[eyebrowmorroco]

Originally Posted by sXe_Maverick

sXe Maverick’s NRL Season Preview

Hmmm...


1. Knights - Pacesetters. Bennett will immediately turn the culture around. Buderus and Tahu will recapture close to career best form, and provide a steady flow of attack for the side. Bennett will need to get more out of the erratic Mullen, but I see Gidley as a probable first receiver during some stage of the season. Most of the attack will flow through Boyd, as a third receiver. I do, however, see the side capitulating come finals, almost a carbon copy of Bennett's first season in charge of St George.

2. Dragons - I wouldn't be too concerned with Bennett's departure. They have a similar squad, and are defensively sound right across the park with Cooper, Creagh, Scott, Young, Prior, Weyman, Hunt etc. Soward will need to provide the spark.

3. Sea Eagles - Best halves combination in the game, bar none. Again, a change of coach shouldn't faze a side with a winning culture so soon. Add Lyon and the Stewarts to the teams attack, and they should be putting sides away on a regular basis. They’re my tip to be the first back-to-back winners since the Broncos.

4. Storm - After last season's failure, I think Bellamy will once again take the foot off the pedal to assure the side is peaking come finals time (exactly as he did after they were obliterated by the Sea Eagles in the 2008 final, then came back to win it from fourth a year later). Ryles will be one of the buys of the season.

5. Bulldogs - I think Graham and Tolman will become the premier front row in the game. They'll need to rebuild the back row, but they definitely have a team that can push for a GF next year, particularly with Hasler at the helm. The fact that they've scrapped the McIntyre system will really hurt an unpredictable team like the 'Dogs.

6. Cowboys - They have underachieved the last couple of seasons, and I see them making the finals but no more. I don't like the move of Thurston from 7 to 6. No team that Dallas Johnson has been a part of has ever missed the finals. He's a reliable workhorse that'll do the defensive job of three men.

7. Broncos (my team) - We'll win one, lose one. It'll take at least a season to get the halves consistently in sync with the team sans Lockyer. I personally would have liked to have seen what Beale can do at 6, with a full offseason there behind him. I expect McGuire to really come on, if given the opportunity.

8. Panthers - I think Cleary + Gould will get them in. They did finish 2nd in 2010. Management has the team that they wanted for next season (discarding Civoniceva, Waterhouse) etc. I see Walsh being more consistent.


9. Rabbitohs - They'll still need new halves. Reynolds + Sutton will not be the answer. They'll have a chance, but I see them roaring late and falling a game short of claiming a place in the 8 without a decent pair. Watch for another slow start.

10. Tigers - Sheens preferred squads have largely failed since winning the premiership (Blair doesn't change things). I expect calls for his head again during the year. The media seemed to be playing up a Sheens/Marshall/Farah rift, I don't know if anything will materialise, but they'll get restless if they underperform.

11. Warriors - I expect them to be fluctuated out. Maloney's decision to leave will prove a distraction. They'll struggle away.

12. Titans - This is a tough one. They have quite a good side, but I don't know if it'll be enough to turn around their bad play of last season. Prince is probably past it.

13. Roosters - No matter how bad they play, they're never too far from the 8 at any given time. I think if they drop off a bit; they'll probably wait for Maloney and maybe SBW, while putting Anasta and Minichiello out to pasture.

14. Sharks - They've recruited fairly well. I just don't know if they'll have the steel to cut it with the top sides, having done so poorly in recent seasons (despite obvious effort). Hopefully, Carney puts a full season on the park.

15. Eels - Where do I start? Their recruitment has been horrible over the last couple of seasons. Sandow can't be trusted to run a bath. Hayne and Smith are already injured. It'll take years to turn it around, considering they've also thrown a lot of money at Hopoate for when he returns.

16. Raiders - They have a good young team, but so much will depend on Campese. Who will they partner him with, McCrone or Williams? Will he get his form? Will he play out the season? Will their two great defenders, Buttriss and Fensom, be installed as two of their first picks, every week? They'll struggle away from home. Furner will be the first incumbent coach to get the boot.

Originally Posted by Rush

Broncos won't finish that low, knights/cowboys, both will be pushing for those spots with dragons (who won't slide down that far but will still be hard pressed to make the 8)

My top 8

Storm
Manly
Broncos
Tigers
Warriors
Rabbits
Cowboys
Bulldogs
-------
Knights
Dragons
Sharks
Raiders
Titans
Eels
Roosters
Panthers

The last time we made the top four prior to last season? 2006.

[Rush]

Knights won't come close to first and Panthers will struggle.

As for the Broncos point, you know what the Titans came last year? 16th, you know that they came top 4 the 2 seasons before that? A lot changes in the space of a year and i really rate the youngsters you have coming through. the only thing about the Broncos that i feel is lacking is your halves this season. Might struggle to settle in. Over the next few years you will need to get some good young front rowers but the Broncos are very well set up despite the loss of Lockyer.

