With the 2014 NRL season almost upon us, it’s time I once again set myself up for copious amounts of egg on my face come the end of the year. Yes, it’s my annual fearless predictions for the coming NRL season.
Let the ridicule begin!
Three coaches will be sacked… before May
The pressure on NRL coaches is immense, and though I have no desire to add to their stress levels, I sense a whopping three coaches will be dumped before we’re even halfway into the season.
Namely, Steve Price of the Dragons, Mick Potter of the Tigers and the Broncos’ Anthony Griffin.
This is no reflection upon these individuals’ talent or ability as head coaches. Rather it’s simply an acknowledgement that momentum is extremely hard to halt, and there is already plenty of said momentum against all three coaches.
Price and Potter don’t have the cattle to put the required wins on the board that would win them their desired job security. It’s that simple.
Meanwhile, there is plenty of noise out of Brisbane suggesting Griffin may have lost the Broncos changeroom. Whether it’s true or not is irrelevant; like the aforementioned coaches, wins are the only thing that matter.
Yet with an unsettled roster and whispers of discontent, it’s hard to see Brisbane starting the season strongly, which will ensure Griffin’s head is firmly on the chopping block.
The Warriors will make the eight
The Warriors have always had talent, yet they’ve always been enigmatic.
Inconsistency dogged the New Zealand outfit last year – stop me if you’ve heard that before – and though they made a late season surge for finals contention, they fell just short.
With a strong forward pack, an exciting backline and the potential brilliance of Shaun Johnson, the Warriors can be a formidable team when they put it all together.
This year, though the inconsistent play will no doubt remain, they’ll have more good days than bad, and will qualify for the finals.
And make no mistake about it, no team will want to face a Warriors team with momentum and confidence coming into the finals.
Cameron Smith will win the Dally M Medal
Not exactly going out on a ledge here. I’m sure I’ll cop some flak for this ‘fearless’ selection.
Having said that, picking the one player that will be awarded the NRL’s most prestigious individual honour is no easy task.
The usual suspects of Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Todd Carney and Greg Inglis will again poll strongly, and names like Sonny Bill Williams, Adam Reynolds, and Daly Cherry-Evans will contest as well.
However, I think the Melbourne, Queensland and Australian captain will have a brilliant year as he looks to become Australian rugby league’s first $1 million-a-season player with his next contract.
Paul Gallen won’t be NSW Blues captain
Technically, this isn’t an NRL prediction, but I wanted to get it published as soon as possible.
The Blues are staring down the barrel of nine consecutive series losses in State of Origin. It’s a remarkable statistic in what used to be considered such an even battle throughout its history.
Yet it only serves to highlight that New South Wales need to try something different, because what they’re doing clearly isn’t working.
Coach Laurie Daley, and Ricky Stuart before him, have attempted to change things up in order to halt the Queensland winning streak and break the status quo. What are the odds that Loz goes one step further, and the Blues have a change of captaincy?
No one doubts Gallen’s ability, and his performances for New South Wales have been what can only be described as Herculean. It’s certainly not Gallen’s fault the Blues haven’t won for eight years.
By the same token, perhaps it’s time to consider what is the opposite of the phrase ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it’…
Sam Burgess will be dropped from first grade at Souths
Big Sam may be on the nose a little at Redfern, due to his defection to English rugby union.
Though the Rabbitohs are saying all the right things publicly and suggesting Burgess will depart with their blessing, I can’t help but feel the big forward must have lost a little of the trust and support of his teammates and coaching staff, after bailing on a contract that had two years to run.
Though Burgess has said his focus will not be an issue, it’s hard to believe he won’t be occasionally looking towards next year and his Rugby World Cup aspirations.
Combine this with a potentially strained relationship with his teammates, coaches and management, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bunnies dropped their star forward at some point during the season.
Perhaps even for good.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Can I add a sixth prediction? Dave Smith will outlast Andrew Demetriou in their respective roles . . .
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
In round 1?
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Dogs outside the 8? Say it ain't so, Joe!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
So you're dropping him because of that game?
