Jeff Lima in action during the NRL, Round 19, Parramatta Eels v Melbourne Storm match at Parramatta Stadium in Sydney on Monday July 20, 2009. Eels won 18-16. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox
I love the salary cap as it makes the NRL the most competitive competition in the world. Each new season brings optimism for all fans of NRL clubs, and even if your side collected the wooden spoon from the previous year, your side still has a genuine chance of picking up the title the next year.
The salary cap forces plenty of player movements in between seasons, making it a nightmare to predict the success of your club prior to season kick-off.
I am not going to predict the Grand Finalists or the top eight as the last few seasons have left me with egg on my face more times than not (though last year I did predict pre-season that the Eels would take out the season. I copped flack all year til their Hayne inspired run made me look like a genius only to fall at the last hurdle to cop more stick).
This year I am going to nominate a player or players from each club who I believe need to fire to give their club a chance to take down the title. My choices are based on marquee players playing to their potential.
MELBOURNE STORM:
The Storm have lost a heap of players for the 2010 season with Dallas Johnson’s move to France their biggest loss. Johnson is a workaholic forward constantly topping his teams tackle count. Only Hindmarsh, Stagg and Luck averaged more tackles than Johnson in 2009.
For the Storm to have any chance this year, I believe Todd Lowrie will need to have a cracking year. Lowrie averaged 20 tackles a game for the Eels compared to 41.5 Johnson racked up for the Storm. This is a fair comparison considering Johnson played only fourteen minutes longer than Lowrie over the course of the season.
It is a big ask filling the boots of Dallas, so unless Todd can double his work-rate of last year’s performance, I think the Storm will struggle against the top few sides in the competition.
PARRAMATTA EELS:
The Eels have managed to keep their entire backline intact with the addition of Timana Tahu, so continuity won’t be a problem. Last year Hayne and Grothe led the Eels for metres gained, but if they want to challenge for top honours, the forwards are going to have to get over the advantage line to give space for the electric backline. Dragons recruit Justine Poore is the man for the job.
GOLD COAST TITANS:
The Titans have a lot of hard working forwards. The backs are full of talent and speed, although lack a little size.
Joseph Tomane will definitely add some much needed size, though the acquisition of Greg Bird could give the Titans the much needed mongrel the Titans need to get them to the final week of September.
MANLY SEA EAGLES:
Manly had the misfortune of missing last year’s trial matches involving two referees due to the World Cup Challenge, which put them behind the eight ball before the first kick-off.
It would be fair to say whoever takes on ex-captain Orford’s playmaking roll needs to have a big season. Manly’s forwards work extremely well, and even when not on fire can be a handful. Kieran Foran is my tip for halfback over Trent Hodkinson, so if the Sea Eagles are to repeat their 2008 heroics their chosen halfback will need to guide their team around like a veteran.
BRISBANE BRONCOS:
Broncos once feared pack has long gone, and even though Hunt has gone to the dark side, they still have a backline most clubs would envy.
The Broncos strongest forward pack will struggle against a lot of their competition so David Hale from the Redcliffe Dolphins who played one game last year will need to have a huge year to help the Broncos continue their proud history of making finals footy.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS:
The Knights punched well above their weight last year, for which Rick Stone should take as a compliment. The Knights have an extremely young squad and will need an experienced head to guide them around the park. Mullen will need help in the halves. For the Knights to improve on last year’s performance, Kurt Gidley’s rumoured move to the halves needs to be a success.
BULLDOGS:
The Canterbury-Bankstown rise from the Dog House last year was nothing short of inspirational. They have a great squad and should push for top honours. The Doggies have had the best goal kicker for as long as I can remember, so it is fair to say Michael Ennis has huge boots to fill. If Ennis can deliver good ball from dummy half and replicate Hazim’s feats then I can see the newly named Canterbury-Bankstown returning to their former glory days of the eighties.
DRAGONS:
Jamie Soward had a stellar year in 2009 so he can expect some extra attention from the opposition. Jamie will need some support in the playmaking role so I nominate Nathan Fien as the man that needs to shine to get the Big Red V to the top of the ladder and confirm Wayne Bennett as the greatest coach in the NRL.
TIGERS:
The Tigers look really strong this year, with a host of players returning from the UK. Their only weakness I can see is Chris Lawrence can be caught out in defence. I know a lot of clubs aim their attack towards him, so If the Tigers want to relive 2005 then Lawrence is going to have to step up in defence.
RABBITOHS:
Consistency in the halves is the key for the Rabbitohs this year. Souths have an awesome pack this year with speed splashed throughout the backline.
The forwards will get over the forward line so it will be up to Sandow and Sutton to sniff out points for their outside backs.
PANTHERS:
Panthers are a side that has performed better than I expected over the last couple of seasons. The Panthers have a descent forward pack and the addition of Daine Laurie will help them this season. Travis Burns is the player that needs to shine for the Panthers, getting good ball to Jennings and standing up in defence will be the key to seeing the Panthers making final footy in 2010.
COWBOYS:
Last year Warren Ryan wrote an excellent article pointing out clubs whose marquee players take up the biggest chunk of a club’s salary cap. Thurston is one of the highest paid players in the NRL, which means the Cowboys spend less money on the remaining squad than their rivals. This is why Big Willie is the secret to the Cowboys season. There is no way the Cowboys could afford Mason. Courtesy of the Roosters, Mason’s wage isn’t a problem and NQ now have strengthened their squad when salary cap restrictions would not have allowed it if Mason was at full price.
RAIDERS:
Raiders need to find a way to win on the road to have any chance of making the finals. Terry Campese and Josh Dugan need to be on their game for Canberra to win more games than it loses. Canberra has lost a lot of talent this year making their lack of depth their main issue for 2010. If the Raiders are to taste success, I would have to nominate their physio. Keeping their strongest team on the paddock is the key this year for the Raiders.
WARRIORS:
Warriors were inconsistent to say the least last year. If new recruit Brett Seymour can’t provide the consistency required to be a top footy team, I can see the Warriors under-performing again in 2010.
SHARKS:
The key to the Sharks is new recruit John Morris who will partner Trent Barrett in the halves. Morris will need to do something special to relive the Sharks third place 2008 season.
ROOSTERS:
Last year’s wooden spooners have a new coach in Brian Smith. Smith is the best NRL coach to never win a premiership. His work with the Knights was outstanding and is the man for the job to bring some pride back to Bondi.
Smith has his own way and if you don’t like it then start looking for a new club. Braith Anasta is the key to success solely because he is the captain and he will need to unite with Smith and bring harmony to a side that will probably face some tense moments with the new coach.
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