General Top 8 2019

[Defence]

1- Minor premiers- Broncos- like the look of them with Gillett back. Big athletic pack, gun backline, boom juniors and a favorable draw.

2- roosters- possibly stronger than last year

3- storm- not quite as formidable as previous years but still too much class to miss the top 4.

4- panthers- lost a bit of depth but still a powerful first choice line up.

5- dragons. de balin is a massive out but Norman coming in and widdop moving to the back gives the side a better balance imo.

6- sharks. Still not quite sure what to make of them having lost so many players and the coach but Shaun Johnson and moylan playing off the back of that middle forward rotation should see them win more than they lose.

7- warriors. Think I've finally been suckered into the pre season hype probably the best pack we've had in a while, potent back three and solid depth.
Luke re-signing gave my confidence a massive boost.

8- titans: like what I'm hearing and seeing from them- think they'll surprise a few people this year.

Who u got?

 

[wizards rage]

1- Minor premiers- Broncos- like the look of them with Gillett back. Big athletic pack, gun backline, boom juniors and a favorable draw.

2- roosters- possibly stronger than last year

3- storm- not quite as formidable as previous years but still too much class to miss the top 4.

4- panthers- lost a bit of depth but still a powerful first choice line up.

5- dragons. de balin is a massive out but Norman coming in and widdop moving to the back gives the side a better balance imo.

6- sharks. Still not quite sure what to make of them having lost so many players and the coach but Shaun Johnson and moylan playing off the back of that middle forward rotation should see them win more than they lose.

7- warriors. Think I've finally been suckered into the pre season hype probably the best pack we've had in a while, potent back three and solid depth.
Luke re-signing gave my confidence a massive boost.

8- titans: like what I'm hearing and seeing from them- think they'll surprise a few people this year.

Who u got?

Roosters - stronger again
Panthers - on the up
Broncos - settled squad
Storm - weaker than last year but always in it
Souths - solid squad
Warriors - solid squad
Newcastle - on the up
Sharks - to many issues - fringe top 8

Dragons - fringe top 8
Titans - potential
Raiders - also rans but more competitive
Cowboys - Potential to surprise
Bulldogs - rebuilding
Tigers - to directionless
Manly - basket case club now
Eels - to be rename the ‘eels spoon’

 

[wizards rage]

Looking at every team they all have question marks (except the roosters) with coaching changes or key players moving round. It’s gonna be another unpredictable year where anything can happen .

Love this sport !

 

[Beastmode]

Class above the rest:
Roosters
Broncos

Top 4 contenders:
Dragons
Panthers
Storm

Top 8 group:
Warriors
Souths
Sharks
Canberra

Not good enough:
Knights
Titans
Tigers

Spoons:
Bulldogs
Manly
Cows
Parra


Can’t wait for this season to start.

Let’s go!

 

[Beastmode]

1- Minor premiers- Broncos- like the look of them with Gillett back. Big athletic pack, gun backline, boom juniors and a favorable draw.

2- roosters- possibly stronger than last year

3- storm- not quite as formidable as previous years but still too much class to miss the top 4.

4- panthers- lost a bit of depth but still a powerful first choice line up.

5- dragons. de balin is a massive out but Norman coming in and widdop moving to the back gives the side a better balance imo.

6- sharks. Still not quite sure what to make of them having lost so many players and the coach but Shaun Johnson and moylan playing off the back of that middle forward rotation should see them win more than they lose.

7- warriors. Think I've finally been suckered into the pre season hype probably the best pack we've had in a while, potent back three and solid depth.
Luke re-signing gave my confidence a massive boost.

8- titans: like what I'm hearing and seeing from them- think they'll surprise a few people this year.

Who u got?

Tits ahead of Souths and Canberra? big call that one.

 

[razzrillinger]

Always thought the TAB should do a ladder tipping comp before the season starts.

$5 per person and winner takes the pot.

I doubt anybody would ever get 1-16 correct though.

 

[Defence]

Tits ahead of Souths and Canberra? big call that one.

A lot of people are expecting big things from souths with Bennett going there but looking at their squad I just can't see it



I like their spine and they have the burgess bros but that's about it. A fit and firing inglis would add another dimension but he looks like having a disrupted season.

Hard to get a read on Canberra



They've lost some big boopers and are gonna have to play a different style of footy- may take some getting used to.

I like the balance of the titans squad



They're recruited well and have some young guys on the up- fotuaika, Kelly and Brimson in particular.
One of the better packs getting around with the strike out wide to take advantage of it.

