Premiership Review and Predictions

I've clearly got too much time on my hands to blog about other teams but here we go.BroncosSomewhat of a surprise packet. I can sum them up quite simply by saying that crafty old Wayne has everyone playing to their potential. With a mix of youth and experience, their mounting self belief make them a genuine contender.CowboysAny team that is directed around the field by Thurston will be a contender. But he is just part of a very strong spine. Granville has had a break out year and his contribution cannot be overlooked. I'm a big fan of Cooper who I believe is massively underrated. A question mark still hangs over their head because they have won ugly many times. Then again, good teams can do that.DragonsFew would have predicted their lofty table position at the mid season mark. They are already in a prime position to claim a finals berth. Their strength lies in a talented spine and outstanding commitment to defence. I'm not sure that they have the offensive ability to threaten in finals football but their fans should feel proud.StormThis team are the permanent residents of September venues, based largely on their 3 superstars. However, ageing bodies are becoming a factor and the Storm might do well to limp into this years finals. They do possess some talented forwards and promising youngsters, but realistically, an error riddled and injury disrupted Parra accounted for a Melbourne team minus their spine. This does not auger well for them.RoostersBeing able to compile a roster like theirs says all that needs to be said about the cap. With a representative quality line up, they will feature prominently in September. They are doing nothing special at the moment but should click fully into gear as we approach the finals. Truthfully, anything less would be an embarrassment for their coach.RabbitohsI'm not sure what to make of Souths this year. Without Burgess, their forwards have barely dented the opposition line. Of course there's talent in the squad, not to mention the presence of G.I., but it's almost as if winning the title last year has stripped away some drive and intensity. They'll need to find that to feature in the decider.RaidersThis team has snuck under the radar. In spite of Ricky's protestations about not having the talent at his disposal, this team is oozing with youthful stars. Unless Stuart makes a mess of their preparation, they should reach the finals. They are a team on the rise.TitansThis is a really underrated team. Yet cast your eyes over the players in their squad and it's easy to see why they are so competitive. They have a very capable spine, speed to burn in the backs and tough, experienced forwards. Injuries have not helped their season and it's getting tougher for them. To be on the fringe of the 8 is a great achievement.PanthersThey are the new darlings of the press with excuses found for defeats and little focus placed on actual results. Given the predictions made for this year, their current placing must be seen as a massive underachievement. Their season can still be rescued, but can it really?WarriorsThe word "enigmatic" is often used to describe the Warriors and it is no doubt apt. They have talent that would be the envy of most clubs and they'll be strengthened by quality signings next year. What about this year? Johnson remains the key but your guess is as good as mine!BulldogsAny self-respecting Eels fan would find it hard to praise the Dogs, but I'll have to. In my mind, a full strength Bulldogs team can threaten this premiership. If they get all of their stars on the field I expect them to make a strong run. They have a high quality pack. Outstanding in fact. A future star in Mbye. The Morris twins. I have to acknowledge their potential to go deep into September.SharksMuch hyped but something is missing. An ageing forward pack on their last legs. A potential superstar in Holmes. A coach with a big question mark over his head. They'll win some games but I can't buy into them. Their current table position is reflective of their roster.TigersTheir 2015 results have been largely glossed over by the media. The reality is that they have performed quite poorly thus far and their halves perform as consistently as Chris Sandow, if not less consistently. In fairness, their halves are still very young and they have a backline loaded with pace. Should the performance of their coach come under the microscope more than it does?KnightsBegan the season with a boom. Looked like being the real surprise packets for 2015. Sadly for them it's all gone belly-up and they are genuine contenders for the spoon. As great as he has been, Gidley is past his best and fitting him into the line-up sometimes seems to detract from their team. They seem to be a team that have internal issues. Perhaps releasing Leilua will prove beneficial.EelsInjury riddled. Error riddled. Missed opportunities. Another year of disappointment yet there are signs that point to better times ahead. The pack has matched most and the team has discovered the ability to score points without the brilliance of Hayne. Long term injuries to key personnel have derailed many plans. The missing component for this team is learning how to switch on for 80 minutes. Essentially, converting opportunities into victories. The second half of the season should be used for setting a positive platform for 2016.Sea EaglesA team on the decline. They have been impacted by injuries, but the fact remains that their pack is arguably the weakest in the premiership. This club has thrown its eggs into one basket via the contract to DCE. Will this be the impetus to better times or the recipe for disaster? Time will tell. As for 2015, a simple kitchen utensil could be theirs for the taking.PredictionsTop 8 - Broncos, Cowboys, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Bulldogs, Warriors, RaidersPossible change - Storm for WarriorsGrand Final - Roosters/CowboysPremiers - RoostersSpoon - KnightsParra - finish on 22 to 24 points (ie 4 to 5 more wins)

