Your 2006 top 8 predictions

[Steelers]

This is something to look back on this time next year and see how close you were (or how far you were) to the actual standings.

My top 8:

1. Dragons
2. Tigers
3. Eels
4. Storm
5. Cowboys
6. Roosters
7. Sharks
8. Broncos
Rabbitohs will be one of teams that just miss out, so will be the Knights. Bulldogs will be somewhere down there.

So what do you guys think???

[PARANoIR]

Way too early for this sort of thread..

[[BroncosGirl]]

Hmm Im going to wait and see how the pre seasons go, and I see the teams threads for a proper prediction, but for the fun of it, and laughs later, when im probably horribly wrong, heres mine:

1. Broncos
2. Tigers
3. Storm
4. Dragons
5. Cowboys
6. Eels
7. Bulldogs
8. Panthers

[Steelers]

Way too early for this sort of thread..

why do you say that?? we can compare this one with one at the start of the season and then see how we went at the end of the season

[Super Cronk]

its a bit early....but we can always change our views as the season gets closer.

Ill try and not be too biased in this thread:

Broncos
Eels
Roosters
Tigers
Storm
Cowboys
sharks
Raiders

[Steelers]

']Hmm Im going to wait and see how the pre seasons go, and I see the teams threads for a proper prediction, but for the fun of it, and laughs later, when im probably horribly wrong, heres mine:


this isn't a proper prediction it is just one to see how we change with an offseason

[PARANoIR]

Okay, top 8, in a competition where no injuries, or suspensions, or rep seasons exist.

1. Brisbane
2. Bulldogs
3. Roosters
4. Dragons
5. Knights
6. Cowboys
7. Panthers
8. Eels

[Steelers]

Okay, top 8, in a competition where no injuries, or suspensions, or rep seasons exist.

1. Brisbane
2. Bulldogs
3. Roosters
4. Dragons
5. Knights
6. Cowboys
7. Panthers
8. Eels

so with rep seasons taken into account, would the broncos be there at no. 1??

[Queenslander]

It is a bit early but my preferred top 8 would be:

1 Broncos
2 Cowboys
3 Tigers
4 Storm
5 Warriors
6 Panthers
7 Eels
8 Dragons

[PARANoIR]

so with rep seasons taken into account, would the broncos be there at no. 1??

Nope.....

(just getting over 10 characters)

[Sharks]

1 Broncos
2 Sharks
3 Dragons
4 Knights
5 Roosters
6 Cowboys
7 Eels
8 Tigers

It would be hard to go past Knights as big contenders for next season,after there performance towards the end of 05.Dragons were a bit unlucky this season but shouldnt really have any difference to 06. And Roosters will have a successful season with Tigers just scrapping in the top 8.

Go The Sharkies!!!!

[smerk]

Warriors
Cowboys
Dragons
Knights
Tigers
Broncos
Eels
Bulldogs
Storm
Roosters

Top competitors^

[Steelers]

Warriors
Cowboys
Dragons
Knights
Tigers
Broncos
Eels
Bulldogs
Storm
Roosters

Top competitors^

is that in order?

[smerk]

is that in order?
No way...Warriors have no chance of a minor premiership. I just think these teams will be very competitive, I cant really state a top 8 right now, but yes, theyre not in order.

[Super Cronk]

No way...Warriors have no chance of a minor premiership. I just think these teams will be very competitive, I cant really state a top 8 right now, but yes, theyre not in order.

Warriors will be competitive? im not trying rubbish your opinion or anything but these players will be leaving warriors:

Stacey Jones (UCT),Iafeta Paleaaesina (Wigan),Tevita Latu (Sharks, 2yrs), Francis Meli (St Helens), Monty Betham (Wakefield), Karl Temata (London)

and the only real good gain is michael luck...i reckon warriors will come last. uts just my opinion.

[Steelers]

No way...Warriors have no chance of a minor premiership. I just think these teams will be very competitive, I cant really state a top 8 right now, but yes, theyre not in order.

