Crystal ball: How your team will fare this NRL season

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Crystal ball: How your team will fare this NRL season
SMH
February 27, 2012

BRISBANE BRONCOS STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Josh Hoffman

2\. Jharal Yow Yeh

3\. Jack Reed

4\. Justin Hodges

5\. Gerard Beale

6\. Corey Norman

7\. Peter Wallace

8\. Ben Hannant

9\. Andrew McCullough

10\. Petero Civoniceva

11\. Alex Glenn

12\. Sam Thaiday

13\. Corey Parker

14.Ben Hunt

15\. Ben Te'o

16\. Matt Gillett

17\. Josh McGuire

New faces: Luke Capewell (Titans),

Petero Civoniceva (Panthers),

Nick Slyney (Redcliffe)

First five games: Eels (A), Cowboys (H), Knights (A), Rabbitohs (A), Dragons (H)

This year could be great because:

Young guns such as Reed, Hoffman, Beale, McCullough and McGuire have had a full season of NRL under their belts, as has coach Anthony Griffin, and all should be better for the experience.

This year could end in tears because:

Darren Lockyer's heroic feat to ignore a fractured cheekbone and kick an extra-time field goal to eliminate St George Illawarra in last year's finals showed just how much the Broncos relied on him. Replacing a modern great will not be easy.
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CANBERRA RAIDERS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Josh Dugan

2\. Blake Ferguson

3\. Jarrod Croker

4\. Joel Thompson

5\. Reece Robinson

6\. Terry Campese

7\. Josh McCrone

8\. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs

9\. Glen Buttriss

10\. David Shillington

11\. Joe Picker

12\. Bronson Harrison

13\. Shaun Fensom

14\. Dane Tilse

15\. Brett White

16\. Josh Papalii

17\. Shaun Berrigan

New faces: Shaun Berrigan (Warriors), Malcolm Congoo (Sunshine Coast)

First five games: Storm (H), Titans (A), Roosters (A), Tigers (A), Cowboys (H)

This year could be great because:

The loss of Terry Campese hurt the Raiders massively last year in a season when so much was expected of them but he is back and all of the reasons everyone predicted them to be a premiership force in 2011 remain - young talent, a great forward pack and genuine strikepower out wide.

This year could end in tears because:

Speculation about the future of coach David Furner will be hanging over the club all season if they don't get off to a good start, and the Raiders face three of their opening four matches away from Canberra Stadium.
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CANTERBURY BULLDOGS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Ben Barba

2\. Steve Turner

3\. Josh Morris

4\. Tim Lafai

5\. Bryson Goodwin

6\. Kris Keating

7\. Trent Hodkinson

8\. Aiden Tolman

9\. Michael Ennis

10\. James Graham

11\. Frank Pritchard

12\. Corey Payne

13\. David Stagg

14\. Dene Halatau

15\. Sam Kasiano

16\. Greg Eastwood

17\. Martin Taupau

New faces: James Graham (St Helens), Luke MacDougall (Saracens), James Gavet (Warriors)

First five games: Panthers (A), Dragons (H), Warriors (A), Knights (H), Titans (A)

This year could be great because:

Des Hasler is the saviour. He has the skills to turn Canterbury into a formidable football team. James Graham adds more starch to an already strong forward pack, while fullback Ben Barba is an exciting prospect and a potential match-winner for the blue and whites.

This year could end in tears because:

There is no consistency in the halves. It was a problem for them last year, and Kris Keating and Trent Hodkinson must be consistent to not only retain their positions in the team, but also guide Canterbury back to finals football.
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CRONULLA SHARKS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Nathan Gardner

2\. Nathan Stapleton

3\. Ben Pomeroy

4\. Colin Best

5\. Matthew Wright

6\. Wade Graham

7\. Todd Carney

8\. Bryce Gibbs

9\. Isaac De Gois

10\. Ben Ross

11\. Jeremy Smith

12\. Sam Tagataese

13\. Paul Gallen

14\. Anthony Tupou

15\. Andrew Fifita

16\. Jon Green

17\. John Morris

New faces: Todd Carney (Roosters) Mark Taufua (Knights), Jeff Robson (Eels), Bryce Gibbs (Tigers), Jon Green (Dragons), Andrew Fifita (Tigers), Isaac De Gois (Knights), Ben Ross (Rabbitohs), Sosaia Feki (Warriors).

