NRL Squads 2013

[Big Pete]

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Ben Barba
Greg Eastwood
Michael Ennis
Dale Finucane
James Graham
Dene Halatau
Trent Hodkinson
Krisnan Inu
Josh Jackson
Sam Kasiano
Kris Keating
Tim Lafai
Brett Lane
Josh Morris
Corey Payne
Sam Perrett
Frank Pritchard
Josh Reynolds
Martin Taupau
Aidan Tolman
Steve Turner

Signings
Drury Low
Tony Williams

New Faces
Harlan Alaalotoa
Steve Azzi
Lachlan Burr
Paul Carter
David Klemmer
Moses Mybe
Gerard McCallum
Ed Murphy
Junior Palau
Lloyd Perrett
Sam Pumipi
John Sila

No other team surprised me more than the Bulldogs. I thought the acquisition of Des would serve them well, but I didn't think it'd lead to a minor premiership. Now in fairness to my nostradamus abilities, I didn't expect the Warriors to be silly enough to let Inu go but credit where it's due, Des gave the Doggies the missing piece they've been missing since 2009, commitment.

With Graham sidelined for the opening 8 or so weeks, I suspect the Dogs will do it tough early and won't replicate their regular season heroics of last year. However, I believe that suspension could serve them well in the post-season and could give them the boost they didn't have last year.

I have them down as a Top 4 side - too many lethal players in their side and a coach at the helm who definitely knows what he's doing.

Also, keep an eye out for T-Rex, he had a fairly miserable 2012, I can see him becoming a revelation in 2013.

 

[Big Pete]

St George Illawarra Dragons
Leeson Ah Mau
Matt Cooper
Ben Creagh
Jack de Belin
Nathan Fien
Bronx Goodwin
Nathan Green
Dan Hunt
Cameron King
Will Matthews
Trent Merrin
Brett Morris
Jason Nightingale
Matt Prior
Mitch Rein
Jamie Soward
Chase Stanley
Kyle Stanley
Jack Stockwell
Atelea Vea
Daniel Vidot
Michael Weyman

Signings
Gerard Beale
Tyson Frizzell
Bronson Harrison
Michael Henderson

New Faces
Damien Cook
Evader Cummins
Josh Drinkwater
Blake Phillips
Adam Quinlan
Charly Runciman
Todd Ryan
Kem Seru
Shannon Wakeman

Dragons like the Broncos are a really tough team to predict. Even at their worse, there are a lot of silver linings and despite a very listless year last year I thought they did fairly well to finish just outside of the Top 8. Last year, I thought the biggest missing ingredient was Darius Boyd, they really lacked that extra ball-playing option. Enter Gerard Beale, the promising former Bronco who left for his opportunity at the back, I believe Beale could very well achieve his potential at the Dragons (much like Boyd did) and give them that extra ingredient the Dragons were missing last year.

They'll be top 8 contenders for sure but too much of an unknown quantity to really back them. I say they'll finish about where they did last year based on the 2013 field improving on last year.

 

[Big Pete]

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Roy Asotasi
George Burgess
Luke Burgess
Sam Burgess
Jason Clark
Shaune Corrigan
Michael Crocker
Andrew Everingham
Dylan Farrell
Justin Hunt
Greg Inglis
Matt King
Ben Lowe
Issac Luke
Chris McQueen
Nathan Merritt
Nathan Peats
Adam Reynolds
Josh Starling
John Sutton
David Tyrrell

Signings
Tom Burgess
Beau Champion
Bryson Goodwinn
Jeff Lima
Ben Te'o

New Faces
Mitch Buckett
Chris Centrone
Aaron Gray
Luke Keary
Apisai Koroisau
Tyrone Phillips
Kyle Turner
Greg Waddell
Dylan Walker
Jordan Tongahai
Kieran Vale
Jesse Roberts

After years of high expectations, South Sydney finally delivered a season that their fans could be proud of, with 2012 behind them can they prove it's just more than a flash in the pan? The toughest challenge will be how they perform now that they have a target on their backs. They've announced themselves as true premiership contenders but it remains to be seen whether players like Sutton, Reynolds among others will be able to handle the pressure. What they do have though is GI, Luke & the Burgess family to rely on. I don't think we saw the best of either last year and if they can lead the way then it'll go a long way to book a spot in the top 8.

