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Here we go again! Bring out the flags! Bring out the scarves! Because it’s that time again, the NRL is back and we can’t wait any longer.
Will the Cowboys go back-to-back? Will the Broncos go a step further?
Can the fully recruited Warriors take their first premiership across the Tasman?
Let’s see who really are the real contenders for the NRL premiership for 2016!
1. Cowboys
The Cowboys have the potential to go back-to-back this year. But there’s that thing that comes around each year – the hoodoo. No team has gone back to back since the start of the NRL.
Despite that, the Cowboys have shown that the small things don’t bother them. Similarly, the ‘boys lost their first three games of the 2015 season, but still won the big one. I tip them to finish top.
2. Broncos
They just had to defend for ten more seconds. We all knew that the Broncos deserved to win the grand final in 2015. They played a 79-minute game. But these days, that’s just not good enough.
Wayne Bennett would of made sure that the pre-season would focus on defence. And believe me, the Broncos are real contenders. They played a professional 2015 league season but couldn’t go the extra step.
This tells me, with the significant influence of James Roberts, that the Broncos can really do some damage this year.
3. Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors may have finally cracked the code. They could’t have done any better with recruitment.
Think about Isaac Luke’s bullet-liked passes with Shaun Johnson’s kicking to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Whoa!
The Warriors have been previously unable to create good chemistry. Johnson and Sam Tomkins could of been something. But the Warriors just can’t focus on their two new players. There’s a new captain, new looking Konrad Hurrell and of course The Beast. Look out everyone, because I think we have some new competition, the Warriors are the real deal.
4. Sea Eagles
I’m liking the sound of this. New coach! New players! New beginning? For the Manly faithful, I hope we can see the 2011 Sea Eagles. Daly Cherry-Evans is vital in every way now. No Kieran Foran means he is the new chief in town and he needs to hold onto that.
No mucking around this year and hopefully no major injuries. If they can keep it together, the Sea Eagles could cause some serious damage. One thing that will have fans and teams wondering is whether Jamie Lyon will play five-eighth and whether they’ll play out of their skin.
If not, Manly could see another 2015 coming their way. Despite that, I believe the Brookie’ boys will do quite well and contend for the big one at the end of 2016.
5. Eels
In previous seasons, they have finished in position 12, 16, 16, 10 and 12. Are they finals bound this year?
Without a doubt in my mind, the Eels must make the Finals this year. The Nines was a perfect example of why the Eels have to be taken seriously. Michael Jennings with Semi Radradra will ultimately be the most effective side in league.
The speed and strength will have any team worrying. As well as this, Kieran Foran’s partnership with Corey Norman is a scary thought. Norman’s Nines campaign was outstanding and Foran is staying under the radar for all the right reasons.
The Eels will inevitably start the year off with a bang but like most seasons, will they run out of gas when it’s most needed? Let’s hope not.
Eels are a real threat and contender. I can already see it. Foran puts through a grubber, Jennings picks it up steps one, two before he passes it to big Semi.
1986, is that you?
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