The Titans will be NRL premiers within three years

You're having a larf mate. The kid hasn't even got back on the park yet. Blowing your trumpet way too early.

Ha ha I don't think anybody would

Spot on.

If Dave Taylor sat on me, i doubt id have a spine

Elgey was the young player from 2015 that I was most looking forward to watching develop in 2016. Hopefully he comes back from the knee surgery ok. I agree that he's the complete package as a half but as noted above this will effectively be his second season and we know how that can impact young halves. Still - looking forward to watching him next year. 2017 will be one of the most competitive seasons for the top 8 ever. I can't think of a top 8 side that has gone backwards in terms of its roster and there will be a number of teams (Souths, Easts, Parra, Tigers, Warriors) from outside 2016's eight that will be making a push forward. Teams will only need a degree of bad luck to miss the eight, so selecting sides for next year's semis in November is a risky business.

Best spine hands down lolol..............can i have some of what you're on? Titans spine is quite a distance from Storm, Panthers, Warriors, Souths, Broncos, Cowboys & even Manly next year!

"Kane Elgey completes what is the best spine in the NRL hands down." Christ. Really? That's one hell of an assertion to base a piece on. A fairly demonstrably incorrect one. Two very inexperienced halves, a fullback who seems to revert to a flat track bully every other season and a hooker who, while very good, isn't yet in the absolute top tier of players in his position. Storm - Slater, Munster, Cronk, Smith. So far in front of the Titans spine it isn't funny. Taylor & Elgey are effectively both 2nd season guys - comparing them to Cronk is just being silly. Smith > Peats, and Slater/Hayne isn't much in it either way.. both amazing at their best, Hayne has consistency concerns, Slater injury concerns. Frankly, with Cronk & Smith in there you could lose Slater, move Munster, bring in Croft or Drinkwater at 6 and still have a better spine than the Titans. Warriors - RTS, Foran, Johnson, Luke. Kiwis spine - the one that drove them to #1 in the world. Significantly better. You could argue that they had 3 of those guys last year and failed... but that doesn't even come close to telling the full story. RTS played less than a third of the season, Luke had serious personal issues at the start of the year, Johnson made a comeback from a very serious leg injury (then sustained - and played with - another, different leg injury for the 2nd half of the year), and Leuluai is miles off Foran. Even if Foran's hamstrings don't hold up they are better placed with young Hingano. Panthers (since we're overrating young halves, why not consider the best ones going around in Martin and Cleary?), Souths & Broncos should also be in the conversation. Titans will need Sarginson (or a young guy) to step up and learn how to defend at NRL level, Hurrell to finally learn how to defend, and find another high quality middle (or two) from somewhere plus have luck with injuries if they're going to win anything.

I'm not sure they've got the forward depth to win a comp, even with some recruits the middle third looks a bit weak -- I assume Taia will move to Lock with Proctor and McQueen on the roster starting on the edges -- gives a starting middle of Peats, James, Wallace, and Taia, which isn't too bad but Paasi aside the replacements don't strike me as at all strong.

Yep, Warriors spine will definitely rate - pretty much the Kiwi spine that did so well against the Roos. Souths not too bad with Inglis/Walker/Reynolds/Farah. Manly will rate with Tom T/Green/DCE/Koroisau or Purcell. Storm should have Slater/Munster/Cronk/Smith. Green machine not too bad either with Wighton/Austin/Sezer/Hodgson having a year together under their belt. I think these spines I'd rate over the Titans. I'd love the Titans to win a premiership, was backing them all year to make the finals which they did so hoping they go even better this year.

I wrote Ash Taylor and it was edited

The NRL who ostensibly own the Titans have given them every chance by additions of Hayne and Storm forward. Anything to beat off the AFL Suns and put pressure on News Ltd owned Broncos. Cronulla full of imports has done the job for Sydney for a couple of years so they can concentrate on the GC.

Dave Taylor is truly on of the greatest FE in the history of the competition hands down.... I think you may mean Ash Taylor btw.

Iceberg, How goes their #1, go the Titans. I cannot imagine any team underestimating Kane Elgey. That is wishful thinking. Also, the Panthers now have a depth to test any salary cap. The NRL are fattening the Titans for market so you may get further TPA deals. Rejuvenated Easts, Souths and Parramatta will make life difficult for Top 8 aspirants. Season 2017 will be the greatest season ever and the premiership a mystery. I wish the Titans well. We all love the way they play the game.

BigJ, that is one super favicon except for the style of the J.

I totally agree that in the next three years the Titans will hold up the trophy on GF day. I actually think that it may happened even quicker than that.

If the nrl needs the titans to win within the next 3 years then the titans will win in the next 3 years. Otherwise, the titans are nothing but a top half of the bottom half of the league kind of team.

I thought Dave Taylor was on a train and trial deal at Canberra and definitely not a member of anyones spine. Also surely warriors have thr best spine in the comp, with luke, Johnson, foran, Rts

Dave Taylor? Surely the biggest half back in the history of the game. I would suggest the stick with Ash Taylor.

Dan while I know I am jumping the gun I believe Elgey will be one that does make a solid comeback from his injury. I think all the big sides are there to be beaten next year and if the Titans aren't cruelled with injury then I can't think of a side in the comp they can't beat. I will be surprised if they don't finish top 2 but will settle for top 4. They should be largely unaffected by origin which will be a big bonus. This region is swarming with rugby league mad fans and it would be great to have some success that shows that and can build the club to what it should be.

Chris I agree with the Jarryd needing to stay out of the playmaking. I think 2 natural 7's will be perfect for Hayne. The Broncos have had some success with 2 6's due to Darius being at fullback and in a similar but opposite way I think Jarryd's presence on the left and right is perfect for 2 7's to exploit.