First five games: Tigers (A), Knights (H), Sea Eagles (H), Cowboys (A), Panthers (A)

This year could be great because:

Todd Carney. Nothing else needs to be said. If he can return to the form that helped steer the Roosters to the grand final in 2010, Cronulla are top-eight contenders. They have the forward pack to rival any in the comp.

This year could end in tears because:

Coach Shane Flanagan has a lack of star quality in his back line. He has enough forwards to fill two NRL teams but there's a question mark on where the points are going to come from.
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GOLD COAST TITANS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. William Zillman

2\. Kevin Gordon

3\. Jamal Idris

4\. Beau Champion

5\. David Mead

6\. Aisen Sezar

7\. Scott Prince

8\. Luke Bailey

9\. Matt Srama

10\. Luke Douglas

11\. Ashley Harrison

12\. Nate Myles

13\. Greg Bird

14\. Ryan James

15\. Bodene Thompson

16\. Mark Minichiello

17\. Beau Henry

New faces: Jamal Idris (Bulldogs),

Luke Douglas (Sharks), Beau Champion (Storm), Nate Myles (Roosters),

Beau Falloon (Rabbitohs), Aidan Sezer (Bulldogs), Phil Graham (Roosters)

First five games: Cowboys (A), Raiders (H), Storm (H), Warriors (A), Bulldogs (H)

This year could be great because:

The Titans were the big movers in the transfer market and now boast genuine strike power out wide with Jamal Idris and Beau Champion, while the addition of Nate Myles and Luke Douglas gives them one of the strongest forward packs in the comp.

This year could end in tears because:

Despite their recruiting spree, the Titans have done little to strengthen the key positions of hooker, halfback, five-eighth and fullback - leaving a lot of responsibility again on the shoulders of skipper Scott Prince.
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MANLY SEA EAGLES

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Brett Stewart

2\. David Williams

3\. Jamie Lyon

4\. Steve Matai

5\. Michael Oldfield

6\. Kieran Foran

7\. Daly Cherry-Evans

8\. Jason King

9\. Matt Ballin

10\. Brent Kite

11\. Anthony Watmough

12\. Tony Williams

13\. Glenn Stewart

14\. Jamie Buhrer

15\. Darcy Lussick

16\. George Rose

17\. Joe Galuvao

New faces: Ben Farrar (Catalans), Nick Skinner (Raiders), Liam Roach (Mackay)

First five games: Warriors (A), Tigers (H), Sharks (A), Dragons (A), Eels (A)

This year could be great because:

They have a near identical team to the one that won last year's premiership. Will Hopoate and Michael Robertson have left, but they have enough depth in the back line to cover. The combination of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran can only get better.

This year could end in tears because:

Des Hasler is at the Bulldogs. The two-time premiership-winning coach leaves his beloved Sea Eagles with Geoff Toovey to fill the void. The uncertainty over the future of some stars could disrupt their charge for back-to-back titles.
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MELBOURNE STORM

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Billy Slater

2\. Matt Duffie

3\. Maurice Blair

4\. Dane Nielsen

5\. Justin O'Neill

6\. Gareth Widdop

7\. Cooper Cronk

8\. Bryan Norrie

9\. Cameron Smith

10\. Jesse Bromwich

11\. Sika Manu

12\. Ryan Hoffman

13\. Todd Lowrie

14\. Ryan Hinchcliffe

15\. Jason Ryles

16\. Kevin Proctor

17\. Jaiman Lowe

New faces: Ryan Hoffman (Wigan), Shea Moylan (Broncos), Mitchell Garbutt (Wests Newcastle), Jason Ryles (Roosters), Will Chambers (Queensland Reds rugby)

First five games: Raiders (A), Rabbitohs (H), Titans (A), Roosters (H), Knights (H)

This year could be great because:

Having the best hooker and fullback in the competition helps. So does having one of the best halfbacks in the competition. So does having one of the best coaches in the competition. Get the picture? They will surely be there or thereabouts again.

