The Whippet
Juniors
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How do you think that the competitions will look after the end of 26 rounds?
Well here's mine:
1. Parramatta Eels - guess that a few of use saw this one coming. I like their pack, nice strong forwards, the halves are coming along quite nicely and plenty of game breakers in the back like Timana Tahu, Luke Burt and Eric Grothe. Plus my sources tell me that Wags will be playing in the centres with Tahu.
2. Canterbury Bulldogs - Despite the loss of their inspirational captain, Steve Price they are basically the same team that played in the grandfinal, except Jonathan Thurston. Willie Mason has fullfiled his potential and Braith Anasta is looking good for them. They have a strong overall team and will be out to defend their title this year.
3. Brisbane Broncos - Brad Thorn is an excellent buy and with Darren Lockyer now play superbly at five eighth the Broncos can go all the way. Justin Hodges is apparently cleaning up his act, he might prove his critics wrong. I think that the backline looks pretty good and I can't wait too see Barry Berrigan return from injury, really good player.
4. North Queensland Cowboys - My beloved Cowboys, we have the power to go all the way. We have some excellent purchases in Jonathan Thurston and Carl Webb who will provide some spark. Dynamic backline consisting of the likes of Matthew Bowen, Ty Williams and Matt Sing. A great forward pack with guys like Paul Rauhihi and Travis Norton. Some real game breakers for us.
5. Penirth Panthers - Very dinamic team, with an excellent halves pairing of Craig Gower and Preston Campbell who are electric in attack. A nice solid forward pack. The only thing that I feel that will go against them is the fact that there has been a fight between Ben Ross and Joel Clinton at training, so there might be a bit of tension there.
6. Sydney Roosters - Will struggle with the loss of Freddy, I'm not entirely convinced about Firman, very injury prone, even in his younger days. They still have the forwards and backs. The backline is a big concern, sure they are fast but they can't defend well. Finch will bundle, he will be lost without Freddy.
7. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - I am impressed with Michael Monaghan and his leadership. This guy turned the Eagles end of season form around and I think that this guy can resurge the Eagles. Brent Kite and Ben Kennedy are both excellent inclusions. The only thing that concerns me is their centres.
8. South Sydney Rabbitohs - My wildcards for this year. I really like the look of this team. They have a real good coach in Shaun McRae and a really good trainer from what I hear. The backs are strong, really good centres in Shannon Hegarty and Adam MacDougall. They have that strong blend of experience with youth. The halves are young and exciting in Joe Williams and Dean Byrne. They just need not to have too many injuries.
9. Melbourne Storm - Will struggle with the loss of guys like Stephen Kearney and Rodney Howe. There experience will be really missed. They key to the Storm is Matt Orford and Scott Hill. The backline is suspect, could be a great success or failure depending on what options Craig Bellamy takes.
10. Cronulla - Sutherland Sharks - My sources tell me that Adam Dykes may be out of the season after he's done his hamstring and knee in really bad and everytime he gets out on the park he does more damage too it. Have some concerns about the forward pack, two ageing props. A lot comes down to the fitness of Brett Kimmorley and Nigel Vagana fireing up in the backline.
11. Newcastle Knights - Well we all know that the Knights are a one man team. Joey stays fit the Knights go excellent if Joey gets injury the Knights falls apart. Ben Kennedy will be missed up front and the backline will miss a bit of spark with the loss of Timana Tahu and Robbie O'Davis. Need their key players to stay out on the paddock if they want to go well.
12. St George - Illawarra Dragons - Well injuries will once again let the Dragons down and Matthew Head will fall from grace, even Willie Peters will be better than this guy. The two test props Bailey and Ryles will get injured again, Ryles already is. They will miss that mongrel that Mark Riddell provided.
13. New Zealand Warriors - Very unpredictable. Have bought well in Ruben Wiki and Steve Price. Nathan Fien could be a great success or a big blunder depending on what happens with him. Todd Byrne, well who could forget how he got ran down by a 30 year old lock forward in the grandfinal. There is still a bit of tension in the camp between Tony Kemp and a few players. The Warriors will struggle under him.
14. Wests Tigers - The loss of Scott Sattler, Michael Buettner, Jason Moodie and Darren Senter will hurt the Tigers a lot. The halves of Scott Prince and Benji Marshall lack a kicking game, something that they really need. A lot of pressue is been placed on the young guys, I'm not sure if they can cope with it.
15. Canberra Raiders - With the loss of Ruben Wiki, Joel Monaghan, Brad Drew, Mark McLinden and Luke Davico, Canberra has lost a lot of experience and replaced them with one of three options 1. injury prone players i.e. Craig Frawley 2. Old Super League rejects i.e. Matt Adamson and Jason Smith or 3. No names i.e. David Howell and Michael Howell.
