2012

[Big Pete]

Too soon?

What are your thoughts on next season? Any bold predictions on who will rise and who will fall? What do you think certain sides will look like? Who'll be a great buy and who'll be a Matty Orford? And do you think we'll see any departures.

Discuss, discuss, discuss.

 

[Big Pete]

Reading through all the end of season magazines, I started thinking more and more about clubs other than the Broncos, specifically the Sharks and their future. Personally, I think they're holding the game back, but potentially, their side is shaping up quite nicely, and might even shock some people. I really like what I read from Flanagan, I haven't been that exposed to him before but he seems like a really honest guy who's got a sharp tactical mind. I have no doubt he's the right man moving forward for the Sharks.

From his interview I gathered the side next year might look like...

1. Nathan Gardner
2. Nathan Stapleton
3. Colin Best
4. Stewart Mills
5. Matthew Wright
6. Albert Kelly
7. Chad Townsend
8. Bryce Gibbs
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Paul Gallen
11. Anthony Tupou
12. Jeremy Smith
13. Wade Graham

14. John Morris
15. Sam Tagataese
16. Ben Ross
17. Andrew Fifita

With John Williams, Issac Gordon, Luke Pickerd, Ricky Leutele, Jayson Bukuya, Tyson Frizell, Tyrone Peachey, Jon Green, Mark Taufua, Jeff Robson and Andrew Clayton.

While I'm sure that side won't look anything like the one I've named and somebody might stumble on it and get a slight chuckle, what it shows is the potential this side has to be a threat and while I don't think they'll be a Top 8 side in 2012, I could see them really building for 2013 and 14.

 

[mrslong]

They said this about the SHarks last year too. They'd recruited Jeremy Smith, Wade Graham and Colin Best. Everyone thought they were real contenders this year.

LOL!

 

[user_nat]

They did look ok for a few weeks this year. Which is a few weeks more than the previous year.

 

[OXY-351]

Parra to finish ahead of the Broncos

 

[Bucking Beads]

Parra to finish ahead of the Broncos

Lol!

 

[Big Pete]

They said this about the SHarks last year too. They'd recruited Jeremy Smith, Wade Graham and Colin Best. Everyone thought they were real contenders this year.

LOL!

Injuries and inexperienced hurt them.

I don't think they'll make Top 8 next season, but they'll build on this year and be a fighting chance for 2013.

 

[schmix]

I'll be very interested to see how Manly turn out next year, considering their premiership and all the Hasler drama. A lot of teams find it hard to back up but the fact that their coach (a club legend, no less) is leaving in 2013 adds a whole other dimension to the situation.

My prediction is that there will be no shortage of drama on the Northern Beaches next year. There just seems to be a whole lot going on behind the scenes at the moment, with no immediate end in sight. I think (and, let's be honest, hope) that it will significantly affect the on-field performances.

 

[OXY-351]

My prediction is that there will be no shortage of drama on the Northern Beaches next year.

How is that a prediction? It's a given. The only unknown is who Manly will try and blame it on

 

[Big Pete]

Yeah, I agree with schmix. I already thought it'd be difficult to get over the premiership hangover without Hoppa Jr. now with the mass exodus I expect them just to be a Top 8 side.

Rookie edition, everybody likes to look into the future, here's some players who I believe will make a name for themselves in 2012...

Tautau Moga - Sydney Roosters - Giant centre who hails from Queensland and has a habit for finding the try line.
Dale Finucane - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - A versatile forward with a high work-rate who should be a mainstay for years to come.
Tohu Harrus - Melbourne Storm - Big backrow who has that bit of class about him. Missed a lot of last season through injury but when he returned it was like he didn't skip a beat.
Konrad Hurrell - Warriors - Is the best centre I've seen in NYC. Has size, agility, speed and should only get better with experience.
Blake Austin - Penrith Panthers - A former League of their Own Footy Show winner turn NRL player, Austin has a stone cold ability that reminds me of team-mate Lewis. A classic lock
Aiden Sezer - Gold Coast Titans - Bulldogs recruit who has a ton of talent, Sezer could be the player the Titans are looking for.

And many more, which rookies do you think will step up?

 

[OXY-351]

And many more, which rookies do you think will step up?

Jason Taumalolo for the Cowboys will be rookie of the season

 

[m1c]

I made a point of watching Hurrell after hearing wraps and was thoroughly disappointed in what I saw. He's just a bigger body beating up kids. His lateral movement is akin to a props. I'd be shocked if he plays a dozen NRL games.

Taumalolo looks the obvious. Cordner from the Roosters and Massey from the Raiders will also go well, IMO.

 

[Big Pete]

Taumalolo doesn't qualify for rookie of the year next year, has played one game too many, which sucks because he deserves some recognition. I really rate the kid, and if he was qualified, he would be the list.

That's a slight concern I have m1c, although from the games I watched it wasn't THAT big a problem, until he was injured. If he can continue to develop, I can see him getting a look in next year.

 

[Charmamba]

We will see Frisby in 1st grade next year at some point and could be a smokey for the #6.

 

[Coxy]

Show we throw him in the side for round 1?

What a toss

 

[Fozz]

Whoa, these kind of puns could boomerang back on you.

Whoops.