Oh k cause i was gonna say - the Warriors???

[Steelers]

Warriors will be competitive? im not trying rubbish your opinion or anything but these players will be leaving warriors:

Stacey Jones (UCT),Iafeta Paleaaesina (Wigan),Tevita Latu (Sharks, 2yrs), Francis Meli (St Helens), Monty Betham (Wakefield), Karl Temata (London)

and the only real good gain is michael luck...i reckon warriors will come last. uts just my opinion.

but the warriors have all of NZ to find juniors

[Super Cronk]

but the warriors have all of NZ to find juniors

Pfft...Have fun trying to find juniors that can replace stacey jones, betham, te mata, latu and meli.

[Steelers]

Pfft...Have fun trying to find juniors that can replace stacey jones, betham, te mata, latu and meli.

benji marshall was once a NZ junior, and they can always poach players from union

[Super Cronk]

benji marshall was once a NZ junior, and they can always poach players from union

Oh so now every NZ junior has the same ability as benji. Tell me Steelers what club did benji play for in his teenager years....which cub was it that he excelled at and made him self known to the tigers? it was keebra park an AUSTRALIAN school.

[Steelers]

Oh so now every NZ junior has the same ability as benji. Tell me Steelers what club did benji play for in his teenager years....which cub was it that he excelled at and made him self known to the tigers? it was keebra park an AUSTRALIAN school.

im noy saying that they are all as good as benji, im just saying there could be unfound talent. and benji was playing well before keebra park, otherwise they would not have picked him.

[Super Cronk]

im noy saying that they are all as good as benji, im just saying there could be unfound talent. and benji was playing well before keebra park, otherwise they would not have picked him.

he would have been picked up in primary...you cant tell if someone is going to be that good at such a young age. He went to keebra park high school...he applied to get into the team and he made it...thats where he really excelled and really showed his talent. and it wanst when he was 14.

But i guess we will see how NZ go then next year.

[Steelers]

But i guess we will see how NZ go then next year.

i still think they wont make the 8

[Super Cronk]

i still think they wont make the 8

LOL....my prediction is they wont make the 8 , they will finish last and wont find decent replacements.

[Steelers]

LOL....my prediction is they wont make the 8 , they will finish last and wont find decent replacements.

the replacements won't perform in the first year, but with time, they may be capable of something

[Mavfan]

I seriously see the Broncos falling down the ladder.

Here is mine.

Newcastle
Parramatta
St George
Sydney
Wests
North Queensland
Manly
Brisbane

Melbourne will fight the Raiders for the Spoon.

[Inferno]

Bit biased but oh well

Sharks
Tigers
St George
Broncs
Eels
Knights
Cowboys
Roosters

[Inferno]

Im guessing Melbourne will fight it out with the warriors and rabbitohs for the spoon. I think they will suffer big time without Orford. Who have they got lined up to replace him?

[Super Cronk]

Im guessing Melbourne will fight it out with the warriors and rabbitohs for the spoon. I think they will suffer big time without Orford. Who have they got lined up to replace him?

i hear people say that all the time...did anyone actually watch matt orford this year? :confused: he was C-R-A-P ....his kicking game was awful and his defence was shotty at times. Not only that he went missing for about 10 rounds before he decided to start playing good agian (prolly due to contract talks who knows). He isnt as good as you people think he is.

Cooper Cronk will replace him next year...he has had some good experince this year. Some good aspects of his game are:

-Very good kicking game(way better then orfords)
-defence is solid
-passing game is good could use some work tho
-he has also shown some leaderskip skills this year when he has taken the field for the storm telling players where to stand what plays wee next etc.

some bad aspects:

-needs some time to get the hang of being a regular 1st grade HB, but im sure the pre-season is long enough time)

[Mavfan]

Im guessing Melbourne will fight it out with the warriors and rabbitohs for the spoon. I think they will suffer big time without Orford. Who have they got lined up to replace him?