That's my guess anyway bro.
It's such a close comp so who really knows but it's fun to speculate.

 

[bruce]

5- dragons. de balin is a massive out but Norman coming in and widdop moving to the back gives the side a better balance imo.

You obviously didn't watch the Charity Shield

2- roosters- possibly stronger than last year

HTF did they afford Angus Chrichton? Unbelievable.

 

[eudebrito]

1. Roosters - won't go back to back as no one ever goes back to back these days, but stacked team
2. Storm - should be worse, but none of these other teams have improved much so they might 'system' there way back into the final
3. Rabbitohs - wayne will bore them into wins - got the big forwards and halves, thats all you really need.
4. Panther - ivan will bore them into wins - got the big forwards and halves, thats all you really need.
5. Broncos - got the forwards but not the halves unless nikorima gets way better
6. Knights - look like reheated shit in the trials, but you can't read anything into those, on paper look good.
7. Sharks - flanagan is a cheat and a disgrace but he got them up every week, morris going to do the same, fifita going to listen to him?
8. Dragons - think corey norman is a losing player, he won't help much, hunt is a basket case in big games, widdop can't do it on his own, and definitely can't from fullback, blew there chance last year with injuries at the end of season
9. Warriors - idk, trials mean nothing, we look pretty organised, and got some big wide boys now, might sneak into the 8 if the sharks implode or something like that.
10. Cowboys - have this huge forward pack but needed barba badly. so boring to watch. thurston might have been cooked but he still laid on tries.

no one else to be that close come the end of the year.

But - one of the fun parts each year is seeing which consensus top 6 team has it all goes wrong (injuries, off field, whatever) and they just lose and lose to start the year and can't get it back - and no one is tipping us for anything, so you can't nominate the warriors.

2018 was the cowboys
2017 was raiders, 2nd to 10th
2016 the famous roosters one with pearce and the dog, 1st to 15th
etc.

Knights are a chance, ponga back at fullback by rd 5, coach is on the hotseat...
If they weren't the storm... they have a few injury issues and slater was still very good... aren't even under the cap, but we should be so lucky
sharks as stated had their coach de-registered, kind of a big deal, pity they got off with hardly any cap punishment
dragons, the de belin thing being largely on ice should lesson the distractions, so maybe not them.

 

[Vancent]

Roosters - Minor Premiers, won’t make GF back to back but will play good footy to earn their lattes...

Rabbitohs - Simple game plan, good pack great Hooker, focus on execution, will be consistent.

Broncos - Great mobile pack, good outside backs and fairly good halves. New Coach will have them contending.

Sharks - wealth of talent in the backs, have depth and aggressive busy pack. Unless there’s another scandal, may even earn a sponsor by Rd13.

Panthers - won’t track as well as many suspect, will be seemingly inconsistent before rallying late to justify their ‘limiltless’ potential and start a new 5yr plan.

Melbourne - consistency, combined with results driven by their front row and their hooker. Loose any of those to injury and it’s lights out.

Warriors - will lack the finesse to beat the top 2-3 teams but will start to win games they’re expected to - often. Great pack and powerful edges will see them trouble lighter and lazy teams.

Dragons - despite the Coach’s assurances the Dragons have peaked. They’ll make the finals but only just. Widdop heading off, JDB in strife and a recruit with a penchant for the wrong choices - no GF this year.

Parramatta - new digs, new halves, and another ‘start over’ for the most fortunate coach in the league won’t be enough. Will be grossly inconsistent and frustrate many into coach shopping later this year.

Cowboys - will start slow and build nicely until momentum eventually stalls. Will take a year to adjust to life without their King. A platform year ahead of a new home and a new era in 2020.

Knights - a tough learning year for the Coach where he realises switching his best FB option to 6 rather than build a game plan around a playmaking 1 - ruined both positions and the team’s chances.

Titans - will improve with better go forward but little idea what to do with it. Coach continues to declare his adoration of the team despite them never actually achieving anything. Fans finally realise Brisbane weren’t actually heartbroken at losing their ‘long term’ 7...

Canberra - will continue to search for the right personnel all over the park - and miss. New combinations and positional changes will prove clunky and frustrate before the Coach can find an OHP.

Wests - will have great intent and surprise on occasion before tiring and realising a rebuild is needed. Set to pay the price for a couple of years of dated and disjointed recruitment.

Manly - will toast calf’s blood at the plastic table sitting on milk crates chanting ‘we hate you too’ - before the deafening silence tells them nobody actually cares. Time for some back-ended recruiting.

