Ladder Prediction 2023

[andrew's_sharks]

Don’t you say that this time every year about them though? A lot of people do, yet they find a way every year and prove everyone wrong. I think people just say it out of hope more then anything else, but sometimes life doesn’t work on hope alone .

I’ve come to accept that the system they have down there is simply too good for them to have seasons where they finish outside the 8 for the time being. Every other club has those bad seasons here and there, but they simply don’t. Sucks for us but its just how it is, best we can do is try to match it, the Roosters are probably the closest to figuring it out.

I think 5th or 6th is the worst we can expect from them this year.

Lol I wouldn't say every year. Probably more like every 2nd year haha. I will say I expected a larger decline with Smith retiring, but I don't think they have the depth in the spine and I think Papz and hughes are more brittle than slater and smith ever were. I also think the hole in the forward pack is a bit to large to fill with what they have replaced it with. Time will tell. I do think they will make the 8, just not top 4

 

[Sparkles]

Paps is the big question mark, looks good odds to miss at least half the season and missing the whole thing isn't unreasistic.
They can still go well but 5/6 is probably a fair shout.
Be interesting to see how they line-up - will Munny start the season at FB and use another half or will Meaney play fullback?
I guess who they have available as a half has to be the deciding factor.

I'm assuming Melbourne will arrange to loan Hynes, so they should be fine without Paps

 

[Western Sharkie]

I'm assuming Melbourne will arrange to loan Hynes, so they should be fine without Paps

Wheels are already in motion

 

[Proud Shark]

There is usually a 2-3 team swap in the 8, and every year I find it hard to decide who will slip.

1. Roosters
2. Penrith
3. Parra
4. Souths
5. Sharks
6. Raiders
7. Manly
8. Broncos

9. Tigers
10. Storm
11. Cowboys
12. Bulldogs
13. Knights
14. Titans
15. Dragons
16. Warriors
17. Dolphins

I'm going with Borts mantra of the fact something unexpected always happens. I don't necessarily think the strongest sides are in this 8. I feel like one of the cowboys, souths or eels have the biggest chance to regress or **** the bed, so I could have swapped any of their positions.

The Broncos were very good early on and really missed a good number 1 that they now have. I'm going to decide this is an on year for Turbo too so Manly could climb again. I also put Melbourne outside the 8 because they are done.
Actually I'm just looking for a bite from CrazyMatt.
I can actually see all the sides from 1-14, maybe even 15 being competitive. There won't be anywhere near as many easy beats this year.

I look forward to seeing how wrong this is in September.

 

[MMsharks]

Agree, they've lost four quality forwards. Will be interesting to see how they go.

there is a possible slide in them, however, Storm always seem to have players step up and/or discover some new talent; or buy some ordinary player and make them extraordinary!

frustrating!

 

[CrazyMatt]

1. Penrith
2. Sydney Roosters
3. Souths
4. Cronulla
5. Nth QLD
6. Melbourne
7. Canberra
8. Parramatta

9. Bulldogs
10. Manly
11. Brisbane
12. Wests Tigers
13. Newcastle
14. Redcliffe
15. Gold Coast
16. Warriors
17. St George.

I had Melbourne in 4th but I think Paps injury might give them a slow start. Should finish strong though into 6th. Brandon Smith is the final piece of the jigsaw for the Roosters. They are Penrith’s biggest challengers I feel. Will be interesting to see how Penrith replace Koroisau, thats they’re biggest question mark, his signing all those years ago was the final piece of that all conquering team, Mitch Kenny has a tonne of pressure on his shoulders.

 

[Thresher]

1. Penrith
2. Sydney Roosters
3. Souths
4. Cronulla
5. Nth QLD
6. Melbourne
7. Canberra
8. Parramatta

9. Bulldogs
10. Manly
11. Brisbane
12. Wests Tigers
13. Newcastle
14. Redcliffe
15. Gold Coast
16. Warriors
17. St George.

I had Melbourne in 4th but I think Paps injury might give them a slow start. Should finish strong though into 6th. Brandon Smith is the final piece of the jigsaw for the Roosters. They are Penrith’s biggest challengers I feel. Will be interesting to see how Penrith replace Koroisau, thats they’re biggest question mark, his signing all those years ago was the final piece of that all conquering team, Mitch Kenny has a tonne of pressure on his shoulders.

