The ASRL’s adjustments to salary cap and player retention look like they’ve already begun to ‘even out’ the playing surface in the Premier League- with many of last year’s ‘also rans’ suddenly looking like real chances of finals berths. As we do every season, the ASRL Weekly Magazine takes a few moments to look at each side, to assess their chances, and to give the punters an idea of where there side is expected to come this season.
ADELAIDE ATTITUDE
To Win: 12.00
Top Eight: 2.30
Relegation: 55.00
New Faces: Darren Smith (Hobart), Rupeni Caucau (Gold Coast), Elton Flatley (Manly), Matt Giteau (Coffs Harbour), and Red Apokalips (Darwin).
A strong recruitment campaign, the side’s first in several years, may be what is needed to turn Adelaide back into the force that consistently made finals during the early and mid nineties. After former coach Warren Tricker continually failed to buy stars for the club, new coach Anthony McElroy has stepped up recruiting many new faces- completely reshaping the look of the side.
Pre Season Form: Enjoyed what can be described as a very solid pre-season, with the only real black mark being a 32-8 drubbing at the hands of Penrith in the BFC. Competed strongly with the likes of Capetown and Parramatta.
Star Player: Red Apokalips. How well the Darwin raised five eighth can adapt to a new club and a new position (he’s expected to start in lock) will have a large amount of impact in the Attitude’s fortunes.
Rising Star: Gary Coleman. Whilst his namesake isn’t a household name these days, Coleman definitely has the potential to be one. The talented centre should be a real boon to the Attitude should their star backline be picked apart during the rep season.
Wildcard: Rupeni Caucau. The big Fijian winger was solid when he was fit for the Crusade last season, but his fitness was a major concern- the star recruit playing eight games less than the Crusade’s next ‘worst’ player in 2004. His attacking potential is unsurpassed, but the Attitude will be praying he spends more time on the park.
Prediction: The Attitude have a side infinitely better than the one that shook up the top eight all last year, and should be more than capable of doing it again in 2004/2005.
BRISBANE BULLS
To Win: 16.00
Top Eight: 4.00
Relegation: 30.00
New Faces: Trent Barrett (Wellington), Willie Mason (Newcastle), Joe Galavao (Melbourne), and Andrew Ryan (Port Moresby).
It’s never been a question of ‘what if they had a better squad?’ with Brisbane, but ‘what if they could actually play?’. After a dominant year in Division Two (the 2003 season which saw them promote), the Bulls enjoyed a lacklustre 2004 season despite possessing one of the strongest squads on paper. Recruitment this year has been solid, and if the coach can find a way to make the squad care, he’ll have a premiership force on his hands.
Pre Season Form: Enjoyed a fairly substandard pre-season by their standards, with a poor showing in the BFC. They put up a fight in a trial loss to Wellington, but were then humbled by local rivals, Surfers Paradise and Gold Coast.
Star Player: Preston Campbell. Was the side’s ‘go to guy’ in their promotional year, and was quiet in last year’s premiership race. The livewire five eighth will no doubt thrive with Trent Barrett alongside him in the halves.
Rising Star: Karmichael Hunt. Few juniors have earned as much hype as this seventeen year old freak, who came up through the Bulls’ Wests Panthers feeder club. Having already ousted former fullback Motu Tony, the young gun will no doubt be aiming for a Queensland jersey this year.
Wildcard: Willie Mason. ‘Big Willie’ hasn’t really lived up to his hype since being a benchie at the Crusade and the Cougars, and will no doubt relish the chance to play in the big league again after a quiet visit at Newcastle.
Prediction: They have a squad for the top four, but play like guys who are more used to being in the bottom half of the table. If Hussey can get his boys to believe in their own ability, they’ll soar- but more likely they’ll wallow in the middle again.
CAPETOWN RAVENS
To Win: 14.00
Top Eight: 2.00
Relegation: 100.00
New Faces: Lance Rhodes (Suva), Brian Lima (Pacific), Michael Withers (Wollongong), Malcolm Alker (North Queensland), David Kidwell (Manly), and Robbie Ross (Christchurch).
