The off-season is fast approaching and it’s nearly time for us die hard league fans to crawl back into our caves and hibernate for the next four or so months.
Well, the four nations does somewhat cushion the blow of having no league, but there’s nothing better than watching your club, so we’ll be counting down the days until 2017 kick-off.
In 2016, the early rounds indicated either the Broncos or the Cowboys would make it to the grand final, but we have two new sides. One last made the big dance in 2012, the other hasn’t made a grand final since the Super League decider of 1997.
How will 2017 differ from 2016? Which teams will rise, which teams will fall? Will any teams just stay put?
The following is a prediction of what I think the ladder will look like come the end of Round 26, 2017.
1. Melbourne Storm (Same)
2. North Queensland Cowboys (Up two)
3. Brisbane Broncos (Up two)
4. Penrith Panthers (Up two)
5. Cronulla Sharks (Down three)
6. Canberra Raiders (Down four)
7. Parramatta Eels (Up seven)
8. South Sydney Rabbitohs (Up four)
9. Wests Tigers (Same)
10. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs (Down three)
11. Gold Coast Titans (Down three)
12. New Zealand Warriors (Down two)
13. Sydney Roosters (Up three)
14. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Down one)
15. St George Illawarra Dragons (Down four)
16. Newcastle Knights (Same)
According to my prediction, the Storm look set to get back to back minor premierships, while the Knights aren’t likely to rise even one place on the ladder.
The Eels are the big improvers, rising seven places, while the Dragons will sink fast.
Honourable mentions to the Bulldogs, Tigers and Titans who I also believe could crack the finals next year, but unfortunately there are only eight spots.
What do you think Roarers? What would you change in your own ladder selection?
Bulldogs #1
Guest
Billy Slater will get pumped if he plays first game against the biggest and best forward pack in the game The Mighty Bulldogs #no1
Deez
Guest
Storm will go back-to-back in 2017 and beat Broncos in the GF. Raiders to slide out of the eight...won't see them in Finals again. Ricky could be off to coach another club in 2018.
AJL.
Roar Pro
They went from wooden spooners in 2009 to the GF in 2010. 13th in 2012 to 1st and Premiers in 2013.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
I'd probably wait until December or January to be making predictions but love the enthusiasm! I tipped the Storm for 2nd place this year and unless they suffer an injury crisis I can't see them dropping the Minor Premiership next year. I agree with your Top 4 but I'd put Cronulla in for the Broncos. The loss of Mick Ennis and how they handle it will define their season. I have Brisbane in 8th, Canberra in 5th, Easts in 6th and Tigers in 7th with Parra to just miss out in 9th. Either way it is a very tough year to predict with sides like the Tigers, Roosters, Eels, Rabbits, Warriors and Eagles all vying for a spot in the 8.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Just a bit of fun mate...
bigJ
Guest
I think you are under estimated the Rabbits and the titans, they will have a fanastic off season and come togther will and come out firing next season, I tihnk the sharks and broncos will drop off and give room for those two. Also a think Parra is dead in the water. But overall i tihnk it is pretty good
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
The Warriors with Foran, Johnson and T-S should do better than 12th, but then this year everyone was saying top 4 at the start of the season. Go Manly!
armchair expert
Guest
I think given what happened at the Roosters and Souths this year, next year I expect to see them as the big improvers. What Farah can bring to Souths will be interesting to watch. Raiders have plenty of depth, did you see Mounties team this year? Still some water to flow under the bridge in regards to player movement but I like your table better than Patricks.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Tigers also need at least one more good middle third forward, a hooker who isn't always injured, and a plan b on attack for when Tedesco gets injured like he always does.
matth
Guest
Well I did give myself an out by saying the top 4 could be in any order. I just think that by the time they got their team back on its feet this year, the season was over so motivation was low, but they still have a high quality roster and if they stay injury free their consistency in defence will match the Storm's from this year, giving them every chance.
