Following on from yesterday's preview of the Bottom 8, we return today with our predictions on who will finish in the top half of the ladder.
8. Sea Eagles
Big Out: Glen Stewart
Big In: Feleti Mateo
Key Player: Kieran Foran
Conclusion: The Sea Eagles have lost some world class cattle in the form of Stewart, Watmough and King. Both of their halves have been caught up in hugely publicised contract negotiations, and there are rumours that Geoff Tooveyโs job is under threat before a ball is even kicked.
Luckily for the Sea Eagles, they have an amazing roster of talent, as those sorts of occurrences would bury most sides. Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Peta Hiku and Brett Stewart are all try scoring machines, as is the injured Taufua. The Eagles have recruited a more than handy second rower in Feleti Meteo, and Matt Ballin is one of the most underrated rakes in the game.
If they can keep their minds on the footy and not let it slip to off-field problems, theyโll finish in the eight. That being said, theyโve simply lost too much to finish in the top four this season. Foran and Cherry Evans need to perform, regardless of where they end up for 2016, and Eagles fans will rightfully demand nothing less than 100%. Theyโll still play finals football, but wonโt be the force they have been, seemingly for the last decade.
7. Warriors
Big Out: Jayson Bukuya
Big In: Ryan Hoffman
Key Player: Shaun Johnson
Conclusion: Surely, surely, SURELY the Warriors was find the consistency that takes them back to finals footy. They have too much talent across the park to see it all fall apart before September yet again. Shaun Johnson is at the peak of his powers, and will be very confident coming off brilliant Four Nations and Auckland Nines campaigns, and there will be plenty of backing in the betting world on the Warriors too..
The likes of Kata and Hurrell out wide will ensure plenty of shaky legs in defence. These two could provide plenty of highlights this season, while Manu is set to benefit with plenty of four pointers, not that he needs the help finding the line.
Ryan Hoffman is a huge in and may prove the difference between missing and making the finals. Much will depend on the performance of Chad Townsend, who needs to provide more than a supporting role for his number seven. Sam Tomkins should also improve after a full NRL season under his belt. Iโm tipping them to hit more than miss this season, and as theyโve shown in the past, once youโre in the finals, anything can happen.
6. Broncos
Big Out: Ben Barba
Big In: Adam Blair (Boyd long-term injury)
Key Player: Ben Hunt
Conclusion: The Broncos were incredibly difficult to predict. Theyโve brought back Wayne Bennett, who immediately stamped his authority on the squad. Ben Barba and Josh Hoffman are out, Adam Blair and Darius Boyd are in. Bennett will have to live and die by those decisions, but he has the runs on the board to say the least.
Ben Hunt had an outstanding 2014, and earned a Kangaroos jersey. How he backs up will be huge for the Broncos. He has a new halves partner in Anthony Milford, who many believe is the best signing heading into 2015. I agree. If Milford and Hunt are given space to work, they could strike up a very dangerous partnership.
Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday have been allowed to focus purely on their game after Hodges was named captain, and I believe this will help both men. Jordan Kahu faces a baptism by fire tonight in the form of an Adam Reynolds aerial assault, after being named fullback. If he can live up to his undoubted potential, the loss of Boyd may not be so bad afterall.
5. Panthers
Big Out: Kevin Naiqama
Big In: Tupou Sopoaga
Key Player: Jamie Soward
Conclusion: Although some will say they overachieved last season, I believe their efforts were massively underrated. Jamie Soward was one of the pickups of 2014 and once again will be key in 2015. His halves partner in Peter Wallace is primed for a big season, after suffering a stop-start 2014.
Their roster remains pretty intact from last year, as shown by their big in and out, both of whom were or are fringe first graders. Matt Moylan is turning into an absolute superstar, and 2015 could be his year. Itโs plausible that he may be in the NSW Origin mix by mid-season.
Their bench is a real strength, as the likes of Cartwright and Peachy will enter the fray when opposition forwards are tiring. DWZ and Josh Mansour (when fit) will score plenty of tries outside Whare and Idris. James Segeyaro is a game breaker, and if he can continue his 2014 form, watch out. The Panthers also contain possibly the most underrated pack in the game. There arenโt many who enjoy being hit by the likes of Docker and Brown.