The Ravens surpassed everyone’s expectations when they took out last year’s minor premiership in their maiden year, and then almost made the grand final in an epic clash with the Central Phoenix. The side has lost a bit of spark this season, but should still be hopeful of a place in the eight.
Pre Season Form: Were hammered in their second round clash with Surfers Paradise, which continues their trend of poor BFC showings. Enjoyed an undefeated run in the trials, but only their 30-28 win against Brisbane was against any real opposition.
Star Player: Andy Farrell. With Andrew Mehrtens being told he could go elsewhere, the goal kicking and play-making duties now rest solely on the veteran Great Britain lock. Farrell, who played understudy to Kevin Sinfield all last year, will be out to make the English lock role his own again.
Rising Star: Hanse Gibbs. Whilst he’s expected to start at Johannesberg this season, Hanse Gibbs is a local product touted as the next big thing in South African rugby league. A huge winger, Gibbs earned a reputation in the trials for his bone-jarring defence.
Wildcard: Robbie Ross. The former NSW fullback has been brought out of retirement by the club for a ‘swan song’ year, but finds himself on the wing after the late signing of Lance Rhodes. Whether or not Ross can handle the rigours of first grade football after suffering another leg injury will be interesting.
Prediction: Won’t be able to recapture the dazzling form of their maiden Premier League season, and it’s really a matter of how well the players and fans can cope with a disappointing follow up to a season that surpassed all expectations.
CARNARVON GRIZZLIES
To Win: 25.00
Top Eight: 10.00
Relegation: 20.00
New Faces: Scott Hill (Melbourne), Ryan Girdler (Gold Coast), Brett Finch (Redlands), Soni Ardi (Free Agent), and Simon Taylor (Free Agent).
Had a woeful 2004 season following what was a better than expected 2003 finals’ appearance. The Grizzlies are, for lack of a more sympathetic term, a sinking ship- and this is evidenced by widespread rumours that coach Matt Lyons was within an inch of quitting during the off season. Some late buys, including a world class halves pairing, may just be what could cure the Grizzly woes.
Pre Season Form: Were surprisingly strong in the Bob Fulton Cup, being eliminated by the eventual winners despite their trial form pointing towards another poor season.
Star Player: Graham Luana. Luana again finds himself as the ‘hope’ of the Carnarvon faithful, but may thrive in the presence of other players who can take some pressure off of him.
Rising Star: Brett Finch. Whilst he has established himself as a star, he’s yet to really thrive due to being stranded at Redlands for most of his career. Finch may be the ‘X Factor’ that recaptures the glory days when J.T held the #7 jersey.
Wildcard: Scott Hill. Has had an injury riddled career, and his time at Carnarvon may well be his last roll of the dice in Premier League.
Prediction: The Grizzlies will no doubt upset a few along the way, and cause a few heart palpitations in the big games, but they still haven’t done enough to become contenders.
CENTRAL COAST FALCONS
To Win: 4.50
Top Eight: 1.50
Relegation: 200.00
New Faces: Matthew Burke (Melbourne), Havaleme Junasaesa (Sydney), and Michael Korkidas (Fairfield).
For two seasons now I’ve looked red in the face when the Falcons stormed into the finals against my judgement, so this year I’m going to swallow my pride and admit that they’ll be there again this season. Have recruited quite well, and now have a terrifying forward pack to back up their dangerous backline.
Pre Season Form: Have had a very promising pre season, being eliminated in the BFC by a quality side, and enjoying good wins in the trials.
Star Player: Hazem El Masri. The Falcons are legendary for not having a standout player, but instead being dominated by solid footballers. However, the goal kicking of El Masri will no doubt come in handy during what is expected to be a close season.