This year could end in tears because:

The loss to the Warriors in last year's preliminary final showed that when the intensity lifted into September, they could not keep up. Their big three cost a fair chunk of change, so the club needs to rely on bargain buys elsewhere on the field. Without Adam Blair this year, that job just got harder.
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NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Kevin Locke

2\. Konrad Hurrell

3\. Jerome Ropati

4\. Krisnan Inu

5\. Manu Vatuvei

6\. James Maloney

7\. Shaun Johnson

8\. Sam Rapira

9\. Nathan Friend

10\. Jacob Lillyman

11\. Simon Mannering

12\. Feleti Mateo

13\. Micheal Luck

14\. Elijah Taylor

15\. Russell Packer

16\. Ben Matulino

17\. Lewis Brown

New faces: Nathan Friend (Titans)

First five games: Sea Eagles (H), Eels (A), Bulldogs (H), Titans (H), Roosters (A)

This year could be great because:

The Warriors were only one win away from premiership glory last year, have the best crop of young talent in the game and a new coach with a proven winning record at international level and in Super League.

This year could end in tears because:

As the only New Zealand team in the NRL, the Warriors have the weight of a nation on their shoulders - and that expectation has never sat well with them in the past.
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NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Darius Boyd

2\. James McManus

3\. Wes Naiqama

4\. Timana Tahu

5\. Akuila Uate

6\. Kurt Gidley

7\. Jarrod Mullen

8\. Kade Snowden

9\. Danny Buderus

10\. Adam Cuthbertson

11\. Chris Houston

12\. Zeb Taia

13\. Neville Costigan

14\. Matt Hilder

15\. Richie Fa'aoso

16\. Joel Edwards

17\. Alex McKinnon

New faces: Kade Snowden (Sharks), Darius Boyd (Dragons), Timana Tahu (Panthers), Danny Buderus (Leeds), Adam Cuthbertson (Dragons), Alex McKinnon (Dragons),

Mark Wade (Merewether Carlton),

Daine Laurie (Panthers)

First five games: Dragons (H), Sharks (A), Broncos (H), Bulldogs (A), Storm (A)

This year could be great because:

Wayne Bennett is in town, along with Darius Boyd, Kade Snowden and Danny Buderus. Bennett has to be the key. He has been brought to the Knights to win a premiership, and has the players to do it.

This year could end in tears because:

Jarrod Mullen isn't able to go to the next level. There must at least be the potential for Bennett to do with Mullen what he did with Jamie Soward at the Dragons, but if he can't then the Knights have a problem.
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NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Matt Bowen

2\. Kalifa Faifai Loa

3\. Kane Linnett

4\. Brent Tate

5\. Antonio Winterstein

6\. Johnathan Thurston

7\. Robert Lui

8\. Matthew Scott

9\. Aaron Payne

10\. James Tamou

11\. Gavin Cooper

12\. Tariq Sims

13\. Dallas Johnson

14\. Glenn Hall

15\. Scott Bolton

16\. Jason Taumalolo

17\. James Segeyaro

New faces: Kane Linnett (Roosters), Robert Lui (Tigers),

Luke Harlen (Northern Pride)

First five games: Titans (H), Broncos (A), Eels (H), Sharks (H), Raiders (A)

This year could be great because:

They have got a big, tough pack that is capable of creating the space in which Johnathan Thurston can create his magic. Second-rower Tariq Sims is set for a big year after a great rookie season last year.

