JimBob
Jaws
Well considering there is all this worrying concern over the whole Dank scenario I thought I'd create this thread to take our minds off it. With the 2013 season just a month away and with squads finalized (I doubt there will be any more shock, big name signings) I reckon it'll be interesting to get everyone's opinion of what they believe the ladder will be come seasons end.
Here's my prediction.
1. Melbourne Storm - They're just too good. Whilst I believe there flame will die out in 3-4 years the big three are just playing too good. Add in Widdop and Finch and you can make the most average player a star. If not in first place they'll defiantly be in the top four.
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs - Had an awesome 2012 and their fans had a reason to lol at the LOL@SOUFFS morons. They haven't really lost any talent but gained quality backs such as Champion. Add another year of experience to Reynolds and G.I. a full season at fullback and they will perform even better in season 2013.
3. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - Here is where I reckon our boys will end up. Arguably the best recruited side for 2013 the talent we have has GOT to get us into the top four... Top 8 at least. If Carney can fire for the full season then he alone can lift the side. Add in awesome play makers in Graham and Lewis on the edges with actual first grade quality backs then say goodbye to the days of our horrid try scoring ability.
4. North Queensland Cowboys - The best forward pack in the game IMO. To have Scott and Tamou as your starters with J.T. in the half's then you're bound to play some good footy. If Bowen can fire then the J.T.-Bowen connection will be unstoppable. If not top four then defiantly top eight.
5. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - Whilst they do have stars I think Keating just isn't enough to keep them in the top four (Plus Orford meant to be assisting him which can't be good at all). Missing Graham for the start of the season will also hurt them a lot. I also doubt that Barber and Reynolds will be able to keep there 2012 form, we'll see glimpses of it yes but no consistence.
6. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - The fire that is Manly is fading me thinks. They still have a quality squad and that will keep them in the top eight. They'll struggle around origin and I don't think they'll fully bounce back from it. DCE and Foren will need to really fire for them to be threats.
7. Sydney Roosters - Arguably the best recruited side for 2013 the Roosters will defiantly improve for season 2013. Whilst they have the potential for top four I reckon they'll start the season off slow whilst there side glues together. That will stop them from shaking the competition and making the top four. Although I have them in seventh I reckon they'll be premiership threats.
8. Penrith Panthers - I know you're all probably laughing at me right now to add in this basket case into the top eight... But I just have a gut feeling that they'll be there. The Coote-Walsh half's combo was really setting in towards the backend of the 2012 season plus they have a heap of un-trialed talent for example George Jennings has the potential to be better than Michael. They also recruited like crazy and signed some quality players. Call me crazy but I reckon they'll be there.
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9. Newcastle Knights - Whilst they have the "Super Coach" Bennett, I just don't think they'll crack the top eight. Whilst they recruited well with the like of Scott I just think they'll need another season until everything glues together. 2014 will be there year and I wouldn't be surprised if they take the minor premiership, however in 2013 I don't think they'll crack the eight. However if my gut feeling about Penrith is wrong then they'll be there.
10. Canberra Raiders - Whilst they are a very talent squad the team just isn't consistent. Dugan, Fergascum and Earl are all quality players whom can win you a game... but they'll just as easily lose you one. Furner will also have some serious heat on him when the Raiders fail to make the eight.
11. New Zealand Warriors - I reckon Elliot will actually help them a lot. He's come in and gone in with a strict regime and has weeded out all the lazy players. They have the talent to avoid the bottom four but not enough to crack the top eight.
12. Brisbane Broncos - The powerhouse that was the Brisbane Broncos is no more. Whilst signing Prince has helped there half's problems I just don't see them cracking the eight. Origin will hurt them also. In a couple years there younger players might become something but at the moment they got nothing.
13. Parramatta Eels - History shows that Ricky has one good season with a team... his first season as coach. There contracts are just ridiculous at the moment and they (Like the sides below them) just don't have the squad to shake the competition. If Ricky can use his status to sign some quality players (Hey Ricky! Toops if off contract!) then they might improve for season 2014.
14. Gold Coast Titans - They just don't have the squad to shake the competition plus there is all the finical drama surrounding the club. I reckon Bird will fire and that will be there only positive for the season. Me thinks that Taylor for biggest flop of 2013.
15. St.George-Illawarra Dragons - They're a basket case at the moment. No half's and a crappy coach. The only positives I see happening for them this season is avoiding the spoon, saying goodbye to the speedbump Soward and the signing of Craig Bellamy (you heard it here first).
16. Wests Tigers - The biggest basket case of them all. They have a rookie coach (Good luck to Mr Potter, Hope he got that letter when he turned 11 because he'll need some magic to turn this into a quality side :lmao) They lost the majority of there quality players in the last two years and there shining light for the 2013 season is signing Bwaith. Benji, Farrah and Braith all need to fire for the entire season for them to avoid the spoon which I just don't think they can do.
