hybrid_tiger
Well-known member
Realistically, how many good teams are there in this comp?
Completely understand that almost any team can beat any other team on their day, that's the beauty of the cap. But really, if you go through every teams squad on paper at least, I believe only Melbourne can challenge us if we play at our best.
I know that of course the game is played on grass and not paper and there are many other factors that come into play including injures etc. but just look at the rest of the teams in this comp:
Melbourne: By far and away the best team in the comp. Slater, Inglis, Smith and Cronk are like a well oiled machine and the rest of their squad is just a supporting cast. Bellamy has a habit of turning nuffies into players who can do the job and is an excellent coach. I think they are grub cheats who are over the cap, but make no mistake, they are an excellent football side.
Dragons: Very good defensive side, but they don't have an extra gear in attack. Soward is a terrible defender and does not have many strings to his bow aside from a fantastic kicking game (which often keeps them in games). Hornby is more of a utility than a natural half and IMO they will again struggle when the going gets tough.
Titans: Decent side, but without Prince they go from decent to well below average. Greg Bird is NOT a five-eighth, not creative enough in attack. Nathan Friend and Minichiello are their most underrated players, but that aside they aren't fantastic. Will be up there but I don't think they have enough class across the park to challenge for the title.
Roosters: Darkhorse IMO. Carney and Pearce have struck a great combo and Anasta seems to be a calming influence and doesn't have to do too much with the others running the show. Don't think they will win the comp, but they'll definitely be in the 8 and will knock off some very fancied sides along the way.
Warriors: Some days look like worldbeaters, other days they look like they belong in the Toyota Cup. Don't have the playmakers to give anything a shake.
Manly: Orford is more of a loss than many realise, though Hodgkinson seems a handy player. Foran is not an organiser and they don't have Stewart anymore. Forward pack is not great Watmough aside, though they are huge and quite aggressive.
Bulldogs: Immensely overrated IMO, Kimmorley is a year older, Roberts is average at best, Ennis the same. They have a forward pack full of nuffies (Hickey, Gordon etc.) and no class in the outside backs Patten and Morris aside. Idris is a turnstyle.
Panthers: Too inconsistent, poor defensively, don't have the halves to challenge.
Souffs: Good forward pack, decent backline, terrible halves. Sandow is not a good player and Sutton is more of a lock than a five-eighth IMO.
Eels: Have a great fullback, a very overrated and unproven five-eighth and a terrible half and hooker. Have a fantastic backline on paper and forward pack is not bad but they are a confidence side and only perform well if they get their offload game going.
Knights: Decent on their day but will not challenge. Some good young kids, but too hot and cold. Big question marks over their halves including Mullen who is overrated.
Sharks: Poor side, but Smith will improve them and take alot of pressure off Barrett. I actually think their pack is not too bad with Snowden, Gallen, Douglas etc, but absolutely zero class in the outside backs aside from Ferguson.
Raiders: Young, talented side but inconsistent and terrible away from home. Don't have a halfback or hooker of any note.
Broncos: Too young with most players still eligible for Toyota Cup. Lockyer almost ready for retirement and will not be able to carry them like he once could. Huge lack of impact in the engine room.
Completely understand that almost any team can beat any other team on their day, that's the beauty of the cap. But really, if you go through every teams squad on paper at least, I believe only Melbourne can challenge us if we play at our best.
I know that of course the game is played on grass and not paper and there are many other factors that come into play including injures etc. but just look at the rest of the teams in this comp:
Melbourne: By far and away the best team in the comp. Slater, Inglis, Smith and Cronk are like a well oiled machine and the rest of their squad is just a supporting cast. Bellamy has a habit of turning nuffies into players who can do the job and is an excellent coach. I think they are grub cheats who are over the cap, but make no mistake, they are an excellent football side.
Dragons: Very good defensive side, but they don't have an extra gear in attack. Soward is a terrible defender and does not have many strings to his bow aside from a fantastic kicking game (which often keeps them in games). Hornby is more of a utility than a natural half and IMO they will again struggle when the going gets tough.
Titans: Decent side, but without Prince they go from decent to well below average. Greg Bird is NOT a five-eighth, not creative enough in attack. Nathan Friend and Minichiello are their most underrated players, but that aside they aren't fantastic. Will be up there but I don't think they have enough class across the park to challenge for the title.
Roosters: Darkhorse IMO. Carney and Pearce have struck a great combo and Anasta seems to be a calming influence and doesn't have to do too much with the others running the show. Don't think they will win the comp, but they'll definitely be in the 8 and will knock off some very fancied sides along the way.
Warriors: Some days look like worldbeaters, other days they look like they belong in the Toyota Cup. Don't have the playmakers to give anything a shake.
Manly: Orford is more of a loss than many realise, though Hodgkinson seems a handy player. Foran is not an organiser and they don't have Stewart anymore. Forward pack is not great Watmough aside, though they are huge and quite aggressive.
Bulldogs: Immensely overrated IMO, Kimmorley is a year older, Roberts is average at best, Ennis the same. They have a forward pack full of nuffies (Hickey, Gordon etc.) and no class in the outside backs Patten and Morris aside. Idris is a turnstyle.
Panthers: Too inconsistent, poor defensively, don't have the halves to challenge.
Souffs: Good forward pack, decent backline, terrible halves. Sandow is not a good player and Sutton is more of a lock than a five-eighth IMO.
Eels: Have a great fullback, a very overrated and unproven five-eighth and a terrible half and hooker. Have a fantastic backline on paper and forward pack is not bad but they are a confidence side and only perform well if they get their offload game going.
Knights: Decent on their day but will not challenge. Some good young kids, but too hot and cold. Big question marks over their halves including Mullen who is overrated.
Sharks: Poor side, but Smith will improve them and take alot of pressure off Barrett. I actually think their pack is not too bad with Snowden, Gallen, Douglas etc, but absolutely zero class in the outside backs aside from Ferguson.
Raiders: Young, talented side but inconsistent and terrible away from home. Don't have a halfback or hooker of any note.
Broncos: Too young with most players still eligible for Toyota Cup. Lockyer almost ready for retirement and will not be able to carry them like he once could. Huge lack of impact in the engine room.