Bulldogs - Dean Pay was an excellent prop.

 

[matiunz]

It’s a hard one to pick this year there’s been so much change and still might be some more before the season starts.
I’ll give it a go from the bottom up
16.Eels- can’t see them making much of an improvement- list a couple of key players.
15.Manly- Club looks a shambles.
14.Dogs- bit of potential in some young guys but have lost too much experience that you can’t rely on the young guys to carry them.
13.Tigers- They’re looking tired and boring, too many of their go to guys are past it.
12.Raiders- Lost too many of their big boys that gave them dominance.
11.Cowboys- JT carries them for years and the guys that stepped up in his absence don’t seem as likely last year.
10.Knights- recruited well but pre season have looked pretty bad pre season, don’t think Ponga is suited to 6 and they have too many jouneymen of the wrong kind.
9.Titans- Got a feeling they will surprise a few, they’re looking better rounded.
8.Sharks- had too much drama and I think are a spine injury away from being fucked.
7.Panthers - Bit overated by the media and Gould v Cleary saga won’t stay calm for long.
6.Warriors- possibly wishful thinking but apart from our halves we are looking pretty solid.
5.Dragons - Despite losing still look pretty dangerous
4. Storm- think they’ll slide a bit but their systems are too good for them to disappear.
3.Broncs- always there, freshen up from Seibold
2.Bunnies- looked good and Bennett will want an F U to the Broncs
1.Roosters- arguably a better squad than last year

 

[Sup42]

1.Rooters Cheating.
2.Storm Cheats
3. Sharks Cheating.
4.Warriors
5.Rabbits Could be Cheating
6.Pemwyf Will be cheating
7.Cows Will try cheating
8.Tits. My 2nd team always want to see them up there

The Warriors are the only real talking point on that list.
Stephen Kearney took the risk of investing his forward Cap space on one Ferrari (Harris), then needing to get big improvements out of mainly young guys / lesser experienced NRL imports.

That was last year. It went good too. Just not quite good enough for top four.

This year we have all those same men, Ah Mau for Gavet, and some alternates to Jazz at hooker.

I think that will make a big difference to what was an even competition with us finishing one win away from the top last year.

All of Keaneys coaching career he's had to adapt to having a lesser backline on paper to his competitors.

He has developed a simple process for that. Meet them up front. Hold the ball. Defend the try line to the death,

Finally we have a game plan simple enough to get the best out of our style. Play when it's on, put it away when it's not . . . been waiting for a bunch of Kiwi League players to finally get that point.

This is it.

Johnson won't be as sorely missed as I first thought, that back lines working already. without a bunch of NRL games to break it in.

Kicking meters they will have to grin and bear it.

They have plenty of experienced centers and forwards that are playing good enough to come in and not let the train derail.

The clubs skinny in the halves but stacked everywhere else.

 

[RiceOwl]

1. Rorters (Sadly). They are just too stacked again. Would need some serious injury concerns to change their fortunes. Although I expect them to take the minor premiership, I think another side will get the GF win.
2. Panthers. Cleary will have them humming.
3. Broncs. Think they will have a big year with Seibold running the show. A change from Wayno would help I’d say.
4. Storm. Same old clinical Storm but think they’ll miss Billy more than people think.
5. Souths. Wayne will have them going well especially with that forward back but will miss GI being at his best and will take them a bit to get used to Wayne’s style I think.
6. Warriors. I really think we will go well again this year. Yes Shaun Johnson is a big loss but we have grown another year as a unit and feel we are looking for and well balanced. The caveat being if we have injuries to key personnel.
7. Cows. Think they have too much strike power to have another year like last year. Morgan will bounce back and Taumalolo will continue to rampage.
8. Knights. I think the knights will start with a hiss and a roar but just have this feeling that Ponga in the halves mightn’t be a smooth of a transition as all think. Wish them well though.

Bottom 8

1. Tits. Will be knocking in the door and have a few up and comers.
2. Canberra. Sticky to get the sack and wheels to fall off. Still got some solid players and looking forward to watching Wighton in the halves.
3. Sharks. Think they will flop big time. Just think Gallen will blow out at some point and that all the cheating shit will catch up with them...well that’s what I’m hoping anyway. Cheating pricks.
4. Dragons. Fall of the year. Widdop will get hurt at some point and the wheels will fall off especially missing De Bellin and us recruiting Leeson. Will miss some go forward
5. Tigers. MGuire will have his work cut out for him.
6. Manly. Will win a few games but still rubbish. Hate Manly so like the Sharkies I hope they do shit.
7. Dogs. Some good young guys but still in the post-Des hangover.
8. Eels. Wooden Spoon.