Rising Star: Havaleme Junasaesa. The big Maori forward wasn’t part of Sydney’s plans for 2004/2005, and will no doubt thrive amongst the Falcons’ experienced and world class forwards. Just as comfortable breaking the line as he is holding it, Junasaesa would not look out of place in a New Zealand jersey this year.
Wildcard: Matthew Burke. After a short and unsuccessful stint at Melbourne, Burke is no doubt hoping he can make a name for himself in the Falcons’ backline. With retirement on the horizon, the former NSW and Australian fullback will be a major ace in the hand of the Falcons this season.
Prediction: Will undoubtedly be ‘thereabouts’ again, and it would be a surprise to see them miss the top four.
CENTRAL PHOENIX
To Win: 5.00
Top Eight: 1.70
Relegation: 180.00
New Faces: Tony Martin (Hobart), Shaun Timmins (Hawkesbury), Luke Priddis (Wellington), Jason Cayless (Gold Coast), and Steve Menzies (Manly).
Were the first side ever to make the grand final from outside the top four (having finished seventh in the regular season), and were stronger than their finish on the ladder would indicate. Have recruited quite well, but a change of coach may not be what they needed.
Pre Season Form: Were undefeated in the trials and enjoyed a largely successful BFC before being eliminated by eventual finalists, Darwin.
Star Player: Paul Deacon. With Danny Orr moving onto ‘greener pastures’ at Wellington, Deacon will carry the play-making role on his shoulders this season. His goal kicking, no doubt, will also prove crucial.
Rising Star: Beau Rivers. Has come up through the ranks from Northern Territory, and will probably start in the centres alongside Keith Senior. A Junior Kangaroo captain, Rivers is a level headed centre in the same mould as Berrigan.
Wildcard: Shaun Timmins. Had a fairly solid season for a fairly disappointing Hawkesbury last year, and will be hoping he can turn around a few years’ slump by playing amongst proven stars.
Prediction: Will coach Brian Randell’s ‘kiss of death’ haunt the Phoenix? Or can their star-studded side, fresh from a grand final defeat, prove his critics wrong and go one better in 2004/2005? I’d say the latter is more likely, with a top eight spot almost guaranteed.
COFFS HARBOUR WYRMS
To Win: 200.00
Top Eight: 35.00
Relegation: 6.00
New Faces: Steve Prescott (Darwin), Brian Carney (Suva), Willie Talau (Adelaide), Ronan O’Gara (Suva), and Tonie Carroll (Sydney).
After winning the Division Two grand final and promoting, Coffs Harbour embarked on a recruitment campaign that has seen them amass experience in the form of veteran players such as Carney, Prescott, and Carroll. However, the Wyrms possess probably the weakest squad in Premier League this season, and will need to keep their top thirteen fit to be a chance.
Pre Season Form: The Wyrms enjoyed a competitive pre-season, with losses in three of their four hit-outs against solid sides. Their only win was a narrow one against New England.
Star Player: Ronan O’Gara. The Irish sensation ruled the fortunes of the Suva Suns right up until they folded, and no doubt he’ll be expected to do the same for the Wyrms. Playing alongside the likes of Angel Withers and Andrew Miller, O’Gara may have a stronger platform for success than he did at the Suns.
Rising Star: Maurie Fa’asavalu. A talented Samoan back rower who made the jump from Rugby Union after their last world cup, Fa’asavalu has huge wraps on him as a future Kiwi international.
Wildcard: Tonie Carroll. The big, angry, and intense Queenslander has struggled in recent years to attain the level of dominance that made him a regular Queensland rep in years gone by. He is expected to fill the hooking role for the Wyrms.
Prediction: As magical as it would be to see another Division Two side make the step up to the top level, the Wyrms just don’t have what it takes to emulate the feats of Capetown and Central Coast.
DARWIN CYCLONES
To Win: 20.00
Top Eight: 3.00
Relegation: 10.00
New Faces: Billy Slater (Gold Coast), Chris Walker (Adelaide), Mark McLinden (Adelaide), Jonny Wilkinson (Gold Coast), and Chad Randall (Suva).
