Ladder Prediction

[Cult]

Is it too early for this? I just worked mine out today and thought it could lead to some interesting conversations

1. South Sydney Rabbitohs
2. Sydney Roosters
3. Manly Sea Eagles
4. Melbourne Storm
5. Brisbane Broncos
6. Canterbury Bulldogs
7. Cronulla Sharks
8. North Qld Cowboys
9. Newcastle Knights
10. Penrith Panthers
11. Gold Coast Titans
12. Parramatta Eels
13. New Zealand Warriors
14. St George Illawarra Dragons
15. West Tigers
16. Canberra Raiders

 

[Kimlo]

Way too early, are you predicting every result of every game to reach a predicted round 26 ladder?

 

[Cult]

Way too early, are you predicting every result of every game to reach a predicted round 26 ladder?

Nah was just estimating where they will finish. I think it would be good to look at at the end of the year and see where I've gone wrong. Already regretting some choices though

 

[hayseed]

Is it too early for this? I just worked mine out today and thought it could lead to some interesting conversations

1. South Sydney Rabbitohs
2. Sydney Roosters
3. Manly Sea Eagles
4. Melbourne Storm
5. Brisbane Broncos
6. Canterbury Bulldogs
7. Cronulla Sharks
8. North Qld Cowboys
9. Newcastle Knights
10. Penrith Panthers
11. Gold Coast Titans
12. Parramatta Eels
13. New Zealand Warriors
14. St George Illawarra Dragons
15. West Tigers
16. Canberra Raiders

Bit optimistic with that 5th place finish, my blind faith would only have them 8th and that is only because of the "Barba factor". But we still have a forward pack who won't match it with the best, a somewhat handy backline though possibly if everyone is healthy. But throw in the fact that we have no halves, no coach and a very poor dummy half and few off field dramas which probably means another long season for us fans. I might change my mind in a month though :). Cronulla have to be short odds to win the spoon, ASADA will have a massive influence there.

 

[Unbreakable]

1. Sydney Roosters
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs
3. Melbourne Storm
4. Newcastle Knights
5. Manly Sea Eagles
6. Canterbury Bulldogs
7. Brisbane Broncos
8. North Queensland Cowboys
9. New Zealand Warriors
10. Penrith Panthers
11. Gold Coast Titans
12. Canberra Raiders
13. Cronulla Sharks
14. Paramatta Eels
15. West Tigers
16. St George Illawarra Dragons

 

[coreyh88]

1. South sydney

2. Roosters

3. Cronulla *pending asada

4. North queensland

5. Melbourne storm

6. New Zealand

7. Broncos *one spot short of where griffins job would be secure. So whether he stays coach depends on the alternatives

8. Newcastle

9. Gold coast

10. Manly

11. Penrith

12. Canterbury

13. Wests tigers

14. Parramatta

15. Canberra

16. I forgot a team?

 

[Allo]

1. South sydney

2. Roosters

3. Cronulla *pending asada

4. North queensland

5. Melbourne storm

6. New Zealand

7. Broncos *one spot short of where griffins job would be secure. So whether he stays coach depends on the alternatives

8. Newcastle

9. Gold coast

10. Manly

11. Penrith

12. Canterbury

13. Wests tigers

14. Parramatta

15. Canberra

16. I forgot a team?

St Merge Illachokers

 

[Unbreakable]

Sharks 3rd.. Manly 10th? What

 

[Big Pete]

Too early to put up a specific ladder but kudos to those who have put their necks out.

In saying that, I'll give my general thoughts on how I see the 2014 competition unfolding. Will add more later.

- I feel like the competition is open pretty wide. I don't think the Roosters have the talent in key positions to go back to back and suspect the reputation as the defending premiers may hurt them. I suspect this may be Souths year despite appearing weaker on the surface - still a lot of talented players and potential to explore with a desire that may not have been there in previous seasons. Wouldn't be surprised if some unheralded team takes this competition by storm and throws a clanger into everybody's expectations.

- The hopes of Manly and Melbourne hinges on the future of their two supreme Queensland talents. If DCE signs with the Broncos, I can see them dipping to 6th or so. If Smith signs with the Broncos, I can see the Storm fighting for 8th spot and possibly losing.