Cooper Cronk. Not a bad young talent, but i feel he is more damaging off the bench.

[Super Cronk]

Cooper Cronk. Not a bad young talent, but i feel he is more damaging off the bench.

He is good off the bench...but plays in the starting line up in QLD cup...his kicking game and passing game is too good to not have there the entire 80 mins. Just my opinion.

[Mavfan]

i hear people say that all the time...did anyone actually watch matt orford this year? :confused: he was C-R-A-P ....his kicking game was awful and his defence was shotty at times. Not only that he went missing for about 10 rounds before he decided to start playing good agian (prolly due to contract talks who knows). He isnt as good as you people think he is.

Cooper Cronk will replace him next year...he has had some good experince this year. Some good aspects of his game are:

-Very good kicking game(way better then orfords)
-defence is solid
-passing game is good could use some work tho
-he has also shown some leaderskip skills this year when he has taken the field for the storm telling players where to stand what plays wee next etc.

some bad aspects:

-needs some time to get the hang of being a regular 1st grade HB, but im sure the pre-season is long enough time)

No offense mate, but goodluck with mick crocker. Ive been waiting 4 years for a Crocker free roosters team.

Honestly he is going to hurt you guys more then help.

The human penalty!

[Super Cronk]

No offense mate, but goodluck with mick crocker. Ive been waiting 4 years for a Crocker free roosters team.

Honestly he is going to hurt you guys more then help.

The human penalty!

Tell me about it. Crocker, Cross and Kidwell :eek: :eek:

I hope bellamy puts them in their place tho before they get out of hand.

[Mavfan]

Tell me about it. Crocker, Cross and Kidwell :eek: :eek:

I hope bellamy puts them in their place tho before they get out of hand.

Apprently Crocker and Kidwell are good mates. They played a bit of PL and First grade at the roosters in 2002. Formed a good combination for us in the second row.

Lol jeeze they will give away some penalties though. Apparently melbourne where in the running for Chris Flannery and Mick Crocker at the time, only for them to go with Crocker.

Lol i hope that doesnt come back to bite ya :P

[Titanium_BD1103]

These are really interesting, surprised some teams are higher than others, and I would take into account that other teams had injury riddled seasons this year... now trying to be as unbiased as possible, here is my 8... in order...

1. St George Illawarra Dragons
2. North Queensland Cowboys
3. Parramatta Eels
4. Newcastle Knights
5. The (Canterbury) Bulldogs
6. Brisbane Broncos
7. Wests Tigers
8. South Sydney Rabbitohs

I think Cronulla will struggle if Dykes leaves unfortunately, I can't see the Roosters going anywhere (and that is unbiased), unless Anasta and Finch and strike a combo, but I give the wooden spoon to fight between Canberra and New Zealand with the Warriors getting it, unless Pricey can lead them to victory like he has many times before... :)

[Super Cronk]

Apprently Crocker and Kidwell are good mates. They played a bit of PL and First grade at the roosters in 2002. Formed a good combination for us in the second row.

Lol jeeze they will give away some penalties though. Apparently melbourne where in the running for Chris Flannery and Mick Crocker at the time, only for them to go with Crocker.

Lol i hope that doesnt come back to bite ya :P

Sposedly the storm are close to signing chris walker aswell.......we are doomed arent we? :(

[Mavfan]

These are really interesting, surprised some teams are higher than others, and I would take into account that other teams had injury riddled seasons this year... now trying to be as unbiased as possible, here is my 8... in order...

1. St George Illawarra Dragons
2. North Queensland Cowboys
3. Parramatta Eels
4. Newcastle Knights
5. The (Canterbury) Bulldogs
6. Brisbane Broncos
7. Wests Tigers
8. South Sydney Rabbitohs

I think Cronulla will struggle if Dykes leaves unfortunately, I can't see the Roosters going anywhere (and that is unbiased), unless Anasta and Finch and strike a combo, but I give the wooden spoon to fight between Canberra and New Zealand with the Warriors getting it, unless Pricey can lead them to victory like he has many times before... :)

Id tip the roosters to edge out the dogs next season any day.

