The Red Line

[Mr Fourex]

Unless Corey Norman actually starts producing something under pressure in tight games, I'd put the red line through Brisbane. We can't rely on Wallace, Hunt, McCullough to produce all our attack in finals games.

As much as this hurts to say.....I completely agree with you.

We'll make the semis, no doubt. Unfortunately the cold reality is we don't have the backline or creativity to make it past rounds one or two.

Hope to be proven wrong.

Current Top 8

1. Melbourne
2. Bulldogs
3. Broncs
4. Sharkies
5. Cowboys
6. Bunnies
7. Manly
8. Tigers

I can see the Sharks slipping out and the Warriors taking their place.

Melbourne going through a tough period. Losing to the cows last night and only missing Slater, spells they're in a bit of trouble and not invincible.

Are the Knights the dark horse? I was surprised to see they weren't as far down the ladder as I thought. Absolutely spanked Manly .......

If Souths can keep fielding a full strength team and keep riding on the back of GI....anything is possible for them.

Red Line teams, imo;

Sharks
St George Illawarra
Gold Coast
Canberra
Sydney Roosters
Penrith Parramatta

 

[The Brizz]

I don't see anyone outside of Manly, Bulldogs or Melbourne winning it this year. Souths and Broncos are both too inexperienced in key positions but won't be that far away and will be better for it for next year and the Cowboys are always one week away from a mind boggling loss. The Sharks don't have the fire power to out point the really good sides that can actually put points on them and the Tigers much like the Cowboys will implode at some point either in or just before the finals.

 

[Coxy]

I don't see anyone outside of Manly, Bulldogs or Melbourne winning it this year. Souths and Broncos are both too inexperienced in key positions but won't be that far away and will be better for it for next year and the Cowboys are always one week away from a mind boggling loss. The Sharks don't have the fire power to out point the really good sides that can actually put points on them and the Tigers much like the Cowboys will implode at some point either in or just before the finals.

I tend to agree with you, although the shock losses of Storm and Manly this weekend put them on notice that they need to regroup going into the finals. I think Storm will, but I wonder if Manly is on the brink of a slump?

I think Broncos are the only other team outside of those 3 capable of winning it. Souths will cause headaches, but they don't have the composure to win a preliminary final, let alone a grand final.

Tigers and Cowboys are outside smokies. If they put on a string of wins at the right time they can do it. But like you say, they're so capable of just having a pathetic loss at the wrong time.

 

[Alec]

I think the Cows and the Warriors have the best squads in the NRL. Great backs, great halves, great forwards. Both lack consistency though, but if they are switched on, they can beat anyone.

 

[Dexter]

My smokey is ( I hate myself ) the Dragons. They still have a good roster, they've been there and done it. I have a wrap on Nightingale as being more than just a safe player and now he has been moved permanently to FB with Morris back where he belongs their left edge attack is back to what it was minus Boyd.

I can see them making a run especially with all their hardest games at home although they will be coming from the bottom half of the 8. It would be nice to see them knocked out in the prelim, AGAIN.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Souths will cause headaches, but they don't have the composure to win a preliminary final, let alone a grand final.

I dunno........if they click, any-thing's possible.

They're a good side this year and even though it was against the Rorters......last night's win took something special

If Inglis rampages, they'll be hard to stop.

I don't think I've ever said anything better about John Sutton than ....he's the laziest footballer in the NRL.

Even he's impressing me.. .... :scared:

 

[Big Pete]

Agree with Coxy.

Souths should just cherish the success they've achieved in making the 8. Best they've looked since '89 but like '89 I expect them to fall by the wayside in the finals. I just don't think they have the players to win finals matches. Particularly in key positions, Sutton, Reynolds and Luke either disappear or make coach killing mistakes.

 

[Coxy]

After tonight, red line through the Broncos.

Simply don't have the attacking cattle to win big games.

 

[Alec]

Yep...and that wasn't even a big game, at least compared to what we'll face in the future.

 

[Dexter]

Sadly, I concur.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Yep no chance this year.

 

[Broncoman]

I'm not giving up

 

[Coxy]

I'm not giving up

Mate, I admire your faith, but the Roosters are even less chance.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Mate, I admire your faith, but the Roosters are even less chance.

:loool:

View attachment 404

 

[Son Edo]

Im surprised you can write off Brisbane and not Manly, they've been just as bad if not worse.

 

[Coxy]

Im surprised you can write off Brisbane and not Manly, they've been just as bad if not worse.

Manly have shown more this year than we have, especially in attack.

 

[Son Edo]

Manly have shown more this year than we have, especially in attack.

Haha and look where they stand.

 

[Coxy]

Haha and look where they stand.

yes, but I still think they're a much bigger threat in the finals than we are, based on current form and performance so far this season. Sure, we had the edge on them when we played them earlier in the year and should've won. But should'ves don't count when you get to the big games. You do it, or you don't. And at the moment, if I was a Manly fan I'd be more confident that my team would do it than I am as a Broncos fan.