Sharks to win the spoon
Posted by Michael Hagan - Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:48
I hardly slept last night. I kept thinking about this first column and how the hell I was going to rate the NRL teams in order one through 16 for this season.
Firstly, let me say how excited I am that the footy is back. It is going to be a magnificent season and I believe the closest in many, many years.
Each and every side has the credentials and ability to play finals footy. But my sports editor wants the bottom eight (this week's column) and the top eight (next week) so here goes.
16th: Cronulla15th: Gold Coast
14th: Parramatta
13th: Sydney Roosters
12th: Canberra
11th: Penrith
10th: Souths
9th: North Queensland
Most of those bottom-eight sides could quite easily have been in my top eight. It is that close and that tight.
I mean, look at Gold Coast. They were one game from the 2010 Grand Final and came last in 2011. Sides go up and down so wildly these days.
The trial form of all teams has been good. Look at the results - only a few points separated each match.
I genuinely hated putting Cronulla last because they have recruited well, most notably Todd Carney, Isaac De Gois and Bryce Gibbs.
I have Gold Coast running 15th but they too have bought up big during summer. But you simply can't squeeze 16 teams in eight spots. Someone has to miss out.
Parramatta and the Roosters are two clubs desparate for success after last season.
Halfback Chris Sandow will make an impact at the Eels and the Roosters certainly look more settled and relaxed after a tense season of off-field drama in 2011.
But I can't find positions for them in my top eight either. Canberra, Penrith, Souths and North Queensland are the other sides I predict with miss the finals.
A lot of critics reckon Souths will finally come good under new coach Michael Maguire and they were certainly gritty in the Charity Shield.
The Rabbitohs have a pretty fair roster too and will physically dominate a lot of sides although there is a question mark over their young halfback, Adam Reynolds.
But top eight? Sorry, can't find a spot for them.
It took me three days to finally come up with a bottom and top eight. I must have changed my mind 20 times.
Before my readers jump down my throat I challenge you all to sit down and determine your own top and bottom eight.
Do it with your head, not your heart.
You will find out quickly just how difficult the assignment can be.
38 Comments
tend to agree, things can change depending on player's drive, commitment and non-injuries...NO ONE can DEFINITELY PREDICT the season's OUTCOME!!!!
ReplyYouve almost just copied last year with no thought or insight into the off -season purchases. It's a tough task I give you that - but uninsightful and lack of good debate in this article.
Replymy predicted finish is after 26 rounds - the final series is a different ball game as we all know
Replyi seem to recall one year the team that came last finished on 22 points or so the highest points for a wooden spooner- it could be the same this year
Replyseems it cut off my predicted finish 1- Wests Tigers 2- melbourne 3- newcastle 4- Brisbane 5-manly 6- North Queensland 7- Parramatta 8- sydney roosters 9- New Zealand 10- Canterbury 11- St George Illawarra 12- South Sydney 13- Gold Coast 14- Cronulla 15- Canberra 16- Penrith
Replyall hages has done is to write an article on his opionion on bottom 8 this week and top 8 next week. gees it\s like the bookmakers they set the market for the premiership in the different categories- premiers/top 8/ wooden spoon etc - it's an opinion not a fact as anything can happen week to week.- i think all teams listed from 10 to 16 will improve in 2012 on their 2011 season. So basically before a ball is kicked 16 teams are a chance of making the 8 and the top 8 final series is a different ball game. My predected finish 1- Wests Tigers 2- Melbourne 3- Newcastle 4- Brisbane 5- Manly 6- North Queensland 7- Parramatta 8- Sydney Roosters 9- New Zealand 10- Canterbury 11- St George...
Replyroosters top eight
ReplyAs with every season, it depends on teams staying injury free. If Carney and Gallen are on the field for the Sharkies, I think they will do okay and possibly make the eight. They blooded a lot of youngsters last year and they will be all the better for that. Their recruitment, as you mention is pretty good, certainly better than the last couple of seasons and I don't think they will lose too much with the departure of Snowden and Douglas.
ReplySurely Manly are bottom 8 material this year.
ReplyHagan reminds me of Mark Taylor. Both seem like excessively nice guys and I'd be happy to a have beer with either but neither ever seem to have anything interesting or insightful to say.
2 Replies