A dream start to the ASRL season saw them contest the Bob Fulton Cup final in golden point extra time, but the jury is still out on whether or not Darwin have done enough to be deserving of ‘contender’ status in the 2004/2005 premiership.
Pre Season Form: Had an ideal preparation, going down 37-36 in the Bob Fulton Cup final against the Premier League favourites. Will no doubt draw confidence from the game.
Star Player: Jonny Wilkinson. After being told he wasn’t needed by the Crusade, Wilkinson moved to Darwin in hopes of captaining a side to a premiership. His radar boot may be what he is best known for, but Wilkinson’s organisational skills are also much vaunted.
Rising Star: Billy Slater. The incredibly talented young fullback was impressive for the Crusade over two seasons, and he may be a real find for Darwin should be click into gear and become the international quality fullback he’s touted as.
Wildcard: Chris Walker. The bad boy of league in South Australia, Walker was told to look elsewhere by his former club after they recruited the likes of Tuqiri and Caucau. A back-up goal kicker to boot, Walker could prove to be a very useful buy for the Cyclones.
Prediction: The Cyclones are a hard side to predict. Their side shouldn’t have gone as far as it did in the Bob Fulton Cup, and I doubt they’ll be able to fool everyone for the thirty weeks it takes to win a premiership.
GOLD COAST CRUSADE
To Win: 1.80
Top Eight: 1.05
Relegation: 1000.00
New Faces: Chris Latham (Adelaide), Aaron Mauger (Perth), Matt Orford (Darwin), Stuart Fielden (Central), Bryan Fletcher (Surfers Paradise), Ruben Wiki (Surfers Paradise), Scott Sattler (Central), and Chris Flannery (South Melbourne).
The Crusade continued their tradition of never resting on their laurels, a powerful recruitment campaign again improving a side already touted as the benchmark by several league pundits.
Pre Season Form: Couldn’t have hoped for a better preparation, with a Bob Fulton Cup victory and two from two in the trials (their draw against Redlands was when fielding their RSC squad).
Star Player: Andrew Johns. As long as he plays football, Andrew Johns will be the key to success in whatever side he plays for. After a rash of rumours that the long time captain would leave the Crusade over the off-season, he recently announced he’ll be there for some time yet.
Rising Star: Ade Gardner. Picked up from Coffs Harbour as a pre-emptive strike following heavy interest, Ade Gardner is tipped to be the next big thing in England rugby league. A talented utility back, Gardner is expected to start the season in RSC due to salary cap restrictions.
Wildcard: Chris Flannery. Flannery is probably the best player going around not to play regular Origin, following unsuccessful stints at Central Coast and South Melbourne in recent years. In the trials and BFC, in which he has played both centre and lock, Flannery has proven he will be a real wildcard in the Crusade pack.
Prediction: Have the personnel and the depth to go all the way again, and should be there come the big day at season’s end.
MELBOURNE EXECUTIONERS
To Win: 16.00
Top Eight: 5.00
Relegation: 50.00
New Faces: Darren Albert (Adelaide), Cameron Smith (Surfers Paradise), Jonny Maquina (Central Coast), and Verity Gunnarsson (Eastwood).
Could a merger with South Melbourne and a change of name be enough to erase the bitter taste of defeat after last season’s near relegation? The Executioners maintained the neucleus of last year’s Bob Fulton Cup winning side, but that also means they kept most of a side that managed to only out-do Hawkesbury last season.
Pre Season Form: Enjoyed a solid Bob Fulton Cup hit out following a disappointing 0 from 3 turn-out in the trials.
Star Player: Paul Sculthorpe. With Scott Hill moving to Carnarvon, Sculthorpe is now the sole contender for Melbourne’s five eighth spot, a position he should relish after seasons of being shifted around regardless of form.