It seems that majority of people are willing to tip against the roosters based on the Anasta/Finch show not working. Then they are quite willing to add the Dogs in.

Honestly though, Sherwin is by himself just like Finch was this season. It isnt going to be easy.

If Sonny Bill Injury falls injured once more, goodbye to his career, and goodbye to the dogs hopes.

Mason will need to seriously carry this ship if they are going to be a hope of the 8.

[Mavfan]

Sposedly the storm are close to signing chris walker aswell.......we are doomed arent we? :(


Lol mate i feel sorry for you. I heard his earlier as well. That isnt a good thing.

Id say he would do good with the Devils though.

I mean, where can you fit him in?

1. Slater
2. Geyer(could he retire)?
3. Inglis
4. King
5. Webster

No room for walker unless geyer retires.

[Super Cronk]

Sonny doesnt make that big a difference IMO. They will need alot more then him and his shoulder charges.

I think the anasta/ finch combo will go good...finch has been told to shape up or ship out...i think he would rather shape up. If not then get soward in there he goes real good. Roosters will make the 8 for sure.

[Super Cronk]

Lol mate i feel sorry for you. I heard his earlier as well. That isnt a good thing.

Id say he would do good with the Devils though.

I mean, where can you fit him in?

1. Slater
2. Geyer(could he retire)?
3. Inglis
4. King
5. Webster

No room for walker unless geyer retires.

He could..but i reckon he has 1 more year in him.

1.slater
2. geyer
3.inglis
4. king
5. Webster/turner/ walker(?)

i hate walker as a player and person. But im afraid experince will previel over youth. For our sake i hope it doesnt.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Id tip the roosters to edge out the dogs next season any day.

It seems that majority of people are willing to tip against the roosters based on the Anasta/Finch show not working. Then they are quite willing to add the Dogs in.

Honestly though, Sherwin is by himself just like Finch was this season. It isnt going to be easy.

If Sonny Bill Injury falls injured once more, goodbye to his career, and goodbye to the dogs hopes.

Mason will need to seriously carry this ship if they are going to be a hope of the 8.

I don't think so.. for one reason... we can't have as bad an injury run as this season... and we have some superb juniors we have bought from North Sydney to come into the squad this year... so depth is not an issue...

As for your calls on Sherwin, he isn't by himself he has the Dragons Star back up Daniel Holdsworth, the kids is another Anasta in the making, and has better footwork too.... So I am happy to say the Bulldogs will have depth, experience and talent in 06, and we will be a force to be reckoned with... :)

I'm just not sure about the roosters, and being unbiased, if finch and anasta doesn't go off, I expect to see Soward in there... as for your forward pack... it isn't as good as this year and you were struggling at the back half of the year with it.... that is just my opinion though.. :)

[Steelers]

I
As for your calls on Sherwin, he isn't by himself he has the Dragons Star back up Daniel Holdsworth, the kids is another Anasta in the making, and has better footwork too.... So I am happy to say the Bulldogs will have depth, experience and talent in 06, and we will be a force to be reckoned with... :)


ive seen holdsworth in PL and he is awesome!

[dan the man]

1. Roosters (As much as i hate them)
2. Dragons
3. Tigers (they are only gonna get stronger with likes of o'hara etc)
4. Knights (coming too good last year to ignore)
5. Manly (matty orford key signing)
6. Panthers (on the comeback trail)
7. Eels (will find it very hard to recover)
8. Bulldogs (providing sonny is there)

no north qld, no raiders.

[[BroncosGirl]]

And no broncos!? .. Im not 100% surprised and I would be if the missed out, because next year they either do really badly because they are rebuilding experiementing etc, or ebcause of that they do really well (hence I put them at no.1)

[Mavfan]

I don't think so.. for one reason... we can't have as bad an injury run as this season... and we have some superb juniors we have bought from North Sydney to come into the squad this year... so depth is not an issue...