 

[AlexM]

1.South's
I think they are Hungry and Bennett is a Pro.
2.Roosters
Stacked , but not as hungry - Cronk goes down there in the shit. Blake Fergo is a big loss.
3.Broncos
Siebold will get them in the top 8.
4.Warriors
GF this year , I feel it. 2nd week of the finals at least. The boys are Hungry , fit and huge.
5.Storm
Just feel they will slide.
6.Panthers.
Young aggressive side. Ivan will teach them to scramble better than eggs.
7.Sharks.
A lot of class in the squad , but a rookie coach , as soon as someone awry things will deteriorate
8.Titans
Will sneak in I think , lots to like about the squad
9.Cows
Better than last year but not expecting much
10.St.G
Mary to get sacked end of year. The teams looks tired as fuck. Too many cooks.
11.Wests.
McGuire needs a new squad.
12.Newcastle.
Nathan Brown lost his hair for a reason.
Blokes got no clue.
13.Parramatta
Any improvements good I guess. Squad looks mud.
14.Manly.
Bring des back LOL
15.Dogs
Anybody think these guys have any chance?
16.Canberra
Our very own super league team in the NRL

 

[Johnnyray]

Fuck yeah, let's have some fun with this shit :

1.) Raiders - Minor Premierships. Close run losses last year turn into close run wins. Ricky Stuart turns it on again.

2.) Roosters - Trent Robinson does what Trent Robinson does what best and that's win games. Only points separate his side from top spot.

3.) Broncos - Anthony Siebold proves his coaching prowess once again and even achieves impossible, getting them to win games during origin season.

4.) Dragons - Rough start but a strong period during second half of season sees Mary's team propels their way into top four knocking out both Warriors, West Tigers and Panthers in process.

5.) Panthers - Another masterclass from one of best halves combination in competition see them make top eight and narrowly lose out on top four spot.

6.) Warriors - Stephen Kearney proves everybody but fans wrong by replicating the same success he had last year, showing world that it was ain't no fluke.

7.) Tigers - Michael Maguire defies his own fans expectations and in spite of his increasingly aging roster cements them a spot inside the top eight.

8.) Titans - With addition of former Aussie Captain, Cameron Smith, days out from NRL kick off was all that they needed to earn themselves top eight spot.

9.) Knights - So close but yet still so far for Nathan Brown's men. Still a side on the way up with alot of potential. Should begin to dominate next year.

10.) Storm - After losing Drinkwater all season to shoulder injury, then their captain, Cameron Smith due to salary cap restraints, prove too much of a hurdle for even great Craig Bellamy to overcome.

11.) Eels - Only series of wins after firing Brad Arthur mid way from season (in their terrible 62-8 loss to West Tigers in their opening game in their new Paramatta Stadium) was only thing stopping them from earning nother wooden spoon. Another sad chapter for club who's busy writing book on losing.

12.) Sharks - Not even addition of Shaun Johnson was able to stop them to sink them from irrelevancly this season as they struggle all year from one NRL scandal to another. Relocation to Perth is looking likely.

13.) Rabbitohs - Started out strong but then dissension in ranks grew within team against Wayne Bennett and his over training style of coaching and obvious favoritism towards certain players. 2020 may be last year for once great coach in NRL.

14.) Sea Eagles - After another NRL salary cap scandal shocked club mid way through season, along with walking away of their major big time backers Penn Family, Sea Eagles faced all sort of problems this year, the biggest one yet the possible takeover of club by arch rivals, The Bears.

15.) Bulldogs - No salary cap dramas or scandals affecting this club only constant financial problems causing certain headaches among their staff and team players. After former boss, Todd Greenburg refused to give them hand out they are now looking into a relocation to Adelaide or Brisbane as a way to stay not only solvent but relevant in years ahead.

16.) Cowboys - No Thurston, no shit, they were always going to win wooden spoon this year especially considering how close they came to finishing at bottom, last year when was still playing for them. They face big problems going forward into future that no new multi million dollar all purpose stadium can save them.

 

[bruce]

Dragons - Rough start but a strong period during second half of season sees Mary's team propels their way into top four knocking out both Warriors, West Tigers and Panthers in process.

They are usually good starters, this year they won't even be that.

Rabbitohs - Started out strong but then dissension in ranks grew within team against Wayne Bennett and his over training style of coaching and obvious favoritism towards certain players. 2020 may be last year for once great coach in NRL.

