Thoughts?

It is very early to start deciding that! Saints are a bad bet, they are the ultimate chokers!

Parramatta could go better but even if they make the gf the Smith curse will kick in.

Roosters will get better with there signings but they have lost a great front rower in cayless and the inspiration of Rickertson. They have also lost some very good backup youngsters, I still think that there outside backs defense is very worrying and that they could struggle again.

Nth Qld have lost Rauhihi but have got some good young props in Matt Scott and also the signing of Leigh Coghill who will be a 1st grader. They also have Tronc, Webb and Sargent so I think there will be no worries there so they are still a good chance.

Newcastle are a bit iffy, I am wondering how far Johns inspiration can carry them for an entire year.

Bulldogs I don't see them in the 8 at all! Closer to the spoon then the premiership.

Broncos will always be up there but a few things need to be changed to make them go back to winning another GF. Carlaw needs to be shown the door and I would split Thorn, Webcke and Civonoceiva up. Most Probably Thorn off the bench for impact, with Stagg and someone a bit lighter in the 2nd row, and I would shift Tunza out of the club or on the bench and have Greg Eastwood at Lock to be a ball player and take a bit of pressure off Locky.

Penrith are gooneskies and no chance, WORST BET EVER!

Cronulla aren't a bad bet, but it'd be hard to find a place for a new premiership trophy in that big and full trophy cabinet of theres haha.

Souths could become a fairytale they have some great youngsters coming through and have signed a few decent forwards, but it will depend if they can get settled on a havles combo that works. Sutton needs an experienced campaigner beside him, I heard Manly have offered Monaghan again and they knocked it back, I think he would have been perfect 4 the side!

I am deadset getting on Melbourne! $26 for them is awesome, they have added some great players in Crocker and if they can get Walker into gear he could be an asset. Inglis will be there new centre to replace bell and he will represent next year. They will still be a class outfit and I think Cronk will fire with his chance in the number 7. Great Bet!

New Zealand is another good bet! They have lost the worst coach ever in Tony Kemp and Cleary will do wonders for them! They have still got a real classy fullback and a fit Price for them for the year will do them wonders! I think you will find Fien and Grant Rovelli in the havles and an Aussie and especially Qld halves partnership will give the crazy Kiwis a bit of direction. Good bet!

Canberra are still a good bet I reckon, they may not have bought much but they are putting faith in there youngsters. They had a massive injury toll and still were not far off the pace, and the res graders that got a run when those injuries hit will be better for the experience. They are a far better bet then alot of other teams!

you wanna talk worst bets ever...then put your money on Brisbane.

Bottom of the 8 or maybe even out of it.

Sharks and Storm fighting for the spoon with NZ...particularly now they don't have a halfback.

Storm have the most ill-disciplined forward pack in the comp...their backs will be made to look ordinary next season cause they wont see any ball. Scott Hill will get his customary 10 game a season injury...and they'll be fucked. They have no depth...only Chris Walker and Steve Turner...who'll probably get injured again. Thats it.

Then they have lost the only player who made their pack look good in Robbie Kearns. Apart from him at the backend of the season..they looked shit..and that was evidenced with how they played without him. Without Bell and Orford they'll lose a lot of attack. Inglis is a great player...but he's more of a hole runner than a busting the tackle type of player that Steve Bell was.

But you can waste the money on the storm if you wish.



my money will be on Tigers at $11 and Manly at $21 to win the comp.

Both have added quality players to there teams and Tigers have added great size to their forward pack, without the loss of any mobility. Manly have added a quality centre and a great creative halfback to their team, something they've really lacked when the games been there to be won this season.

where did nathan fien take the cowboys to in 2004.

Newcastle aren't a bad bet provided they can stay fit. A dominant forward pack (Perry, Smith, Davico, Woolnough in the front row with Newton, Simpson, Abraham, and Reynoldson in the back row), the world's best player in halfback, world's best #9, and then some dangerous backs like Carney, Tighe, and Thaidy. Newcastle may surprise a few people next year.

I'd put a hundred on Newcastle.

Fien did nothing in 2004.

He didn't take them anywhere.

It was all Bowen and their forward pack.

Hahahaha you are kidding yourself Mick, every finals series since 1991, 5 from 5 premierships, as if we won't be in there you goose!

Storm has alot of backup moron, they have awesome outside backs but are all young, they brought Walker cos at least he has experience.

You are kidding yourself about the teams for the spoon, I would be looking Penriths way for that ;)

As if Fien did nothing, him and David Myles killed it in there charge towards the finals in 2004.

Kill yourself.

I agree with Mick on Melbourne looking pretty grim. They've lost Orford, and he's certainly been the better of their halves in recent years. Cronk is untried, and losing their most experienced forward won't help matters either.

EXACTLY

I wasn't saying they are shit.

I'm saying they have a relatively young backline who has lost an old head on one side of the field. Steve Bell had amazing influence on their team, and had a great combination with Orford.

Now...both are gone. Orford was consistantly in the top 3-4 halfbacks in the game for the past 2-3 years. Now he is being replaced witha guy who occasionally filled in at five-eight and didn't do much there anyway.

I know they have young backs..such as Josh Graham...but I think he's been signed with Western Force union ... not sure... But yes..they have young backs who are UNTESTED. Only Chris Walker will do anything, and I think his signing indicates the departure of Matt Geyer before the beginning of next year.

They have lost their primary leader and their Vice....thats gotta have a damaging effect on the team. They got undeveloped prop forwards who make stupid penalties in White, Crossman, Kafusi and Cross and they have an ill-disciplined backrow in Crocker, Kidwell and Johnson.

While Their backline of Slater, King, Walker and Inglis will have plenty of attacking ability, they will have no ball to showcase it if those guys give away a shitload of penalties.

Yes Hussey, I also know of Brisbane having 5 titles and been in the finals since 1991...but your not the youngest team out there and that factor was a major reason behind losing 7 games on the trot at the end of this season. I think you will make the 8...but around 6th-8th...I don't think you'll be top 4.