- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Sometimes the difference between winning and losing is just a minor weakness or deficiency which over the course of a season builds up and makes the difference between a good year and a bad year.
We look at each team to search for their weaknesses.
Broncos
The Broncos have retained most of last year’s team but have lost a lot of players during the off-season, with only one notable recruitment in James Roberts at centre in place of Justin Hodges.
Certainly coach Wayne Bennett is no weak link here despite All-Stars and England commitments, but depth may be an issue with Brisbane if injuries strike. The abrupt sacking of loyal Bronco Dale Copley to make way for Roberts has left the camp uneasy and perhaps lacking some of last year’s passion.
My tip: top four
Raiders
A good off-season with recruitment leaves fans wondering if Ricky Stuart can finally deliver a top eight finish.
Captain Jarrod Croker looks set to have a good year with a strong backline and forward pack to follow him.
However recruitment is one thing but on-field cohesion when the pressure is on may be a year or two away for the Raiders and the fans are likely to blame Ricky.
My tip: just outside the eight
Bulldogs
After an off-season that has seen more losses than gains, Des Hasler will be under pressure this year to get his big pack firing with the new eight replacement limit and less time wasting possible.
The halves look the obvious weakness and it is uncertain how the will perform under pressure.
My tip: just outside the 8
Sharks
With a strong and experienced new halves pairing and the same big pack, the Sharks have an embarrassment of riches and with Shane Flanagan at the helm look set for a season to remember.
It is hard to pick a weakness but the centres look vulnerable and we have yet to see how Jack Bird responds to the pressures of the fullback position in this only his second year.
My tip: top four
Titans
Most have tipped the Titans for wooden spoon contenders but their preseason performances have shown some promise and coach Neil Henry will not be without hope.
Perceived weaknesses in the centres and halves are obvious and with the departure of Nat Myles the forward pack will need a new leader.
My tip: bottom four, but not without some upsets during the season.
Sea Eagles
Manly’s massive cleanout has seen them buy big and the pressure will be on new coach Trent Barrett to perform to Bob Fulton’s expectations.
For a new coach to get combinations together with all these new players is a significant challenge and from my perspective a top eight finish which is all that is acceptable to Manly fans looks unlikely.
Manly at this early stage of the season are struggling with injuries so depth looks an issue.
My tip: Just out of the Top eight
Storm
Craig Bellamy has been quiet in the off-season with no significant acquisitions and an ageing spine to nurse through the season.
Pre-season form has been notably absent and it has been a case of nursing his ageing spine through the preseason so things are not looking good for the Storm.
The Storm still has its strong pack intact but how long will the spine hold together and how will the pack go forward without them?
Craig Bellamy and Cooper Cronk have had their own contractual issues before the season has started and this looks like it should have been a rebuilding year for the Storm.
My tip: Just in the eight
Knights
With new coach Nathan Brown now in control, this is clearly a rebuilding year for the Knights.
The Knights will provide their share of upsets during the year but my tip is bottom four.
Cowboys
With exactly the same team as last year coach Paul Green cannot improve on and there will be post premiership blues to cope with.
The Cowboys now have a target on their back and may not win as many close games as last year.
Specific weaknesses are hard to identify but once again they are so reliant on Johnathan Thurston that they are clearly vulnerable during Origin and in the case of injury.
My tip: top four
Eels
Brad Arthur got everything he wished for in the off-season and the pressure will be on for the Eels to make the eight this year.
If good preseason form shown to date is anything to go by then this year may be the start of something.
It is hard to pick any specific weaknesses and my tip is top eight.
Panthers
Anthony Griffin has overseen many ins and outs during the off-season but the ageing halves pairing has remained unchanged, which will no doubt be put under pressure as the year goes on.
The front row also looks a weakness to me with not a lot of go forward.
My tip: Bottom four
Rabbitohs
Michael Maguire will have a difficult year trying to justify Sam Burgess’s price tag.
The centres look a weak area if there is one.
My Tip: top eight
Dragons
Paul McGregor has had another big year with ins and outs in the off-season and most point out the the new buys include no big names, but there is now considerable depth in all positions.
Despite the long term loss of Mose Masoe in the off-season, the Dragons forwards look stronger in the preseason.
Positions in the backline are very competitive with Euan Aitken looking to have earned a spot alongside Josh Dugan in the centres. New fullback Kurt Mann looks a risk but deserves his chance after a good preseason.
One possible weakness is coach Paul McGregor, who still needs to demonstrate that he can handle his big squad and the other obvious weakness is lack of points in attack.
Many have tipped the Dragons to struggle this year but I can see the same strong defence of last year and increased attack through the forwards, Dugan in the centres and Mann at the back.
My tip: Top four
Roosters
After years of smooth sailing 2016 has seen troubled waters for Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
The Roosters are starting the season with a new but promising halves pairing, a new centre and new fullback and with two starting forwards out injured.
They will be down on attack but their defensive structure is still intact.
My tip: Top 8
Warriors
After selective buying in the off-season the pressure is on coach Andrew McFadden to deliver this year.
The Warriors do not appear to have any real weaknesses but they somehow seem to consistently disappoint. Attack has never been a serious problem but defence seems to take a holiday too often for McFadden to remain in charge if they do not succeed this year.
With coaching as the issue my tip is just out of the eight.
Tigers
With off-season issues coach Jason Taylor is facing a make or break year at the Tigers.
Luke Brooks will need to perform consistently all year, but with improvements in other teams my tip is bottom four.
Conclusion
It is a long way to the end of the season and the journey is only just about to start. Weaknesses if they are perceived can sometimes be corrected during the season so maybe my predictions will never eventuate.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.