2016 Top 8

[broncos4life]

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

Pfft....yawn.

LOL

 

[Battler]

Broncos
Warriors (they should (keyword) be top 2)
Storm
Sharks (Maloney is massive, he was the main man at the rorters IMO)
Cowboys (they had a dream run with injuries last season, as you need to have to win the comp. But their squad is so fragile in terms of cover, that if they lose any one of their spine members, apart from maybe Morgan, they'll struggle to make the top four, and maybe the eight. Their main men are pretty injury prone as well.I still think they'll finish lower than last season on account of their average defence and prem hangover)
Eels
rorters
Manly

EDIT: Forgot the Storm

 

[Mitch06]

Broncos
Warriors (they should (keyword) be top 2)
Storm
Sharks (Maloney is massive, he was the main man at the rorters IMO)
Cowboys (they had a dream run with injuries last season, as you need to have to win the comp. But their squad is so fragile in terms of cover, that if they lose any one of their spine members, apart from maybe Morgan, they'll struggle to make the top four, and maybe the eight. Their main men are pretty injury prone as well.I still think they'll finish lower than last season on account of their average defence and prem hangover)
Eels
rorters
Manly

EDIT: Forgot the Storm

Curious, what enticed you to put the Roosters in the top 8 over teams like the Dragons or Raiders?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Sharks
Rabbits
Broncos
Cowboys
Roosters
Canberra
Storm
Warriors

is the top 8 for mine.

 

[Sproj]

I really think the Roosters will miss and miss by a few spots too. I also think many probably feel the same but we are all wary of saying it. Am I right?

 

[Bucking Beads]

I really think the Roosters will miss and miss by a few spots too. I also think many probably feel the same but we are all wary of saying it. Am I right?

They've still got such a good forward pack. It'll be interesting to see how they go. I could see them missing the 8.

 

[Sproj]

They've still got such a good forward pack. It'll be interesting to see how they go. I could see them missing the 8.

Yeah that's the one thing that will keep in contests but they have very little in the backline aside from Ferguson their halves will not be anything to write home about. Hastings looks like a genuine star in the making but they did get rid of their good half and their fullback is a huge question mark. I am not sure where their points will come from. I sure hope Copley has fixed his hands.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Yeah that's the one thing that will keep in contests but they have very little in the backline aside from Ferguson their halves will not be anything to write home about. Hastings looks like a genuine star in the making but they did get rid of their good half and their fullback is a huge question mark. I am not sure where their points will come from. I sure hope Copley has fixed his hands.

It will be interesting to see who they even play at fullback. Their backline isn't great and their halves are untested together really. I still see them making the 8 on the back of their forward pack though. It could be between them and the Bulldogs for the final spot in the 8.

 

[Porthoz]

Jake Friend is still one of the better hookers in the game, and as much as he is an idiot, Ferguson is a game breaker as well. They have a RTS type guy waiting for a chance in Latrell Mitchell, and although very young and inexperienced, the Hastings/Nikorima duo could become as good as our own.

I can't see them making too many waves this season, maybe even miss the top 8, but they're in pretty good shape for the future.

 

[Socnorb]

It will be interesting to see who they even play at fullback. Their backline isn't great and their halves are untested together really. I still see them making the 8 on the back of their forward pack though. It could be between them and the Bulldogs for the final spot in the 8.

We will see how much their forwards relied on Maloney to steer them around the park.

 

[Bucking Beads]

We will see how much their forwards relied on Maloney to steer them around the park.

I think you'll find that Jake Friend did most of that steering.

 

[Socnorb]

I think you'll find that Jake Friend did most of that steering.

Yeah, I don't know about that. I think Maloney is one of the better halves at getting teams organised.

 

[Mitch06]

If Kenny- Dowel gets done in court they'll be in a bit of trouble I think. Plus from memory I don't think Fergos ever played Fullback.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Jake Friend is still one of the better hookers in the game, and as much as he is an idiot, Ferguson is a game breaker as well. They have a RTS type guy waiting for a chance in Latrell Mitchell, and although very young and inexperienced, the Hastings/Nikorima duo could become as good as our own.

I can't see them making too many waves this season, maybe even miss the top 8, but they're in pretty good shape for the future.

It will be upto the forward pack to give the young halves a platform to work with, anything sub-par from what you would expect from the Roosters and they will struggle even more so.

 

[Big Pete]

Usually as the pre-season unfolds, one side exposes themselves and typically goes onto have a rough season.

Of all the Top 8 teams so far, the Roosters have been that one side.

Even before pre-season began, they looked to be in for a rebuilding year with Hastings, Nikorima and the like coming through. However in the space of a couple of weeks they've lost their star centre, lost their CEO and now they've lost their co-captain. All signs point towards them having an indifferent season.

The only component that has me second guessing their chances is coach Trent Robinson. He's had as good a start as any to his NRL coaching career, yet we've seen other coaches get off to similar starts and struggle at the first sign of a challenge (eg. Ricky Stuart). He'll have to be on his game, and I for one am really interested to see how he handles the season.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Roosters have lost Cordner for the first 3 months of the season, something they definitely didn't need.

 

[Mitch06]

Roosters have lost Cordner for the first 3 months of the season, something they definitely didn't need.

Looks like their luck has all but run out.

 

[Battler]

Curious, what enticed you to put the Roosters in the top 8 over teams like the Dragons or Raiders?

Their pack is still quality. It really depends how Pearce/ Hastings go (I don't think Fergo will be a good FB, he'll be back in the centres in no time if they start with him at the back), but the Dogs have made the 8 with a dodgy halves pairing/ backline due to a very good pack.
The roosters' forwards will also handle the new interchange well I think.