- ASADA will determine the fate of the Sharks. If they're given the all clear, I can see them making a similar impression as they did this year. Up there, no cigar.

- Knights to improve just a little bit and earn a home final but won't be quite the consistent force some would expect from a Bennett coached team.

- Panthers to finish Top 8.

- Broncos to start slow without Hodges and a couple of key players, will enjoy a better Origin period than previous years before finishing with a bit of promise like they did this year. I'm expecting a 10th placed finish, but the footy will be way more entertaining.

 

[Russell Coight]

I agree with BP i def think the Panthers will make the 8, as much i hate Gould they have started to develop a pretty decent squad.

 

[Porthoz]

But, but, but... Wallace.

 

[Big Pete]

The halves are my only real concern tbh.

 

[Broncoman]

Cleary is a very good coach and can get the best out his players so the Wallace/Soward combo might produce some results

Wallace - I've always seen him as a tough grinding player that relies on toughness than skill. Did have some moments at the Broncos but I thought most of them happened when Lockyer was still playing.

Soward - Probably one of the most interesting players I've ever seen. Has talent but can only do it when playing behind a structure that doesn't get him involved in the hard stuff. His form in 2009/2010 was outstanding and was one of the main game breakers behind the Dragons 2010 premiership, but Wayne Bennett has been the only coach that has got the best out of him while he was been a miss under anyone else. I think he is a good fit under Cleary.

Thankfully for them they will be playing behind a pack that includes Kite, Grant, Segeyaro, McKendery, Peachy and Kingston and I rate Clearys coaching so it will be interesting to see how they will go.

 

[Alec]

Panthers remind me of us a bit. A good backline, a good forward pack, but pretty poor halves. They do have 2 better hookers than McCullough though.

 

[Financeguy]

1. Souths (build on a much more consistent 2013 and should still have a hunger for a premiership, only concern is if Maquire signs elsewhere and they lose focus)
2. Manly (still a strong side with good players in the important positions)
3. Roosters (won't fly under the radar like they did for much of 2013, won't go back to back)
4. Knights (will gain confidence from their deep run into the finals from 2013 and the Bennett consistency should kick in now)
5. Storm (2014 will see the start of the Storm slipping into a top 8 team rather than a top 4 team, if it hasn't started already)
6. Cowboys (new coach, new motivation, new energy with less expectations)
7. Bulldogs (forwards will carry the team all year but will be finals fodder for the above teams)
8. Panthers (Gould/Cleary revamp starts to pay dividends after quietly achieving in 2013, fodder in the finals but a successful season for the Penny's)
9. Broncos (similar result to 2013 but i think we will play better footy to get here. we will still struggle to consistently beat the top 8 sides, should provide more optimism for 2015)
10. Sharks (could finish anywhere from 6-12, i think the off field stuff will get to them)
11. Titans (boring result for a boring club)
12. Warriors (they could do much better than this but someone has to be 12th)
13. Raiders (i don't think they are a bad side, just not as good as the above teams)
14. Tigers (will start building for the future, will provide nuisance value all year)
15. Eels (Still too many dud players)
16. Dragons (I don't think Price has what it takes to get the best out of Widdop and Dugan is just one alcohol session away from derailing an entire season)

 

[coreyh88]

Sharks 3rd.. Manly 10th? What

sharks are dependant on the asada business but they have one of the better squads now and i can't see any of the below teams consistently beating them unless asada does first. Manly are going to have lui as a starting prop most likely, i cant see watmough and their backline pulling them through any more. But if I'm to be honest either them or the panthers are more likely to male the eight than us. As for penrith not being in the eight, they over achieved last season and i think they will achieve a similar result this season. They will however blood multiple youngsters and next year be top eight certainties.

 

[coreyh88]

I would almost put money on new Zealand, storm, broncos, Newcastle, penrith, gold coast, manly being the only names you might see in 5-8 inclusive. I can't see the doggies going better without barba and i cant see any of them beating who ive put in the top four. Unless asada kills the sharks

 

[Alec]

Lawrence and Watmough are excellent forwards to have in the middle. Starling, Lui, King etc. aren't great, but they aren't going to bring them down to outside the 8, especially with the other talent they have around them.