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This Sunday the Bulldogs will face the Rabbitohs in a blockbuster grand final, however with most fans sitting on the sideline wondering what went wrong in season 2014, I decided to scan your team’s chances in season 2015.
Cronulla Sharks (16th) $67 to win premiership
The major signing for the Sharks comes in the form of Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis.
Ennis looks set to miss the grand final this week, and will be keen to start well at his new club come next season.
With injured stars Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita and others returning, as well as what should be a less controversial season, the only way is up for the Sharks. A top-eight finish is not beyond them.
Canberra Raiders (15th) $81 to win premiership
The Raiders come into 2015 the longest odds to take out the title, and while I also can’t see them holding up the trophy next year they have a good chance of improving on this year’s performance.
They will lose the spark of Anthony Milford, but gain an exciting winger in Sisa Waqa. The Raiders are rumoured to be chasing Brett Stewart and Josh Hoffman, however I can’t see them making the eight next year.
Gold Coast Titans (14th) $41 to win premiership
The mid-year signings of players such as Daniel Mortimer and James Roberts have helped their cause in 2014, however, they have lost some experienced players due to retirement.
There have been rumours of Ben Barba going to the Gold Coast next year, however, David Mead’s run at fullback earlier in the year should be noticed. Either way, the Titans won’t make the eight next year, as the club is currently in a rebuilding stage.
Wests Tigers (13th) $17 to win premiership
While the Tigers haven’t signed any key players, they don’t need to. They have great youngsters coming through who they are beginning to re-sign. Players such as Luke Brooks, David Nofoaluma and Matthew Lodge will benefit from the break. They need to make room for Blake Austin though. He showed he is a genuine superstar.
The Tigers can definitely make the eight, however, the disruption in their coaching staff could provide some unrest.
Newcastle Knights (12th) $41 to win premiership
The Knights finished 2014 in tremendous form and will look to continue that into the 2015 season. Big man Tariq Sims has been poached from the Cowboys to play alongside brother Korbin, however more exciting are youngsters such as the Mata’utia brothers.
A blend of young and old could see the Knights improve next season. They are a definite chance of a top-eight spot and my specials next year.
St George Illawarra Dragons (11th) $21 to win premiership
For the Dragons it is all about their forward pack. They could be without Trent Merrin next season due to salary restraints and what a blow that would be.
Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall will flourish during the break and should form a strong combination while an exciting backline should see the Dragons challenge for a top eight spot.
Parramatta Eels (10th) $17 to win premiership
The Eels had a fantastic 2014 season on the back of main man Jarryd Hayne. A late season slip-up cost them a chance at the 2014 title, however with Nathan Peats back at hooker, the Eels should be a better side come 2015. Rookie Manu Ma’u was denied a breakout season due to injury, but should fire in 2015.
The Eels learnt a lot from 2014, and the top eight is where they should aim to finish next season.
New Zealand Warriors (9th) $17 to win premiership
The Warriors gain experience in the form of Ryan Hoffman in 2015, however, you can never predict where they will finish. They can be absolutely brilliant (48-0 versus Eels) and downright awful (46-12 versus Roosters).
They can finish from first all the way to last.
Brisbane Broncos (8th) $6 to win premiership
I was shocked to see the Broncos as joint favourites for the premiership in 2015. They have a massive forward pack with representative players, as well as an exciting and experienced backline. But who of Barba, Hoffman, Milford, Justin Hodges and Darius Boyd will play fullback?
Wayne Bennett is a master coach and is obsessed with getting Boyd to the Brisbane club. If he doesn’t get him, I wonder what will happen.
Either way, the Broncos can definitely win the premiership, if they come together to play as a team. A top-four finish is achievable for the proud Brisbane club.
Canterbury Bulldogs (7th) $8 to win premiership
I never thought the Dogs would feature in the grand final after a horror end to the regular season, yet here they are. Talk about a new fullback is crazy, Sam Perrett has been enormous for the club and deserves the spot next season. Signings Curtis Rona and Michael Lichaa are exciting prospects and will comfortably replace Cronulla-bound Mitch Brown and Ennis respectively.
But how will the Dogs handle life without Ennis? A top-four finish will be expected of the Doggies next year.
Melbourne Storm (6th) $11 to win premiership
The Storm would have been disgusted with the way they finished season 2014. It is true that the ‘Big 3′ are getting older, yet they continue to impress.
They may have seen a slight decline in 2014 but any team with the likes of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith should aim for the top four.
North Queensland Cowboys (5th) $13 to win premiership
Every year the support for the Cowboys grows, however they are yet to match expectations. Johnathan Thurston will be passionate and eager to earn the premiership he so deserves.
The Cows should aim for a top-four spot, and they will be a big chance of making the grand final. The interesting question coming into 2015 is who plays fullback – Lachlan Coote or Michael Morgan?
Penrith Panthers (4th) $15 to win premiership
The Panthers exceeded expectations in 2014 and they will continue to improve. They have a roster full of balanced players.
Their 2014 season was hampered by injuries to key players. With Peter Wallace back, pressure will be taken off Jamie Soward and exciting utilities Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachey add punch to their forward pack. Elijah Taylor is a workhorse and they have some underrated front rowers too.
A premiership is achievable in 2015 if they have a healthy roster. A top-four spot should be the aim for the regular season.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (3rd) $6 to win premiership
The Rabbits are overwhelming favourites to win the premiership this season and are well backed in 2015. Will they have the drive without Sam Burgess? I think so.
Youngsters such as Alex Johnston and Luke Keary are exactly what Souths needed, and the other Burgess brothers will be given a chance to step up. They should aim for a minor premiership and if they win this weekend, going back-to-back.
Manly Sea Eagles (2nd) $11 to win premiership
The Sea Eagles were brave this season, however next season they may be without Anthony Watmough, Steve Matai and Brett Stewart. It is important that Daly Cherry-Evans returns to form next year if they are to maintain a spot in the top-four.
They have some exciting forwards coming through, however, if Brett Stewart leaves it is a massive hole left in their team.
Sydney Roosters (1st) $6 to win premiership
The Roosters would have been disappointed with the end to their season. They will have to deal with life without Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Minichello, however, I think they can. They have one of the most impressive forward packs in the competition and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a great talent at fullback.
It even looks likely that controversial star Blake Ferguson may feature. The minor premiership is not out of reach for the Sydney side.
I am not going to bother giving my predicted eight for next year because it is that hard. All teams have a realistic chance of finishing in the top eight next year which makes for a great season.
The Knights are my dark horse for the final eight, while the Panthers will again feature in the top four.
A quick tip, this weekend the Rabbitohs will survive the Bulldogs in an absolutely brutal contest by a score of 19-12.
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