Burg
QCup Player
- Mar 4, 2008
- 565
- 20
Ok, after watching each game here are my early season predictions, as always inaccurate.
Broncos – Possibly the best halves in the game (although IMO Smith would make them far stronger). The backs are as good as any in the comp and Norman at fullback could be anything, although ask me again later in the year. Forwards will be our weakness.
Cowboys – Haven’t worked out yet that they have a team that can win a premiership, too much talent, not enough conviction. Sorry with that pack, the Broncos would be favourites.
Dragons – Will make the 8, but lack a game breaker to really worry the opposition, should bow out again early.
Parramatta – Always slow starters, have all the players in the right positions to win the whole thing, but don’t handle being favourites well. Expect them to lose plenty of game early but come home strong. Should finish somewhere in the top 4.
Storm – Can still win ugly. With the best hooker, fullback and game breakers in the game (and add to that one of the best halfbacks yet to come) the Storm will be a force for years to come. They just don’t seem to miss tackles. Will be the team to beat.
Sharks – Defence is solid, just have nothing in attack. From what I’ve seen can’t make the 8.
Roosters – Will improve over last year, not sure if they can make the 8, but have the cattle to give it a shake.
Bulldogs – Off week against a team they were supposed to flog, just goes to show that attitude wins games as well. Will make the 8, will just struggle early.
Rabbitohs – Just goes to prove that the more things change the more they stay the same. No team can win the comp with out a top quality 1, 9 & 7 and a game breaker. Now some teams can change that to a 6, but the end result is the players that get the most ball have to do something with it. They will win games, but wont make the 8, again.
Panthers – Dark horse, hot and cold, as always. Will blow teams away and will get flogged, possible top 8, but lets see them under real pressure. I think they will come up short.
Knights – Most people wrote them off before a ball was kicked yet the beat a premiership team, that’s gonna happen, still don’t think they have the legs for a long race, will fall short.
Warriors – Depth and commitment will again be their downfall. Like all teams they will no doubt win their share of games, it won’t be enough to make the 8.
Tigers – Another dark horse, most expect great things from the Tigers and sure they have the strike power to do it, but the premiership is not a sprint but a marathon. Might win enough to scrape into the 8.
Sea Eagles – Should be there or there abouts, quality team across the paddock, although lack the strike power of years gone by, should be an early exit.
Raiders – Written off every year and this one is no different, not enough quality to make the 8, won’t go winless though.
Titans – Stronger than last year, will make the 8 and have the important positions covered. A force this year.
My Top 8 is
Storm - Favourites
Dragons – Solid form all season
Eels – Too much quality not to be there
Bulldogs – see above
Titans - Improvers
Tigers – Good enough in this company
Cowboys – late charge
Broncos – Quality backline
Dark horse – Panthers, Roosters & Sea Eagles
1. Injuries - A season ending injury to Smith or Cronk pretty much ends their season, the same could be said to any high profile player in any team. The thing is the Storm have never had to deal with losing Smith or Cronk for long periods. No team could recover from losing key players in those positions, and there are 25 rounds to go.
2. Form drops – Nobody knows why, but some teams just lose form, as Broncos fans we’ve seen it all before, how will other teams recover if it happens to them?
It always seems that the Storm has been able to cover all eventualities in the past, except the loss of Smith. What would happen to the Storm if they lost not just Smith, but Cronk as well? As I have said the season is long and there are as many questions as there are answers, one thing I know is that September will come around regardless on wether our team is ready for it or not. I say, bring it on!!!
Broncos – Possibly the best halves in the game (although IMO Smith would make them far stronger). The backs are as good as any in the comp and Norman at fullback could be anything, although ask me again later in the year. Forwards will be our weakness.
Cowboys – Haven’t worked out yet that they have a team that can win a premiership, too much talent, not enough conviction. Sorry with that pack, the Broncos would be favourites.
Dragons – Will make the 8, but lack a game breaker to really worry the opposition, should bow out again early.
Parramatta – Always slow starters, have all the players in the right positions to win the whole thing, but don’t handle being favourites well. Expect them to lose plenty of game early but come home strong. Should finish somewhere in the top 4.
Storm – Can still win ugly. With the best hooker, fullback and game breakers in the game (and add to that one of the best halfbacks yet to come) the Storm will be a force for years to come. They just don’t seem to miss tackles. Will be the team to beat.
Sharks – Defence is solid, just have nothing in attack. From what I’ve seen can’t make the 8.
Roosters – Will improve over last year, not sure if they can make the 8, but have the cattle to give it a shake.
Bulldogs – Off week against a team they were supposed to flog, just goes to show that attitude wins games as well. Will make the 8, will just struggle early.
Rabbitohs – Just goes to prove that the more things change the more they stay the same. No team can win the comp with out a top quality 1, 9 & 7 and a game breaker. Now some teams can change that to a 6, but the end result is the players that get the most ball have to do something with it. They will win games, but wont make the 8, again.
Panthers – Dark horse, hot and cold, as always. Will blow teams away and will get flogged, possible top 8, but lets see them under real pressure. I think they will come up short.
Knights – Most people wrote them off before a ball was kicked yet the beat a premiership team, that’s gonna happen, still don’t think they have the legs for a long race, will fall short.
Warriors – Depth and commitment will again be their downfall. Like all teams they will no doubt win their share of games, it won’t be enough to make the 8.
Tigers – Another dark horse, most expect great things from the Tigers and sure they have the strike power to do it, but the premiership is not a sprint but a marathon. Might win enough to scrape into the 8.
Sea Eagles – Should be there or there abouts, quality team across the paddock, although lack the strike power of years gone by, should be an early exit.
Raiders – Written off every year and this one is no different, not enough quality to make the 8, won’t go winless though.
Titans – Stronger than last year, will make the 8 and have the important positions covered. A force this year.
My Top 8 is
Storm - Favourites
Dragons – Solid form all season
Eels – Too much quality not to be there
Bulldogs – see above
Titans - Improvers
Tigers – Good enough in this company
Cowboys – late charge
Broncos – Quality backline
Dark horse – Panthers, Roosters & Sea Eagles
1. Injuries - A season ending injury to Smith or Cronk pretty much ends their season, the same could be said to any high profile player in any team. The thing is the Storm have never had to deal with losing Smith or Cronk for long periods. No team could recover from losing key players in those positions, and there are 25 rounds to go.
2. Form drops – Nobody knows why, but some teams just lose form, as Broncos fans we’ve seen it all before, how will other teams recover if it happens to them?
It always seems that the Storm has been able to cover all eventualities in the past, except the loss of Smith. What would happen to the Storm if they lost not just Smith, but Cronk as well? As I have said the season is long and there are as many questions as there are answers, one thing I know is that September will come around regardless on wether our team is ready for it or not. I say, bring it on!!!
