Predict a top 8 for next year!

I can't remember a year where so many top 8 sides are changing their key players. There is always a retirement or 2 but just sacking or not resigning key players from top 8 sides I reckon is unprecedented

Canterbury getting rid of Mahoney, the heart of the team and Sexton is massive. The way they went out of finals and talk Burton may be let go will have players doubting their position and place at the club. If they aren't gifted a soft early draw again then lose a few early games, Ciraldo or Gus could be gone by the end of the year.

Raiders as minor premiers not resigning Fogarty and buying Brailey despite having Starling and Patty will backfire on them. Fogarty holds the team together even if he did go missing in big moments of the finals. Over the past 2 years when he was out the raiders struggled. Starling and Patty were amongst Raiders best this year as well. Getting Brailey probably seemed like a good idea until Starling and Patty stepped up but if Stuart goes with Brailey I just don't see them being as good

The roosters messed up with DCE contract. Savala has really come along this year and Sam Walker is back. They get Robson to replace Watson at hooker but not sure DCE will improve them. How will the team go under leadership of DCE who isn't really popular with other players. Politis doesn't make to many errors but DCE isn't a cronk level player that will improve them.

Walsh has played better for Broncos with Hunt and Walters. Will Ezra and Reynolds slow them down next year. I never thought I would say it but Billy Walters has been 1 of their best this year.

History shows teams making massive spine changes can struggle so I see 1 of these big teams missing the 8. But the draw and injuries will play a massive part who makes the 8, even if these teams do make the 8, they won't win as many games next year. With Melbourne injuries and Penrith poor form early people thought some teams such as bulldogs were better then they actually were. Until Penrith hit form it has been a soft year for most teams with easy draws, rebuilding or injuries seeing average sides in top 4 and top 8.

Parra will make the 8 if Moses stays fit and if we are not fighting for 6-8th spot even with him out we have failed. We were only a few games off even with Moses gone for so long and totally new defensive structures.. With genuine halves depth in NSW cup next year and systems and structures in place they can fit into when stepping up, i am confident of a good year.

Our main competition to rise into the 8 will be the dolphins and possibly the Titans or knights with new coaches. Knights were playing pretty well defensively early in the year but couldn't score tries. Just as Bradman Best came back Fletcher Sharpe went down and they didn't win again. Their defence fell apart so it shows O'Brien had lost the dressing room.

As for titans if Hannay can get a more mobile pack to help defend and stop teams rolling through them, their backline speed and talent are magic. I think we may see similar to Parra with average form early with late surge as they learn Hannys style.

"I can't remember a year where so many top 8 sides are changing their key players. There is always a retirement or 2 but just sacking or not resigning key players from top 8 sides I reckon is unprecedented
Canterbury getting rid of Mahoney, the…"

"IMO Joash is a really fantastic back up Fullback who can do some damage in the 14 for now.
Plenty of good versatile options out there, let Joash develop in his natural position and let him play the game his way.
Jayden Campbell is the dream. It…"

Replies

DYNASTY.LOADING September 22, 2025 at 6:22pm

Penrith, Storm, Chooks, Sharks, Parramatta, Broncos, Dogs, Dolphins.
KENDOZA September 22, 2025 at 6:28pm

1.sharks

2.eels

3.storm

4.penrith

5.broncos

6.dogs

7.souths

8.dolphins
Yehez September 22, 2025 at 6:31pm

Too early now, I really dunno. But I guess I'll give it a go for the fun:

1. Roosters

2. Broncos

3. Sharks

4. Dolphins

5. Bulldogs

6. Storm

7. Cowboys

8. Eels
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER September 22, 2025 at 7:57pm

Not in this order but i say

Parramatta

Storm

Sharks

Roosters

Panthers

Brisbane

Dogs

Manly
EA September 22, 2025 at 8:41pm
1. Storm
2. Panthers
3. Broncos
4. Sharks
5. Bulldogs
6. Roosters
7. Rabbithos
8. Eels
9. Warriors
10. Dolphins
way too hard to predict
BEM September 22, 2025 at 9:25pm

No particular order.

Storm

Penref

Sharks

Raiders

Roosters

Broncos

Dogs

Warriors

Parra 9th-12th
LB September 22, 2025 at 10:24pm

Yeah it is hard of course as teams still are not 100% sorted for their rosters. Usually 2 drop out of the 8, i think Canberra do, that Brisbane loss will haunt them and no 7. The other could be the Warriors? It depends how well Metcalf comes back.

Going in could be Dolphins, Eels and Souths if injury free.
fake midget pseudoachondroplasia September 22, 2025 at 11:59pm

I can't remember a year where so many top 8 sides are changing their key players. There is always a retirement or 2 but just sacking or not resigning key players from top 8 sides I reckon is unprecedented

Canterbury getting rid of Mahoney, the heart of the team and Sexton is massive. The way they went out of finals and talk Burton may be let go will have players doubting their position and place at the club. If they aren't gifted a soft early draw again then lose a few early games, Ciraldo or Gus could be gone by the end of the year.

Raiders as minor premiers not resigning Fogarty and buying Brailey despite having Starling and Patty will backfire on them. Fogarty holds the team together even if he did go missing in big moments of the finals. Over the past 2 years when he was out the raiders struggled. Starling and Patty were amongst Raiders best this year as well. Getting Brailey probably seemed like a good idea until Starling and Patty stepped up but if Stuart goes with Brailey I just don't see them being as good

The roosters messed up with DCE contract. Savala has really come along this year and Sam Walker is back. They get Robson to replace Watson at hooker but not sure DCE will improve them. How will the team go under leadership of DCE who isn't really popular with other players. Politis doesn't make to many errors but DCE isn't a cronk level player that will improve them.

Walsh has played better for Broncos with Hunt and Walters. Will Ezra and Reynolds slow them down next year. I never thought I would say it but Billy Walters has been 1 of their best this year.

History shows teams making massive spine changes can struggle so I see 1 of these big teams missing the 8. But the draw and injuries will play a massive part who makes the 8, even if these teams do make the 8, they won't win as many games next year. With Melbourne injuries and Penrith poor form early people thought some teams such as bulldogs were better then they actually were. Until Penrith hit form it has been a soft year for most teams with easy draws, rebuilding or injuries seeing average sides in top 4 and top 8.

Parra will make the 8 if Moses stays fit and if we are not fighting for 6-8th spot even with him out we have failed. We were only a few games off even with Moses gone for so long and totally new defensive structures.. With genuine halves depth in NSW cup next year and systems and structures in place they can fit into when stepping up, i am confident of a good year.

Our main competition to rise into the 8 will be the dolphins and possibly the Titans or knights with new coaches. Knights were playing pretty well defensively early in the year but couldn't score tries. Just as Bradman Best came back Fletcher Sharpe went down and they didn't win again. Their defence fell apart so it shows O'Brien had lost the dressing room.

As for titans if Hannay can get a more mobile pack to help defend and stop teams rolling through them, their backline speed and talent are magic. I think we may see similar to Parra with average form early with late surge as they learn Hannys style.

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