This year could end in tears because:

The Cowboys still haven't got a real grip on playing away from home, and they won't win a premier ship until they do. Losing away games they should have won stopped them from getting a home final last season.
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PARRAMATTA EELS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Jarryd Hayne

2\. Luke Burt

3\. Ryan Morgan

4\. Willie Tonga

5\. Esi Tonga

6\. Ben Roberts

7\. Chris Sandow

8\. Tim Mannah

9\. Matt Keating

10\. Fuifui Moimoi

11\. Nathan Hindmarsh

12\. Ben Smith

13\. Reni Maitua

14\. Casey McGuire

15\. Justin Horo

16\. Mitchell Allgood

17\. Shane Shackleton

New faces: Chris Sandow (Rabbitohs), Ben Roberts (Bulldogs), Esi Tonga (Titans), Willie Tonga (Cowboys), Taulima Tautai (Sharks), Jon Mannah (Sharks), Semi Radradra (Fiji sevens)

First five games: Broncos (H), Warriors (H), Cowboys (A), Panthers (H), Sea Eagles (H)

This year could be great because:

Chris Sandow will solve the halfback problem that has dogged the club for years. If Sandow can be the playmaker the Eels need, then Jarryd Hayne will be able to pick and choose the occasions to get involved.

This year could end in tears because:

Sandow struggles to take his form from South Sydney and transplant it into the Parramatta side. It took him a while to start being consistent at the Rabbitohs and now he must do it all over again at a new club.
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PENRITH PANTHERS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Lachlan Coote

2\. Michael Gordon

3\. Michael Jennings

4\. Brad Tighe

5\. David Simmons

6\. Travis Burns

7\. Luke Walsh

8\. Sam McKendry

9\. Kevin Kingston

10\. Tim Grant

11\. Nathan Smith

12\. Clint Newton

13\. Luke Lewis

14\. Nafe Seluini

15\. Chris Armit

16\. Dayne Weston

17\. Danny Galea

New faces: Clint Newton (Hull KR),

Chris Armit (Bulldogs), Cameron Ciraldo (Knights), Danny Galea (Raiders),

Ryan Simpkins (Tweed Heads),

Etu Uaisele (Eels), Junior Tia-Kilifi (Bulldogs)

First five games: Bulldogs (H), Roosters (A), Rabbitohs (H), Eels (A), Sharks (H)

This year could be great because:

Ivan Cleary is a tremendous young coach with the ability to establish discipline and consistency within a team that has been all over the place in recent years. And Luke Walsh should be about to enter his best years as a halfback.

This year could end in tears because:

Until they start getting full value out of their junior nursery again, the Panthers are going to have a problem with quality depth. If too many of their key men get injured, they will have trouble holding it together over a long season.
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SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Nathan Merritt

2\. Dylan Farrell

3\. Matt King

4\. Greg Inglis

5\. Chris McQueen

6\. John Sutton

7\. Adam Reynolds

8\. Luke Burgess

9\. Issac Luke

10\. Roy Asotasi

11\. Sam Burgess

12\. David Taylor

13\. Michael Crocker

14\. Nathan Peats

15\. David Tyrrell

16\. Eddy Pettybourne

17\. Ben Lowe

New faces: Matt King (Warrington), Ryan Carr (Redcliffe), Justin Hunt (Redcliffe)

First five games: Roosters (H), Storm (A), Panthers (A), Broncos (H), Tigers (A)

This year could be great because:

They have assembled one of the best rosters in the competition. A massive forward pack, including Sam Burgess and David Taylor, will ensure the Rabbitohs rumble. Greg Inglis and Nathan Merritt give them strikepower. And the addition of coach Michael Maguire has many feeling that the Rabbitohs will be fitter and more ruthless.

This year could end in tears because:

They are South Sydney. They will need their best players on the park to ensure they are still playing well into September, while there is a very large question mark over rookie halfback Adam Reynolds.
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ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Kyle Stanley

2\. Jason Nightingale

3\. Chase Stanley

4\. Matt Cooper

5\. Brett Morris

6\. Jamie Soward

7\. Ben Hornby

8\. Dan Hunt

9\. Mitch Rein

10\. Michael Weyman

11\. Beau Scott

12\. Ben Creagh

13\. Dean Young

14\. Nathan Fien

15\. Trent Merrin

16\. Matt Prior

17\. Jack De Belin

New faces: Chase Stanley (Storm), Will Matthews (Titans), Jeremy Latimore (Warriors), Leeson Ah Mau (Cowboys), Daniel Vidot (Raiders), Josh Miller (Raiders), Atelea Vea (Storm), Denan Kemp (rugby), Ray Cashmere (Salford)

First five games: Knights (A), Bulldogs (A), Tigers (H), Sea Eagles (H), Broncos (A)

This year could be great because:

They still have 12 players who have tasted representative football. Also, Kyle Stanley could prove to be a revelation at fullback and give the Dragons a new dimension in attack. There is still plenty of strikepower in the back line and grunt up front.

