ToiletDuck
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Bulldogs
The Dogs played some absolutely outstanding football in 2012 only to fall to a clinical Storm side in the final. I think most pick them to go one better this year, and it’s not hard to see why. David Stagg and Jonathan Wright are probably the only notable losses in a squad that was somehow able to pick up unwanted outside backs almost at will mid-season last year. Add to that the addition of NSW and Kangaroo backrower Tony Williams and it’s really hard to see why the Dogs won’t be the force to be reckoned with in 2013. Oddly enough, their biggest weakness probably lies in their halves, but with their big men able to create ball movement close to the line there isn’t a great need for the likes of Reynolds to create something from nothing. Des has had a full off-season to fine tune their game-plan combined with Navy sessions and altitude chambers. He’s leading the coaching revolution and I back them to go all the way. Prediction: Premiers
Souths
Goodbye Russell? I’m saddened that he’ll no longer be synonymous with the Rabbits. It’s been a happy union which has turned the perennial easy-beats into premiership contenders. The South Sydney Burgess brothers, err Rabbitohs, look set for another crack at premiership glory. Gringlis was a revolution in 2012, returning to his roots at fullback while Adam Reynolds came from nowhere in an outstanding debut season at halfback. Heck, even John Sutton looked to be playing well. Squad wise they’ve lost Dave Taylor (Titans) but have picked up Ben Te’o from the Broncos as a more-than-adequate replacement. The rest of the league world will be praying for a capitulation to restore order, but it should be strength to strength for the Rabbits this year. Prediction: 2nd
Storm
Is the party finally coming to an end? Smith, Cronk and Slater are headed towards 30 and it may well be Bellamy’s last season. The ‘big 3’ will again be central to their fortunes, but they’ve also lost a fair chunk of the supporting cast in Jaiman Lowe (retired), Lowrie (Warriors), Sika Manu (Pamfers), Nielsen (Warriors) and Anthony Quinn (Knights). Their biggest addition appears to be Brett Finch, though I’m not totally sure where he’ll fit into their setup given the success of Gareth Widdop at 6. Motivation was high last year to erase the misery of their stripped premierships, and while they are still a force to be reckoned with, it will be a massive effort to reproduce what they did last year. If Bellamy ends up leaving, the motivation may be there for another big push - otherwise I think it may be a step too far in this comp which has shown to be near impossible to go back-to-back. Prediction: 3rd
Sharks
The world’s strongest forward pack combined with the world’s most boring backline? Actually that may no longer be accurate, if Michael Gordon can stay fit and re-discover his pre-injury form he’ll be a great acquisition. Beau Ryan and Jonathan Wright may be unspectacular but there are worse outside backs to pick up. The talking points however surround their forward pack. The loss of Jeremy Smith hardly seems a big one when you look at the addition of Luke Lewis and Heighington. Todd Carney finally seems to have found his sober boots and the side is superbly led by Paul Gallen – who has redefined the meaning of superman. They lost a bit of momentum towards the end of last season, but I back them to go a step further this year and head deep into September. Prediction: 4th
Cowboys
Has a team ever relied on one single player more than the Cowboys? (Well, maybe the Knights in the Johns era). That’s not a slight on their side, it’s more of an indication of the quality that JT brings to the table. I think the Cowboys will go fairly well this season. Apart from the departure of Payne (retirement) and Segeyaro (Panthers), they have a relatively settled line-up. Their forward pack is quality - led by Scott and Tamou, and with Tariq Sims, Taumalolo and Dallas Johnson in the backrow they have a nice blend of attack and defence. Arguably the toughest place to travel to in the NRL, they’ll again be strong at Dairy Farmers and their fortunes will largely lie in how well they travel and negotiate the Origin period. Prediction: 5th
Broncos
