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You enter a candle-lit room, ominously greeted by a woman disguised in an assortment of loose chiffon fabric.
She draws cards, foretelling impending doom or vibrant success. Sixteen cards are dealt, each representative of your team’s chances in the upcoming 2016 season.
For the New Zealand Warriors, Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, the cards revealed are favourable, a top eight berth is likely.
Four new cards are turned, with mixed results for the North Queensland Cowboys, Penrith anthers, Manly Sea Eagles and Gold Coast Titans.
North Queensland Cowboys – Eight of Cups
The Eight of Cups can indicate a lethargic attitude, sometimes a lack of motivation to achieve. It, of course, can directly link to the premier’s curse.
No team since the Broncos have been able to achieve the rare feat of going back to back, and unfortunately I doubt the Cowboys will either.
The Cowboys have been guilty of slow starts, evident in their opening losses at the start of the 2015 season. However, in saying that, an 11-game winning streak followed this dour introductory period. The Cowboys scored more tries that any team in 2015 with 119.
Two decades of waiting finally ended last year with a field goal from none other than Johnathan Thurston himself. You must ask yourself: can Thurston get any better? After a year of accolades? We all know that JT won’t give up easily. The question remains: is the drive still there after a ground-breaking year of success?
I predict a downfall for the Cowboys, with Thurston’s men finishing the regular season in fifth, with a shock Week 1 finals exit at the hands of the rejuvenated Warriors.
Panthers – The Ace of Pentacles
The Ace of Pentacles indicates a turn for the better. The receiver will not sustain a rapid growth, rather the Ace of Pentacles represents a goal in reach.
The Panthers were undeniably crippled by a towering injury curse in 2015 and to a lesser extent in 2014. With their favourable spine only spending nine per cent of the season together, one would hope better luck will be presented to the Mountain Men in 2016.
The Ace of Pentacles is also representative of fertile soil which nurtures and grows. Similarly, the Panthers possess one of the strongest nurseries in the NRL, with an abundance of youthful stars adjusting or waiting for their call-up to first grade. If the likes of Matt Moylan, Jamie Soward and James Segeyaro remain fit, the Panthers are capable of reaching their goal of a finals birth.
I have my beloved Panthers and the Raiders fighting for seventh spot, with the unfortunate side to miss out finishing in 12th position. In a competitive season, unfortunately, that leaves Penrith in 12th, but I would be more than delighted and at no means surprised at a top eight finish.
Manly Sea Eagles – The Magician
With the Magician Tarot card you are inspired to apply skill and initiative to accomplish all your goals. It is viewed as a good omen when wishing to undergo a transformation or when trying something new. The Magician is represented by the number one, a symbol of eternity.
For the first time since 2004, the Manly Sea Eagles were reduced to an early holiday, a clear indication of what was their eternal success in the NRL. However, with a new coach in Trent Barrett and vastly different line-up headlined by recruits Dylan Walker, Martin Taupau and Nate Myles, their transformation and rebuilding process appears to be shrouded with feelings of optimism and success, much like that of the Magician.
Despite their poor start, Manly won seven of their last ten games to surge into ninth position, a disappointing yet positive finish for the embattled club. Their final game against Cronulla was indicative of the attitude ingrained into the club which has lasted them for decades. With a finals spot out of reach, the Sea Eagles claimed a hard fought 14-12 victory.
This attitude and the abundance of talent will see Brookvale’s finest recapture their glory with a fourth place regular season finish.
Gold Coast Titans – Death
Death signals the passing from one life to another. Although the candle may be extinguished on the Titan’s 2016 campaign following Kane Elgey’s devastating ACL injury, the Tarot Card Death does not simply represent its namesake. Rather it is a transition.
The Titans have long been lodged to the foot of the ladder and 2016 appears to be a similar story. However, when the death card appears, big changes are heading your way.
This upcoming season presents an opportunity for big changes at the Gold Coast. Rebuilding is on the cards, young prodigies such as Ashley Taylor will be given a chance to gain experience and build a new empire for the death-stricken club.
Having conceded 636 points in 2015, an average of 4.7 tries a game, Neil Henry will contend with balancing a youthful, exuberant attacking side with the defensive grunt needed to match the best teams in the competition. At least Wests Tigers should prove an obstacle in the Titan’s quest to avoid the dreaded spoon.
My view (like many) is that, unfortunately, the Titans will finish in last place, but they may surprise a few unsuspecting teams along the way.
2016 NRL ladder prediction
1. Broncos
2. Storm
3.
4. Sea Eagles
5. Cowboys
6.
7. Raiders
8. Warriors
9.
10.
11.
12. Panthers
13.
14.
15.
16. Titans
The top eight is beginning to take shape. Tune in next time, as the cards are dealt to Wests Tigers, Cronulla Sharks, Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
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