Premiership Chances

[Bull Shark]

Rebecca Wilson had the Broncos as her favourites until last night when the Storm "totally sorted them out" ... Now she's keen on the Roosters

lmao

 

[ivanhungryjak]

Rebecca Wilson had the Broncos as her favourites until last night when the Storm "totally sorted them out" ... Now she's keen on the Roosters

lmao

lol, quality journalism right there.

 

[Huge]

The bookies have the Roosters first pick, the Broncos next by a short margin followed by the Cows and then the Melbin scum. I think that's about right with the Sharks next at 11 - 1. I know no one here thinks the Sharks are a chance but they have played the last six matches without their best front rower which when you consider how we went with Blair out is worth remembering. Having the Fifita brothers back will considerably bolster their strength so they just may surprise. Please feel free to shove the drug comments wherever you think they fit best, just not here in a response. This thread is just about the chances of various teams.

 

[mieko]

I think the Sharkies will be the big spanner in the works and make it thru to the prelim. Not to sure on going the whole way but they are definitely capable of a win in the finals. Think their best bet would be from 5 and taking on the dragons?? in the first week then hopefully taking on the cows in the second week, if it works out that way.

 

[Alec]

Surely deep inside you know the Sharks are no chance?

 

[vertigo]

What's the longest winning streak to win the premiership?

Roosters would have to win 15 in a row to claim it, law of averages says they wont.

 

[Harry Sack]

What's the longest winning streak to win the premiership?

Roosters would have to win 15 in a row to claim it, law of averages says they wont.

Not if they lose their 1st semi.

 

[Morkel]

What's the longest winning streak to win the premiership?

Roosters would have to win 15 in a row to claim it, law of averages says they wont.

They can of course lose in the first round of the finals and still go on to win.

 

[Morkel]

**** you, ninja.

 

[Sproj]

The Roosters are beatable, it'll be us and them in the GF.

 

[Super Freak]

What's the longest winning streak to win the premiership?

Roosters would have to win 15 in a row to claim it, law of averages says they wont.

11.

If they play like they did tonight, they could lose..

30/43 completion rate, 10 penalties conceded and they likely won't have Maloney.

 

[Huge]

Surely deep inside you know the Sharks are no chance?

Sure mate...just like I knew the NYYC would never have its 126 year winning streak broken...and then along came a winged keel in 1983.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

I think people are underestimating the chances Maloney will get at least a 1 match ban for that trip. That'll hurt their chances in Week 1.

 

[Harry Sack]

I think people are underestimating the chances Maloney will get at least a 1 match ban for that trip. That'll hurt their chances in Week 1.

I'll believe it when I see it but I hope you're right

 

[broncos4life]

He'll get a grade one max. Even if by some miracle he gets a grade 2, they will challenge and he will get off with some bullshit like "he was unbalanced and the player ran directly into him"

 

[Kimlo]

Maybe the MRC will actually mistakenly slap him with a grade 3 when they intended to not charge him. That's our best hope.

IIRC you can't downgrade more than 1 level, maybe that's changed but I remember it being something like that.

 

[ivanhungryjak]

He'll get off any charge using the "it's not his go" defence.

 

[Big Pete]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't think of any instance where the 5th favourite team has taken out the premiership this late in the competition. Certainly, I can remember many instances where a side surprised everyone and made it as far as a prelim or even the grand final, but gone onto win? Hmmm...maybe not since the Super League era where the Bulldogs surprised everyone has something like that happened.

So I don't think it's that disrespectful to think the Sharks chances are slim to none. Of course every team is some chance, even Manly but it's like that scene from Dumb and Dumber...



...they're not good.

I think 5th favourite is a little generous for Cronulla as well. Yes, the addition of Fifita is handy but I don't think it's automatically a tremendous boost to the Sharks. On his day, Fifita is the best prop forward in the game. However, this season, he has easily been the dumbest prop forward and he can just as easily cost the Sharks a game, as much as he can win it. Maybe the six weeks on the sidelines would have helped him somewhat but I don't think the Sharks have really missed him and if I was Flanagan, I'd be compelled to play him off the bench and challenge Fifita to take the spots off of Tagataese and Heighno - the latter of which has been very underrated this season.

So unless Fifita can find his best form, I think the Sharks will be caught out and wouldn't be surprised to see them out by week 2.

If they are, there's no shame in that. After all the drama of last season with ASADA & Carney, to finish inside the Top 4 would be a nice achievement. It also bodes well for their future. Maloney & Townsend are an upgrade on their current halves pairing & Bird could be just as handy in the centres as he is at five eighth. The fullback equation should be less hairy now with Gordon out of the equation. That will mean Cronulla will either get more value out of Barba or develop Holmes who looks capable of adding another dimension to the Sharks attack.

It isn't a making of a dynasty by any means, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Cronulla struggle in 2017 with a few players getting on or looking close to retirement, but they should figure somewhere next year.