Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
- 44,116
- 33,253
THERE is only one team that can seriously stop the Storm in their march towards the premiership. It is the Broncos.
When I look at the competition as it currently stands, I believe it’s a race between the Storm, the Broncos and the Roosters to be there at the end.
But I am also more confident of Brisbane beating Melbourne than I am of Sydney doing the job.
The Storm are clear favourites and deservedly so.
They have been the best team this year and also freshened up their Origin players, which will put them in good stead at the back end of the season.
Last year, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk played through the Origin series and it probably affected them during the finals.
They have learned from that experience.
And I believe that rest is going to be especially beneficial for Cronk.
No matter where I think everyone will finish, the one thing I know is that it will come down to the halfbacks of the game to determine their club’s fortunes.
Everyone knows what Cronk is going to give the Storm and how unstoppable he can be with his precision.
For a team like the Broncos to stop that, the key will be Ben Hunt.
It is his last season with Brisbane so I have no doubt he will want to do his best.
Hunt will need to step up and control the team’s attack if his side are to live up to expectations. He was good in that department on Thursday night.
I know the win was against the battling Bulldogs, but there were some really good signs there, in particular with their offloads, which created second phase play.
That is what you need to beat the Storm and that’s what Brisbane need more of.
Hunt is dangerous off the back of that.
This showdown between the halfbacks of the competition will become really evident over the coming weeks — or even as soon as Saturday.
While I don’t have the Titans making the top eight at the moment, Ash Taylor is the man who can deliver them their finals hopes and dreams.
He had a brilliant game the other night against the Sharks and he’s the key to their attack.
Obviously Jarryd Hayne brings some x-factor for them, but to close games out and win the tight moments, it will come down to Taylor.
Wearing the No. 7 is where a lot of the responsibility lies.
He will on Saturday meet Nathan Cleary and the Panthers in what I expect to be a great showdown between the two young halves, in a clash that is crucial in the race for the top eight.
Cleary was outstanding against the Warriors last week and in the big games, he is the man who can assert his authority on his team.
When I look at the other top eight contenders, the story remains the same.
The Sea Eagles, who I have coming in among the top four, have a quality halfback in Daly Cherry-Evans.
And while they have made big improvements this year, they’re still another 12 months away from being major premiership contenders, just based on the youth around Cherry-Evans.
With the Cowboys, Michael Morgan will do enough in the No. 7 jersey to get them to the finals.
But the big games and tight moments, that’s where I can see North Queensland struggling without Jonathan.
DARREN LOCKYER’S TOP EIGHT
1. Storm
2. Broncos
3. Roosters
4. Sea Eagles
5. Sharks
6. Eels
7. Cowboys
8. Panthers
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e/news-story/3a56b3c2113a439f16da95d2170defae
When I look at the competition as it currently stands, I believe it’s a race between the Storm, the Broncos and the Roosters to be there at the end.
But I am also more confident of Brisbane beating Melbourne than I am of Sydney doing the job.
The Storm are clear favourites and deservedly so.
They have been the best team this year and also freshened up their Origin players, which will put them in good stead at the back end of the season.
Last year, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk played through the Origin series and it probably affected them during the finals.
They have learned from that experience.
And I believe that rest is going to be especially beneficial for Cronk.
No matter where I think everyone will finish, the one thing I know is that it will come down to the halfbacks of the game to determine their club’s fortunes.
Everyone knows what Cronk is going to give the Storm and how unstoppable he can be with his precision.
For a team like the Broncos to stop that, the key will be Ben Hunt.
It is his last season with Brisbane so I have no doubt he will want to do his best.
Hunt will need to step up and control the team’s attack if his side are to live up to expectations. He was good in that department on Thursday night.
I know the win was against the battling Bulldogs, but there were some really good signs there, in particular with their offloads, which created second phase play.
That is what you need to beat the Storm and that’s what Brisbane need more of.
Hunt is dangerous off the back of that.
This showdown between the halfbacks of the competition will become really evident over the coming weeks — or even as soon as Saturday.
While I don’t have the Titans making the top eight at the moment, Ash Taylor is the man who can deliver them their finals hopes and dreams.
He had a brilliant game the other night against the Sharks and he’s the key to their attack.
Obviously Jarryd Hayne brings some x-factor for them, but to close games out and win the tight moments, it will come down to Taylor.
Wearing the No. 7 is where a lot of the responsibility lies.
He will on Saturday meet Nathan Cleary and the Panthers in what I expect to be a great showdown between the two young halves, in a clash that is crucial in the race for the top eight.
Cleary was outstanding against the Warriors last week and in the big games, he is the man who can assert his authority on his team.
When I look at the other top eight contenders, the story remains the same.
The Sea Eagles, who I have coming in among the top four, have a quality halfback in Daly Cherry-Evans.
And while they have made big improvements this year, they’re still another 12 months away from being major premiership contenders, just based on the youth around Cherry-Evans.
With the Cowboys, Michael Morgan will do enough in the No. 7 jersey to get them to the finals.
But the big games and tight moments, that’s where I can see North Queensland struggling without Jonathan.
DARREN LOCKYER’S TOP EIGHT
1. Storm
2. Broncos
3. Roosters
4. Sea Eagles
5. Sharks
6. Eels
7. Cowboys
8. Panthers
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...e/news-story/3a56b3c2113a439f16da95d2170defae
