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The 2014 NRL season is under a week away, and the pressure is already being felt by coaches and players of the Raiders, Dragons, Tigers and Eels and if they don’t start the season well, heads will roll.
But, things might not be so bad for all these struggling sides. Let’s take a look.
The Canberra Raiders struggled big time last year, with injuries, off-field dramas and coaching dilemmas costing them any chance at making the top eight.
This season, it could get worse.
After the departures of Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Sam Williams and Joel Thompson, they lost a lot of star power and youth.
The only salvaging point would be the appointment of club legend Ricky Stuart, but I don’t see it being enough, with inexperience and an unappealing forward pack leading to another poor season.
Predicted finish: 16th.
The St George Illawarra Dragons had a horrible year last year under the tutelage of under pressure Steve Price, with their attack about as predictable as who was going to win the World Club Challenge.
But, to their credit, they have recruited well with the likes of Gareth Widdop, Dylan Farrell, Joel Thompson and English import Mike Cooper.
But based on the Charity Shield match last Saturday, it looks like they may be very short in the engine room.
We will have to wait and see, but it could be another long year for the red and white faithful, or they may surprise us with some stronger attack.
Predicted finish: 13th.
The Wests Tigers were also poor last year, looking soft in the forward pack and had off-field dramas such as Benji Marhsall’s departure.
This year looks a bit better for the merged entity, as they have got some young guns the likes of Tim Simona, Luke Brooks and James Tedesco ready to hit their straps.
But once again, they are short in the forward pack and Mick Potter doesn’t have much time on his hands to turn the ship around.
Predicted finish: 14th.
Finally, the team with consecutive wooden spoons, the Parramatta Eels. They really have had a rough trot over the last two seasons, but this season looks a bit better for the blue and gold boys.
With Jarryd Hayne, Corey Norman and Will Hopoate starring in a solid backline, along with Chris Sandow back from his ‘sabbatical’, the Eels could be the big improvers this year and with new coach Brad Arthur looking to bring a new culture to the club, the sky is the limit for this side.
Predicted finish: 11th.
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