[Beer]

Originally Posted by Seb

He did place the ball out the back of his hand before the Welsh arm pushed it back/got under it.

http://i43.tinypic.com/29g2yq.png

Not sure if you can see the video in the link below but if you can you'll see they're clearly over the line when that happens:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17169125

Hell even if you can't, you can see in the screenshot his foot is only just on the other side of the line, and he's laying on his back fully stretched out, which puts a good 2 metres between where his ball is and the line.

I still wouldn't say that was a try even looking at those two links, it doesn't even look grounded to me. Either way, the welsh defense to stop him from scoring was sensational, Leigh Halfpenny knocked himself out making that tackle.

[Jupe Skywalker]

Catalans try against St Helens might be the best try i've ever seen. also Salford City Reds winning against Hull FC was tremendous.

[eyebrowmorroco]

Originally Posted by Rush

Knights won't come close to first and Panthers will struggle.

We shall see. As I said, I fancy Newcastle to win the minor premiership.

Originally Posted by Rush

As for the Broncos point, you know what the Titans came last year? 16th, you know that they came top 4 the 2 seasons before that? A lot changes in the space of a year and i really rate the youngsters you have coming through.

It's not the same. We're talking about a 6 year period where we only made the top 4 twice. Despite the general thought on us, we're no certainties.

Originally Posted by Rush

the only thing about the Broncos that i feel is lacking is your halves this season. Might struggle to settle in. Over the next few years you will need to get some good young front rowers but the Broncos are very well set up despite the loss of Lockyer.

I would have liked:

6. Beale
7. Wallace

It doesn't look like that will happen, though. As for front rowers, we are very much set. Civioniceva, Hannant and Anderson (and Thaiday starts the year there, too) are the old guard. McGuire, Dodds, Starling and Smith are the new wave. We’re stacked.

[Bullseye]

GARETH ELLIS TO RETURN HOME TO ENGLAND IN 2013

Wests Tigers have today agreed to release international second-rower Gareth Ellis a year earlier from his contract to enable him to return home to England in 2013.

The England second-rower – rated by many as the best in the world – was contracted to Wests Tigers until the end of 2013 but asked the Club for a release after this season.

“Whilst we are disappointed, we have granted Gareth his wish to return to England at the end of this year,’’ said Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys.

“Gareth has been an integral member of the Wests Tigers team in recent years. He has taken his game to another level under Club and Australian Test Coach Tim Sheens and is held in the highest esteem by everyone at Wests Tigers.

“Gareth will leave Wests Tigers with our blessing – and hopefully an NRL premiership.”

Ellis, who turns 31 this year, made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers in round 1 of the 2009 season against Canberra at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

He has played 64 games for Wests Tigers and has won the Club’s Player of the Year award for the past three years. He is the only Wests Tigers player to achieve such a feat.

Ellis had his contract extended during the middle of last season until the end of 2013. Part of the new contract saw an option for Ellis to return to England after the 2012 season.

“I feel the time is right for me to return to England,’’ Ellis said.

“It was a difficult decision to make as I have really enjoyed my time at Wests Tigers. Everyone at the Club has been terrific to me and my family. I couldn’t ask for more.

“I have a young son now. My wife Rachael and I feel it is time to head home to our families at the end of this season.

“I can assure Wests Tigers supporters I will be giving it my all to ensure the team finishes high up as possible so we can give ourselves another strong chance of winning the Telstra Premiership.”

I guess 2012 is even moreso put up or shutup now from us. Gareth has been an amazing player for us the last 3 years and deserves to take a ring back to England.

[Rush]

Originally Posted by eyebrowmorroco

We shall see. As I said, I fancy Newcastle to win the minor premiership.

It's not the same. We're talking about a 6 year period where we only made the top 4 twice. Despite the general thought on us, we're no certainties.



I would have liked:

6. Beale
7. Wallace

It doesn't look like that will happen, though. As for front rowers, we are very much set. Civioniceva, Hannant and Anderson (and Thaiday starts the year there, too) are the old guard. McGuire, Dodds, Starling and Smith are the new wave. We’re stacked.

You're probably the only person in the thread that doesn't rate their own sides chances. Nothing wrong with that, I value it when someone can back up their opinion and you know your side well. However you argue against the same logic you use for the Broncos when you say that the Knights will win the minor premiership. In the 6 years you say that the Broncos have only made the top 4 twice, you know how many times the Knights have made the 8? Three. 2006 - 4th, 2009 - 7th and 2011 - 8th. Go back one year more and they won the spoon in 05. Wayne Bennett is a great coach but he is not a miracle worker which is what the Knights need to win the minor premiership.

Petero isn't long for the game, Thiaday is a 2nd rower. McGuire is a gun but Dodds isn't great. You need more (good) front rowers but more important is a better playmaker than Wallace.

