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Many NRL fans are starting to dream of glory on the first weekend of October, but which teams are the real contenders?
After 15 rounds of the season the ladder doesn’t lie and one of the current top five teams will be 2014 premiers.
Manly Sea Eagles
A year older yet the Sea Eagles once again are proving they are far from a spent force. The quality of hard heads such as Jamie Lyon, Brett Stewart and Jason King have resulted in the Sea Eagles racking up results during the Origin period.
The extended break for Anthony Watmough due to suspension might be a blessing in disguise for the maroon and whites as they head into yet another finals campaign as genuine heavyweights.
Penrith Panthers
The surprise pack of the 2014 season, Ivan Cleary has his charges playing consistent footy. The luxury of having no player representation in the State of Origin period has allowed the men from the foot of the mountains to rack up victories against some weakened opposition.
The big tests for the Panthers are coming in the forms of Roosters (Round 19), Bulldogs (Round 21) and Sea Eagles (Round 25), all away from Sportingbet Stadium.
The jury is still out on whether the Panthers have the quality to take the next step come the finals.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
One of the most consistent sides of past seasons, the Bunnies head into the back end of this season in good shape but question marks remain over the mental challenge of losing two consecutive grand final qualifiers.
Boasting a fearsome pack of forwards and arguably the best fullback in the competition, the boys from Redfern seem to lack the class in the 6 and 7 jumpers to lift their first premiership since 1971.
Unfortunately for fans of the cardinal and myrtle I predict they will again fall one game short of the big dance.
Sydney Roosters
The defending premiers started the season in first gear, with a premiership hangover clearly evident. However the luxury of having their halves partners on the nose with NSW selectors has allowed the tri-colors to slowly build momentum and they sit in a position of power heading.
If all their stars remain fit and healthy, I expect the Chooks to be running out at ANZ Stadium come October 5th.
Canterbury Bulldogs
Many pundits expected the Bulldogs to have an average year in 2014. How wrong they were. The boys from Belmore have set the competition standard for long periods this year, until the representative footy season hit them hard.
Des Hasler will be sweating on the fitness of his NSW halves to get through Origin 3 unscathed and guide the bulldogs into the finals.
With depth across the forward pack and a classy and confident 6 and 7, the Bulldogs are destined to meet the Roosters on the big stage.
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