Well, that's my ladder prediction, WHAT'S YOURS!?!
Here's my prediction.
1. Melbourne Storm - They're just too good. Whilst I believe there flame will die out in 3-4 years the big three are just playing too good. Add in Widdop and Finch and you can make the most average player a star. If not in first place they'll defiantly be in the top four.
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs - Had an awesome 2012 and their fans had a reason to lol at the LOL@SOUFFS morons. They haven't really lost any talent but gained quality backs such as Champion. Add another year of experience to Reynolds and G.I. a full season at fullback and they will perform even better in season 2013.
3. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - Here is where I reckon our boys will end up. Arguably the best recruited side for 2013 the talent we have has GOT to get us into the top four... Top 8 at least. If Carney can fire for the full season then he alone can lift the side. Add in awesome play makers in Graham and Lewis on the edges with actual first grade quality backs then say goodbye to the days of our horrid try scoring ability.
4. North Queensland Cowboys - The best forward pack in the game IMO. To have Scott and Tamou as your starters with J.T. in the half's then you're bound to play some good footy. If Bowen can fire then the J.T.-Bowen connection will be unstoppable. If not top four then defiantly top eight.
5. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - Whilst they do have stars I think Keating just isn't enough to keep them in the top four (Plus Orford meant to be assisting him which can't be good at all). Missing Graham for the start of the season will also hurt them a lot. I also doubt that Barber and Reynolds will be able to keep there 2012 form, we'll see glimpses of it yes but no consistence.
6. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - The fire that is Manly is fading me thinks. They still have a quality squad and that will keep them in the top eight. They'll struggle around origin and I don't think they'll fully bounce back from it. DCE and Foren will need to really fire for them to be threats.
7. Sydney Roosters - Arguably the best recruited side for 2013 the Roosters will defiantly improve for season 2013. Whilst they have the potential for top four I reckon they'll start the season off slow whilst there side glues together. That will stop them from shaking the competition and making the top four. Although I have them in seventh I reckon they'll be premiership threats.
8. Penrith Panthers - I know you're all probably laughing at me right now to add in this basket case into the top eight... But I just have a gut feeling that they'll be there. The Coote-Walsh half's combo was really setting in towards the backend of the 2012 season plus they have a heap of un-trialed talent for example George Jennings has the potential to be better than Michael. They also recruited like crazy and signed some quality players. Call me crazy but I reckon they'll be there.
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9. Newcastle Knights - Whilst they have the "Super Coach" Bennett, I just don't think they'll crack the top eight. Whilst they recruited well with the like of Scott I just think they'll need another season until everything glues together. 2014 will be there year and I wouldn't be surprised if they take the minor premiership, however in 2013 I don't think they'll crack the eight. However if my gut feeling about Penrith is wrong then they'll be there.
10. Canberra Raiders - Whilst they are a very talent squad the team just isn't consistent. Dugan, Fergascum and Earl are all quality players whom can win you a game... but they'll just as easily lose you one. Furner will also have some serious heat on him when the Raiders fail to make the eight.
11. New Zealand Warriors - I reckon Elliot will actually help them a lot. He's come in and gone in with a strict regime and has weeded out all the lazy players. They have the talent to avoid the bottom four but not enough to crack the top eight.
12. Brisbane Broncos - The powerhouse that was the Brisbane Broncos is no more. Whilst signing Prince has helped there half's problems I just don't see them cracking the eight. Origin will hurt them also. In a couple years there younger players might become something but at the moment they got nothing.
13. Parramatta Eels - History shows that Ricky has one good season with a team... his first season as coach. There contracts are just ridiculous at the moment and they (Like the sides below them) just don't have the squad to shake the competition. If Ricky can use his status to sign some quality players (Hey Ricky! Toops if off contract!) then they might improve for season 2014.
14. Gold Coast Titans - They just don't have the squad to shake the competition plus there is all the finical drama surrounding the club. I reckon Bird will fire and that will be there only positive for the season. Me thinks that Taylor for biggest flop of 2013.
15. St.George-Illawarra Dragons - They're a basket case at the moment. No half's and a crappy coach. The only positives I see happening for them this season is avoiding the spoon, saying goodbye to the speedbump Soward and the signing of Craig Bellamy (you heard it here first).
16. Wests Tigers - The biggest basket case of them all. They have a rookie coach (Good luck to Mr Potter, Hope he got that letter when he turned 11 because he'll need some magic to turn this into a quality side :lmao) They lost the majority of there quality players in the last two years and there shining light for the 2013 season is signing Bwaith. Benji, Farrah and Braith all need to fire for the entire season for them to avoid the spoon which I just don't think they can do.
Well, that's my ladder prediction, WHAT'S YOURS!?!