Rising Star: Jonny Maquina. The Central Coast raised Brazilian will be intent on proving his ability after being told by his favourite club that he wasn’t needed. A goal kicking lock in the same mould as Sinfield, Maquina will no doubt need to impress early to keep Gunnarsson at bay.
Wildcard: Dominik Bush. The talented young halfback has developed a reputation as a confidence player, following a dominant early run last season which soon faded into relative obscurity when his side struggled. Whether or not he can play above his side’s form will be crucial.
Prediction: Melbourne have a solid squad, much like Brisbane, but don’t yet having the winning ‘culture’ it takes to become a real force in Premier League. Will no doubt improve on last season, but much else will require a drastic reversal of form.
NORTHERN CANNONS
To Win: 12.00
Top Eight: 2.30
Relegation: 85.00
New Faces: Jason Hooper (Wollongong) and George Smith (Gold Coast)
The second ‘merger’ side sees Manly and North Sydney re-unite after a bitter three year war of mixed success for both clubs. Whilst the merger means the side has the depth of two sides to draw on, it hasn’t done much to improve the Cannons’ chances, with players such as Menzies and Jones depriving the squad of experience.
Pre Season Form: Had a poor pre-season by all standards, crashing out of the BFC against Carnarvon and enjoying mixed success against lower ranked Premier League clubs.
Star Player: Mat Rogers. Having made the switch from wing to fullback, Rogers is expected to take on a far more active role in the side this season. With Paul Wellens breathing down his neck, Rogers will need to be in top form all season.
Rising Star: Trent Pariah. Another RSC success story, Pariah joins the club from Birchgrove and has straight away forced his way onto the wing. One of the club’s many goal-kicking talents.
Wildcard: Paul Wellens. Wellens, recruited from Melbourne, may or may not prove to be a huge buy this season. If he adapts to the wing well, he’ll be a real boon to the Cannons, but if he struggles like he did at Melbourne- he’ll be little more than an expensive sub.
Prediction: The Cannons have a top four squad, but a self confessed consistency problem may prove their undoing. Should make the top eight, but may not have what it takes to upset the big guns.
PARRAMATTA VIKINGS
To Win: 15.00
Top Eight: 2.50
Relegation: 65.00
New Faces: Christian Cullen (Fairfield), Eric Grothe Jr (Newcastle), Paulie Bahtahn (Pacific), and Sam Harris (Suva).
It seems every year for the past few years has been the ‘year of the sleeping giant’. Parramatta have a squad that should be able to beat any side in Premier League, yet it consistently fails to achieve. A quiet off-season has done little to suggest this will change in 2004/2005.
Pre Season Form: Were upset by The Entrance in the Bob Fulton Cup, but showed in their lead up games that commitment was a real issue.
Star Player: Craig Fitzgibbon. The NSW and Australian second row has proved he is one of the game’s finest forwards, and will be looking to continue the trend that won him ‘second rower of the year’ in 2004/2005.
Rising Star: Chris Thorman. The talented Englishman has found a second wind following comments from Sydney’s Roger Bossert labelling him as a ‘choker’. In the games so far this season, Thorman has proven he’ll be a first class five eighth for the season to come.
Wildcard: Brent Webb. Playing out of position in five eighth, Webb is the club’s latest answer to a long term halves problem. Can Webb and Thorman form a solid combination? Or will Webb find himself in a battle with Christian Cullen for fullback honours?
Prediction: Parramatta could be the sleeping giant in 2004/2005, but it seems more likely they’ll cause some upsets, drop easy games, and finish on the cusp of the eight as per usual.
PERTH TAIPANS
To Win: 55.00
Top Eight: 9.55
Relegation: 35.00
New Faces: Rhys Wesser (Surfers Paradise), Carlos Spencer (Surfers Paradise), Luke Ricketson (Surfers Paradise), Daniel Abraham (Gold Coast), and Mangus Reece (Auckland).
