Seems very low on the Eels given they only really lost Manu Ma'u and brought it a pretty good replacement. Reason you don't like the Eels?
I have nothing against the Eels, they are my second team if anything, certainty don't mind seeing them go well. they have some very good players for sure and compete on their day plus advantage of a proper home ground. But I just couldn't really place any of those other higher up teams I listed below them in the 8. They are not a consistent top 8 team year to year or even week to week. Their coach is either a genius or hasn't got a clue. their only achievement in the finals of recent times has been smashing the worst broncos team in decades.
There is as much gut feel in my ladder as there is science or logic behind it.
It's a tricky exercise you always know there's gunna be some surprise packets in the season to throw a spanner or two in the works. A team that goes well that wasn't accounted for on paper, exceeds expectations, flys under the radar ha ha or a fav that cops some injuries ect that sort of thing.
if you just look at the squads,draw and recent form/history you will get it as wrong as if you throw in a few bold curveball choices. I mean I feel we may well have a different minor premier or grand final winner this year but how do I make the call on which relatively speaking outsider that will be?
Much easier to make a call on the bottom 8 that's for sure
Alot of teams seemed challenged at hooker & in the halves, nevermind the depth there.
Raiders have some challenges for sure but I think as a team last season they became more than just a Laipana combo as a determination of their success or not as damaging as it was. Sezer was solid for them last year after looking a lost cause in years prior. I like seeing these green ****s fail but it will be interesting if the famous sticky intensity inspires them to get up and go again at the finals with new found confidence or burns them out in a deflated demorolised heap. we have seen it with many a grand final runner up before.
anyway we will have all forgotten about this thread by round 6 unless someone does a cheeky mid season bump lol
I can't include Souths in that company.
I think they'll miss the leadership of Sutton and Burgess, both really the heart and soul of the joint.
Very light on in the forwards.
They'll put some massive scores on teams this year but I expect them to capitulate under pressure when it's applied. Guys like Latrell and Roberts in particular.
having Cook gives them an advantage over many teams off the bat. I think they will miss Sutton more overall than late career Sammy B, even factoring in the leadership stuff
on defense and pressure, no doubt Bennet will need to have this sorted. he can't treat it like his 90's broncos teams. Will also need to manage the mentality of confidence players like Latrell and Roberts who can get pretty flakey at their worst