[Rush]

Team News

THURSDAY:

Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons at Hunter Stadium, 7:30pm

KNIGHTS: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Wes Naiqama, Timana Tahu, Akuila Uate, Kurt Gidley (c), Jarrod Mullen, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus, Adam Cuthbertson, Chris Houston, Zeb Taia, Neville Costigan. Reserves: Matt Hilder, Richie Fa’aoso, Joel Edwards, Alex McKinnon.

DRAGONS: Kyle Stanley, Brett Morris, Beau Scott, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby (c), Jeremy Latimore, Mitch Rein, Michael Weyman, Matt Prior, Ben Creagh, Dean Young. Interchange: Nathan Fien, Leeson Ah Mau, Trent Merrin, Jack de Belin

FRIDAY:

Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos at Parramatta Stadium, 7:30pm

EELS: Luke Burt, Ken Sio, Esi Tonga, Ryan Morgan, Cheyse Blair, Ben Roberts, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Mitchell Allgood, Nathan Hindmarsh, Taniela Lasalo, Justin Horo. Interchange: Casey McGuire, Fuifui Moimoi, Justin Poore, Reni Maitua, Taulima Tautai

BRONCOS: Josh Hoffman, Gerard Beale, Jack Reed, Justin Hodges, Jharal Yow Yeh, Corey Norman, Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Sam Thaiday (c), Alex Glenn, Ben Te'o, Corey Parker. Interchange: Ben Hunt Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett, Scott Anderson

SATURDAY:

Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium, 5:30pm

RAIDERS: Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Shaun Berrigan, Reece Robinson, Terry Campese (c), Josh McCrone, David Shillington, Travis Waddell, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Josh Papalii, Bronson Harrison, Shaun Fensom Interchange: Glen Buttriss, Joel Thompson, Dane Tilse, Brett White, Trevor Thurling

STORM: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Dane Nielsen, Justin O'Neill, Anthony Quinn, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Sika Manu, Ryan Hoffman, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kevin Proctor, Siosaia Vave, Michael Greenfield, Sisa Waqa, Rory Kostjasyn

Penrith Panthers v Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs at Centrebet Stadium, 7:30pm

PANTHERS: Lachlan Coote, David Simmons, Michael Jennings, Brad Tighe, Michael Gordon, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Sam McKendry, Kevin Kingston, Tim Grant, Luke Lewis (c), Cameron Ciraldo, Nathan Smith. Interchange: Dayne Weston, Chris Armit, Nafe Seluini, Clint Newton, Blake Austin, Danny Galea

BULLDOGS: Ben Barba, Steve Turner, Josh Morris, Jonathan Wright, Bryson Goodwin, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Dene Halatau, David Stagg. Interchange: James Graham, Greg Eastwood, Corey Payne, Joel Romelo, Kris Keating, Martin Taupau

North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans at Dairy Farmers Stadium, 8:30pm

COWBOYS: Matthew Bowen, Ashley Graham, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston (c), Ray Thompson, Matthew Scott (c), Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Scott Bolton, Jason Taumalolo, Ashton Sims Coach: Neil Henry

TITANS: William Zillman, Steve Michaels, Jamal Idris, Dominique Peyroux, David Mead, Jordan Rankin, Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Kayne Lawton, Nate Myles, Greg Bird, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Luke Douglas, Matt White, Ben Ridge, Matt Srama, Luke O'Dwyer

SUNDAY:

Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles at Eden Park, 2:00pm

WARRIORS: Kevin Locke, Bill Tupou, Konrad Hurrell, Jerome Ropati, Manu Vatuvei, James Maloney, Shaun Johnson, Russell Packer, Nathan Friend, Ben Matulino, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (capt), Elijah Taylor. Interchange (from): Lewis Brown, Sione Lousi, Ben Henry, Ukuma Ta'ai, Glen Fisiiahi, Krisnan Inu, Alehana Mara.

SEA EAGLES: Brett Stewart, Michael Oldfield, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jason King (c), Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Tony Williams, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Jamie Buhrer, Vic Mauro, Darcy Lussick, George Rose, Jorge Taufua

Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks at Leichhardt Oval, 2:00pm

TIGERS: James Tedesco, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Chris Lawrence, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Tim Moltzen, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (c), Keith Galloway, Adam Blair, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington. Interchange: Liam Fulton, Matt Groat, Matt Bell, Tom Humble, Joel Reddy

SHARKS: Nathan Gardner, Stewart Mills, Ben Pomeroy, Colin Best, Matthew Wright, Wade Graham, Todd Carney, Bryce Gibbs, Isaac De Gois, Ben Ross, Jeremy Smith, Anthony Tupou, Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: Andrew Fifita, Sam Tagataese, John Morris, Mark Taufua, Jayson Bukuya, Jon Green