This year could end in tears because:

Steve Price is out of his depth. It's a tough ask replacing the greatest coach of all time, Wayne Bennett. It could also end in tears because of the hole left by the departure of Darius Boyd and Mark Gasnier. It's also an ageing team.
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SYDNEY ROOSTERS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. Anthony Minichiello

2\. BJ Leilua

3\. Tautau Moga

4\. Shaun Kenny-Dowall

5\. Sam Perrett

6\. Braith Anasta

7\. Mitchell Pearce

8\. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

9\. Jake Friend

10\. Martin Kennedy

11\. Frank-Paul Nuuausala

12\. Mose Masoe

13\. Mitchell Aubusson

14\. Anthony Mitchell

15\. Anthony Cherrington

16\. Tom Symonds

17\. Lama Tasi

New faces: Jack Bosden (Dragons), Peni Tagive (Dragons), Daniel Tupou (Eels), Daniel Mortimer, pictured (Eels), Adam Henry (Warriors)

First five games: Rabbitohs (A), Panthers (H), Raiders (H), Storm (A), Warriors (H)

This year could be great because:

Their spine is one of the best in the business; an experienced fullback in Anthony Minichiello, who played so well last year he was rewarded with another State of Origin jersey, a popular five-eighth and captain in Braith Anasta, NSW's best halfback in Mitchell Pearce, and an underrated hooker in Jake Friend.

This year could end in tears because:

The Roosters have just three players in their top squad over the age of 25\. That is a wonderful sign for the future of the club, but not now.
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WESTS TIGERS

STRONGEST LINE-UP

1\. James Tedesco

2\. Lote Tuqiri

3\. Chris Lawrence

4\. Blake Ayshford

5\. Beau Ryan

6\. Benji Marshall

7\. Tim Moltzen

8\. Aaron Woods

9\. Robbie Farah

10\. Keith Galloway

11\. Adam Blair

12\. Gareth Ellis

13\. Chris Heighington

14\. Liam Fulton

15\. Matt Groat

16\. Joel Reddy

17\. Ben Murdoch-Masila

New faces: Adam Blair (Storm), Joel Reddy (Eels), Matthew Bell (Panthers), John Grant (Eastwood rugby), Tom Humble (Eels), Jack Spencer (Salford), Dane Chisholm (Storm)

First five games: Sharks (H), Sea Eagles (A), Dragons (A), Raiders (H), Rabbitohs (H).

This year could be great because:

Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, Gareth Ellis and Adam Blair are the most influential quartet in the competition. If they play for the majority of the season together, coach Tim Sheens could dust off his old ankle-high boots, play a few short stints off the interchange and the Tigers will still go close.

This year could end in tears because:

They are the best team in the competition. The bookmakers rate them as the best side, and favouritism does not sit well with this group.
 
For more crystal ball predications, check out the Brisbane Wests Tigers Fans 2012 Form Guide :wink:

http://www.bwtf.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2012-NRL-Form-Guide.pdf
 
Well lads, it's now or never isn't it?

They need to shake off the "We don't like being favourites" tag and they need to do it NOW - otherwise this year will end in disappointment.

Everyone loves an underdog (see what i did there? :mrgreen🙂 but this time the boys need to pull the trigger.

No more "Being the fairytale"

This year we must crush the fairytale whomever channel 9 deem them to be - (ala the Canberra Raiders semi final in 2010, one of our best wins in the last couple of years IMHO)

No more excuses. Lets ride the favourites tag into the sunset and make this our year.

:sign: :sign: :sign:
 
@Tigerdave said:
@Brisbane Tiger said:
The last sentence rings oh so true.

It sure does and I really wish that wasn't the case.

New season ,new players and hopefully new direction We were beginning to handle the favourites tag last season and had it not been for an injury to Bryce Gibbs against the Warriors we could of gone all the way
 
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