The Storm’s guaranteed wooden spoon takes big pressure off the Broncos and Sharks, who were looking set to slug it out, while it also opens a up an extra position in the top four and then the top eight for another side looking to make a run in the finals.
The Dragons have now seen their main competitor for the minor premiership drop out of the race, so maybe Peter Doust might start thinking about get those t-shirts printed again.
The Dragons are likely to be the hot favourite for the title, but while their season form remains impeccable, they simply have to be viewed in the post-season with caution.
In short, anyone tipping the Dragons as specials in April needs medicating.
I’d argue the Panthers may well be the side to benefit most from the Storm’s demise as their chances of holding onto their top four spot have increased dramatically.
The Bulldogs also benefit at present, sneaking into the top eight despite a 3-4 record. And it’s likely the team finishing 8th this year will have a less than 50 percent win record, so maybe a sending a box of chocolates down south might be a nice gesture.
It may be sent from Bondi Junction.
Looking at the table, I’m not convinced anyone currently sitting 10th or below has the ability to make a run into the eight.
There is obviously mountains of football to played this season, but sides like the Knights, Raiders and Cowboys need to start finding their feet quickly to stay in the race.
Speaking of the amount of football to be played, the absence of the Storm will also make injuries play an even bigger impact on sides looking to take advantage of the even field.
The competition now looks incredibly close, so any lasting injury at the wrong time could be disastrous for a team looking to get their names on the Premier’s trophy at the end of the season.
Let’s also get this out of the way now: whoever wins can rightly call themselves Premiers. Let’s not have any talk of them having been gifted it with the Storm out of the way.
But whoever’s name is on the trophy at the season’s end, let’s hope it stays there.
AGO74
Guest
"Saints, Titans, Panthers, Dogs, Parra, Manly, Tigers, Souths for mine" says The Link. I agree. It would have had no bearing on the decision to bunk the Storm this year but it has had a potentially extraodinary side effect for Sydney and the NRL. Imagine a final series that is virtually exclusively Sydney based. Everyone remembers the Dogs/Eels semi last year but that would be replicated many times over if the above top 8 played out. From an NRL marketing perspective they'd be positively drooling! The out of towner's who miss out aren't exactly going to wither and die by missing this year's semi series as they already have strong established supporter bases, but it's a great way for the NRL to further cement people to their team in a city that is generally fairly fickle in comparison to other cities in Australia. As for the Saints, they'll choke - again. They won 11 in a row, now are they trying to lose 11 in a row ;-) Go the Dogs!
polyglot
Roar Rookie
I don't imagine for one moment that Melbourne winning the wooden spoon by proxy takes any pressure off the pre rort contenders. Surely, Melbourne's participation will be considered token and unrealistic, as it should be, they are contending in a false environment. As much as the winners won't ponder "what might have been" for too long and accept the trophy as an undisputed reward, the second bottom team should accept the wooden spoon as undisputed. If not the coach and fans should make them one.
Mals
Guest
Exactly, the Storm were 4 wins & 2 losses before the Salary Cap drama broke, not exactly what i would call dominant!
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
Who cares about facts when an administrator like Doust can be mocked with those t-shirts gags until the the day the Dragons finally lift the trophy. I guess there is a also a difference being something which should build confidence and something that does. It didn't hurt Parra last year and did hurt the dragons. As you say, a new competition.
NickF
Guest
Stormybill, there will be no hollow victory with whoever wins this year.There is no comparison for any team with the AStorm. Over the past few years the Dragons, for an example had to lose one of their Morris twins due to the salary cap, along with state of origin player Justin Poore, as well as Micky Paea. In thwe past it was Marck Gasnier. There are more, but if they were able to cheat the cap like Melbourne who know what difference it might have made with a backline consisting of Hornby, Soward, B Morris, Gasnier, Cooper, J Morris and Boyd, with Wayne Bennett coaching. Who ever wins this year, I'm sure, will get great satifaction from it.
The man
Guest
Mr Kaless, Now while I can accept a glossing over of facts in any Roar article, repeating the lie that St.George printed GF t-shirts at any point last year is unacceptable. The fact is GF t-shirts are only ever printed in the week of the GF. Everyone knows the semi finals are a new competition, although I do believe dominating your opposition during the regular season should build confidence for the end of the year. Melbourne's self inflicited gunshot wound should draw no compassion from anyone. Whoever, wins it this year will rightly earn the title premiers.
stormybill
Guest
Don't know Link How about the Knights going to Melbourne Rd 26.May be a bigger hiding than the Warriors.
apaway
Guest
Rubbish. The question will not even enter a team's head. Reason: the only thing the Storm were better at was cheating.
The Answer
Guest
That 8 looks pretty right. Only one out of Sydney finalist, what a massive series for Sydney. The rise of the Panthers (or Panfers as they are locally known) is also the most effective way of tackling any marketing push coming out of AFL GWS.
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
I agree Ken. The Roosters of '02 were definately remembered as the premiers and the Bulldogs were far more dominant of the competition that year than the Storm have been this year. In the same way that its hollow feeling and largely pointless for either the Sea eagles or the Eels to imagine they won the comp in either 2007 or 2009 because they miss the euphoria of Grand Final day, those who lift the title in October will have the memories and feelings of being winners and that is what counts. Let the games begin.
The Link
Guest
Teams pkaying to Storm in the next month will be kicking themselves. Better to play them in the last couple of months when all the emotion and incentives are gone. Saints, Titans, Panthers, Dogs, Parra, Manly, Tigers, Souths for mine, not particularly in that order though.
Ken
Guest
Why? Melbourne haven't fielded a legal side in the 2010 competition. Other teams not to field sides in 2010 would be the Bears, Rams, Glebe and South Queensland - I don't think that this taints anything. The Dogs were leading the comp in 02 when they were caught (Melbourne were in 4th?) but I wouldn't consider the Roosters premiership that year tainted.
stormybill
Guest
Can't agree Steve, whoever wins this year will have a tainted trophy.The question will always be were the Storm better ?