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The NRL season has reached it’s midway point, a perfect time to study the ladder and determine who will be in the top eight come the end of the season.
If I was to pick a winner for every game left in the season, this is what the ladder would look like.
Wooden spoon: Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla Sharks have had a season to forget and the downward spiral will continue for the rest of the year. With nearly $2.5 million worth of injuries on the sidelines, it’s no wonder the Sharks are the cellar dwellers in 2014.
15. Newcastle Knights
Wayne Bennett has had one of his worst coaching years at the Newcastle Knights, and things do not look good for them in the back end of the season.
14. Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders have not looked threatening at all this year. Ricky Stuart is in need of a new play book as his team has slumped to third last position.
13. Gold Coast Titans
After a brilliant start to the season, the Gold Coast Titans have lost all momentum. The effects of losing both their halves mid-season to injury linger with the Titans for the rest of the year.
12. New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors were supposed to be title contenders this year but they have lacked spark. They will win another four games this season, but cannot challenge the top eight.
11. North Queensland Cowboys
The Cowboys usually come home with a wet sail after Origin, but not this year. They will leak far too many points and not score enough tries.
10. St George Illawarra Dragons
Starting the season in red-hot form, the Dragons have slumped to 13th. They should manage another seven wins in the back end of the season, just falling short of finals football.
9. Wests Tigers
The extremely unlucky Tigers just miss out of the finals due to points difference. Again, if they didn’t have so many injury concerns in the beginning of the season, they might have made the mark.
8. Brisbane Broncos
It could have gone the either way, but the Brisbane Broncos will just fight their way into the top eight.
7. Melbourne Storm
It wouldn’t be a top eight without the Melbourne Storm. Even though they are severely hit with injury after Origin, Craig Bellamy can muster enough courage in his squad to send them to the finals.
6. Penrith Panthers
The Panthers have a mini fall from grace in the back end of the season, coming up against some tough opponents. Their new halves combination and stellar backline will get them to a nice spot on the ladder come September.
5. South Sydney Rabbitohs
With the assistance of the best defensive halfback and some of the biggest forwards in the competition, the Rabbitohs can clamber to fifth place.
4. Manly Sea Eagles
Fourth place is the business end of the ladder, as the top four spots earn the opportunity to have a second chance in the finals. The Manly Sea Eagles have been in the top four since 2011 and will be one of the main contenders for the 2014 NRL premiership.
3. Parramatta Eels
Predicted by many at the start of the year to take the wooden spoon, the Parramatta Eels will instead soar to third position. If Jarryd Hayne can remain fit, the Eels may even be grand final contenders.
2. Canterbury Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have surprised most NRL fans this year by springing to the top of the NRL ladder. Des Hasler has fired up the boys and has their set plays running like clockwork. Likely contenders for the title.
Minor Premiers: Sydney Roosters
Yet again the Roosters have finished off their season strongly to claim the NRL minor premiers tag. The Roosters just edged out the Bulldogs on points difference to claim the small trophy and a hefty pay cheque.
Can the Roosters claim the title two years in a row? Can the Bulldogs continue to surprise and force their way onto the podium? Or can the Eels come from nowhere to snatch the prize at the line?
What do you think of the top eight? What would your top eight look like?
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