2012 Predictions thread

[Jeba]

Rightio, let's see who has the best crystal ball out of the lot of us. Bare in mind my crystal ball is always coloured maroon and gold, so my predictions always biased!!

Ladder after 26 rounds
1. Melbourne
2. Cowboys
3. Broncos
4. Knights
5. Warriors
6. Dragons
7. Manly
8. Tigers
--------------------
9. Raiders
10. Parramatta
11. Bulldogs
12. Titans
13. Eels
14. Panthers
15. Sharks
16. Roosters

Grand Final winner
Broncos

Dally M winner
Johnathon Thurston

Top try scorer
Matt Duffie

Top point scorer
Johnathon Thurston

First coach sacked
Brian Smith

Origin series result
QLD 3-0

Team of the year
Fullback - Slater
Winger - Yow Yeh
Centre - Hodges
Five-eighth - Widdup
Halfback - Thurston
Prop - Matt Scott
Hooker - Cam Smith
Second rower - Thaiday
Lock - Dallas Johnson

Add more categories if you wish.

 

[user_nat]

I (might) do mine tomorrow.

I can't say I agree with your prediction of Parramatta splitting from the Eels and the poor old bunnies being kicked out again.

 

[Jeba]

I (might) do mine tomorrow.

I can't say I agree with your prediction of Parramatta splitting from the Eels and the poor old bunnies being kicked out again.

You heard it here first.

 

[Broncoman]

Not bad despite your blatant bias to Brisbane and QLD. :rolleyes. Off topic but if NSW win this year Ill literally give it to everyone on here except Rocky and Dukey because their NSW brothers.

 

[ningnangnong]

What about their brothers?

 

[ningnangnong]

Ladder after 26 rounds
1. Warriors
2. Storm
3. Knights
4. Cowboys
5. Broncos
6. Tigers
7. Dragons
8. Roosters
--------------------
9. Sea Eagles
10. Titans
11. Rabbitohs
12. Bulldogs
13. Sharks
14. Raiders
15. Eels
16. Panthers

Grand Final winner
Warriors

Dally M winner
Cameron Smith

Top try scorer
Akuila Uate

Top point scorer
Johnathan Thurston

First coach sacked
David Furner

Origin series result
NSW 2-1 (just preparing myself for the worst!)

Team of the year
Fullback - Billy Slater
Winger - Akuila Uate
Centre - Justin Hodges
Five-eighth - Benji Marshall
Halfback - Johnathan Thurston
Prop - Martin Kennedy
Hooker - Cameron Smith
Second rower - Paul Gallen
Lock - Feleti Mateo

Gallen and Mateo are interchangeable I guess.

 

[Broncoman]

What about their brothers?

They are probably blues so they will be fine.

 

[Broncoman]

Back on topic do you think macguire will whip Souths into shape. I think he might but if they fail AGAIN this year a major review of every operation should be done.

 

[Big Pete]

Premiers - Melbourne Storm - If they're bound to win one it'll have to be this year. Still have the best spine in the league and have that valuable mix of experience and youth. Don't know if they'll finish minor premiers, but they'll be better equipped to tackle the finals.

Biggest Improver - Canberra Raiders - They just have a knack for finding their way into the Top 8 every 2nd year. Don't think they'll be in contention, but with Campese back and Dugan in full flight they have the talent to squirm their way in.

Fall from grace - Manly Sea Eagles - No Des, losing staff and players all around them and I believe their picture perfect 2011 side will struggle with the pressure of being defending premiers. Might squirm their way in, but when they look back on it, Manly won't like what happened in 2012.

Dally M Player of the Year - Cam Smith - How it should have been in 2011.

Origin - Queensland 2-1. It's going to be extremely close though

Wooden Spoon - South Sydney Rabbitohs. No 1, 6 or 7 potential player exodus and a rookie coach doesn't bode well.

Try Scorer - Akuila Uate - I agree with ning although I like the recognition for Duffie. With Bennett at the helm and Boyd at fullback, Uate is going to be on the end of so many backline plays he won't know what to do with himself.

How about them Broncos? We'll finish somewhere in the finals and make a decent impression but will just miss the poise of Lockyer when things get tough. With that said, the majority of fans will be satisfied with 2012 as it was the year we decided on Lockyer's permanent successor.

Rookie of the Year - Tautau Moga. A Queensland junior who is an absolute monster of a centre. A try scoring machine who will excite all relevant judges. Dale Finucane will also impress.

Story of the Year - The TV Rights Deal.

 

[Fozz]

Premiers - The Bulldogs. I'm going with the dogs as bolters over the Storm, Tigers and Warriors. They've got a top class coach, a really strong forward pack and some real strike power out the back. The only weakness is the halves but Des knows Hodkinson and I'm sure he will get the best out of him. If I was Des, I would move the Mr Zalami to the halves and play Reynolds at hooker.

