Well we are past the halfway mark in the regular competition in terms of length anyway. There is some imbalance with, for example, the Bulldogs having had two byes and the Dragons none but I think we have seen enough of all teams to give a brief assessment of where their season is heading. At least, I’ve seen enough to give my judgments!
I will list the teams in their current table position with team position and my pre-season prediction in brackets. I will then give a brief comment on where I think their season is heading.
DRAGONS (current: 1st; pre-season prediction: Top Two)
For anyone that knows Wayne Bennett and what he can do as a coach there aren’t many surprises with how they’re going. They have built up a toughness and play as a football team. The halves have come good and everyone is playing a role. Hard to see them missing a home final.
Finish: Top four, strong chance top two
BULLDOGS (current: 2nd; pre-season prediction: Fringe of the eight)
This team has gelled together much quicker and better than most judges expected. Despite a host of new players the team plays like your typical Bulldog team: tough, strong and they know how to win. Kimmorley has been great for them and they have some talented outside backs. Strong force this year.
Finish: Top four, strong chance top two
TITANS (current: 3rd; pre-season prediction: I want to say top eight, but can’t)
Nothing has changed from pre-season prediction because a fully fit Scott Prince remains the key to this football side. Some question marks over the forwards but they generally hold their own against the top sides. Only injuries will prevent a maiden finals appearance.
Finish: Top four, if Prince is fit. Might scrape top eight if he gets a long-term injury
BRONCOS (current 4th; pre-season prediction: top eight, just)
The Broncos are winning more games then they’re losing but apart from the first month aren’t playing great football. Still, it’s better to be winning than losing and the team would know they can only improve. They must try and battle through the rep period before a final push in the last 6-8 weeks.
Finish: Top eight
STORM (current 5th; pre-season prediction: close to the top, but not the force they once were)
I think that prediction has more or less come true for the Storm. They are still a very good football team that’s hard to beat, but the difference is most teams now realistically think they have a real shot. Still, the form last weekend against Brisbane sounded an ominous warning we’ve seen before.
Finish: Definite top eight, probably top four and possibly top two
COWBOYS (current 6th; pre-season prediction: return to the eight)
After a slow start the Cowboys have clicked together and are just about playing their best football since the 2005 Grand Final run. Thurston is in career best form and the rest of the team are doing their jobs around him. Thurston is the key man and if he stays fit they will play finals football.
Finish: Top four not out of the question
PANTHERS (current 7th; pre-season prediction: too young for the top eight)
Well I take that prediction back: from what I’ve seen the Panthers have that desired balance of youth and experience. They have a good halfback now in Walsh who plays off strong forwards. Luke Lewis is the heart of that team, along with Civoniceva, their absence at times may hurt. And, with key injuries to other teams or a bit of momentum here...you just never know.
Finish: Top eight
KNIGHTS (current 8th; pre-season prediction: Come on Knights, top eight!!)
I like Newcastle this year and like Penrith they have a good mix in their side. They have a great record at home and have beaten pretty much all the top sides this year. A bit of momentum could take the Knights a long way and what a change 18 months would have made.
Finish: Top eight
RABBITOHS (current 9th; pre-season prediction: Time to deliver)
Look, Souths are an annoying team to watch because for every great win they can deliver a real shit of a performance. Their defence probably isn’t good enough to trouble the top teams.
Finish: Probably miss the eight, but won’t challenge for last
MANLY (current 10th; pre-season prediction: Grand Final bound)
That prediction was way off but I did say pre-season, “it seems the only team that could hurt Manly is the Sea Eagles themselves”...and they have. Too much work to do in the back end, they may squeeze into the eight but even that will be a struggle.
Finish: Only team outside the eight that could make it, but will probably just miss out
RAIDERS (current 11th; pre-season prediction: top eight, maybe)
Last year they made their run from a similar position at about this time. They could very well do it again but there’s no ‘X-Factor’ here. Campese was it last year, but he isn’t anonymous anymore.
Finish: Around 10th, won’t make the eight
WARRIORS (current 12th, pre-season prediction: building momentum)
The Warriors have been extremely disappointing, borderline disgraceful, at times this year. I can’t see them fighting back, too many bad games for them so far to claw their way back.
Finish: Might win more then they lose, but won’t make the eight
EELS (current 13th, pre-season prediction: Good Luck)
Yep, losing Brett Finch was it for their season. They don’t have a squad to consistently win and while they might jag a few, won’t be nearly enough.
Finish: Near the bottom
TIGERS (current 14th; pre-season prediction: There’ll be moments, but not enough)
The Tigers are playing better football then their position suggests but crucially they aren’t winning. It’s as simple as that and they’ve left a heck of a lot to do in the second half of the year.
Finish: Closer to ninth than last, but no finals football again
SHARKS (current 15th, pre-season prediction: Top Four)
Off-field dramas and a game plan that worked last year but not good enough this year is the story of their season. At least the team is trying their guts out and hopefully they’ll be regularly winning.
Finish: They’re trying hard, won’t make the eight but should avoid the spoon
ROOSTERS (current 16th; pre-season prediction: Finals bound, but I’m not confident)
This team has been in trouble since the opening whistle and there haven’t been many signs of change. Red-hot favourites for the wooden spoon because, simply, every week their opposition is trying harder and playing better.
Finish: Last, and I’m much more confident this time
So they’re my thoughts on the season to date and really I can’t see much changing. Having said that, every year we see one or two teams charge up the ladder and one or two fall away. Those in danger are probably the Broncos and either the Panthers or Knights while Manly and maybe Canberra are the only real threats I can see rising.
Anyway, here’s my predicted ladder after 26 rounds from first to last:
Dragons, Storm, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Titans, Panthers, Broncos, Knights...Sea Eagles, Raiders, Tigers, Sharks, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Eels, Roosters
Tips this week: Warriors, Broncos, Titans, Manly, Melbourne, Raiders, Dragons, Tigers
Last week: 3/7 (Total: 53/92)
Winning percentage: 58%
I would love to hear your thoughts on how the season is panning out for your team…please comment below or you can reach me directly at andrew.keyte@gmail.com.
Cheers,
Keyto
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