Your top 8 is pretty similar to what I'd choose too.

Canberra is always a bit of an unknown under Sticky. They could underperform or lose a bunch of games by a couple of points and drop out of the 8 - or they could go deep into the finals. If they drop out they might swap places with the Bulldogs or maybe even Broncos if Reynolds stays injury free.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Your top 8 is pretty similar to what I'd choose too.

Canberra is always a bit of an unknown under Sticky. They could underperform or lose a bunch of games by a couple of points and drop out of the 8 - or they could go deep into the finals. If they drop out they might swap places with the Bulldogs or maybe even Broncos if Reynolds stays injury free.

I was very tempted to find a spot for the Bulldogs in the top 8, but that club has such a losing culture I think it might take them a season or so to properly turn things around. Also I still have doubts about FlanJu at halfback.

 

[Thresher]

I was very tempted to find a spot for the Bulldogs in the top 8, but that club has such a losing culture I think it might take them a season or so to properly turn things around. Also I still have doubts about FlanJu at halfback.

Wouldn't surprise me if Reynolds takes his place at some stage

 

[bort]

Atm the biggest mover I’d have from that list is Newy. Based on efforts of Siafiti boys vs us last week their middle could be in danger of regularly collapsing. I’m sure they’ll individually play a handful of strong games but not sure they’ll consistently both stand up. Backed up by Hetherington/Thompson/Croker

 

[CrazyMatt]

Wouldn't surprise me if Reynolds takes his place at some stage

Possibly yeah, but his best days are long behind him.

I’m in a “believe it when I see it” frame of mind when it comes to the Bulldogs.

 

[bort]

I had Melbourne in 4th but I think Paps injury might give them a slow start. Should finish strong though into 6th. Brandon Smith is the final piece of the jigsaw for the Roosters. They are Penrith’s biggest challengers I feel. Will be interesting to see how Penrith replace Koroisau, thats they’re biggest question mark, his signing all those years ago was the final piece of that all conquering team, Mitch Kenny has a tonne of pressure on his shoulders.

Expecting Kenny to be about 20 mins at start and Soni Luke to do most of the job, but we will see, no Luke named this week

 

[BurgoShark]

I'll go with last year's ladder, but the Cowboys slip out of the 8 for mine. They can't keep scoring off kicks forever, origin will take its toll, and to start the year they are down 3 back rowers so Coen Hess is playing on the left edge. Good luck in defence Tommy Dearden!

Uncle Wayne's Dolphins will provide some nuisance value. I'll pop them in at 10th.

Also - if Tanah Boyd is playing halfback I've got the Titans in 17th and David Fifita signing elsewhere for 2024.

1. Panthers
2. Sharks
3. Eels
4. Storm
5. Roosters
6. Rabbitohs
7. Raiders
8. Broncos
-
9. Cowboys
10. Dolphins
11. Dragons
12. Sea Eagles
13. Bulldogs
14. Knights
15. Warriors
16. Tigers
17. Titans

 

[Proud Shark]

I'll go with last year's ladder, but the Cowboys slip out of the 8 for mine. They can't keep scoring off kicks forever, origin will take its toll, and to start the year they are down 3 back rowers so Coen Hess is playing on the left edge. Good luck in defence Tommy Dearden!

The Dolphins will provide some nuisance value. Slip them in around 10th.

Also - if Tanah Boyd is playing halfback I've got the Titans in 17th.

1. Panthers
2. Sharks
3. Eels
4. Storm
5. Roosters
6. Rabbitohs
7. Raiders
8. Broncos
-
9. Cowboys
10. Dolphins
11. Dragons
12. Sea Eagles
13. Bulldogs
14. Knights
15. Warriors
16. Tigers
17. Titans

I'll be impressed if the dolphins can finish above 17th tbh. What's your slight on Tanah Boyd? Can't say I've watched him closely but I've been seeing a fair bit of positive chat around him being the 7.