I think overall, they have a stronger squad than last year with more options across the parks. Don't know about Top 4, but should finish Top 8.

 

[Big Pete]

Sydney Roosters
Tinirau Arona
Mitchell Aubusson
Jack Bosden
Anthony Cherrington
Boyd Cordner
Jake Friend
Aidan Guerra
Adam Henry
Martin Kennedy
Shaun Kenny-Dowall
Anthony Minichiello
Tautau Moga
Daniel Mortimer
Frank-Paul Nuuausala
Mitchell Pearce
Nafe Seluini
Tom Symonds
Brad Takairangi
Lama Tasi
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Daniel Tupou
Jared Warea-Hargreaves

Signings
James Maloney
Sam Moa
Michael Oldfield
Sonny-Bill Williams
Michael Jennings

New Faces
Josh Ailaomai
Kane Evans
Ryley Jacks
Samisoni Langi
Issac Liu
Rhyse Martin
Dylan Napa
Usaia O'Sullivan
Paul Rokolati
Jack Siejka
Henare Wells

Good collection of rising stars but lack the leadership in key positions to reap the benefits. If Jennings signs, they could definitely be smokies but as they are right now they may just make the numbers. I'm looking forward to their front row rotation, Evans in particular has the talent to be an Origin superstar and hopefully he's given a chance off the bench.

 

[Son Edo]

Big Pete, it would be nice if you gave every team your opinion, with a little description down the bottom, like you did with the Roosters. Not saying you have to, it's just nice hearing an opinion. Cheers!

 

[Big Pete]

Gold Coast Titans
Will Zillman
Kevin Gordon
Jamal Idris
David Mead
Aidan Sezer
Luke Bailey
Matt Srama
Nate Myles
Greg Bird
Ashley Harrison
Luke Douglas
Matt White
Mark Minichiello
Beau Falloon
Ben Ridge
Steve Michaels
Ryan James
Jordan Rankin
Beau Henry
Jamie Dowling

Signings
Dave Taylor
Matt Russell
Albert Kelly
Jordan Atkins
Brad Takairangi

New Faces
Luke Page
Hymel Hunt
Mark Ioane
Marmin Barba
Shaun Carney
Anthony Don
Shane Gray
Jahrome Hughes
Cody Nelson
Mark O'Dare
Sam Irwin

I don't get it with the Titans, they have the makings of a great side but their recruitment leaves a lot to be desired. Still don't understand their decision to sign Taylor when they already have enough good fringe runners and forwards coming through. Side desperately needs a halfback and while Sezer has shown potential, he clearly won't be able to carry the side just yet.

I just don't think they have enough points in them truthfully and I fully expect them to stagnate.

 

[Big Pete]

Manly Sea Eagles
Brett Stewart
Ben Farrar
Jamie Lyon
Steve Matai
Jorge Taufua
Kieran Foran
Daly-Cherry Evans
Jason King
Matt Ballin
George Rose
Anthony Watmough
Joe Galuvao
Glenn Stewart
Jamie Buhrer
Nick Skinner
David Williams
Brent Kite

Signings
Richie Fa'aoso
Brenton Lawrence
David Gower
Dane Chisolm
Justin Horo
Esi Tonga
Kayne Lawton

New Faces
Michael Chee-Kam
Ligi Sao
Peta Hiku
Jacob Gagan
Jesse Sene-Lafeo
Justin Lemalu
James Hasson
James Cunningham
Magnus Stromquist
Dylan Strickland
Liam Higgins
Jason Seage
Dominic Nasso
Michael Chapman
Ben Musolino
Jackson Williams
Nathan Cooper
Dean McGlinchy
Dylan Hill
Kayse Greer

Don't know how they did it but somehow the Sea Eagles were able to retain the majority of their premiership winning squad and also pick up some of the best young talent in Australia. It's a major kudos to them and will give them a great chance to enter the fray once again. Really, the only reason they won't make Top 4 is because Toovey simply isn't able to get them there, otherwise they should be set.

