regular season
5.Penrith-Not all that much has changed but I feel Penrith are starting to lose their edge after their phenomonal 2003 season
That's my top 5, the rest we can't give too much comment about.
Knights, it's all about Johns.
Eels have recuited had the best recuitment for 2005 so could finish very high, but with Smith as coach we just don't know. Halfback position is not good in the Eels ranks
Storm I can only see staying in the same position or going backwards
Cowboys showed they can match the best but have never impressed me during the regular season, they may have given everyone expectations they can't handle
Sharks are a good chance of getting in the 8, Kimmorley/Dykes is the key to their success, but if Kimmorley gets injured for as long as he did for 2004 they won't be getting there
Manly & NZ have recuited good players but I can't see them completely changing over 1 off-season
Tigers, Souths & Raiders are the ones being tipped for the spoon. Tigers & Raiders have lost experienced players. I don't think Tigers will get the spoon however because they lost players that weren't with them in 2003 & they didn't get the spoon then & have a better coach now
