The Wiz is going out on limb and naming the top eight before the season has even started. Gulp! It’s never an easy task, but here goes …
Melbourne, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Manly, Souths, Newcastle, Penrith, Canberra.
That’s my eight, and for mine, the Storm are specials to repeat the success of 2012, regardless of whether Bellamy decides to stay or leave at the end of the year.
In fact, while I still like the look of Manly this season, something tells me it could be a Melbourne vs Bulldogs grand final again. They just seem like the best prepared, resourced and coached teams, and these days, that can make all the difference.
They also have quality players in the vital 9, 7, 6, and 1 positions and have depth and talent right across their respective squads.
Everyone’s been hearing about how hard the Bulldogs have been training in the off-season. They can go to another level this year. Meanwhile, Bellamy’s teams are always so well structured and drilled, they are very difficult to crack.
My only real worry with the Storm is their short trip to England to play in the Club Challenge. We’ve learned from past years that this match can really knock teams off their equilibrium for the first few rounds of the season proper.
It will be a draining experience for the players, especially given that Craig Bellamy really wants to win it.
All that said, the toughest part of picking a top 8 at this time of the year is that everyone is fresh. All the teams are primed for big seasons and we’ve all heard the reports that this player is training the house down and that team is being punished on the training field and responding well, and so on.
Who knows what to believe. At this stage, you can really only go on gut instinct.
And my instinct is telling me that – despite some big name off-season signings – the Roosters will struggle again; as will an improved Parramatta; St George are still rebuilding; and the Warriors, while working hard in the offseason, are too hit and miss to be backed with any great confidence. They’ll miss Maloney.
You can forget about the rest as being serious contenders.
It’s shaping up as another close fought competition. And it’s great to see that referees’ boss Daniel Anderson has finally made all these changes that I suggested three years ago.
I hope someone out there is listening to the Wizard.
Meesta Cool
Guest
After the revelations of this week, Storm should be re credited with their premierships,-- playing against 1/2 the league teams using performance enhancers makes their achievements even greater. I now wonder , which is the greater of the cheating modes: 1/ handing out 'brown paper bags on to improve a players performance or 2/. Injecting or handing out performance enhancing drugs to get the same result -- without any care of the long term effect on the players. After 'The Chemist' left Manly. they went almost a full season where they couldn't last for the full game was this a hangover or Cold Turkey?. We will never know. None of these clubs will have kept records of wrong doings... let's move on. it's history!.
Meesta Cool
Guest
hey Turbo.. we invite mates round EVERY year... this game should be 'pushed more but moved to the end of the season whilst the two teams are still intact!. The Storm team that play in two weeks time is VERY different to the team that won the championship. and the weather conditions in September are reasonably equal for both teams, With the right promotion this game could be as popular as Soccer's European Cup Finals.. The two Champions playing in good weather conditions, I suggest moving it to Wembley, Old Trafford or The Millenium Stadium for atmosphere.. Yup promote the game ... it could be a winner for Rugby League.
ds
Guest
That is the nature of the competitions you have stated for all participants, the NRL premier is the only team within the nrl that has to travel (to the reverse climate come back from Northern Hemisphere winter play in townsville and then back to Melbourne with a 5 day break to play the grandfinal replay. The super rugby fixture is designed to allow teams to travel/tour.
turbodewd
Guest
Raiders are top 8 guaranteed. Theyve got many returning from injury and the new Raiders forged in the 2nd half of last season will be a force at home. I think the Knights will lose their top 8 spot to a rejuvenated Eels outfit.
planko
Roar Guru
Could not agree more with you Dean Cam Smith is probably a more infuential than any other player except for Thurston in the Cowboys. @ WHIZ talk about going out on a limb to pick a top 8. Sorry not getting involved I reckon if I picked a bottom 4 right now 2 of them would make the 8.
Maroon Blood
Guest
"Cbury never looked like winning the GF"..... I agree that the Storm smothered them for most of the game BUT Josh Morris gets a decent bounce and it's a 4-point ball game with ten to go and anything could have happened. Reasonable comment I guess without being totally correct. On the other hand, your "massive lack of quality halfbacks in the NRL" comment is complete tripe.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
THe last time the Dogs were in this match, the Bulldogs setup a big screen, BBQ and Beers at Homebush Bay. Was a top morning, even though we went down, with approx 200 dogs supporters screaming for the Dogs to get up.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Take Cam Smith from the starting line up through injury, and the Storm would fail to make the 8. Newcastle are my dark horses for 2013.
Knight Vision
Guest
Storm Bulldogs Cowboys Knights Sea Eagles Rabbits Roosters Raiders
A1
Guest
Penwiff might not win a game and youve got them in the 8
Luke M
Guest
Josh Reynolds is a natural talent. He has that certain something that can't be coached.
Luke M
Guest
Without gaining anyone? Check again.
Arthur fonzarelli.
Guest
2013 will the year of the fairytale . Grand final will be either souths vs cronulla or easts . Would love to see an all Sydney GF that doesn't include manly. That would be bigger than Ben hur
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Leuluai's got the goods. There's a reason he consistently gets picked for NZ (when available) despite playing in England. Playing against better opposition will only improve his game.
Ronald M
Guest
I think he did hence no mention. At least there is someone who can see past all the Bull.
Ronald M
Guest
I have always enjoyed this match and I am so dismayed when I read all the negative comments about it. Sure the timing is awful but that could be fixed and there is nothing stopping us playing it over here or at another location. Fact is that I would sooner watch this match than the all stars any day.
Beardan
Guest
This bloke is the biggest chiche driven fence sitter in the game.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
*of
oikee
Guest
They should be signed up to the NRL while they are still cheap. :)
Ronnie Liddle
Roar Rookie
yeah agreed, disappointed the Eels aren’t in the mix but it’s probably more unfair the Warriors and the Broncos aren’t considered higher.