2016 Top 8

[Big Pete]

At least two teams drop out of the top eight every year. So the question has to be asked, which teams will it be this year?

Here's a list of recent examples:

2010: Melbourne, Canterbury, Brisbane, Newcastle, Parramatta
2011: Penrith, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra
2012: Wests, St George Illawarra, Warriors, Newcastle
2013: Canberra, Brisbane
2014: Cronulla, Newcastle
2015: Manly, Penrith

In 2015, the Top 8 looked like
Sydney Roosters
Brisbane Broncos
North Queensland Cowboys
Melbourne Storm
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Cronulla Sharks
South Sydney Rabbitohs
St George Illawarra Dragons

So which teams, if any, will drop out?

 

[tommy]

St George and possibly Souths

 

[Sproj]

St George, Bulldogs, Cowboys, there I said it.

 

[Big Pete]

The Dragons are an easy nomination.

They played some really good football in 2015, but as a club it appears it was nothing more than a purple patch. My biggest issue with the Dragons is their lack of cohesion, and I don't think McGregor has the nous to fix it. There were too many occasions where the Dragons set-plays seemed really rehearsed, making it extremely easy for the opposition defence to read. This would often cause Marshall and Dugan to ad-lib, which would only excacerbate the situation and spoil the Dragons composure. In fact, when the Dragons were at their best, it was when they played direct football and reduced Marshall's involvement. That approach worked really well for a fair portion of the season, but as the Dragons found out, it's difficult to maintain. Unfortunately, I don't think they've brought in enough talent to fix things. A lot of their hopes rest on the likes of Packer & Masoe, two players of potential, who have yet to deliver on the big stage. Beyond that, Lafai has shown promise, but needs to rebuild himself after a shaky 2015.

For me, it comes back to a cliche you'll often hear. If you're not moving forwards, you're going backwards. Of all the Top 8 sides, the Dragons have made the least amount of progress and I think they'll fall just outside the eight.

 

[Super Freak]

Dragons and Bulldogs.

I think Bulldogs will struggle without Hodkinson.. And with the loss of Lafai and the reduced interchanges, I think they will drop out.

 

[Unbreakable]

I'd say the Dragons probably drop out, although I do still like them as a team. Bulldogs are the other obvious one for me, Hopoate is a downgrade on Lafai and they'll miss Hodkinson, Cook & Pritchard quite a lot. Reduced interchange also.

Top 8, in no particular order.

Broncos
Cowboys
Roosters
Rabbitohs
Sharks
Storm
Eagles
Warriors

 

[subsbligh]

Dragons and Bulldogs.

I think Bulldogs will struggle without Hodkinson.. And with the loss of Lafai and the reduced interchanges, I think they will drop out.

Yes, their monster forward pack loses the edge when you have less interchanges

 

[mitch222]

I can see the dragons, dogs and sharks dropping out.

 

[Porthoz]

Dragons and Dogs for mine too... I thought souffs would be gone as well, until they signed Quasimodo.

 

[Big Pete]

The Bulldogs are going to be that one side that qualifies for the eight without ever looking like a serious competition threat. We've seen plenty of Bulldogs in our day. They're the team that will go missing when the spotlight is shined on them, but they'll pick up plenty of victories based on a few individual performances and a better run with injuries.

Plus, I believe their pack will actually benefit from the limited interchange. Players like Graham, Lichaa, Tolman & Jackson are cardio freaks who can play the entire 80. Eastwood is still a very mobile player who can break a game open at crucial stages while Klemmer has been improving with each season. The only players who may struggle are Kasiano and Browne, and even then, Browne isn't a crucial member of the side and Kasiano has enough talent to still be a handy addition the team.

There's still plenty of room for improvement in the backline and Mbye still looks like a player of promise.

 

[Ari Gold]

I reckon the Sharks drop out. They overachieved last year and I don't think they've improved that much despite signing Maloney. Their pack being a year older probably doesn't help either. It's not like Ennis or Gallen or Luke Lewis are going to get better.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Dragons and Bulldogs are definitely the favorites to drop out, with Souffs the outside chance. 8th place was always going to be a lottery in 2015 and 2016 looks to be no different.

1. Brisbane
2. Cowboys
3. Warriors
4. Sharks
5. Roosters
6. Storm
7. Souths
8. Bulldogs

Barring dramatic circumstances, the top 4 is a lock for mine. Warriors still have a lot of convincing to do but they recruited very well so you have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Tatus]

Dogs, Dragons, Souths and Roosters for mine! Eels,Raiders, Manly & possibly Panthers all likely contenders to take their spots

 

[Alec]

I think the Roosters are a pretty decent chance of dropping out.

 

[LittleDavey]

Personally I think Canberra will be unlucky if they don't slip into the 8. They've a decent young side and if they can win the games they lost by a few points (damn that sounds familiar..) they'll go far this year. I fully expect them to take some big scalps this year, and wouldn't be surprised if they made the top 4.

 

[Alec]

Personally I think Canberra will be unlucky if they don't slip into the 8. They've a decent young side and if they can win the games they lost by a few points (damn that sounds familiar..) they'll go far this year. I fully expect them to take some big scalps this year, and wouldn't be surprised if they made the top 4.

Yeah, we can make fun of Ricky Stuart all we want, but their side is building up real nicely. They've got a fantastic spine now too.

 

[broncos4life]

Yeah, we can make fun of Ricky Stuart all we want, but their side is building up real nicely. They've got a fantastic spine now too.

They have a good spine, fantastic is overstating it by a fair margin.

 

[Mr Fourex]

But...but, they've got Blake Austin

Pfft....yawn.