Yesterday we brought you the first installment of why your team won’t win the NRL competition in 2013.
Here is the second part, as well as my prediction as to who will lift the NRL trophy at seasons’ end.
Newcastle Knights
Will Nathan Tinkler’s bank roll last the 26 rounds? Although the Knights deny any rift between the board and the players, it is clear that all is not well in the Hunter. Off-field distractions will effect on-field performances, which is a shame, because I’m tipping a big year for Jarrod Mullen.
Parramatta Eels
Last year’s wooden spooners may well again be the NRL cellar dwellers come 2013. With the retirement of Nathan Hindmarsh, the club loses not only a champion player but a much respected icon of the game.
The greatest loss however may be the unheralded Luke Burt, who also hung up the boots. The veteran winger was dynamic in both attack and defence, scoring as many tries as he saved to instil some respect in Parramatta’s season.
A far from impressive recruitment drive sees a very second-rate backline. Once again the onus will be on Jarryd Hayne to create the bulk of attacking opportunities, however recent premiers have proven that one star player alone cannot single handedly win premierships.
Penrith Panthers
Phil Gould – El Supremo, if you will – has done nothing but disrupt the playing group since his return to the foot of the mountains. First Gordon and Lewis, and now talks of Michael Jennings’ exit, has removed the clubs’ three most potent weapons in attack.
Their leadership has also taken a hit with the exit of 200-game veteran Lewis. Sorry Panthers fans, 2013 will not be your year.
Cronulla Sharks
If Cronulla are ever going to win a premiership, it must be prior to 2015 when Paul Gallen hangs up the boots.
Gallen is the heart and soul of the shire, and has been on his lonesome for too long. However with the arrival of Lewis and Heighington, Cronulla are now blessed with an international back row which other teams could only ever dream of.
Todd Carney looks set to remain with the club and his combination with Gordon at the back could prove lethal for the opposition.
The only thing weighing Cronulla down from glory is the old monkey on the back – a heavy, 46-year-old monkey which supporters can only hope will soon be laid to rest.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Like the Cowboys, I fear the Rabbitohs will waver off the back of their exit from the 2012 competition. Otherwise strong across the park, the Rabbitohs may once more be singing “glory glory to South Sydney” come finals football. They may also suffer from dragging around a similarly sized monkey as the Sharks.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Despite the recruitment of Gerard Beale and Tyson Frizell, the Dragons are yet to purchase quality, premiership winning players for 2013. Bellamy’s suggested move to Wollongong may inevitably effect Steve Price’s time at the helm.
The Dragons will suffer from an obvious lack of fire power across the park (excluding Brett Morris).
Sydney Roosters
The Bondi based club have significantly bolstered their roster prior to the 2013 season.
Key acquisitions of James Maloney and Sonny Bill Williams will have fans dreaming of success, however the Roosters still lack one crucial ingredient: experience.
Too often in 2012, ill-discipline cost the Tri-Colours at vital moments, with silly penalties and drop balls.
Anthony Minichiello looks likely to skipper the side, but not even Mini’s veteran status can help the young Roosters push for contention in 2013.
Maybe in a few seasons these young talents will flourish with exposure to first grade – I predict brighter things ahead for those in the east.
New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors, much alike the Sydney Roosters, boast an inexperienced backline which was too often found out by good players in 2012.
The loss of Maloney to the Roosters will see Carlos Tuimavave step into the number 6 role, however he too will have a tough job to replace not only Maloney’s ball playing skills and line-breaking ability.
Once again, ill-discipline and a lack of respect for possession will cost the Warriors if they allow it to.
Wests Tigers
The culture at the Tigers is certainly one which does not support a premiership winning team. Looking to start new with a fresh leader, Mick Potter is untested in the NRL and the scrutiny he will face is greater than in the Super League.
The losses of Heighington and Ryan will deplete both the forwards and backs respectively, once again Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah will look to lead a squad missing the talent needed to mirror their 2005 successes.
So, who will win?
The side who can avoid disruption and somehow prove wrong the assessment of weaknesses will go on to bask in success come October.
I think the Dogs will go one better in 2013.
And no, I am not a Bulldogs supporter.