Improvers - Other than the dogs, I think the Titans actually have a chance at making the finals.

Dally M - Billy Slater just edging out Matt Orford.

Try Scorer - Uate. For the exact same reasons as Big Pete.

First coach sacked - No one. We actually have a season when all coaches finish the season in the jobs they started with. I'll either be hailed an idiot or a genius. Personally, I'd like to see Toovs and Furner get the sack because they are (or will be) hopeless and Smith because I hate his face.

Origin - Queensland 3-0. NSW is still a shambles.

2012 Finalists (No set order):

Broncos
Cowboys
Warriors
Storm
Tigers
Bulldogs
Knights
Sharks

 

[noisetheory]

Top 8 in order
Storm
Tigers
Knights
Titans
Broncos
Raiders
Seagles
Roosters

Spoon
Eels/Souffs

 

[Bucking Beads]

Ladder after 26 rounds
1. Storm
2. Cowboys
3. Knights
4. Broncos
5. Tigers
6. Warriors
7. Titans
8. Manly
--------------------
9. Sharks
10. Rabbits
11. Dragons
12. Raiders
13. Bulldogs
14. Eels
15. Roosters
16. Panthers

Grand Final winner
Storm

Dally M winner
Darius Boyd

Top try scorer
Brett Stewart

Top point scorer
Johnathan Thurston

First coach sacked
Stephan Kearney

Origin series result
QLD 3-0

Team of the year
Fullback - Darius Boyd
Winger - Akuila Uate
Centre - Justin Hodges
Five-eighth - Benji Marshall
Halfback - Johnathan Thurston
Prop - Ben Hannant
Hooker - Cameron Smith
Second rower - Paul Gallen
Lock - Corey Parker

Rookie of the Year
Adam Reynolds

 

[Alec]

I think Souffs are slightly underrated. They have a similar structure to us - some great backs, some great forwards, but a pretty unproven spine.

 

[Porthoz]

Ladder after 26 rounds
1. Storm
2. Warriors
3. Broncos
4. Cowboys
5. Knights
6. Tigers
7. Raiders
8. Titans
-------------------
9. Sea Eagles
10. Dragons
11. Roosters
12. Bulldogs
13. Sharks
14. Rabbitohs
15. Eels
16. Panthers

Grand Final winner
Broncos

Dally M winner
Johnathon Thurston

Top try scorer
Jharal Yow Yeh

Top point scorer
Benji Marshall

First coach sacked
Brian Smith

Origin series result
Qld 2-1

Team of the year
Fullback - Billy Slater
Winger - Jharal Yow Yeh
Centre - Justin Hodges
Five-eighth - Benji Marshall
Halfback - Johnathan Thurston
Prop - Matt Scott
Hooker - Cameron Smith
Second rower - Sam Thaiday
Lock - Paul Gallen

Just a little bit of bias, I guess...

 

[Porthoz]

Premiers - The Bulldogs. I'm going with the dogs as bolters over the Storm, Tigers and Warriors. They've got a top class coach, a really strong forward pack and some real strike power out the back. The only weakness is the halves but Des knows Hodkinson and I'm sure he will get the best out of him. If I was Des, I would move the Mr Zalami to the halves and play Reynolds at hooker.

You just can't help yourself, can you? Every post has to have a joke in it! :haha:

 

[Broncoman]

I think we will finish from 6th to 8th as there is still a heap of talent and potential to take the club into the future.

 

[Big Pete]

For those who put the Roosters in the top 8, why do you think they can make the 8? Personally I struggle fitting them in the 8. Their losses outweigh their gains, with Myles gone. Jason Ryles wasn't crash hot but added a bit of experience to the pack. They're both gone. Todd Carney is also gone. They've gained Mortimer and a few other fringe first graders, but that's it. Also their backline is suspect. Minicheillo is getting on, then you've got guys like Justin Carney, Sam Perrett who are just average. This Moga kid could be something but who knows? SKD is good, but the only shining light in that backline. Anasta is getting on and it looks like Smith wants him at 5/8. Pearce will need to improve big time. Their pack isn't crash hot really. Kennedy is still sturggling with injury, then you've got Mose and FNP that can play up front too. Backrow is ok without being outstanding.

I honestly can't see them making the 8.

Along with the Dragons, the Roosters are the most unpredictable side going into 2012.

A lot of promising youngsters coming through who were shining at the back end of last season and plenty of players making their returns. It's a very young side, but there's a lot of talent coming through that could seize the moment. IMO, getting rid of Myles, Ryles & Carney were all good moves. Either they had better players coming through or the players that were their were cancerous to their fragile culture.

However, with old manchiello and Anasta in the spine, I can't back them. Might be something to behold in a year or so.

 

[lynx000]

Re Souths and Maguire, it is down to whether he can turn around the culture within one year. If he has the goods I think it might be next year. I think a good performance for them would be top eight this year and really give it a crack next year.