Despite last yearโs relatively poor efforts, I will again put my money where my mouth is and lay down ten predictions for 2015.
From the Grand Final make up, to the Dally medallist, to the top try scorer, here are all the tips you need to do your dough in the upcoming NRL season.
1. Roosters/Bulldogs Grand Final
The Bulldogs, after their Grand Final loss in 2014, have gotten better during the off season through the recruitment of Brett Morris, although the loss of skipper Michael Ennis will hurt.
I see no reason the Dogs canโt be there again in October in 2015. Last year I tipped the Dogs to finish second and play grand final footy, and was accused of being a bias Dogs fan. For the record Iโm not, and I believe they will be even better this season.
As for the Roosters, they looked amazing as September rolled around, but were out played by the Panthers in the first round of the finals and never recovered.
Theyโll re-sign James Maloney early and he will have a season much like 2013. Blake Ferguson will provide extra try scoring potential out wide or at fullback. Roger Tuivasa-Sheckย should play fullback and Ferguson centre, with Shaun Kenny-Dowallย on the wing for mine.
2. Raiders to finish with the spoon
Fear not Raiders fans, as I have predicted the former Green Machine would finish last three seasons in a row and they are yet to add a spoon of the wooden variety during that time.
Despite some very clever recruitment in Austin and FPN, I just donโt see them having enough strike power to combat their lack of defensive steel.
I am a huge fan of Jarrod Croker in attack, but he concedes just as many points as he scores. Likewise Jack Wighton.
The Raiders are going to need their best players to have outstanding seasons to be anywhere near finals footy, but unfortunately for fans in the capital, I just canโt see it.
3. Manly will lose one of either DCE or Foran, but re-sign the other
Although Manly shed Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart for 2015, the money on offer from rival sides is just too much for the Sea Eagles to combat.
I have gone on record as saying I believe Kieran Foran should be the main priority, and I still believe that. Manly will throw big money at him and he will re-sign.
Daly Cherry-Evans on the other hand may end up at the Eels, Sharks, Raiders, or another cashed up side. At only 25, no one could blame DCE for doing what is right by his family.
It may end up that Manly keep both, but theyโll have to shed players elsewhere. That being said, I donโt think theyโll have the salary cap space to retain both superstar halves.
4. Brisbane to finish in the Top Four with Roosters, Bulldogs, Cowboys
Despite the injury to international and origin rep Darius Boyd, the Broncos are a much stronger side heading into 2015, both on and off the field.
Anthony Milfordโs halves combination with Ben Hunt will be one to watch, and I expect Milford to have a blinder of a season.
The Broncos best signing comes in the form of returning coach Wayne Bennett. I believe he will get the best out of under-performing players with potential such as Jack Reed. Adam Blair will play better footy in Brisbane than he did at the Tigers.
The Roosters and Dogs are obvious, but the Cowboys will scrape in just in front of Souths on the back of Thurston, Scott and some clever coaching from Paul Green.
5. NSW to retain the Origin trophy
It is with no real confidence I believe the blues will retain the trophy, based on the fact that a few of QLDโs best performers are moving toward the end of their careers and may be injury prone.
Cameron Smith is going to go into Origin under done after missing at least the first month of the competition. Theyโll also be missing Darius Boyd, whose combination with Greg Inglis has been lethal.
On the other side of the equation, Trent Hodkinson, Daniel Tupou, Will Hopoate and co. have plenty of improvement left in them. Hopoate especially will have far more NRL footy back in his body when he plays Origin this year.
The NSW forward pack is the difference for me. Gallen, Bird, Lewis and co. are often the difference in big games, and always seem to play their best footy in the NSW jersey. They'll have to replace Hayne tho, although there are plenty of candidates.
6. Melbourne Storm to miss the eight
For the first time in seemingly forever (i.e. the salary cap scandal) the Storm wonโt be playing finals footy in 2015 for mine.
Smith will miss the start of the season, and will then play Origin almost straight away. Billy Slater tapered off in 2014 for the first time I can remember and will also play Origin if fit.
Outside of the big three, I donโt think the Storm have enough to combat the likes of the Roosters, Dogs, Souths and co. Their fourth best player Ryan Hoffman has left the club.
There will be a lot of pressure and expectation on Blake Green, who despite success in the Super League, has never established himself at NRL level. There was always going to be a time the decision to re-sign three players on huge contracts would come into question. This is that year.
7. Sharks will vastly improve but wonโt play finals footy
This is a safe bet as quite frankly, they couldnโt possibly play any worse than in 2014. Iโm also confident in predicting they wonโt suffer the same injury crisis.
Gallen, Lewis, Carney, Graham, Fifita, arguably the Sharks best give players, all missed big periods of 2014 through injury and suspension.
Having recruited well and having a full squad back on deck, not to mention their coach, things canโt be headed anywhere but up next year.
Valentine Holmes looks like quite the player, as does Jacob Gagan. Combined with Gallen, Lewis, Ennis, Barba, Gordon, Fifita and co. the Sharks should improve dramatically. Theyโre probably a class halfback away from finals footy.
8. Thurston will edge out Milford and Inglis for the Dally M
I expect Greg Inglis to have yet another brilliant season, and am tipping Anthony Milford to be an absolute revelation in Brisbane, but it will be Johnathan Thurston who reigns once again.
Having thought he did enough to win the award on his own last year, although who could begrudge Hayne after his season, this year Thurston will add yet another individual honour.
Thurston will take the Cowboys to a top four finish, will go close to taking his club to an Origin victory, and will wrack up yet another tally of try assists and tries himself.
The Cowboys half, or five-eighth, he should play wherever he reals more comfortable, is a genuine World Class superstar, and 2015, just like 2014, will be his year.
9. Josh Mansour top try scorer
To be honest Iโm not sure how Josh Mansour was overlooked for Origin duty last season, but it was Penrithโs gain to have their wrecking ball wingers available.
Mansour had a breakout 2014, and in 2015 he will announce himself in a big way, by posting 20+ tries.
The likes of Peta Hiku, Brett Morris and Alex Johnston will be there or thereabouts, but it will be the Penrith star who tops the charts.
Super strong and brilliant in the air when attacking, which is a brilliant compliment to the kicking games of Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace, heโll score plenty close to the line, and will add a fair few from distance.
10. Aussies till belt the Four Nation champions in Brisbane
I know I will cop it from our brothers and sisters across the ditch, but the Kangaroos, in front of a sold out Suncorp crowd, will be hell bent on revenge after surrendering the Four Nations trophy.
The Roos will have the majority of their stars back on duty and at near full-strength, Thurston, Inglis and co. will run riot.
The Kiwis did exceptionally well to win in front of an expectant home crowd in late 2014, but the team they beat simply doesnโt compare to a full strength Aussie side.
Gallen, Scott, Tamou and Fifita will be back on board, injury allowing, which completely changes the complexion of the contest. Thurston, behind those forwards, will provide plenty to Morris (x2) and Hodges, who will oblige.
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