Scott Prince making the short trip north back to his first NRL home was a surprise, especially given the Titans’ lack of depth in the halves. None-the-less I think he’ll be a good pick up for the Broncs, and may be what’s required to take some of the pressure off Peter Wallace. I thought Wallace started the season well last year under scrutiny post Lockyer’s retirement, however he and Norman struggled in the back half of the year. Importantly their young players have come through a couple of seasons and now have a good deal of experience. Reed and Glenn are International reps, and Gillett is now an Origin regular. McCullough is fast becoming one of the most consistent dummy halves in the competition. Add in the possibility of Yow Yeh making his long awaited return and they have the makings of a top side. Prediction: 6th
Sea Eagles
I expect Manly to be there or thereabouts in 2013 but of all the top sides they’re my pick to under-perform. They’re an established squad but the likes of Lyon, Matai, Kite, Watmough and the Stewart brothers have been around and performing at a high level for a while now and may just be running out of steam. Notable losses include Darcy Lussick (Eels), Michael Oldfield (Roosters), Dean Whare (Pamfers) and of course Tony Williams (Dogs). Quality in the halves no doubt, but I’m not sold on Toovey as a coach and last year I thought they looked a shadow of the Hasler led side. Will beat the average teams but not sure they’ve added enough to their arsenal to go the distance. Prediction: 7th
Knights
A team that is incredibly difficult to pick. Last year they headed into the competition as favourites for the premiership with super-coach Wayne Bennett at the helm, only to crash and burn. Compounding problems have been Tinkler’s well publicised financial issues, though the message from the club has been that the Knights haven’t been affected. On the field however they’ve built a fairly solid squad. Importantly their spine is relatively settled – Boyd, Mullen, Gidley and Buderus with quality out wide. Wayne has recruited some good talent over the off-season in BJ Leilua, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith, Anthony Quinn and former Braith Anasta assassin – David Fa’alogo. It’s difficult to believe that Bennett may miss out on the finals 2 years running, I think they’ll sneak in. Prediction: 8th
Roosters
The Roosters are probably the hardest side to gauge for the 2013 season. All the early talk surrounded the acquisition of SBW, but they’ve gained and lost personnel in key areas – not least of all the appointment of Trent Robinson as coach. The disappointment of losing (sacking) BJ Leilua was quickly erased with the recent signing of Michael Jennings and they’re now looking like one of the stronger squads in the competition. You’d have to think if Maloney and Pearce can form any sort of combination in the halves then they’ll be a threat. While I wouldn’t be surprised by a total implosion inside the first half of the season, if this team can get its shit together then look out. However a lot of their key men haven’t played together before and it’ll take time for combinations to develop. Could go either way but I think they’ll just miss out. Prediction: 9th
Tigers
A couple of surprise departures in the off-season, not least of all that of Tim Sheens. I for one think this can only be a good thing for them. Notable losses include Heighington and Beau Ryan to the Sharks, while Gareth Ellis’ return to the UK will take a bit of sting out of their pack. Important additions include Braith Analstar who brings a wealth of experience to the table. I expect him to slot into Heighington’s place at 13, but is an adequate fill in at 6 should they need it. On the coaching front the appointment of Mick Potter is an astute one. A former NRL player that has earned his stripes in the ESL, he’ll bring a fresh and new perspective to a club that has been stuck in the maniacal grip of Sheens for far too long. I think their forwards may struggle to dominate opposition packs but they’ve got obvious quality in Marshall and Farah and a stellar backline. This could go either way, but the Sheens hangover may keep them grounded. Prediction: 10th
Warriors
A disgraceful 2012 saw the Warriors lose eight in a row in an embarrassing finale to the season. Brian McClennan and Tony Iro out, Matt Elliot and Andrew McFadden in. Most notable departure is that of James Maloney (Roosters) while they’ve added some reasonable players in Dane Nielsen, Thomas Leuluai, Todd Lowrie, Dominique Peyroux and Harry Siejka. The strengths of this side include a solid forward pack, particularly in the front row - while Shaun Johnson and Thomas Leuluai should compliment eachother nicely in the halves. Still incredibly vulnerable out wide, Elliot needs to find his best centre and wing pairings early and stick with them. Another club that looks to be headed in the right direction off the field at this stage, but are by no means a settled line-up. They should be better than last year but are probably still a good way off mounting a premiership assault. Prediction: 11th
