You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!
This reply was deleted.
More stuff to read
"It doesn't seem that way it is just an inkling more so as Sexton not being committed to and talk of a signing. Not saying it won't happen, but it is more so a this could happen thing now."
"Look there are ways to look at it as good and bad for Parramatta.
Firstly, the way Ryles and Moses have reacted over it in the past they are very cagey, joyful more so as if they know they have their man.
Secondly, Dogs made it clear they could see…"
Firstly, the way Ryles and Moses have reacted over it in the past they are very cagey, joyful more so as if they know they have their man.
Secondly, Dogs made it clear they could see…"
"well done to Toni Mataele for being in the 17, has been pretty impressive in cup this year. Will Latu on the bench in cup is a disgrace, Guymer should be playing in the middle, he's definitely not a edge forward, Matterson should be in the side."
"Gus was pretty upfront 2 odd weeks ago on this:
“We are not involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion and we won’t be involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion,” Gould told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Galvin doesn't make sense for the Dogs, neither…"
“We are not involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion and we won’t be involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion,” Gould told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Galvin doesn't make sense for the Dogs, neither…"
Replies
2. Tigers
3. Melbourne
4. Manly
5. Knights
6 Dragons
7. Raiders
8. Souths
9. Warriors
10. titans
11. Bulldogs
12. Roosters
13. Panthers
14. Broncos
15. Cowboys
16. Sharks
they bought a guy who hasn't played league in 10 years! (lote tuquiri)
there hardly that impressive!
I really think that 14 of the 16 sides have the ability to make the 8 next year. The only 2 I would put a lone through are the Roosters and the Sharks, and even the Sharks I'm not so sure about. The Sharks have recruited quite solidly for 2010 and they surely cannot go through another season of injuries and off field dramas like they had this year? Brian Smith will get rid of all the dead wood and negative influences at Bondi and they'll probably have a season much like the Knights did in 2007 when Smith took over up there. Smith will be looking beyond 2010 so perhaps one more year of pain for Roosters fans before thinsg start coming good for them.
The Tigers have recruited OK and should improve on this season so they really should make the 8, probably at the expense of the Broncos. If the Tigers were able to add Tuqiri that probably would have given them a bit more of an intimidation factor out wide but as it stands, they still have some good young outside backs in Lawrence, Ayshford and Beau Ryan.
We all know Souths have added some huge muscle to the pack with Taylor and Burgess being signed on. Also Ben Ross (though why the guy wants to risk his neck again and end up in a wheelchair is beyond me). But Souths will never be a legitimate title chance whilst they've got Sandow at 7. Even Sutton at 6. Sutton is a lot like Mateo, and I think his best position is lock where he can run wide on the fringes and offload as he sees fit. He's an off the cuff type player who effectiveness is limited somewhat if he has to play like one of the halves. Souths are capable of scraping in to the 8 though I doubt they can mount much of a challenge of they get there. They should have looked at trying to sign Tim Smith.
The Titans may struggle a little next year. They'll be solid enough but I definitely can't see them finishing 3rd again. The Knights have a great pack with plenty of size, skill and mobility, both the starting pack and those on the bench. Mullen is a fine 5/8, he just needs more support from Dureau on his inside. They have a quality team on paper. Will be interesting to see how they go with the new coach on board. Capable though might just miss out.
I can't see the Raiders making the 8 but they won't be challenging for the spoon either. 10th to 13th I'd reckon. They lost too many games at home in 2009 to make their usual charge for a top 8 spot. they need to get their mojo back at home to challenge again.
The Panthers are a bit of a wildcard IMO. Could do anything, especially if they stay injury free. Kingston will give them options from dummy half that they haven't had in the last few seasons since Priddis was in his hey-day so that will be another attacking threat for them. Whilst I can't see them winning the comp as such, I reckon they could give it a mighty shake, like the Eels did this year.
I agree with your thoughts on botht he Doggies and the Dragons. They'll both be there or thereabouts but need to find a plan B in attack to fall back on if their A game isn't cutting the mustard.
Storm will have possibly a better forward pack in 2010 than they fielded in the GF with the addition of Lowrie and Sika Manu back to add some thrust from the bench. And with the players you mentioned like Slater, Inglis etc, they are a real danger again. And the coaching job Bellamy did to get them primed for the last 6 weeks of the comp was pure genius, I thnk one of the greatest coaching feats of any era.
Manly struggled for consistency in 2009. I don't see how that will be addressed in a hurry. But it's purely a mental thing and Hasler is a good coach who will have as much chance as any coach to get that back in order. They need to find a proper #6 though. Even if they have to bite the bullet and put Lyon back there like in 08, if they do it, they have to stick with it IMO.
Cowboys are an enigma. Brilliant one day, puss the next. Don't see a whole lot changing. And in 2010, Thurston's contract negotiations for 2011 and beyone could become a massive distraction off the field so I can se them missing out again.
So here goes, my tentative top 8 for 2010;
1. Storm
2. Eels
3. Bulldogs
4. Panthers (my early pick for smoky in 2010)
5. Dragons
6. Tigers
7. Manly
8. Titans
9. Souths
10. Knights
11. Broncos
12. Raiders
13. Sharks
14. Warriros
15. Cowboys
16. Roosters
I've decided against picking Parra as Minor Premiers, purely based on the fact that since the current top 8 format and Finals system came in to being, the Minor Premiers have an awful record of taking out the GF, only 3 from 11 so far, which is amazingly low I reckon.
Tuquiri will be a good buy if they get him but they are also getting big winger Tame Tupou from England to partner the 'tank with legs' Tuiaki on the wing. That is one fearsome wing combination.
They are also getting Liam Fulton back from England.
They have a lot of very good young players as well who will be better for the run on '09 including tim moltzen and blake ayshford, not to mention players like Robbie Farah and Benjie Marshall.
I seriously think the Tigers, along with the increasingly annoying melbourne, will be our biggest threat next year.
P.s Bulldogs to tank next year - they don't have the quality in the backs for mine.
Tim Sheens is a long serving coach but his career was seriously extended thanks to that 2005 premiership fluke, sorry, win.
Since he left the star studded raiders gig in 96 he has (apart from 2005) failed to guide any side into the finals including his stint with North Qld. Thats 1 finals series in a further 14 seasons of coaching.
Thats a pretty crap record.
I am not bagging him too much as a coach but the problem with coaches like Sheens and Brian Smith is that they bring a lot of pre - conceived notions of how a footy team should be run. Those ideas don't always match the playing staff at the clubs they end up.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next