General Will we make the 8?

[Warriors55]

If we can somehow beat the Panthers week 1 we will most likely be playing the Bulldogs week 2 which is the best possible outcome for us. I am not saying we will win but it is better than matching up with Melbourne, Canberra, or Brisbane. There is no way the Bulldogs will be beating the Storm week 1 even without Hughes.

Winning at home against Penrith will be tougher than Canterbury away based on how the teams are going. Winning those two in a row though would be a miracle but if we could, it would be great for our confidence moving into next season with more players back.

I thought Melbourne would easily take care of Canberra this year but without Hughes that is a spanner in the works.

I would rate the 8 teams in this order moving into the finals based on both current form and big match temperament. I can't help feeling Canberra are there for the taking though. Realistically, only Melbourne, Penrith or Brisbane can do it and a lot of other teams will be grateful if we knock Penrith out week 1.

1. Canberra
2. Melbourne
3. Brisbane
4. Penrith
5. Cronulla
6. Sydney City
7. Canterbury
8. NZ

 

[mrblonde]

Well, I'm just PISSED OFF that, no matter the permutations, I'm not gonna get a Warriors v Raiders Grand Final AKA My First Team v My Second Team.

So our path is v Penrith, v Bulldogs/Storm and then v Raiders/Broncos...

Not expecting wins, but am expecting improvements on the last two games.

Later Edit: No, I'm wrong. The Warriors could meet the loser of Raiders v Broncos.... So if the Raiders lose that one, I could get the GF I want.

 

[CWC]

Panthers be licking their lips - warriors, dogs, raiders, broncos or storm without their top players. Raiders would be the hardest test, but if roosters beat sharks do the roosters take on the top seeds?

 

[Canonball]

If we can somehow beat the Panthers week 1 we will most likely be playing the Bulldogs week 2 which is the best possible outcome for us. I am not saying we will win but it is better than matching up with Melbourne, Canberra, or Brisbane. There is no way the Bulldogs will be beating the Storm week 1 even without Hughes.

Winning at home against Penrith will be tougher than Canterbury away based on how the teams are going. Winning those two in a row though would be a miracle but if we could, it would be great for our confidence moving into next season with more players back.

I thought Melbourne would easily take care of Canberra this year but without Hughes that is a spanner in the works.

I would rate the 8 teams in this order moving into the finals based on both current form and big match temperament. I can't help feeling Canberra are there for the taking though. Realistically, only Melbourne, Penrith or Brisbane can do it and a lot of other teams will be grateful if we knock Penrith out week 1.

1. Canberra
2. Melbourne
3. Brisbane
4. Penrith
5. Cronulla
6. Sydney City
7. Canterbury
8. NZ

I'd have the chooks ahead of the sharks but otherwise agree with the rankings you've given ... i want to believe, i want us to jag a win next week and if we do would definitely back us to get over the dogs ... I can't see Melbourne doing it without hughes, they've been so inconsistent and I really don't rate their pack ... might end up being a brisbane raiders final ... unless it's Wahs / Broncs...

 

[Warriors55]

I'd have the chooks ahead of the sharks but otherwise agree with the rankings you've given ... i want to believe, i want us to jag a win next week and if we do would definitely back us to get over the dogs ... I can't see Melbourne doing it without hughes, they've been so inconsistent and I really don't rate their pack ... might end up being a brisbane raiders final ... unless it's Wahs / Broncs...

I can agree with that mate. The Sharks/Roosters was a coin flip for me. I think the Sharks being at home vs the Roosters swayed me to ranking them higher but the Roosters have more quality across their side overall.

The Dogs are a mess right now. If we somehow get over Penrith and Melbourne give the Dogs a thrashing we could jag a win there in a low scoring game. That would put us against the Raiders in Canberra (provided that beat Brisbane which is not a given) for a prelim which I don't think is as bad as it sounds. But I mean, it would take a miracle to get there with our current squad. With a better half I would be much more confident.

I would back a full strength Brisbane or Melbourne to beat Canberra which isn't the case now. The winner will probably come down to which of the big teams loses any more important players before the grand final.