My team by team halfassed preview :mark:
Brisbane
In: Luke Capewell (Titans), Petero Civoniceva (Panthers), Nick Slyney (Redcliffe)
Out: Darren Lockyer (retired), Denan Kemp (rugby union), Shane Tronc (retired), Shea Moylan (Storm), Rohan Ahern (Mackay), Nick Kenny (retired).
Coach: Anthony Griffin
TAB Sportsbet: $8
Lockyer is going to be a massive loss for the Broncos and it will be interesting to see if Wallace can step right up and also who is going to get the number 6 jersey. They look pretty thin on 5/8ths but i suppose Corey Norman can play there or maybe Hunt (even though he should be their hooker). They still have a lot of class and their baby Broncs are pretty boss with Gagai, Hunt, Gillett, Yow Yeh, Hoffman, Norman, Reed and Beale all really good players for their age (under 23). Will again struggle during Origin but should easily make the 8.
Bulldogs
In: James Graham (St Helens), Luke MacDougall (Saracens), James Gavet (Warriors)
Out: Andrew Ryan (retired), Michael Hodgson (retired), Brad Morrin (retired), Chris Armit (Penrith), Jamal Idris (Gold Coast), Mickey Paea (Hull KR), Ben Roberts (Parramatta), Aidan Sezer (Gold Coast), Junior Tia Kilifi (Penrith), Gary Warburton (retired), Jarred Hicky (Wakefield), Grant Millington (Castleford).
Coach: Des 'i'm a CUNT' Hasler
TAB Sportsbet: $13
They got rid of a lot of crap over the off-season but they are still lacking in the forwards. I don't watch the Super League so i can't comment too much on how good Graham is but he could be the key to the Bulldogs title hopes. Hodkinson still doesn't have a good 5/8th with him so it will be interesting to see if he can shake his poor last season and go back to how he played with us under Des back in 2010. Clearly their biggest signing was Des Hasler. He will have them training hard, and considering he is a fitness nut himself, they will have much improved cardio. Will be interesting to see if he can get the Dogs playing to their potential of if his style clashes too much.
Canberra
In: Michael Bani (Cowboys), Shaun Berrigan (Warriors)
Out: Alan Tongue (retired), Daniel Vidot (Dragons), Josh Miller (Dragons), Danny Galea (Panthers), Nick Skinner (Sea Eagles), Matt Orford (released), David Milne (Mackay), James Stuart (Burleigh).
Coach: David Furner
TAB Sportsbet: $34
Not resinging a talent like Vidot? wtf are you guys thinking? Its pretty simple, Campese has to have an absolute cracking year for these guys otherwise they're a good tip for the spoon. Their backline is pretty good but their forwards are garbage for the most part except for Fensom who's a workhorse.
Cronulla
In:Mark Taufua (Knights), Jeff Robson (Eels), Sam Tagataese (Titans), Bryce Gibbs (Wests Tigers), Andrew Fifita (Wests Tigers), Isaac De Gois (Knights), Ben Ross (Rabbitohs), Jon Green (Dragons), Todd Carney (Roosters), Sosaia Feki (Warriors)
Out: Luke Douglas (Titans), Kade Snowden (Knights), Taulima Tautai (Eels), Ryan Tongia (Wakefield), Dean Collis (Wakefield), Luke Harlen (Cowboys), Jon Mannah (Eels), Paul Aiton (Wakefield).
Coach: Shane Flanagan
TAB Sportsbet: $21
Fuck me the Sharks have been busy in the off season. Losing Snowden and Douglas left a bit of a dent in their front row but signing Ross and Gibbs goes someway towards adding some steel in their pack. Without a doubt their season rests on the ability of Todd Carney to concentrate on playing footy. On his day Carney is one of the most talented halfbacks in the game, hopefully the Sharks aren't too restrictive on his off field activities so he is able to play with less scrutiny on any indiscretions. Robson is a decent utility for the halves and should be excellent backup to Carney or a backup to Wade Graham at 5/8th. Gallen and Carney should lead the Sharks to hunting distance of the 8.
Gold Coast Titans
In:Jamal Idris (Bulldogs), Luke Douglas (Sharks), Beau Champion (Storm), Nate Myles (Roosters), Beau Henry (Knights), Beau Falloon (Rabbitohs), Adam Sezer (Bulldogs), Phil Graham (Roosters)
Out: Mat Rogers (retired), Nathan Friend (Warriors), Anthony Laffranchi (St Helens), Brad Meyers (retired), Esi Tonga (Eels), Sam Tagataese (Sharks), Joseph Tomane (rugby union), Will Matthews (Dragons), Luke Capewell (Broncos), Clinton Toopi (retired), Shannon Walker (rugby union), Preston Campbell (retired).
Coach: John Cartwright
TAB Sportsbet: $51
Another side that was busy during the off season and their signings are pretty top notch. Champion, Idris and Graham are welcome additions to their backline and 'the FOREHEAD' Nate Myles and Douglas are also good signings for their pack. They're a much better side than that price and are a side i think should be able to be there or thereabouts for the 8. They're going to want to hope for a better season than last.
Manly
In: Nick Skinner (Raiders), Ben Farrar (Catalan), Liam Roach (Mackay), Lorenzo Ma'afu (Bulldogs)
Out: Will Hopoate (two-year break), Michael Robertson (London), Shane Rodney (London), Jamil Hopoate (Eels), Terence Seu Seu (Cessnock).
Coach: Geoff Toovey
TAB Sportsbet: $9
Our roster remains pretty stable from the side that won the premiership (u mirin ADAM) but the loss of Hopoate hurts and the loss of 2 solid performers in Robertson and Rodney means that others will have to step up and be dependable. Farrar coming back into the side provides some good cover and hopefully Roach turns out to be as good as his old man. DCE and Foran are our keys. If they play well, we make the top 4 again easy. Our forward pack is excellent, King and Kite are solid props, Ballin is unfortunate that he's a Queenslander as otherwise he'd be an Origin player, but the best part of our pack is the 2nd row. Glenn Stewart is anabsoute weapon, and plays as a 2nd 5/8th in attack and Watmough can hopefully regain his form of the past few years. Tony Williams has found his feet and is a wrecking ball now and we have some talented youngsters in Buhrer and Lussick coming through as well. Our backline is also pretty class but a few injuries and i really worry about our depth. If we can stay lucky and remain injury and suspension free (not going to happen, Matai will rack up a month of each) then we should be right up there again this year. The only question mark for me is can Toovey step up as coach?
Melbourne
In: Ryan Hoffman (Wigan), Shea Moylan (Broncos), Mitchell Garbutt (Wests Newcastle), Michael Greenfield(Dragons), Will Chambers (Rugby), Jason Ryles (Roosters)
Out: Chase Stanley (Dragons), Beau Champion (Titans), Adam Blair (Wests Tigers), Atelea Vea (Dragons), Adam Woolnough (retired), Troy Thompson (retired), Dane Chisholm (Wests Tigers).
Coach: Craig Bellamy
TAB Sportsbet: $7
Whats to say about the Storm? They have a class backline, good forwards and an outstanding coach. They will undoubtably be one of the top sides again this year and are my tip for the minor premiership. Alongside Manly they are the kings of the wrestle, and again like Manly have an outstanding defense. Slater-Widdop-Cronk-Smith in the key spots of 1-6-7-9 is pretty outstanding. Hoffman coming back into the side only serves to strengthen their forward pack and he is class. Should be a very interesting game when we first play them next year after the brawl at Brookie.
and i'll do the rest tomorrow. or later. idk