Raiders
The definition of unpredictable, the Raiders are a joy to watch on their day but lack the consistency to mount sustained title pushes. Such is the nature of their play, coach David Furner was all but headed for the exit halfway through last season until a late push saw them sneak into the 8. Importantly, their squad has remained quite stable, the only notable loss being that of Bronson Harrison to the Dragons. They’re otherwise fairly settled, and not totally devoid of quality in key areas. I suppose the big question will again be whether Terry Campese (aka Mr Glass) can remain fit. If so then anything is possible but for me they’re just too unpredictable. Prediction: 12th
Eels
He may be a clown but Ricky Stuart has been around a long time now and knows a couple of things about rugby league. Despite the losses while coaching NSW I thought his teams were probably the most competitive of any side NSW has produced over the last half decade. He brings a no-nonsense approach to a club which was shambolic throughout 2012. Missing out on Israel Folau will have hurt them, but it’s not all doom and gloom. I thought Cheyse Blair was impressive last year, while forgotten man Jacob Loko should break into the side if he can stay fit. Sadly their forward pack really isn’t much to write home about, and if Fui Fui isn’t firing they may struggle against some of the stronger packs. Though the club appears to be headed in the right direction, they’re heavily reliant on Hayne and Sandow who tend to be very up-and-down with their form (and attitude). A couple of class players surrounded by a decidedly average squad, like the Pamfers I can’t see them consistently troubling too many sides. Prediction: 13th
Panthers
Gus and Ivan head into their 2nd year in charge of the Panthers’ heavily publicised revolution. The question is how long their supporters will be happy to accept mediocrity during this period? They’ve brought in some not-so-terrible players for 2013 in the likes of Whare, Segeyaro, Sika Manu and Lewis Brown. Outweighing the gains however have been the personnel they’ve lost. Luke Lewis and Michael Gordon have left for the green pastures of the Shire amongst the recent Hobbit hype, whilst Jennings has finally put to bed the long-standing saga surrounding his future. Luke Walsh is adequate without being dominant, and I’m not totally sold on the idea of Coote in the halves. They’re a side that may punch above their weight for a period but ultimately the lack of quality in key areas will be telling. Another year of building in this transition period and I still can’t see them consistently worrying too many sides. Prediction: 14th
Dragons
Post Wayne Bennett hangover, or just a crap squad? Constant speculation about Bellamy’s arrival in Wollongong from 2014 must have taken its toll on Steve Price. Big losses in Beau Scott (Knights), Ben Hornby (Retired) as well as Kyle Stanley (injury) pre-season – things already look to be heading south for the Dragons and I’d be surprised if they mount a proper challenge on the top 8. They do have decent outside backs in Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale and newly signed Gerard Beale – but the lack of depth in the halves combined with the up-and-down form of Jamie Soward will go a long way to deciding their fate. With a couple more key players hanging up their boots at the end of the season, and constant speculation over the future of coach Steve Price, this is well and truly a ‘transition period’ for the Drags and I wouldn’t be surprised if this season quickly becomes one to forget. Prediction: 15th
Titans
Arguably the competition’s best supporting cast combined with the worst spine. Letting Scott Prince go was a curious (retarded) decision, and now means the Titans have a distinct lack of depth in their halves. Aidan Seizer is a certainty at 6, leaving Jordan Rankin, Beau Henry and Albert Kelly vying for Prince’s vacant jersey. Early word is that Albert Kelly has the inside running, but don’t be surprised to see multiple players get a shot – or for Cartwright to throw Greg Bird an SOS call and play him at 6 once things turn to shit. They do boast a great forward pack and decent outside backs but the lack of experience and overall quality in their spine will be crippling. Prediction: Wooden Spoon