Jesse B
Guest
Hmmm....., I am a MIGHTY Tigers fan but think losing Heighinton and Ryan, (even though I'm not a big fan), and most importantly Sheens, will cost them this year. NRL is harder to pick than a broken nose and if I had to put my kids dinner on who wins in 2013, it's pretty hard to go past storm although they seemed to me to look a bit tired last year, (however when they hit the "GO" button they are insane fast and can put points on faster than any). Next pick for mine is Doggies, if Barba, Blue Morris, Reynolds and co can click like they did last year, they will be a force and playing finals footy for sure. Next in my order is Cowboys, they were robbed faster than an old lady at the bank on pension day by the ref's last season and JT deserves a ring more than anyone, (with the exception of Nathan Hindmarsh and possibly Nathan Cayless), he has one from Doggies but came off the bench). My smokeys for the year are Sharks and Knights and maybe even Panthers as a real dark horse, (I will put a $20 on at $51 and leave the ticket on my fridge all season and pat it as I walk past lol). Eels, Titans you can put a line thru right now. This leaves: Dragons and apart from Red Morris, they got nothing and Steve Price must be looking over his shoulder every day with all the Bellyache talk, too distracting I reckon, Bronco and they should be there finals time if Wallace gets some adhesive gloves, Raiders wont win it but I lost more coin on them last year than lotto so dont want to talk about them, Chooks: SBW save the world, yawn, great player but think the game can do without his sort and Maloney is a BIG pick up so they should make the 8 but from there, not sure. Warriors will probably finish 9th this year in a combination of ill discipline and dodgy ref calls but Matt Elliot at Penrose could be just what Mt Smart needs to get them consistently to finals footy. I dont like Manly. And lastly, the team Iwould love to see win is the Bunnies with the 4 Burgess boys, seriously, 4 brothers playing for the same team at the same time all all of them get bigger and better with each signing - unreal. Love me footy :-)
Toby c
Guest
The panthers will finish last thanks to phil Gould and the disruptions he's created at the club. Broncos will make the finals as always. And as to the author of this story the roosters are a very strong chance to win in 2013. They've got sonny bill James Maloney and a great new coach Trent Robinson. Reckon dogs will flunk in 2013 sure got T. rex but he's always suspended or injured. Steve price is a great coach but will be sacked to make way for Bellamy. Bellamy needs a challenge and the storm are the best side. Get Bellamy to coach the sharks for one season and they will have one their first premiership ever. He's a super coach. Cowboys will make the 8. No Jonathan thurston side will miss the finals. Ricky Stuart will lead the eels to the top 4. This story is shit the author is an idiot the eels will be there come finals time no doubt. Unlike cronulla when Stuart was coaching them parramatta can win games and a bloody premiership. Final note while the sharks have made some big signings they will come near last not good in the top 8 here's why. Beau Ryan more of a comedian then a footy player he had benji Marshall giving him tries now he's going to have jeff Robson or chad Townsend and no body outside the sharks nos who the hell they even are. Lewis too old. Gordon just gunna get injured again. Not good sharkies. For god sake Paul fallen go to a club that can win a bloody premiership u deserve it more then anyone mate.
Tommygun
Guest
As much as it pains me to say it, Manly have a great spine too...
Luke M
Guest
Not to mention a dummy half that never runs the ball.
Ryan Selvage
Roar Guru
i wrote this article, as i did with part 1. why did they give the credit to danwighton9?
Will Sinclair
Guest
I probably agree with you there Terry - and it's possibly hard to see the Titans getting there as well without a recognised halfback. So maybe I am down to 12... still hard to separate them!
Terry Kidd
Guest
Will, I am a Dragons supporter but I can't see them making the 8 so drop your list to 13 teams.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I think 5/8th we are sweet, it really comes down to Hodgkinson. I think a lot people overlook how we bounced out of the blocks last year, then Hodgo got injured and we went on a losing streak until Des worked out how to make the team work with Keating at half back. So I do feel we already have our halfback. Keating is a good backup, and we can always use him as a hooker for brief spells given Keating is a good runner of the ball.
Will Sinclair
Guest
I disagree Pot - I don't think the Bulldogs have a great spine at all. And I think it was an amazing effort for Hasler to take the Dogs to the Big Dance without a halfback or five-eighth worthy of the name. It will be really interesting to see what he comes up with this season.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I think the Storm will go back to back. I just cant go past the big 3. All the other contenders only have a great 2 players in the spine position. The next best Spine in the comp is the Dogs and Bunnies but it will be interesting to see how reynolds goes in his second year, and if Hodgkinson can regain the form he had when he was at the eagles.
Will Sinclair
Guest
It really is a tight competition, isn't it? I tried to come up with my Top 8 last night and finished up with 14 teams! (Sorry Panthers and Eels!)
Russell
Guest
The author has obviously only done limited research for this article. The talk at the Warriors is that Johnson will move to 6 with Leuluai at 7. Should there be any injuries there the spot would be filled by either Tuimavave, Sjieka or Godinet. If the Warriors can stay relatively injury free and, for once, make a decent start to the year I think they could threaten for the top 4 - there is certainly enough talent in the team. I think Matt Elliott's appointment may end up being a masterstroke.