Warriors
The Warriors have been installed as fourth favourites behind the Broncos, Cowboys and Roosters next season, despite finishing a lowly 13th this year. There are two reasons why: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Issac Luke. The arrival of the two Kiwis stars is set to give the Warriors one of the most dangerous spines in the NRL, but improving the team's defence and ball control will remain top priority for Andrew McFadden. The Warriors were the third worst team in terms of points conceded and errors per game this year.
Bulldogs
Last year's grand finalists finished fifth this season and aren't far behind the leaders in most key areas. Defence is the real area of concern, having conceded more points than the 14th-placed Panthers, and the loss of halfback Trent Hodkinson could hamper the team's kicking game and organisation in attack. The pressure will be on Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds to form a consistent combination in the halves in 2016.
Rabbitohs
Remarkably, considering the dominance of the South Sydney pack in 2014, the Rabbitohs were the fourth-worst team in terms of metres gained this season. They tick all the other boxes and after fading badly at the end of 2015 should be able to bounce back into contention next year.
Sharks
Cronulla must be a dark horse after signing talented halves James Maloney and Chad Townsend for 2016. They already possess one of the strongest forward packs in the league and will have an excellent spine next season with Michael Ennis at hooker and Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes vying for the fullback role. Line breaks and kick metres were the two areas where the Sharks struggled this year, but the arrival of Maloney in particular could fix that.
Dragons
It's all about attack for the Dragons in the off-season. Their defensive performances were superb in 2015 but for some reason a team featuring Benji Marshall, Gareth Widdop and Josh Dugan simply couldn't click in attack. They were the only team to produce fewer than three line breaks a game this season and if they can sort out that issue they should be able to climb the ladder in 2016.
Panthers
Ball control and kick metres were where Penrith really struggled this season, with the team managing to be a top-eight defensive side despite a huge injury toll. Having a fit halves duo next year should go a long way to fixing their problems, but with a new coach coming on board after the exit of Ivan Cleary it looms as a season of rebuilding for Penrith.
Raiders
They may have been blessed with one of the kindest draws in the competition but the Raiders produced some good numbers this year, committing the fewest errors per game of any team bar the Storm and finishing as a top-four attacking side. Defence and go-forward are the areas the Green Machine need to improve on, but the additions of England international Elliot Whitehead to the forward pack and Aidan Sezer to the halves could make Canberra a finals force next season.
Sea Eagles
Manly were one of 2015's big disappointments, but they are almost certain to have a more forgiving draw next season and will no longer be forced to play through the speculation surrounding their star halves duo and coach. Kieran Foran may be gone but Manly still have one of the strongest backlines in the NRL, and the additions of Nate Myles, Lewis Brown and Apisai Koroisau among others should improve a forward pack that ranked second-worst for metres per game this year.
Eels
Parramatta may have boasted the most dominant winger in the game this year but it didn't lead to much success on the field, ranking third worst for line breaks per game and metres per game and fourth worst for points conceded. But the arrival of Kieran Foran, Michael Gordon and Beau Scott should improve the team significantly in both attack and defence. A premiership tilt is probably a step to far but don't be surprised to see Parra vying for the top eight next year.
Replies
Wasn't this posted before?
I don't drink tequila any more ;)
Out of the above sides i'd rank the likelihood of a high positon being:
sharks- always had quality forwards, a few decent backs and were left down in the halves, however they now have two of the best attacking halves in the game, and plenty of depth. Also looking forward to how they play barba and jack bird, bird was apparently a handy fullback but see him playing centre next year.
A back line of barba feki bird beale holmes maloney and townsend playing on the back of a stong forward pack led by gal, lewis, grahem and the fifita brothers and controlled by ennis will be hard to stop.
warriors- a few quality signings, but had to let a few go
eels- we were just a quality half short this year, should go far next year
raiders- signed well the last two seasons
rabbits- don't see why this season will be much different from last
penrith- above
dragons: same as rabbits
sea eagles: all based on how brown goes
dogs: last year they were covered well with mbye when reynalds was suspended, dunno who'll cover him this year.
The Sharks did well based on their good ball control and ability to grind out games. They've gone for a very attack orientated halves pairing next year. Who will provide direction and control the flow of the game for them now? Robson was never flash but he was good in these aspects. The Sharks are the team I'm most uncertain about next year.
Ennis will control the direction and middle forwards, and the halves will play of the middle forwards hard yards, so basically Ennis will be controlling the team around, with Townsend assisting. The main thing the sharks were missing last year was a half/fullback always pushing up on the inside, which maloney does very commonly so they have that covered. You can expect to see guys like gal, grahem and the fifitas throwing plenty of offloads and being the 'linking' forward a lot as well. similar to how the dogs played whilst Ennis was in the team.
Would be happy if you're right though as it'll be better for parra
Maloney and Ennis are fantastic acquisitions with a heap of experience.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next