One wonders whether buying three players from a side that struggled to avoid relegation last season is really the answer to Perth’s problems. The Taipans, following a boom period in the late nineties, are on a fast decline and this season won’t change much.
Pre Season Form: Had a fairly good BFC run, although they only beat weaker sides. Pre season form doesn’t bode well.
Star Player: Rhys Wesser. Having failed to resurrect the Punks, Ferrets, and Maulers in recent years- can Wesser really do enough to amend Perth’s problems and turn them back into a force?
Rising Star: Daniel Abraham. The talented young goal-kicking utility will no doubt be covering several positions in a Perth side lacking serious depth.
Wildcard: Carlos Spencer. Another player who hasn’t really set the world afire in recent years, Spencer has the boots of Darren Lockyer to fill.
Prediction: Perth are, unfortunately, on the verge of becoming one of those sides you look at and say ‘what happened?’. The answer is hard to find, but Perth fans will again find 2004/2005 painful to watch after the glory of the late 90’s.
PORT MORESBY POWER
To Win: 35.00
Top Eight: 5.50
Relegation: 40.00
New Faces: Mils Muliana (Auckland), Matt Sing (Manly), Olivier Sarramea (Christchurch), and George Gregan (Perth).
Shattered records in their domination of Division Two last season, but a quiet off-season has meant they don’t have the star power to match it with the Premier League big guns. Jelly Adams has a habit of whipping substandard sides into shape though.
Pre Season Form: Their BFC form was indifferent at best, beating two Division Two sides before being upset by Penrith.
Star Player: Mohammed Zian Ali. Last year’s Division Two Player of the Year hasn’t ever played Premier League before, and how well he adjusts to the higher tempo will be a measure of Port Moresby’s preparation.
Rising Star: Christian Bai. The older brother of Marcus Bai, Christian finds himself without his brother for the first time this season, following Marcus’ dropping to the reserves bench.
Wildcard: Matt Sing. The veteran Manly winger was left out of the merger, and will be itching to prove he’s still a power in the world of league.
Prediction: The Power don’t have the squad to win it, but then, they don’t have the squad to lose it either. They should finish middle of the mob and build from there.
SURFERS PARADISE PUNKS
To Win: 50.00
Top Eight: 7.50
Relegation: 35.00
New Faces: Manuel Contemponi (Wellington), Darren Lockyer (Perth), Iestyn Harris (Brisbane), Danny Nutley (Gold Coast), Adam Perry (Hawkesbury), Robbie Kearns (Melbourne), Glenn Morrison (Perth), Anton Olivier (Melbourne), and Jonah Lomu (Carnarvon).
Have taken a leaf from the Crusade’s recruitment book and gone for an entirely new look side. The sacrifice of forward power for a world class halves’ pairing should be a positive step.
Pre Season Form: Punks’ fans are again digging in for a poor season following a fairly ordinary start to the season.
Star Player: Darren Lockyer. Lockyer has finally left Perth and moved back to Queensland, and how well he combines with Iestyn Harris in the halves will go a long way towards determining the Punks’ chances.
Rising Star: Matt King. After playing last year at Pine Rivers, the ‘future rep star’ (a quote from Central Coast’s Anthony Magro) has been called into the top squad to add some skill to a Punks’ threequarter line long known for its lack of flare.
Wildcard: Glenn Morrison. A few seasons ago Morrison was rated as the finest lock in the game, but in recent years he’s been more of an impact player for the Taipans. With rumour around that he’ll retire at season’s end, Morrison will be keen to make an impact in what could be his final year.
Prediction: Like Brisbane and Sydney, the Punks have the squad for it, but not the heart. If they can keep their top squad on deck, however, they’ll finish higher than most of us expect.
SYDNEY OILERS
To Win: 7.50
Top Eight: 2.00
Relegation: 100.00
New Faces: David Peachy (New England) and Andrew Walker (Melbourne).
The Oilers are finally maturing. With each season Sydney improve just a little, and after last season’s Premier League finals’ berth, the Oilers should be ready to make the next step and cease being a club that’s just making up numbers in the top eight.
