Rating the Competition

[Mickie Lane]

From foxsports.. Wayne Bennett tells young gun to look for new club as Latrell’s arrival creates backline logjam


Latrell Mitchell’s arrival at Redfern is reportedly set to force talented youngster Adam Doueihi out of the club.

Thanks eddie & Jack your on the mark. If they let Doueihi go then they are farked. I hope the Tigers get him.

[Mad_Rabid_Rooster]

My immediate reaction to the initial list was I don't think the Dragons will get the spoon, as much as I wouldn't be upset if they did. My list is as follows (and this is bound to change a few more times before the season starts), and it is based on positions after the end of the regular rounds:

2. Melbourne
4. Canberra
3. Manly
1. Easts
5. Parra
6. Vermin
7. Brisbane
9. Cronulla
8. Knights
16. Tigers
10. Canterbury
11. Nth Queensland
12. New Zealand
13. Penrith
15. Dragons
14. Gold Coast

[milanja]

Manly have recruited Dani Levi as hooker, can’t see that being a good thing for them, they did really well with API before he got injured, then the young knife church going hooker looked even better, but doubtful he will play again.

The cows are my roughies for a top 4, new stadium, big buys in Val Holmes and Esan marsters to go with drinkwater and feltd in the backs, if Morgan finds some form along with their forward pack, I think they should be pretty tough.

as always, origin will play its part with the storm probably least affected.

1 roosters
2 storm
3 cows
4 Raiders
5 manly
6 parra
7 Souths
8 broncos

[Henry P is a cheat]

1. Roosters
2. Storm
3. Eels
4. Sea Eagles
5. Broncos
6. Raiders
7. Souths
8. Knights

[roostermcgregor]

1) Storm
2) Storm
3) Storm
4) Parra (because of RGC and Matterson)

The Storm have a huge, physical pack of forwards matched only by the Roosters and our extended forward bench- NAS #1 forward in the league- 'nuff said. Ficane has hit a purple patch. Brandon Smith has that mongrel in him. Christian Welch - did anyone watch the storm last year before he got injured? He was holding up the middle and the Bromich boys were running wide and creating havoc in the opposition. I haven't even mentioned Kafusi and Cameron Smith. And their backline - pace to burn. Pappenhausen, JAC, Vinavalu, Olam and Munster form the fastest backline in the League.
So what do they lack? Someone to organise their attack. In last year's prelim there were stages when they were on top of the Rossters, but couldn't aim the gun and pull the trigger. Munster at 5/8 isn't the answer - he can't organise a chook raffle. Great acceleration, footwork and sidestep, but not an organiser of a team. Better off as a centre.
Why they didn't make a play for Maloney when he was leaving Penrith, amazes me. With that type of player ( a Keary type) , they go from dangerous to deadly.

Anyway, just my 2c worth on who I fear. It will be interesting to see what bellyache comes up with - they could be the thorn in the Roosters side , preventing us from getting the 3peat.

[Snapn1]

1st ROOSTERS
RAIDERS
MANLY
PARRA
COWBOYS
KNIGHTS
SHARKS
BRONCOS

8th STORM
WARRIORS
PANTHERS
BULLDOGS
SOUTHS
DRAGONS
TIGER'S
GOLD COAST

Top 8 all have decent forward pack's an backlines AND not bad spines!
bottom 8 are all teams that have lost alot of players an will struggle as a result ! Some have brought players an are now in the rebuilding stages and some brought players that didnt really improve the team in what the team actually needed! Put a dollar on it !! Charrrrr CHINGGG!!!

[crikey chris]

My top 8:

Parra
Storm
Easts
Manly
Raiders
Knights
Broncos
Souffs

We will have slow start and come home with a wet sail, once our new combo's start to click.

Premiers.. Easts (3-peat)
Minor Premiers.. Parra
Spoon.. Gold Coast

[Mickie Lane]

1st ROOSTERS
RAIDERS
MANLY
PARRA
COWBOYS
KNIGHTS
SHARKS
BRONCOS

8th STORM
WARRIORS
PANTHERS
BULLDOGS
SOUTHS
DRAGONS
TIGER'S
GOLD COAST

Top 8 all have decent forward pack's an backlines AND not bad spines!
bottom 8 are all teams that have lost alot of players an will struggle as a result ! Some have brought players an are now in the rebuilding stages and some brought players that didnt really improve the team in what the team actually needed! Put a dollar on it !! Charrrrr CHINGGG!!!

The Storms forward pack is second to none & they still have a good backline. They are in the 8 1 million percent.
Your talking about a club & coach that are only second to Robbo & the Roosters as being the most successful coach & club. They can win the comp.
And no Souths in your 8?
Are you jerkin the gerkin?
I think you've snapped 1 to many off.

[mattyh]

yep souffs will def make the 8,possibly top 4....serious threat along with storm and eagles ....raiders to drop a bit as well but still in the 8 , broncs and parrra to be a threat too

[Tommy Smith]

Injuries permitting the Raiders should only get better and probably start the year as favourites in my book.

The likes of Horsburgh, Guler and the young eye gouger Hudson Young who's a good player will all be a year older and better. So their forwards look very strong.

Curtis Scott is also a great acquisition.

Much will depend on George Williams and how he transitions to the NRL. If he kills it then they'll be very hard to beat. Though even if he's merely average he's hardly a downgrade on Sezer.

As for Souffs they're morals for the top 8 and marginally better than 50/50 in my books to make the top 4.

[mattyh]

agreed , if George Williams fires ... raiders will make the top 4.....
he won't... so 5 _ 7 th

[Snapn1]

Nah i stand by what i said ! dont believe then wait an see shell we! Rooster 3 peat ! To the rest dont bother turning up