I did the ladder predictor and although it is a million to 1 shot we are still a mathametical chance of finals. It is so unlikely betting agencies don't even offer it but it is possible.
We need to win every game, Souths need to win grudge match against roosters and titans over dolphins and few other results, but considering how shit we have been all season what may have been without Moses injury or if Brown was really a Million dollar player. Another 2 or 3 wins which Moses or a real million dollar half would have given us and we could have played finals. In the predictor I didn't change for and against and just had each win as the preset 12points so without for and against we may realistically finish as little as only 2 games out the 8 despite Moses injury, young spine and massive turnover of players.
This is the weakest comp in years which may be 1 of the outlier years where someone outside the big chances such as Penrith, Storm or Roosters win it before we are back to the predicable and regular winners.
It goes to show luck is a major factor in winning a premiership as the year you peak matters. If we had our 2022 year this year I think we compete, make top 4 and play grand final again.
Next year plenty of sides have improvement especially us. Injuries have been a major disruptor this year and easy draws have given dogs and raiders a shot at top 4 and double chance to make grand final while teams in bottom of 8 are all pretty average and riddled with injuries.
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Bulldogs and raiders have had a good run with injuries this season, I guess there's an element of luck with that but it seems to be a war of attrition (can you put a line through the broncos?). Us on the other hand not so good with injuries.
I predicted us to finish mid table so all things considered we've had a good season. We will be better next year and better again after that.
Other then the top 3-4 teams it's been a fairly even competition this season, if Moses had played close to 20 games I'd think we are in the 8 easily. Also lot of disruption and moving parts around the team this year didn't help. But the signs are good for next season
The competition has been very even for a lot of this year. And the bye system also means some clubs appear better or worse than they actually are. It's feasible we could finish 12th-10th depending on our results and those around us.
But we've also improved. Last year we only managed 7 wins and that final win came in the final round. We're at 7 wins now with 4 weeks to go. There's a chance we finish with 9-10 wins. Which would mean an improvement of 3-4 wins in 2026 has us in finals.
My preseason prediction had Parramatta finishing 10th - 12th. I thought we were no chance of that after the first month...
My feeling is we wont beat souths we wont beat the roosters might snag a win over the knights and warriors. I said. Last week my feeling was not another win this season be honest we were just lucky against the cowboys .hope im wrong but who the stuff knows what's going to happen. Fingers crossed
I reckon we'll beat one of the Roosters or Souths. While both have been bogy teams, both sides are a little up and down. Souths moreso with their injury list.
The Warriors are an interesting one. I think it's been quite a while since we have played them over in New Zealand, but without Metcalf they haven't been anywhere near has consistent.
We should deal with Newcastle. Of all sides that I've watched this season they've looked the most disjointed and lacklustre.
I don't think we were lucky against NQ at all. We were the better team and unlucky that they were even close to us to make it a last play game. They had two periods where the referee assisted them massively with a glut of possession and we did well to hold them out for the most part each time.
In complete control of that game, till the intercept was thrown then bang 2 tries in 2 sets for cows. Once again shooting ourselves in the foot with silly errors. Once Ryles can work that out of them will win more games
If the pass looped over the defence the Fox had a clear run to the line putting the game to sleep and potentially another walloping score for the Cows this season. We made the same error vs the Broncos and it almost cost us the game. Our kids need to be more alert for when passing.
All teams have luck, top teams have luck once in a while. Thing is luck went our way and could continue to do so. I understand you being pessimistic and at times it is a good way to go about it as you don't get your hopes up.
I would not be surprised winning 4 of our last 5. More likely is see us winning 2 of next 4.