Top 4 squad IMO.

 

[Big Pete]

Melbourne Storm
Billy Slater
Matt Duffie
Will Chambers
Justin O'Neil
Sisa Waqa
Gareth Widdop
Cooper Cronk
Jesse Bromwich
Cam Smith
Jason Ryles
Kevin Proctor
Ryan Hoffman
Ryan Hinchcliffe
Bryan Norrie
Siosaia Vave
Maurice Blair
Mahe Fonua

Signings
Brett Finch
Junior Sa'u
Junior Moors
Lagi Setu

New Faces
Kenny Bromwich
Tohu Harris
Ben Hampton
Denny Solomona
Mitch Garbutt
Kurt Mann
Matt McGahan
Young Tonumaipea
Tim Glasby
Kirisome Auva'a
Slade Griffin
Jordan McLean
Dean Britt
Billy Brittain
Richard Kennar
Rhys Kennedy
Alex Landbridge

If ever there's a team that could go back to back, it's Melbourne. Despite winning a premiership, I think Bellamy has developed his young guys in such a way that the squad overall is actually stronger than their 2012 equivalent. Just a matter of whether or not they have that drive. Winning back to back is just so damn hard, it remains to be seen whether the Storm will be able to do it.

Top 4 certainties for mine.

 

[Big Pete]

Warriors
Kevin Locke
Bill Tupou
Konrad Hurrell
Manu Vatuvei
Shaun Johnson
Russell Packer
Nathan Friend
Ben Matulino
Simon Mannering
Feleti Mateo
Elijah Taylor
Ben Henry
Jacob Lillyman
Sam Rapira
Glenn Fisiiahi
Pita Godinet
Sebastine Ikahihifo
Sam Lousi
Sione Lousi
Alehana Mara
Steve Rapira
Jerome Ropati
Carlos Tuimavave

Signings
Thomas Leuluai
Dane Nielsen
Todd Lowrie
Dominique Peyroux
Harry Siejka

New Faces
John Palavi
Siu Siua Taukeiaho
Malakai Watene-Zelzeniak
Ngani Laumape
Suai Matagi
Atelea Nafetalai
David Fusitua
Aaron Nootai
Nathan Peteru
Siliva Havili
Trent Bishop
David Bhana

Can never write the Warriors off but I'm going to. I don't rate Matt Elliott, I don't think his style will compliment the Warriors and I think this rebuilding process is going to get worse before it gets better.

 

[Alec]

Warriors have the squad to go all the way IMO, just like the Cowboys. But just like the Cowboys, you can't really see them doing it.

 

[Big Pete]

Certainly have potential, they have a great nursery but I think recent injuries to Friend and Packer is sort of writing on the wall. I don't rate any of their signings and a lot of their players are just too enigmatic for my liking.

 

[Son Edo]

Well that's opinions for you.

Frankly in my opinion, they got nothing.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Warriors have the squad to go all the way IMO, just like the Cowboys. But just like the Cowboys, you can't really see them doing it.

Maybe if they still had Moloney. Fullback is also still a problem for them because Locke hasn't been great of late.

 

[Dexter]

Gold Coast Titans


I don't get it with the Titans, they have the makings of a great side but their recruitment leaves a lot to be desired. Still don't understand their decision to sign Taylor when they already have enough good fringe runners and forwards coming through. Side desperately needs a halfback and while Sezer has shown potential, he clearly won't be able to carry the side just yet.

I just don't think they have enough points in them truthfully and I fully expect them to stagnate.

I'm really looking forward to and hoping Albert Kelly can sort himself out. Probably his last chance but I think he can play, time will tell if he becomes just another talent to fall by the wayside due to ill discipline.

 

[coreyh88]

Does anyone know who will be playing fullback for the panthers or even who has been in the trials? Apparently they don't think it necessary to put their team lists in any order. I suspect it's naqaima although I believe Mansour should be there.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

Does anyone know who will be playing fullback for the panthers or even who has been in the trials? Apparently they don't think it necessary to put their team lists in any order. I suspect it's naqaima although I believe Mansour should be there.

Itll be naiqama or whare i think, but i agree it should be mansour