It’s fair to say the summer of cricket left me frustrated at different stages.
Footy’s back baby and I think I speak for everyone when I say how excited everyone is to have the greatest game of all back on the box.
The competition is better each year and the salary cap increase has allowed more of our top names to stay with the code.
Round one in 2012 had two golden point games and it could be a similar affair this weekend.
I’m going to run through my opinion of all 16 teams for this season.
Now who will win the competition?It gets harder to pick every year.
While the Bulldogs are without Ben Barba for the start of the season they are still a top four side.
Everyone is ‘crowing’ about the Roosters but I need to see more of them with Sonny Bill Williams in their side before my mind is made up.
Newcastle has beefed up their forward pack and have a new found toughness.
Watch Jarrod Mullen, Kurt Gidley, Danny Buderus and Tyrone Roberts play behind this pack.
If the hard work is done Newcastle has the strike power out wide to worry anyone.
Cronulla have bought really well and have an extremely capable roster with a very good coach.
If Jeff Robson can steer the side around like last year they have the ability to go all the way.
Melbourne will do as they normally do and will be tough to beat every week.
They lose Todd Lowrie and Dane Nielsen from last year’s side but as Bellamy again has sifted through the scrap heap to get a good support cast for the big three.
Manly will be just off the pace this year I think.
They are still a top eight team but they have slipped back to the peloton.
Brisbane still have a side that can perform week in week out.
If Scott Prince and Peter Wallace combine well I think their chances of a seventh premiership will increase.
A lot will hinge on that combination.
I expect a lot from the Raiders this season.
There is a lot of competition for spots in the side which hasn’t been there in the past. Blake Ferguson said last year when they nail their game plan, there isn’t too many sides that can beat them.
They were struggling last season and all of a sudden put 40 points on the Storm. The Green Machine are a dark horse.
Parramatta will be a more competitive side but I can’t see them squeezing into the top eight. Ricky Stuart will have this side firing at some stage, just not this season.
Penrith have a new look side with 18 players recruited over the off-season.
The change should serve them well, they will be a markedly better side and if they play well could squeeze into eighth spot. Everything would have to fall in their favour.
The Warriors are too unreliable to get an accurate gauge on. The most powerful and talented football team on their day but they need to get in the right head space. Then they can challenge for the title.
St George Illawarra won’t be playing in September, simple as that.
I’m very unsure about how the Tigers will fare this year. The expectations are off them and that will suit their playing style.
North Queensland are another smokey for the title. They have a talented roster but lack depth at hooker. I have heard good things about Scott Moore and he will need to perform.
They have the world’s best two props in their side and the world’s best half. It’s easy to get excited about the Cowboys.
The Titans have a great pack up they are thin on experience in the halves. It could be their downfall. They will miss the eight for the third year in a row.
I declare South Sydney as the 2013 premiers. A lot to like about their side and I predict Greg Inglis to win the Dally M Medal.
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