If you go by the Sideline poll, it will be the year of the Rooster. But you have to take such polls with a grain of salt. Especially given the likelihood that it was a lone, crazy Roosters fan doing all the voting.
In today’s Sun Herald, Phil Gould reckons only three teams have a realistic chance. They are the Storm, Manly and the Eels.
Of course I gotta say I agree with Phil regarding the Eels. They tore the Roosters up last night and if they have an injury free fun, will be too much for most teams. The only question is can the Eels develop more consistency through the year. Us Eels fans were a little bemused by the Eels hot and cold performance during the season.
The Storm deserve their favouritism. They may not have the dream run they got last year but they will be competition’s benchmark. The only thing that could hurt The Storms chances are injuries. If Cronk or Inglis have a long sting on the sideline then Melbourne will slip back. Otherwise they will leave most of the comp in their wake.
Manly I’m not that sure about. They will miss Monaghan big time. He was Manly’s spark in attack last year. I just don’t rate Orford that highly. He’s not a bad half but not a great one. Mark my words, Manly will be a shadow of last year.
As for the others, the Cowboys are worth considering but obviously depends on Thurston and Bowen. The Roosters are rebuilding and the Bulldogs doing the opposite so I don’t expect much from either. The Broncos may buck one last time for Benny and you are never confident discounting their chances. The Warriors are iffy with McKinnon out and the possibility of being mentally damaged from last year’s finals campaign.
I expect Souths to make the eight again. And the Dragons may be the surprise packet of the season. Then again, self-doubt may ruin their chances as per previous seasons. The Titans will be better in their second run and teams may come to dread to visit to the Gold Coast.
As for the rest, don’t worry too much about making the eight. Just enjoy what you can of the season and comfort yourselves with the mantra “There’s always next year.”
10 responses so far ↓
Club Troppo » Missing Link Daily // Mar 4, 2008 at 8:51 am
[...] Amanda Rose loves Dolly Parton but hates Céline Dion at great length. [...]
jimmy bird // Mar 17, 2008 at 3:31 pm
your so ugly who will win in the nrl in 2008?
jimmy bird // Mar 17, 2008 at 3:32 pm
i love u u love me we are 1 big family with a kiss and a hug to u and one to i love u and u love me
jimmy bird // Mar 17, 2008 at 3:33 pm
i’m a huge fan of the melbourne storm and i put a bet on them in the season 2007 andf won 60 dollars i bet storm can do it again …………………GO STORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jimmy bird // Mar 17, 2008 at 3:35 pm
GO MELBOURNE STORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andrew Johns // Mar 17, 2008 at 3:46 pm
hello to all my supporters I’m sorry that I had to leave the NRL it was a very tough time for me and anybody that follows rugby league. But I was forced to leave and if I didn’t my body would have been very hurt so I’m sorry everyone that I had to leave and I miss you all this is Andrew Johns saying goodbye
Andrew Johns // Mar 17, 2008 at 3:48 pm
my email adress is Andrew@Newcastle.com.au so please leave an email for me and i will reply
Ethan Murray // Jun 22, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Hi there,
I play for the dragons lower grades club, and M.Cooper, M.Gasnier, D.Young, The Very Fast Josh & Brett Morris, The Magic Dragon J.Soward and the other great players of the dragons come down and show us the way that they work and show us through training, and there on the run, they have won the last 6 games straight, and they have also there under 20s side is going good to winning 13 in row, but had a tie and loss in the last two weeks, My money is on st-George to take out the 2008 premiership for both grades 1st grade, and the under 20s.
GO THE DRAGONS
Andrew Johns // Jun 22, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I tell you what Ethan you might just be right there, i have been helping the Morris twins and they have improved a lot, and the dragons winger i have tipped this year to be top try scorer this year, he on the top now, and also to be rookie of the year, what outstanding talent the dragons have, they have the the two best centres, the best front rower, and a good half combination, The dragons is the team that can go all the way, and for brownies boys i hope they do have a much deserved premiership win.
luke // Jul 31, 2008 at 10:51 pm
i think that to solve the money crisis the nrl should keep the salery cap but lntroduce a mar keyplayer that doesn’t fall into salery cap, 1 for each team. if teams cant buy really top players they could just make it their most highly paid player.