MONDAY:

South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7:00pm

RABBITOHS: Dylan Farrell, Matt King, Shaune Corrigan, Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt , John Sutton, Adam Reynolds, Sam Burgess, Nathan Peats, Roy Asotasi, Eddy Pettybourne, Dave Taylor, Michael Crocker. Interchange: Dave Tyrell, Chris McQueen, Scott Geddes, Jason Clark, Neccrom Areaiiti, Fetuli Talanoa

ROOSTERS: Anthony Minichiello, Justin Carney, Joseph 'BJ' Leilua, Mitchell Aubusson, Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta (c), Mitchell Pearce, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Jake Friend, Lama Tasi, Aidan Guerra, Boyd Cordner, Frank Paul Nuuausala. Interchange: Tinirau Arona, Mose Masoe, Martin Kennedy, Daniel Mortimer, Anthony Mitchell, Peni Tagive

___________

Also everyone should join up for nrl supercoach - http://nrlfantasy.dailytelegraph.com.au/ and join in league number 940316

[eyebrowmorroco]

Originally Posted by Rush

You're probably the only person in the thread that doesn't rate their own sides chances. Nothing wrong with that, I value it when someone can back up their opinion and you know your side well. However you argue against the same logic you use for the Broncos when you say that the Knights will win the minor premiership. In the 6 years you say that the Broncos have only made the top 4 twice, you know how many times the Knights have made the 8? Three. 2006 - 4th, 2009 - 7th and 2011 - 8th. Go back one year more and they won the spoon in 05. Wayne Bennett is a great coach but he is not a miracle worker which is what the Knights need to win the minor premiership.

Well, we’re considering two different things here. The Broncos with Lockyer have long had the reputation of being one of the teams to beat, yet we’ve only finished twice over the last six years in the top four, one of which saw us claim the top prize. Newcastle, on the other hand, are your under the radar team. They’ve twice made the 8 over the last three years, and have played some good football. They have some nice pieces: Gidley, Uate, Naiqama, Sau, McManus, Stig, Mullen, Houston, Fa’aoso, Tuimavave, Edwards, Taia, and Hilder. One of Bennett’s favourites, Costigan, is there. They have big hopes for Roberts. Cutherbertson and McKinnon come along. Boyd, Buderus, Tahu and Snowden are top buys. I like the balance. Add to that a coach who knows how to get the best out of his roster, and you’ve got a team that will be hard to beat. Also, a few of the usual suspects won’t be as finetuned as the last couple of seasons, having experienced an offseason where key personnel have left. It’s a great season for a team like the Knights, Bulldogs or Panthers to chip away week to week and be high on the ladder at season’s end.

Originally Posted by Rush

Petero isn't long for the game, Thiaday is a 2nd rower. McGuire is a gun but Dodds isn't great. You need more (good) front rowers but more important is a better playmaker than Wallace.

I like Wallace. He provides a steady hand. It wouldn’t be easy playing first receiver to Lockyer. If you consider the preliminary final we played in 2009 sans Wallace, we were without structure. Lockyer was ass with the ball in his hand so early. He’s a big part of the side IMO. He isn’t flashy, that’s where a livewire like Beale would have been great. I’d have picked and persisted with 6) Beale 7) Wallace for a fair chunk of the season. You can’t go chopping and changing.

[Rush]

Originally Posted by eyebrowmorroco

Well, we’re considering two different things here. The Broncos with Lockyer have long had the reputation of being one of the teams to beat, yet we’ve only finished twice over the last six years in the top four, one of which saw us claim the top prize. Newcastle, on the other hand, are your under the radar team. They’ve twice made the 8 over the last three years, and have played some good football. They have some nice pieces: Gidley, Uate, Naiqama, Sau, McManus, Stig, Mullen, Houston, Fa’aoso, Tuimavave, Edwards, Taia, and Hilder. One of Bennett’s favourites, Costigan, is there. They have big hopes for Roberts. Cutherbertson and McKinnon come along. Boyd, Buderus, Tahu and Snowden are top buys. I like the balance. Add to that a coach who knows how to get the best out of his roster, and you’ve got a team that will be hard to beat. Also, a few of the usual suspects won’t be as finetuned as the last couple of seasons, having experienced an offseason where key personnel have left. It’s a great season for a team like the Knights, Bulldogs or Panthers to chip away week to week and be high on the ladder at season’s end.

I'm sorry is this 2004? Because thats the last time Tahu was relevant and Buderus is past it. Don't even get me started on their squad in general which isn't anything special at all. "They’ve twice made the 8 over the last three years" yeah at 7 and 8. Thats nothing to write home about, to think that they're going to go straight to the minor premiership is odd considering your opinion about the Broncos who have a much much better squad.

Cuthbertson is woeful. He was a bit part player for us, then moved around and around because no one wants him.