Positive Comments:No injuries. All other comments:After the first minute of the game I immediately knew that no matter how good we try to play that we would not win the game. The corruption was pretty clear. But wow we played awful.The sin bin was…

"Great summary EA!
one thing I'd like to know is there anywhere a match count of six agains is shown in stats. Coz honestly felt like they could have set a record last night.
Leadership lacked severely when we needed it, it was nowhere when we…"

Replies

Chris June 18, 2015 at 9:57am

I think the comp is between the Broncs, Cowboys and Roosters. The two QLD teams still have to prove they can play away and win in the big games.
- sixtiesboy > Chris June 18, 2015 at 10:28am
  
  The Cowboys are getting better at winning ugly. That has been a turning point for them. What is it about Bennett at the Broncos? He has this Midas touch of creating self belief. He obviously needs talented players, but they are doing better than I expected.
sixtiesboy June 18, 2015 at 10:26am

I had that same bad feeling Mitch. Couldn't ignore it when writing this blog.
2wdowcpva6dwe June 18, 2015 at 10:27am

Maybe you should do a report on who is getting the wooden spoon this year Sorry (The wooden EEL )

That way we can talk about Crappamatta Chances of winner this illustrious title again.

As we are the Guinness Book of Record Holder (teams still playing that is) front runner......With 13

and closing fast on West recorded of 17.....

As we are at the juicy odds of $3.75 to come last......GREAT ODDS

(CENTRE BET)

remember to bet responsible
sixtiesboy June 18, 2015 at 10:31am

Are you taking those odds? Please post if you do.
- 2wdowcpva6dwe > sixtiesboy June 18, 2015 at 2:58pm
  
  No i got 10-1 after the first game when they won 13+ against Manly ..
  
  Without the Hayne Plane were nothing.........
  
  Any true Parramatta support would know that ........
Mitchy June 18, 2015 at 10:56am

I think Easts and Canterbury at this point barring injuries. Hate both. I admire Gold Coast Titans and think Henry is one of the best around with what he's got to work with.
- sixtiesboy > Mitchy June 18, 2015 at 11:06am
  
  Yes mate. You can hate but you have to recognise. I feel the same way.
parra supporter June 18, 2015 at 11:19am

I agree with most except with the tigers, ivebeen watchi g them very closely this year (all but 2-3 matches) and they are a genuine threat to the eight if they can execute. We saw last week against the rabbits, ifthey execute they have plenty of points in them, they botched 3 tries last week and still racked up 30 or so points, and thats them every week. There game plan is simple enough, a few devastating hit ups by the likes of tapau and woods, quick play the bal then spread to speed. Early every game they botch 3-6 tries through the last pass being a little off or forward, a bad decoy, a silly knockon or flirting unnecessarily with the sideline. When considering this id say they will definately et better as the season goes on, combinations are built and they start executing.
- sixtiesboy > parra supporter June 18, 2015 at 12:52pm
  
  Error riddled then? Sound like any other team? I saw the game against Souths too. You had to be impressed with them, but how off were Souths? They were awful. The Tigers have some talent but they have the errors. I see their results as being similar to ours.

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