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The 2014 NRL season promises to be the most exciting of all. The Auckland Nines last week has set the platform for a blockbuster year in 2014.
Each club has their final hit-out this weekend before they meet their opponents in Round 1.
Most clubs have named full-strength teams for their trials which should give a slight indication of their season ahead, although they are only trials.
The biggest “trial” of the weekend shows the return of the ‘World Club Challenge’ to Australia and also the return of former Cowboys superstar Matty Bowen as Wigan take on the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
I have put together my predictions for the season ahead including top eight, premiers and the Dally M winner plus State of Origin champions.
The top eight seems to change every year but there are always those teams that tend to stick around.
This is my top eight, with the reasons behind my conclusion in brackets.
1. Sydney Roosters (an impressive 2013, star roster and great coach, they could go back to back)
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs (will the chokers choke again?)
3. Manly Sea Eagles (they have the best halves in the game and are a definite top-four team)
4. Canterbury Bulldogs (even with the loss of Ben Barba, the Bulldogs will be there in 2014)
5. Melbourne Storm (still have the players and the coach to stay near the top)
6. Newcastle Knights (they may have an ageing roster but they boast one of the best backlines I have ever seen)
7. Gold Coast Titans (have been on the incline since 2012 and are ready for a return to the finals)
8. North Queensland Cowboys (have all the best ingredients, with JT and a great forward pack)
9. Penrith Panthers (they spent big with some great signings, but need more time to gel)
10. Cronulla Sharks (too many distractions and the ASADA Investigation will haunt their season)
11. New Zealand Warriors (one of the most exciting teams, yet so hard to predict)
12. Brisbane Broncos (current halves situation has me sceptical of what they can do in 2014)
13. Wests Tigers (will improve with a great young squad but I can’t see them going far in 2014)
14. Parramatta Eels (tipping them to not get the wooden spoon this year)
15. Canberra Raiders (eh)
16. St George Illawarra Dragons (I just can’t see them competing this year)
Premiers: South Sydney to Defeat Sydney Roosters in the grand final.
Dally M: John Sutton
SOO: Queensland (9 in a Row)
Bring on season 2014!
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