 

[Tiger Shark]

I'll go with last year's ladder, but the Cowboys slip out of the 8 for mine. They can't keep scoring off kicks forever, origin will take its toll, and to start the year they are down 3 back rowers so Coen Hess is playing on the left edge. Good luck in defence Tommy Dearden!

Uncle Wayne's Dolphins will provide some nuisance value. I'll pop them in at 10th.

Also - if Tanah Boyd is playing halfback I've got the Titans in 17th.

1. Panthers
2. Sharks
3. Eels
4. Storm
5. Roosters
6. Rabbitohs
7. Raiders
8. Broncos
-
9. Cowboys
10. Dolphins
11. Dragons
12. Sea Eagles
13. Bulldogs
14. Knights
15. Warriors
16. Tigers
17. Titans

I'd be happy if the team that slips the most is the Cowboys, alot to do with Holmes and Chad and last years finals. No Hammer and I like Drinkwater but wonder if he can maintain that form a whole year again.

Not sure I have the Eels that high this year

I think 8th is pretty open. Going to be a tight race to the finish.

 

[CrazyMatt]

I'll be impressed if the dolphins can finish above 17th tbh. What's your slight on Tanah Boyd? Can't say I've watched him closely but I've been seeing a fair bit of positive chat around him being the 7.

I really dont think Redcliffe are going to be as bad as people reckon. I saw what was probably their best 17 and it is actually not that terrible. If they get bad luck with injuries though, look out.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Wouldn't surprise me if Reynolds takes his place at some stage

God I hope so, please make this happnen.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Expecting Kenny to be about 20 mins at start and Soni Luke to do most of the job, but we will see, no Luke named this week

I didn’t know that. I know absolutely nothing about Soni Luke so I can’t tell you how big the drop off from Koroisau is.

 

[bort]

I really dont think Redcliffe are going to be as bad as people reckon. I saw what was probably their best 17 and it is actually not that terrible. If they get bad luck with injuries though, look out.

I think they lack strike so I think they can probably keep themselves in games against a lot outside the top 4 or so, but will often lose them.
Also depth is if not lacking then at least very untested - injuries can be cruel to any team but even worse if you don't have the depth for it

I didn’t know that. I know absolutely nothing about Soni Luke so I can’t tell you how big the drop off from Koroisau is.

Decent drop off still but in the meantime the likes of Cleary, Luai, Yeo and Edwards are even more experienced now which may help cover a lot of the gap. Api and Kikau could both win them games though so there are probably a few less games this year they get away with than last couple of years.

 

[BurgoShark]

I'll be impressed if the dolphins can finish above 17th tbh. What's your slight on Tanah Boyd? Can't say I've watched him closely but I've been seeing a fair bit of positive chat around him being the 7.

A few reasons. I've been watching him since he was 17.

For starters, he has just never been that good. As a junior he was really good at running the ball, but never really had a great passing or kicking game. He just got lucky that he played next to Fifita for both school and club. His two moves were running the ball or "pass it to Dave and watch him run over 6 blokes". It was easy to look good playing next to Fifita against 17yo kids, and carrying that combination in to rep teams made it all the better for him.

He and Paix were the golden boys in the Broncos system, but Paix was always the better player. They even got special permission for Boyd to play Q Cup at 17 (and he was terrible). Seibold came to his senses and shipped him off to promote Dearden, then suddenly he is playing NRL for the Titans despite never putting 2 good games together in the Q Cup. Whenever the Titans sent him down to Burleigh he was diabolical. Last year I think they won almost every game Boyd didn't play in, but lost nearly every game he did.

He's basically the anti-Jamal Fogerty. One had years of dominating the Q Cup and they refused to give him an NRL opportunity. One had a short stint of ineptitude in the Q Cup and was promptly called up to the NRL.

The Broncos turning Paix into a hooker to make way for Dearden is also a bit of a travesty imo, but that's a different story.

Boyd did actually play a couple of good games in the NRL at the back end of last year, and these days he is an ok squad player. I just don't see him as the guy to push a team around the park for 25 weeks. It's a Kyle Flanagan situation. Over-hyped and given a million opportunities, but imo he didn't earn them (with form I mean. By all reports from people I know he works his ass off, so that is a positive).