As for your calls on Sherwin, he isn't by himself he has the Dragons Star back up Daniel Holdsworth, the kids is another Anasta in the making, and has better footwork too.... So I am happy to say the Bulldogs will have depth, experience and talent in 06, and we will be a force to be reckoned with... :)

I'm just not sure about the roosters, and being unbiased, if finch and anasta doesn't go off, I expect to see Soward in there... as for your forward pack... it isn't as good as this year and you were struggling at the back half of the year with it.... that is just my opinion though.. :)

I respect your opinion. Though, how many first grade games has Holdsworth got under his cap? Is Folkes going to be patient with the kid? Why didnt the Dragons use him when Matt Head went down? As much as a promising junior he looks, this is the NRL. Just as you state, if Finch and Anasta fail to strike a combination, the roosters could be doomed. But my friend, the Dogs are in the same Situation with Sherwin and Holdsworth. Atleast the Roosters have some backup with Jamie Soward, Chris Flannery and Ashely Harrison just in case Braith gets injured. Who have the dogs got to fill in their halves? Corey Hughes, thats it.

Do not rest your hopes on a youngster just cutting the grade.

Our forward pack has had a slice taken out of it, i agree.

8. David Shillington
9. Craig Wing
10. Adrian Morley
11. Chris Flannery/Anthony Tupou
12. Craig Fitzgibbon
13., Ashely Harrison

Though if you have a look, this is a much more attacking unit which mixes good solid defense. Shillington is a future star.

All in all, the Roosters will be first in line to make the 8 more so then the dogs.

You guys rely on SBW too much. If he falls down, goodbye.

Mason was in terrible form this season, he will need to step up.

Same as O'Meley, wasnt at his peak.

Nor was Andrew Ryan

Roy Asotasi will need to carry that same form into next season, and by the look of things, you guys could be struggling to keep Tony Grimaldi this off season.

Jamaal Lolesi is gone. Willie Tonga will be coming back from a serious injury in which kept him out most of the year. Matt Utai is off for End of season surgery.

The dogs will struggle.

[parraman]

broncos
eels
cowboys
bulldogs
sea eagles
roosters
tigers
panthers

not in order but stranger things have happened just like this year.

[PARANoIR]

Pfft. Anyone that thinks the Bulldogs rely on Sonny Bill is a fool. He was injured for most of the 2004 season aswell and we won the comp.

Anyone that thinks that Bulldogs, providing they are injury free will not be near the top few is just stupid. Honestly. Anasta leaving won't mean shiit. Holdsworth is a good player, Marvin Karawana is also a perfectly able replacement, if need be there is Reni Maitua and Dallas MacIllwain who both go alright, Anasta will NOT be missed, by the end of 2006 we'll all be saying Braith who?

The only reason Mason was in such poor form is because he was playing injured the whole time, if he was fit, he would have played alright. Once again the Bulldogs do not need SBW he's an over rated hack.

Tony Grimaldi has resigned, Tonga will be fine, he would have been back this season but since we were up shiit creek anyway they didnt want to risk him. Jamaal Lolesi leaving will make no difference, Cameron Phelps, Trent Cutler, Lee Hookey, Reni Maitua and co are all their to fill the tiny void his departure has made.
Id tip the roosters to edge out the dogs next season any day.


What a coincidence, thats not just because you're a Roosters supporter is it? If you compare the 2 sides for next season on paper, the Dogs would kill the Roosters, Im still certain that if the Bulldogs had of stayed injury free and Brad Fittler had not retired, the Dogs and The Roosters would have been in the Grand Final, but clearly the Dogs got killed by injury, we will come back from that, but the Roosters were a one man team and will be shiit for many years to come. Anasta will not solve the halves problems.

