....... Will win the Premiership but ...... won't.

[Charmamba]

Let's hear what everyone thinks right now.


For mine, Brisbane will win the premiership. Everything is coming together the team is clicking the star players are hitting form and we have the "Do it for Locky" behind us.

Melbourne wont win the premiership, their first half is **** house and come the finals a second half comeback won't be enough. Knocked out second week.

 

[dukey]

Melbourne.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Melbourne.

I tipped them at the start of the year. Sadly I think I was right.

 

[Kimlo]

Stuff Melbourne, go the Broncos :)

 

[Kaz]

Storm will win.

Melbourne wont win the premiership, their first half is **** house and come the finals a second half comeback won't be enough. Knocked out second week.

They just wait until someone stuffs up & they go on to win.

 

[Dexter]

Tigers to win because everything seems to be falling into place towards the end of the season and they have the X factor in attack.

Won't win, sadly the Broncos, brilliant effort all season but just to limited in attack to win 4 games at the business end.

 

[Nashy]

I can't see Melburne or Manly Losing to the Broncos.

 

[Kaz]

Tigers to win because everything seems to be falling into place towards the end of the season and they have the X factor in attack.

They have an easiest run home by far.

Panthers, Eels, Titans & Cronulla.

 

[Dexter]

Yeah that's right, in my finals predictor I had the Tigers finishing at least 5th which means they should play St Choke and we get a home semi against the Cows if we can roll them next week.

 

[Porthoz]

If we could clinch 2nd spot, I believe we can go all the way, because in the grand final, even the Storm wouldn't stop a fairytale ending for Locky.
The one thing I wouldn't want, is to travel to Melbourne in a semi or prelim...

I fear no other team, although I respect the likes of Manly, Cows, Dragqueens, Tigers and Warriors on current form.

 

[OXY-351]

If we could clinch 2nd spot, I believe we can go all the way, because in the grand final, even the Storm wouldn't stop a fairytale ending for Locky.
The one thing I wouldn't want, is to travel to Melbourne in a semi or prelim...

I fear no other team, although I respect the likes of Manly, Cows, Dragqueens, Tigers and Warriors on current form.

How can you respect the Dragons on current form?

Sure they have the team to win it again, and they may well come good, but their current form is terrible.

 

[Coxy]

Agree OXY, but also remember that Bennett has managed to get his teams to snap out of a slump around round 24. Most notably, the Broncos in 2006. We were undoubtedly in a slump as at round 22, had a strong effort but defeat against Melbourne in round 23 and then flogged the Bulldogs, Eels and Warriors to finish the season on a high.

They shouldn't have much trouble against the Roosters next week, then face a real test of character against the Storm in Melbourne. Another tough game against Warriors at home and then finish with Penrith at home which they should win.

If they can win 3 of the 4, they'll have enough momentum to be able to cause some trouble in the finals. They'd likely finish 5th, and face the Cowboys in Townsville.

However, my answer to this actual thread is I think Manly will win, but Melbourne won't. Why won't Melbourne win it? Because they've won 10 in a row now, they're playing as well as they are capable of playing, and they will inevitably have a dip in form, however minor, and other teams will peak. Manly I think has been in cruise control for weeks now. Been managing to win (other than against the Tigers, who they dominated other than for a 7 minute period). They will make their statement in the last 2 rounds against Melbourne and us, seal 2nd spot and I wouldn't be surprised if they destroy whoever finishes 7th.

 

[Porthoz]

How can you respect the Dragons on current form?

Sure they have the team to win it again, and they may well come good, but their current form is terrible.

Sorry, poorly worded I guess. I only meant Warriors on current form, since the other teams have the players to get a result anytime, anywhere.

I agree with what Coxy says re the Dragons, but can't see Manly having an extra gear. If anything, I see them fade away...

 

[Coxy]

Sorry, poorly worded I guess. I only meant Warriors on current form, since the other teams have the players to get a result anytime, anywhere.

I agree with what Coxy says re the Dragons, but can't see Manly having an extra gear. If anything, I see them fade away...

Yeah I dunno. No doubt Manly have been cruising, the debate is whether they have that extra level to go to. I think they do. But then you have the other unknown of how Foran and Cherry-Evans will deliver that, being rookie halves. If the extra level comes, it'll come from the likes of the Stewart brothers, Lyon and Watmough lifting, and dragging the rest of the team with them.

 

[Coxy]

I'd almost have Warriors and Tigers on the cusp of "quality" too. Agree with Mark Geyer, the only team in the 8 that can't win the comp is the Knights.

 

[Coxy]

Yep agreed. Tigers and Warriors are nearly there, borderline I'd say. But I would not be surprised to see any of the top 8 win the comp, except the Knights. And that's not a reflection on the poor quality of the comp, it's actually a reflection on REAL quality of teams in the 8.

Definitely. It's not a case of 8 mediocre teams. It's a case of 8 fairly even teams, but all are playing well. Doesn't look like we'll have a situation where the bottom 2 or 3 teams just fall into the 8 as the "best of the rest".

 

[Nashy]

The only thing that hole the Warriors and Tigers back is consistency with their games. Warriors are up and down game to game, and Tigers seem to be up and down set to set.

 

[Alec]

I reckon Manly has had a pretty easy season. I don't think they played any full strength current top 5 sides throughout the whole season. They haven't ever really been tested. Still reckon Melbourne is far and away the best side in the comp atm, and the most experienced when it comes to big games.