The Official NRL Thread 2006
EDIT : Theres a new thread for it now
Why the fuck was the other thread closed for?
In any case, lucky I copied my reply before I posted it because I would have lost it, here it is....
I disagree with that ladder.
For starters, I dont think the Roosters are going to be #1, with Finch as their half back they are going to struggle.... and yes he was their when they were going good, but hes past it now (Thats if he ever had 'it')
Broncos again I dont think they will be that high, they didnt make to many good signings and will perform IMO similar to last year.
Knights will be higher than that provided Johns is un-injured.
Storm will be way lower, without orford they are going to struggle BIG TIME, they wont make the top 8.
I think we will see the cowboys slip alittle, they were VERY lucky to get into the grand final last year because there were alot of better teams then them, luck just went their way.
Sea Eagles will be higher than that, they've bought very well and I think the club is about to come out of its rebuilding phase and post a decent challenge for the premiership.
As a sharks supporter I will have some bias, but I think the sharks are in a similar boat to the Eagles, they've built up over the years a good squad and should be able to do more than last year provided everything comes together. I also think the motivation to win the Premiership for Rogers who always wanted to see the sharks win it will help greatly, in games like last year in the finals against the Dragons where we played well but just not for the full 80mins, we will win.
Rabbitohs will be lower than that, they are shyte, the players they have bought IMo wont have that much of an impact because they still have a crap backline (Or so i think, i dont recall to many backline signings for them apart from crap like Merritt and Mellor).
Eels will be way higher than that, SMith is a decent coach but hte media protrays him as not... geez he had the team on top of the table last year. The only problem I can see is the uncertainty with his future could play a role, but even then they have an excellant team so they should do better than 10.
The dragons will be higher than that as well, although I dislike them they still have a quality side. WE must also remember that for most of lsat year they were without their half back and still went well, with him recovered (although he is injurd again) they will be a good side.
Warriors are shit yes.
Raiders are shit yes.
I think the panthers will finish last, they havent signed to much and have in fact lost some good players.
The bulldogs will be higher than this, although they lost Anasta, provided their players are uninjured they still have one of the best forward packs in the comp, and off the back of this Sherwin alone can carve up sides. In saying this though, I dont think they will mkae the top 8, maybe 9 or 10