4. Bulldogs
Big Out: Michael Ennis
Big In: Brett Morris
Key Player: Josh Reynolds
Conclusion: After being outplayed in last yearโs decider, the Dogs have plenty of motivation heading into 2015. Although they lost their captain in Michael Ennis, they have recruited an absolute superstar of the game in Brett Morris. He will start the season at fullback, but may be moved to the wing later in the season. Either way, he is going to add a new dimension to the Dogโs attack.
James Graham proved, again, that he is in the elite when it comes to big men, while the likes of Tolman and Klemmer provide zero reprieve for opposition defences. Jackson, Williams and Eastwood arenโt exactly plodders either. Itโs a scary forward pack. Michael Lichaa has to hit the ground running.
The Dogs have one of the best halves combos in the game. Reynolds was immense last season, and Hodkinson had arguably his best season to date. Hodkinson is off contract and can bump up his worth early on. Tim Lafai and Josh Morris are also a handy centre partnership. To be honest, itโs hard to find a weakness in the Dogs armour. Lichaaโs recruitment could be genius, or it could be a huge mistake to let Ennis go.
3. Cowboys
Big Out: Tariq Sims
Big In: Ben Hannant
Key Player: Johnathan Thurston
Conclusion: Every year the experts pick the Cowboys to finish in the top few, and every season the Cowboys leave their run too late. Not this season. Theyโll finally realise their potential and finish firmly in the top four. Johnathan Thurston has a premiership to his name, but to lead the Cowboys to their maiden title would surely establish him as the next immortal.
Far from a one man show, the Cowboys have arguably the best front row rotation, with Tamou, Hannant and Scott. There wonโt be too many packs that get the better of the Cowboys through the middle, which should allow Thurston, Lui and Morgan to provide plenty of spark in attack.
Although they lost Tariq Sims, their back row remains strong. Jason Taumalolo is riding a huge wave of momentum, and now that he has settled his future, I see nothing that can hold him back in 2015. Gavin Cooper and Ethan Lowe are no frills backrowers, but are very, very capable. Have a speedy, and clever backline to work outside Thurston.
2. Rabbitohs
Big Out: Sam Burgess
Big In: Glenn Stewart
Key Player: Greg Inglis
Conclusion: What more can be said about the champions โฆ of everything!? The Bunnies have set the standard and come into 2015 with a real chance of going to back-to-back. Although they lost Sam Burgess, they have replaced him with Glenn Stewart, and also picked up Tim Grant. They will be without one of their premiership centres for disciplinary reasons, but have brought in Bryson Goodwin, who has had a brilliant pre-season.
The majority of the Bunnies Premiership winning squad is still together, which means theyโre going to possess all the same threats as last season. Reynolds is one of my tips to win the Dally M medal, and will be partnered fulltime by Luke Keary, who had a brilliant 2014. Outside them they have the likes of Walker and Johnston, both of whom may top twenty tries this campaign.
John Sutton and Glenn Stewart add spark in the front line, while Burgess, Tyrell and Lowe are genuine metre eaters. Coach Michael McGuire knows how to get the job done, and has really made winning a habit at Redfern. If all else fails, they can always call on Issac Luke, who seems to get better with every season. A genuine threat once again.
1. Roosters
Big Out: Sonny Bill Williams
Big In: Blake Ferguson
Key Player: Mitchell Pearce
Conclusion: Although they finished with a second straight Minor Premiership, the Roosters wonโt be happy with the way their season ended in 2014. One SBW aside, the Roosters are have retained the majority of their 2014 squad (Minichello also retired), while adding former Origin outside back Blake Ferguson.
Maloney, who didnโt have the greatest 2014, will be looking to dominate in 2015, and prove he is irreplaceable, as his contract is up at the end of the season. Mitchell Pearce seems to have come of age, meaning the Roosters will once again possess one of the most lethal halves combos across the competition. Outside them are the likes of Jennings, Tupou, Ferguson and Denny-Dowall, not a bad backline at all. RTS moves to fullback following the retirement of Minichello.
Up front the Roosters have two of the competitions most feared front rowers in Moa and JWH. Young Napa is developing a reputation as a real hit-man also. Cordner and Guerra are two absolute stars of the game while Isaac Liu provides a hard hitting lock option. The quality of a sideโs bench shows the quality of the squad, and the Roosters have a monster bench in Aubusson, Evans, Napa and Kennedy. Although Friend will miss the start of the season, he is a brilliant player.
