Weโre now just a few hoursย from season 2015 kicking off, and it looks as though the focus may finally be back on the footy.
Below is part one of a two-part season preview, covering the sides I believe will come 16th to 9th.
Just to be clear, I have NOTHING against any side in the NRL, but someone has finish in the bottom few. These are purely predictions, hell I may be a mile off at seasonโs end, but theyโre purely meant as a discussion point.
16. Titans
Big Out: Luke Bailey (Greg Bird pending charges)
Big In: Josh Hoffman
Key Player: Aidan Sezer
Conclusion: The Titans can either react to the current situation in two ways. Either they adopt an โus vs themโ mentality and fight ala the Sharks in 2013, or they fold like a deck of cards, ala the Sharks in 2014.
I just donโt see a way out for the Titans in 2014. A thin talent roster has been decimated following the standing down of Dave Taylor and Greg Bird. Nate Myles and Ryan James will have to shoulder enormous responsibility up front without their two rep back rowers.
Aidan Sezer and Josh Hoffman are absolutely key in points being scored, and the Titans have plenty of pace to burn in their backline. That being said, they just donโt have the quality finishers and will really struggle in the pack. Their most dangerous opponent this season will be themselves. I really hope they can turn it around, but itโll get worse before it gets better.
15. Raiders
Big Out: Anthony Milford
Big In: Blake Austin
Key Player: Jack Wighton
Conclusion: The Raiders have recruited big, and smart, for 2015, but I just donโt think they have the strike power to overcome their lack of imposing defence out wide. Last season Jarrod Croker scored a mountain of points, but conceded almost as many through missed tackles.
Blake Austin is one of the pick-ups of the season, and his halves partnership with Mitch Cornish is absolutely key, as is the form of likely fullback Jack Wighton. Once identified as a potential Origin centre, Wighton has a huge opportunity in the number one role, however looked slightly shaky there at times last season.
Paul Vaughan had a brilliant 2014, but will need to lift again in 2015, as will the likes of Papalii and Fensom, if the Raiders are going to make inroads in the forward battle. Every season the โexpertsโ pick the Raiders to finish last, and every year they prove everyone wrong. This season may be another story if they donโt fire early.
14. Dragons
Big Out: Brett Morris
Big In: George Rose
Key Player: Gareth Widdop
Conclusion: The Dragons lost the best winger in the world in Brett Morris, as well as a genuine strike centre in Gerrard Beale, and their boom rookie in Jack Bird. They replaced them with the likes of George Rose, Kris Keating and Eto Nabuli.
Fans of the red V can be forgiven for asking just what is going on, but the club has made the tough decisions needed to rebuild toward the future. Unfortunately with every rebuild is the inevitable tough season, and 2015 will be that season.
The side still maintains genuine quality in the form of Widdop, Marshall, Nightingale and Dugan, however fans have been delivered a harsh blow by Trent Merrin confirming his future lay elsewhere. If all of the Dragons players fire they could shock a few, however itโs a huge if. Despite the addition of rose, they still look very thin up front.
13. Knights
Big Out: Darius Boyd
Big In: Tariq Sims
Key Player: Jarrod Mullen
Conclusion: Tariq Sims aside, the Knights hardly set the recruitment world on fire as they look to improve on a woeful 2014. Rick Stone will be counting on the return to form of Kurt Gidley, who will surely return to fullback after the loss of Darius Boyd.
The Knights have one of the most exciting backlines in the game, and two excellent halves, and thus should score plenty of points in 2015. The likes of Uate and Leilua face a battle just to be selected, showing the quality on show out wide.
Despite the addition of Sims, itโs up front where the Knights will struggle. Snowden hasnโt been able to replicate the form that saw him represent NSW whilst at the Sharks, while the likes of Smith and Houston have seen better days. Beau Scott and Sims will be looked upon to provide aggression, and should either suffer injury, the Knights pack looks a lot less intimidating.
12. Tigers
Big Out: Adam Blair
Big In: Kevin Naiqama
Key Player: James Tedesco
Conclusion: The Tigers are a tough team to predict. They rival the Warriors when it comes to being the NRL equivalent of Jekyll and Hyde. On their day, the Tigers play a brilliant brand of attacking footy, but when it does not come off, itโs painful to watch.
Luke Brooks has a full NRL season under his belt and should be much better for it. Mitch Moses will likely partner in the halves, in what is the NRLโs most exciting young partnership. Robbie Farah will of course be a key in everything that is positive for the Tigers, but it is James Tedesco who could really prove to be a spark in Tiger town.
His return from injury in a trial against the Sharks was spectacular, and if he finds form, and stays fit, he could be in the mix come Origin time. The Tigers have good go forward on the back of Galloway and Woods, while Sironen, Simona and Sue continue to develop nicely. They will be a scary side in three seasons, but theyโre just not there yet.
11. Eels
Big Out: Jarryd Hayne
Big In: Anthony Watmough
Key Player: Chris Sandow
Conclusion: The question at Pirtek is obvious, how will the Eels fare without their superstar Jarryd Hayne? Will Hopoate and Reece Robinson look most likely to battle it out to replace Hayne at fullback, and both offer solid options.
Watmnoughโs addition should add some much needed power up front, as Tim Mannah has played a lone hand at times going forward. Sandow and Norman, on their day, are brilliant, but are just as capable of turning in shockers.
Inconsistency has been the big problem at the Eels in recent seasons, and unfortunately I see it exactly the same in 2015. They will score some highlight reel tries through Radradra, Hopoate and co. but they wonโt be able to match it up front with the genuine powerhouses.
10. Sharks
Big Out: Todd Carney
Big In: Ben Barba
Key Player: Ben Barba
Conclusion: One thing is for sure for the Sharks in 2015, they will improve on last season. They canโt possibly do any worse. New recruits Ben Barba, Gerrard Beale and Michael Ennis, strengthen three problem areas for the Shire side, while the return of Jayson Bukuya adds yet another cog in a strong back row machine.
The performance of the aforementioned Barba will be absolutely key this season. The Sharks may have an imposing back row and a solid halfback, but they lack spark in attack. They need Barba to fire, or face a very long season.
Young Valentine Holmes is arguably the most exciting youngster in the game, and weโre likely to see plenty of young Jack Bird. If the Sharks can keep their stars, and based on the last few years itโs a huge if, they can definitely make the finals. If Barba fires, they may make the top four. There are just too many โifsโ to confidently predict anything much higher in terms of finishing position.
9. Storm
Big Out: Ryan Hoffman
Big In: Blake Green
Key Player: Cooper Cronk
Conclusion: I know, I know. Storm fans will make sure I eat my words come September. The supporting cast to the big three is not as strong as it was last season with the departure of Ryan Hoffman. Although the likes of Bromwich and Proctor remain, there is too much pressure on Smith, Cronk and Slater in attack.
Blake Green, although solid, wonโt be in the top ten five-eighths heading into the season, and their backline, outside of possible Will Chambers, lacks a genuine star. My worry is that if Cronk suffers an injury, or Slater fails to fire, that the Storm will struggle to score points.
Every side in the NRL is dependent on their stars to shine, however none more-so than the Storm. One injury could cripple the side. Age catches up with everyone and I fear that 2015 may be that year. Cameron Munster and Ben Hampton may be the next gen stars in Melbourne, and Storm fans will hope they come of age this season.