Patrick Sills
Roar Guru
Roosters from 15th to 1st, adventurous comes to mind!
Richard Maybury
Guest
There is a long time yet and much recruitment and divestiture to take place and no doubt a coach or two so I think it is far far too early to be playing this game.
Patrick Sills
Roar Guru
Ah but isn't that the beauty of early predictions. I can only be proved wrong much later!
Patrick Sills
Roar Guru
Melbourne have still got legs in their 'dynasty' and with youngsters like Munster, Vunivalu and Addo-Carr all maturing as players, the Storm are set to have yet another successful season. All they need next year is a Slater injury and it eliminates Bellamy's headache! As for Newcastle they may have some improvement next season, with a lot of their debutants from 2016 gaining needed experience. But it's still a tough ask for a team with so much youth to improve much at all, especially with Jeremy Smith retiring, they have lost a forward leader. There you are sir, I apologise if you were not satisfied with my article and will hope to improve in the future. Your input is much appreciated
Patrick Sills
Roar Guru
For I do not wished to be abused on every post haha, but it seems the brave approach has not worked in my favour
matth
Guest
I forsee a bit of a changing of the guard next year, with none of the 4 grand finalists from the past two years seriously contending. This from a passionate Broncos and QLD fan ... 1. Roosters (won't have the same injury troubles and back to their best) 2. Eels (a team on the up with something to prove) 3. Panthers (a young team benefitting from this year's experience) 4. Raiders (should be thereabouts again, but I worry about depth re injuries) Those four could be in any order. 5. Warriors (on paper, surely?). 6. Storm (well drilled but not getting any younger) 7. Rabbitohs (back in contention but lacking polish) 8. Cowboys (age and injury to catch up with them) 9. Titans (will settle in their natural mid table spot with their current roster) 10. Sharks (No Ennis, Gallen on his last legs) 11. Broncos (Losing Parker and Wallace leaves them short in the middle) 12. Sea Eagles (nothing happening there and their best players are old and injury prone) 13. Tigers (they are a one man band and Tedesco is injury prone) 14. Bulldogs (poor quality play makers and lack of speed catching up with them) 15. Dragons (very little there) 16. Knights (can't see anything changing here)
zim
Guest
I think you're going too early. We don't even know who's signing with who yet.
Old School
Roar Rookie
Is that it? Where's the analysis? LOL. Just a 'this is how I feel' prediction. You could have at least written a quick summary for each team about WHY you think they'll finish that way along with a listing of new signings and player departures backing up your arguement... For example I can see the departure of Ennis will have a huge impact on the Sharks. Corey Parker has the potential to have a big impact on the Broncos also. How long before age catches up with Cam Smith, Cronk and Thurston to cause those teams to slip?? Surely Roger T-Sheck returning from his ACL injury and everyone performing for a new coach would improve the Warriors? And Canberra's roster is the same, why the big drop?
Ron Norton
Guest
Taking a line through current or possible future rosters and experience gained this year, my gut feeling tells me that the Panthers and the Raiders are good things to feature in the 2017 grand final.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Actually Raiders came 2nd so your top two are the same. I agree with your rankings except possibly Eels in the 8 for either Warriors or Broncos. I know its a big call but I think Parker retiring is a big loss for the Broncs plus they lose Wallace the only sizeable forward they had on the bench. It looks like there will be a whole lot of newbies in the team and I'm not sure they'll do any better especially during Origin. Key is Hunt/Milford/Boyd but they won't get to show much if the forwards are not going forward. Warriors if they gel with Kearney and with the return of RTS and possibly Foran plus the rookie forwards this year like Bunty will be better I think might be a big chance if they can put it together...key word 'if'...else they're out of the 8. Eels would have been in the 8 but for Salary issues and I think they way they finished the season shows what they are capable of. They played a lot of their game without key players Foran and Norman and still beat a few teams at the end so I expect with Norman back and Fench getting a pre-season at fullback they will be in the 8 for sure. Brad Arthur is a very good coach.