Well here's mine:
1. Parramatta Eels - guess that a few of use saw this one coming. I like their pack, nice strong forwards, the halves are coming along quite nicely and plenty of game breakers in the back like Timana Tahu, Luke Burt and Eric Grothe. Plus my sources tell me that Wags will be playing in the centres with Tahu.
2. Canterbury Bulldogs - Despite the loss of their inspirational captain, Steve Price they are basically the same team that played in the grandfinal, except Jonathan Thurston. Willie Mason has fullfiled his potential and Braith Anasta is looking good for them. They have a strong overall team and will be out to defend their title this year.
3. Brisbane Broncos - Brad Thorn is an excellent buy and with Darren Lockyer now play superbly at five eighth the Broncos can go all the way. Justin Hodges is apparently cleaning up his act, he might prove his critics wrong. I think that the backline looks pretty good and I can't wait too see Barry Berrigan return from injury, really good player.
4. North Queensland Cowboys - My beloved Cowboys, we have the power to go all the way. We have some excellent purchases in Jonathan Thurston and Carl Webb who will provide some spark. Dynamic backline consisting of the likes of Matthew Bowen, Ty Williams and Matt Sing. A great forward pack with guys like Paul Rauhihi and Travis Norton. Some real game breakers for us.
5. Penirth Panthers - Very dinamic team, with an excellent halves pairing of Craig Gower and Preston Campbell who are electric in attack. A nice solid forward pack. The only thing that I feel that will go against them is the fact that there has been a fight between Ben Ross and Joel Clinton at training, so there might be a bit of tension there.
6. Sydney Roosters - Will struggle with the loss of Freddy, I'm not entirely convinced about Firman, very injury prone, even in his younger days. They still have the forwards and backs. The backline is a big concern, sure they are fast but they can't defend well. Finch will bundle, he will be lost without Freddy.
7. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - I am impressed with Michael Monaghan and his leadership. This guy turned the Eagles end of season form around and I think that this guy can resurge the Eagles. Brent Kite and Ben Kennedy are both excellent inclusions. The only thing that concerns me is their centres.
8. South Sydney Rabbitohs - My wildcards for this year. I really like the look of this team. They have a real good coach in Shaun McRae and a really good trainer from what I hear. The backs are strong, really good centres in Shannon Hegarty and Adam MacDougall. They have that strong blend of experience with youth. The halves are young and exciting in Joe Williams and Dean Byrne. They just need not to have too many injuries.
9. Melbourne Storm - Will struggle with the loss of guys like Stephen Kearney and Rodney Howe. There experience will be really missed. They key to the Storm is Matt Orford and Scott Hill. The backline is suspect, could be a great success or failure depending on what options Craig Bellamy takes.
10. Cronulla - Sutherland Sharks - My sources tell me that Adam Dykes may be out of the season after he's done his hamstring and knee in really bad and everytime he gets out on the park he does more damage too it. Have some concerns about the forward pack, two ageing props. A lot comes down to the fitness of Brett Kimmorley and Nigel Vagana fireing up in the backline.
11. Newcastle Knights - Well we all know that the Knights are a one man team. Joey stays fit the Knights go excellent if Joey gets injury the Knights falls apart. Ben Kennedy will be missed up front and the backline will miss a bit of spark with the loss of Timana Tahu and Robbie O'Davis. Need their key players to stay out on the paddock if they want to go well.
12. St George - Illawarra Dragons - Well injuries will once again let the Dragons down and Matthew Head will fall from grace, even Willie Peters will be better than this guy. The two test props Bailey and Ryles will get injured again, Ryles already is. They will miss that mongrel that Mark Riddell provided.
13. New Zealand Warriors - Very unpredictable. Have bought well in Ruben Wiki and Steve Price. Nathan Fien could be a great success or a big blunder depending on what happens with him. Todd Byrne, well who could forget how he got ran down by a 30 year old lock forward in the grandfinal. There is still a bit of tension in the camp between Tony Kemp and a few players. The Warriors will struggle under him.
14. Wests Tigers - The loss of Scott Sattler, Michael Buettner, Jason Moodie and Darren Senter will hurt the Tigers a lot. The halves of Scott Prince and Benji Marshall lack a kicking game, something that they really need. A lot of pressue is been placed on the young guys, I'm not sure if they can cope with it.
15. Canberra Raiders - With the loss of Ruben Wiki, Joel Monaghan, Brad Drew, Mark McLinden and Luke Davico, Canberra has lost a lot of experience and replaced them with one of three options 1. injury prone players i.e. Craig Frawley 2. Old Super League rejects i.e. Matt Adamson and Jason Smith or 3. No names i.e. David Howell and Michael Howell.
