I know it's said every year, but this has the to one of the closest competitions in NRL history. Not in the sense of finishing positions (though it's still close on both ends of the top eight and wooden spoon) but in terms of winning the premiership.
This is the first time I could actually see a team outside the top four winning the comp. Out of all the teams competing for finals spot, the Dragons are the only team I doubt could go all the way.
Broncos - Have been good all year, strong across the park and the Hunt/Milford combo's going great guns. Bennet's turned the club around and it helps that he's one of the most successful coaches of all time.
Cowboys - Thurston, Grandville and Coote are all in top form and any team with the greatest player in the world at the helm are more than a chance.
Roosters - Best team in the competition at the moment. JWH, RTS, Maloney and Pierce are all playing fantastic footy (JWH especially) they're strong across the park and they have a team filled with guys that know how to win.
Rabbitohs - Defending premiers. They've looked a little off the past couple of weeks but any team with Reynolds and Inglis in it can burn you in a second. Being the 2014 winners, you know there's a lot of guys there that can stand the pressure of finals/grand final footy.
Sharks - We're the second best team in the comp at the moment. The past month everyone's been saying we're meant to lose that week and yet we come out and prove the bookies and 'experts' wrong. Not only are we winning, but we're not just trying to defend two point leads, we're playing entertaining footy and our defence is phenomenal at the moment.
Storm - With Smith and Cronk in the team you can never write Melbourne off. Thought losing Slater might hinder them, but nope, Munstier decides to come in and play even better than Billy. They look shaky when they verse bottom eight teams, luckily for them there's none of those in the finals
Bulldogs - The dogs just look better without Reynolds. Mybe playing 5/8 just lifts them and they look like a better team. Have a top quality pack that can easily roll through the middle and have some star backs in the Morris boys.
Dragons - The only team I can't see winning the comp. Sure they've had wins over last placed Newcastle and an unmotivated, Johnstonless Warriors, but let's not forget that before that they had the longest losing streak in the merged clubs history. Benji being outs a massive blow with Hutchinson being a plod.
Sea Eagles - The one team I desperately don't want to face in finals. Not only because we never ever beat then in finals, but because they're on one hell of a roll and I reckon they'll click into an even higher gear if they make the finals. 'Do it for Toovs!' 'Do it for Foren!' Jeeze I just wish they'd choke. Problem is it's Manly and they never choke.
