Though the 2016 NRL season is still a few months away, it appears as though the game’s most ignominious prize is set to be battled out between three clubs.
Titans or tragics
Last year, Gold Coast were an early season pick for the wooden spoon – albeit for different off-field reasons – so little has changed.
The Titans’ woes have been highlighted in recent weeks by James Roberts’ departure saga and rookie half Kane Elgey’s season-ending injury. Without an obvious replacement centre, and injured ex-Broncos half Ashley Taylor likely to lead an unfamiliar team around the paddock, the Gold Coast will struggle.
Last year they avoided the spoon, but can their luck hold out?
Knights look to battle
Newcastle start with a new coach, knowing they can do no worse than last year’s wooden spoon.
But Nathan Brown is apparently still looking for players. The ex-Dragons player and coach should have a look at his ex-club’s huge list of discards from last season. My pick for team spirit would be George Rose, and the Knights need spirit to lift this year. Their forwards this year again look vulnerable.
Last season the Knights led the competition early, before plummeting.
Newcastle may be a chance in the Nines this year, but it will be a long road back in the NRL.
Tigers to roar
After fighting to avoid the wooden spoon last year, this year Wests need their halves combination to consistently perform.
Coach Jason Taylor seemed to lose the plot in the off-season, lost too are Martin Taupau (Manly Sea Eagles), Pat Richards (Catalan Dragons) and Keith Galloway (Leeds Rhinos). The forwards, in particular, look weaker.
Taylor starts the season with his job on the line, but maybe he can pull some juniors out of the hat to save his neck.
My pick for the wooden spoon in 2016 is the Titans.
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