Simon85
Guest
I don't think any of these will happen apart from warriors top 8.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Based on recent performances,depth,player ability and coaches I see the following for 2014 AD:- The Price(sic) is not right.exit stage left by July. Griffin will be as his nickname states, get" hooked "at years end.Bennett will slot in as if ,he had never left. I feel they will be the only two given the big A. Cartwright's mob will win games against the top dogs,but have too many losses by a couple of points,against the lesser lights.. The Tigers will IMO perform better than expected with a team of young uns.Potter therefore will have his contract tenure secure. The Worriers,Panthers and Eels will be the big movers . Farah will captain NSW this year.He has served his apprenticeship,and Gal has many things on his mind,without going into detail. SBW will continue to perform and give his all.Burgess will do so initially,but toward seasons end,he will be more concerned about long term injury possibilities,that might affect his next overseas union contract.Mind on other things syndrome.His other brothers will step up,they have enormous further potential. Order of merit Roosters Souths Cowboys Storm Eagles Warriors Panthers Sharks Dogs Newcastle Eels Titans Tigers Canberra Dragons and wait for it ,Broncos( as the pineapples and bananas are hurled, in ever increasing frequency, toward me).
Ra
Guest
Get out of your kennel Tim and I'm only presuming you are a collared puppy. SBW was taken out from a crappy seedy club doing underhanded deals all over the shop around that time and were slammed for it by the NRL as they should have been. We all know that now. But then even your players were running loose off the leash away from the paddock causing all sorts of embarrassing scenes for the game. The way i hear it, his manager said doggies, pay the kid what he's worth or someone else will. Someone else did. That's sports now-a-days, thats business. Get over it man !
turbodewd
Guest
Based on his game 2 performance where he kept kicking early in the tackle count despite being behind on the scoreboard. Indeed one howler was the 4th tackle at the Qld 40m and he kicked for touch...NSW was behind on the scoreboard. It was baffling.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
All points are leading towards Pearce being chosen again. If he is, and fails again, The Roar will have the meltdown you've spoken of.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Based on what, exactly?
James Spiropoulos
Guest
I don't think Farrah should be picked In NSW Blues
Ken
Guest
St George aren't very patient with coaches? They've sacked 1 coach in 12 years (Brownie). Bennett left on his own volition and Price is into his third year after missing the finals twice in a row. Can you name any club that has fired less coaches in that time?
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I was hoping you would fill in the question marks for me? lol
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Don. Couldn't remember off the top of my head. We have had good fortune with some of our recruits and funnily they mostly seem to be QLD eligible as well.
manlyman101
Guest
Manly to win
Dallas
Guest
If you clowns think burgess is not having a go, watch the replay of the England vs NZ World cup semi final, the bloke is a freak, he has the work rate of a bloke like Paul gallen but he also has similar speed, footwork and ball playing skills to that of sonny bill. He can also cover every position in the forward pack which is very hard these days, If there was one forward in the world I had to sign for a new club it would be him every day of the week. It's his job to make as much money as he can in the 10-14 years his career will span. There's is no loyalty from NRL clubs any more either, look at what the cowboys did to there best ever local product matty Bowen. Goodluck to him I say
john badseed
Guest
Yeah, boot Bozo and get some ex players who've actually achieved something in the game to pick the NSW team. Preferably someone from Cronulla, the Titans or other perennial Grand Finalists. After all their players tend to make up the NSW team. In fact the NSW team is largely made up of ex players. Or maybe, like a previous Blues coach, when the salary cap extras run out you can bung your players in the SOO team. I know, I know, it's bloody Bozo's fault.
Don
Roar Rookie
If Bennett goes back to the Broncos then expect to see a big shakeup in Broncos management. He won't go there with certain people in their current roles and not without having full control over football operations. Don't disregard the talk that Bennett will return as Director of Football Ops and has Mal Meninga on board as head coach. Both of them had an association with the CEO Paul White from the Brisbane Souths days. White needs to see results improve or his position will start coming under pressure. Making a profit when the team is sliding down the ladder isn't sustainable. Sponsors will not continue to pay as much when you are sniffing around in the cellar.
Don
Roar Rookie
Digger, Lillyman was selected when he played for the Cowboys. A much underrated prop. The Warriors have had some good luck with QLD players in the pack when you look at guys like Kevin Campion, Steve Price and Jacob Lillyman.
Dallas
Guest
Jack friend is a qlder mate. So is Kevin Kingston, james segeyaro, ballin, McCullough, matt srama, nathan friend and ray thompson not a bad little line up behind smith I must say.. Maybe use could throw ennis in for another crack hahaa