Long story short, if its a fully fit Dogs against a fully fit, Fitter-less Rorters side in 2006, the Dogs side will clean house. Better pack, better backline, better bench. Nuff said.

Sonny doesnt make that big a difference IMO. They will need alot more then him and his shoulder charges.


Hooray! Someone with a brain! SBW is over rated, over paid and over injured. Hell i can last 2 minutes on an NRL field! Pay me 500 grand a year!

[kazza broncos chick]

Broncos
Cowboys
Tigers
Roosters
Parramatta
Bulldogs
panthers
Manly

[Bernster]

1 - Cowboys
2 - Parra
3 - St George
4 - Bulldogs
5 - Newcastle
6 - Tigers
7 - Brisbane
8 - Souths (my cinderella prediction for 2006)

[Dakink]

My 8,

Dragons
Eels
Cowboys
Storm
Roosters
Brisbane
Knights (depends on Johns)
Tigers

[..::Coops::..]

8 - Souths (my cinderella prediction for 2006)

same here

for the other seven in no particular order
Broncos
COwboys
Dragons
Storm
Tigers
panthers
bit early to pick top eight, so i went with who i would like to be in the eight,

[TITAN PETE]

Way too early but i'll throw my 2 cents in

1.DRAGONS
2.PANTHERS
3.ROOSTERS
4.EELS
5.KNIGHTS
6.TIGERS
7.MANLY
8.BRONCOS

but after this season it will probably be the 6 teams i've left out :rolleyes: , i just hope it's as good as 05' :D .

[Steelers]

Way too early but i'll throw my 2 cents in

1.DRAGONS
2.PANTHERS
3.ROOSTERS
4.EELS
5.KNIGHTS
6.TIGERS
7.MANLY
8.BRONCOS

but after this season it will probably be the 6 teams i've left out :rolleyes: , i just hope it's as good as 05' :D .

Panthers could very well be a surprise packet. If not the Panthers, then it will be sum1 else.

[Hindy_Magic]

i mighta already posted on this one but i am sure my prediction has changed

1.Dragons.dunno about premiers i reckon 1-5 will have a good shot in winning it

2.Eels

3.Roosters

4.Sharks

5.Cowboys

6. Newcastle

7.Broncos

8.panthers

outsiders
9.bunnies.
10.Storm.not enough consistencey could finish anywhere from 1st to 12th more like in the back half og the table
11.raiders.injury plagued them last season still dont look all that leathel
12.dogs.

a slight chance
13.warriors
14.eagles

[SharkiesBoi]

1. Sharks
2. Cowboys
3. Tigers
4. Eels
5. Dragons
6. Broncos (they just keep falling apart at the end of season)
7. Roosters
8. Bulldogs

[SharkiesBoi]

i dunno about the 7th and 8th postitions but itll be close

[Eel 33]

1. Newcastle
2. Wests Tigers
3. St Geo/Illa
4. Parramatta (Cmon boys, 20 years is too long to wait, PLEASE!!!)
5. Scum err i mean Manly.
6. Nth Qld
7. Penrith
8. Canterbury-to just scrape in.

The rest are either too inconsistent or have been blown away.

As for the spoon, Cronulla after the loss of Peachey and Dykes (mid season) and too many injuries.

[Hindy_Magic]

originally posted by Panthers could very well be a surprise packet. If not the Panthers, then it will be sum1 else.

that is very true i reckon they will upset dragons in finals.

[Hindy_Magic]

i need some help i seem to of left outta team and cant figure out which one i left out?

[Rabbitohs_Fan2005]

Ok well...Here are mine:

1.Broncos
2.Knights
3.Tigers
4.Roosters
5.Panthers
6.Bulldogs
7.Cowboys
8.Rabbitohs

[Kallan]

i need some help i seem to of left outta team and cant figure out which one i left out?

You left the Tigers out.

[Kallan]

Ok here is my 8, In no particular:

Broncos
Dragons
Eels
Roosters
Sea Eagles
Tigers
Cowboys
Knights