Bennett can still coach. This is a good side. They will be in the eight.

Michael Maguire defies his own fans expectations and in spite of his increasingly aging roster cements them a spot inside the top eight.

Totally agree

Panthers - Another masterclass from one of best halves combination in competition see them make top eight and narrowly lose out on top four spot.

The might even go further

Roosters - Trent Robinson does what Trent Robinson does what best and that's win games. Only points separate his side from top spot.

Rorting cheats. Of course they will do well.

Broncos - Anthony Siebold proves his coaching prowess once again and even achieves impossible, getting them to win games during origin season.

I agree. Too much depth

So Warriors to be in the top eight. Too early to say where and who else will join them.

 

[Beastmode]

Fuck yeah, let's have some fun with this shit :

1.) Raiders - Minor Premierships. Close run losses last year turn into close run wins. Ricky Stuart turns it on again.

2.) Roosters - Trent Robinson does what Trent Robinson does what best and that's win games. Only points separate his side from top spot.

3.) Broncos - Anthony Siebold proves his coaching prowess once again and even achieves impossible, getting them to win games during origin season.

4.) Dragons - Rough start but a strong period during second half of season sees Mary's team propels their way into top four knocking out both Warriors, West Tigers and Panthers in process.

5.) Panthers - Another masterclass from one of best halves combination in competition see them make top eight and narrowly lose out on top four spot.

6.) Warriors - Stephen Kearney proves everybody but fans wrong by replicating the same success he had last year, showing world that it was ain't no fluke.

7.) Tigers - Michael Maguire defies his own fans expectations and in spite of his increasingly aging roster cements them a spot inside the top eight.

8.) Titans - With addition of former Aussie Captain, Cameron Smith, days out from NRL kick off was all that they needed to earn themselves top eight spot.

9.) Knights - So close but yet still so far for Nathan Brown's men. Still a side on the way up with alot of potential. Should begin to dominate next year.

10.) Storm - After losing Drinkwater all season to shoulder injury, then their captain, Cameron Smith due to salary cap restraints, prove too much of a hurdle for even great Craig Bellamy to overcome.

11.) Eels - Only series of wins after firing Brad Arthur mid way from season (in their terrible 62-8 loss to West Tigers in their opening game in their new Paramatta Stadium) was only thing stopping them from earning nother wooden spoon. Another sad chapter for club who's busy writing book on losing.

12.) Sharks - Not even addition of Shaun Johnson was able to stop them to sink them from irrelevancly this season as they struggle all year from one NRL scandal to another. Relocation to Perth is looking likely.

13.) Rabbitohs - Started out strong but then dissension in ranks grew within team against Wayne Bennett and his over training style of coaching and obvious favoritism towards certain players. 2020 may be last year for once great coach in NRL.

14.) Sea Eagles - After another NRL salary cap scandal shocked club mid way through season, along with walking away of their major big time backers Penn Family, Sea Eagles faced all sort of problems this year, the biggest one yet the possible takeover of club by arch rivals, The Bears.

15.) Bulldogs - No salary cap dramas or scandals affecting this club only constant financial problems causing certain headaches among their staff and team players. After former boss, Todd Greenburg refused to give them hand out they are now looking into a relocation to Adelaide or Brisbane as a way to stay not only solvent but relevant in years ahead.

16.) Cowboys - No Thurston, no shit, they were always going to win wooden spoon this year especially considering how close they came to finishing at bottom, last year when was still playing for them. They face big problems going forward into future that no new multi million dollar all purpose stadium can save them.

Johnny I like the way you think.

Always had a soft spot for the raiders.

 

[bruce]

Sportsbet have us at 11th and $2.75 for the eightPretty good money IMO. They have the Dragons at 6th
The NZ TAB have the same odds. I might take their $30 voucher and invest it on that. Cannot lose.

 

[NgatiWarriors]

With no emotion involved, I will go with

1. Rabbitohs
2. Sharks
3. Roosters
4. Knights
5. Penrith
6. Warriors
7. Broncos
8. Storm

I think the Storm won’t be able to replace Billy the Kids Magic, last year he was there go to and he isn’t there any more. Knights on the rise due to the Peace/Ponga connection. Shaun Johnson and Moylan are going to carve it up this year. But for me Bennett and Burgess boys are going to be very hard to beat.

 

[Mr Frank White]

I'm picking Storm and Panthers to drop out of the 8.
Eels and Newcastle to do better (prob not 8 tho)