Pre Season Form: Bowed out of the BFC in a one sided semi final against the Gold Coast, but that and their trial form gives a strong indication of how far Sydney have come in conquering their inconsistency problems.
Star Player: Craig Gower. With Brett Kimmorley hovering on the horizon as a constant threat replacement, Gower plays all of his football under the cloud of being infinitely replaceable. The club’s goal kicker thrives under that pressure.
Rising Star: Willie Tonga. One more player who has stepped up from RSC (playing for the Balmain Storm) to claim a starting spot, Tonga has big wraps on him as a potential Origin centre.
Wildcard: David Peachy. ‘The Peach’ has shown in his debut for the Oilers that he is still as spry and dangerous as ever, despite several quiet seasons at the struggling New England club.
Prediction: The Oilers have a top class starting thirteen, and while their depth is questionable, the club’s professionalism has gradually improved over recent years. Should make the eight.
WELLINGTON COUGARS
To Win: 2.00
Top Eight: 2.05
Relegation: 1000.00
New Faces: Danny Orr (Central), Simeon Rice (Manly), Tony Puletua (Gold Coast), Amos Roberts (Waikato), and Adrian Mirhalov (Carnarvon).
Some are saying that Wellington’s run at the top in Premier League is on its downward curve, but the Cougars still have the squad and the coach to make 2004/2005 a premiership winning year.
Pre Season Form: Were upset 17-16 in a thrilling BFC match, but have otherwise had a very strong start to their season.
Star Player: Kevin Sinfield. You don’t take out Premier League Player of the Year without playing good football, and Sinfield will be better for the experience of a year at the top.
Rising Star: Jake Luana. The younger brother of Carnarvon’s Graham, Jake will play a more active role in the squad this year following the departure of several stars. In particular, Luana will be asked to play hooker over the course of the season, with Simeon Rice seen as only a temporary solution.
Wildcard: Danny Orr. After enjoying a powerful season at Central last season, can Orr fill the gap left by Trent Barrett and lead the side to a premiership?
Prediction: Wellington, alongside Gold Coast, are the only sure fire certainties of a top eight berth this year. In a perfect world, they’d meet Gold Coast in the big game.
WOLLONGONG DESTRUCTORS
To Win: 15.00
Top Eight: 2.75
Relegation: 65.00
New Faces: Sebastian Mpofu (Capetown), Stacey Jones (Manly), Jimmy Watts (Surfers Paradise), Logan Swann (Manly), Luke Covell (Sydney), and Ben Harris (Sydney).
Wollongong, like Sydney, have gradually developed from a Division Two side to a quality Premier League squad. Possessing a top squad that could topple anyone on their day, the Destructors will be expecting big things this year.
Pre Season Form: Have had a fairly solid start to the season.
Star Player: Brett Hodgson. The Origin fullback ruled Wollongong’s fortunes last year, and damned if he won’t be there this year to cash in. With Stacey Jones to feed him into gaps, Hodgson could enjoy his finest year since leaving Wellington.
Rising Star: Danny McGuire. After seasons of being held back and groomed, Danny McGuire has been unleashed as the new Wollongong five eighth. Following the departure of Jason Hooper and Brad Fittler post season, McGuire was given the nod to start his first grade career outside Stacey Jones.
Wildcard: Stacey Jones. Is a footballer on the wane, but still international quality and capable of shattering a game with one inspired play.
Prediction: Wollongong may surprise a lot of people this year, with a top eight berth not out of the question.
PREDICTED LADDER
1. Gold Coast
2. Wellington
3. Central Coast
4. Central
5. Northern
6. Adelaide
7. Sydney
8. Parramatta
9. Wollongong
10. Capetown
11. Melbourne
12. Darwin
13. Brisbane
14. Surfers Paradise
15. Port Moresby
16. Carnarvon
17. Perth
18. Coffs Harbour
