The footy is back! After what felt like a longer than usual off-season, the NRL returns this Thursday night, with the defending premiers, the Cronulla Sharks, taking on the Brisbane Broncos.
As has become customary on the eve of the season, I’ll make five fearless predictions for what will happen in rugby league in 2017. Then, unlike some prognosticators, I’ll come back and face the music – and rabid Roarers – at the end of the season, to see how badly I fared.
Just a warning: I’ve gone wide this year. In fact, I’d be extremely happy if any one of these five predictions ended up happening.
1. The Sharks won’t make the eight
I hated on Cronulla all last season, and then finally jumped on the bandwagon about 30 seconds after the grand final siren sounded. I stuck to my guns, and then the egg stuck to my face.
You’d think one would learn, and I’d ease up on the Sharks and their fans this year. That’s not going to happen, because I’m predicting Cronulla won’t even make the top eight.
There is slight method to my madness, though.
Firstly, there have been no back-to-back premiers in the NRL’s history, so we can safely say the Sharks aren’t winning the comp. However, more pragmatically, they’ll miss Michael Ennis and Ben Barba tremendously.
Despite his hothead reputation, Ennis was a calming influence last season, leading the team expertly around the park, providing the direction only a veteran can.
The subtraction of Barba shouldn’t be sneezed at either. He was brilliant in both attack and defence last season, and while his impact can be minimalised by the likes of Jack Bird, his absence will still be felt.
The loss of their influential hooker and fullback, plus a couple of veterans being a year older, along with a premiership hangover, and also having every team gunning for them, will see Cronulla have a disappointing 2017.
2. Des Hasler will depart the Dogs before season’s end
With the Bulldogs’ disappointing end to 2016, there was talk their coach may not even return for the final year of his contract.
After the dust settled, many Hasler-hired officials were let go, and Bulldogs legend Steve Mortimer – who was critical of the coach – resigned as a director, yet it was confirmed that Des would, in fact, return for 2017.
However, it’s clear that not all is rosy at Belmore.
For all the talk of revamping the Dogs attack and shifting the focus away from their pack, one can’t help but feel Hasler is combating heavy momentum for a coaching change.
Which is absolutely crazy when you look at his record since joining the club.
Yet be that as it may, if the Dogs should start the season slowly, the pressure will mount, and I’m making the shocking prediction that Hasler and the Dogs will divorce before season’s end.
3. Souths will win the premiership
After ending their 43-year premiership drought in 2014, the Bunnies have been somewhat disappointing. Though they have endured a combination of injuries, player defections and bad luck, there has also been some uninspired play, and the last two seasons have added up to a couple of lacklustre years.
However, I see that ending in a big way in 2017 and think they might be on the winners’ podium come the end of the season.
The bookies have them at $17 to win the comp, so clearly they think they’re a roughie, but people might be sleeping on the Rabbitohs.
A spine of Greg Inglis, Adam Reynolds – who will miss a bit of time with an injury suffered last week – and Robbie Farah has the potential to be the best in the NRL, and if Sam Burgess, his brothers and the rest of the pack can provide a little more grunt and control of the middle of the park, the Bunnies can match it with anyone.
Just a word on Farah: with all the drama and controversy of his final years at the Tigers dominating the headlines, it overshadowed his talent as a player.
People have forgotten how good he is. At a new club, one would expect he’d have to check his ego a little bit – as this isn’t ‘his’ team – and that will be the best thing for both him and Souths.
4. Blake Austin will win the Dally M
After an injury-ravaged 2016, the Canberra five-eighth is looking to bounce back.
With the Raiders expected to challenge for the premiership, and Austin’s ball-running skills to be at the heart of their attack, Canberra’s number six may take home rugby league’s highest individual honour.
He’s a wonderful player when in full flight, and he won’t miss any games on Origin duty, because you can be sure the NSW selectors will continue to – stupidly – overlook him.
5. The Knights won’t win the wooden spoon
Easily my most fearless prediction. Or outright stupid.
I take zero notice of pre-season results, so I read nothing into the Knights’ 44-0 drubbing of the Raiders a couple of weekends ago.
Newcastle finished stone-cold, motherless last in 2016, winning just one measly game. They haven’t exactly had a brilliant off-season either, losing some talent and experience, while not exactly replacing it with household names.
Oh, and Jarrod Mullen is expected to miss the season after a positive drugs test.
So let’s face it, the Knights are almost a sure thing to finish last.
Yet, I’m going to play the odds and take the field when it comes to the wooden spoon in 2017. In other words, I’m hoping any of the other 15 teams may shock us all and finish on the bottom of the ladder.
Peter
Guest
Tigers to get the spoon 3 wins if lucky unless they get rid of Brooks
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Might want to take No. 3 back...
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah Ryan, like your style 'Rabbits as Premiers 2017' Go get them Bunnies!!!! Bunnies by 20+ against the West/Tigers and a big 'up yours JasonT from all of us Bunnies supporters and especially Robbie Farah' lol
steveng
Roar Rookie
'bearfax' where's the Paddo Colts??? Surely they are in the 8 too, lol
Matth
Guest
Like three years ago when that coach, owner and basically the same players won't he comp?
BigJ
Roar Guru
gday Ryan how are you mate, Ill go through your points one by one 1. Sharks will crash and burn this year unfortuantley and not rise again for along time 2. The dogs will figure out that Hasler is the worst thing that the club has done in a while a drop him like a bad habit.\ 3. Souths for the title????? Maybe the Titans first but i like it. 4. Ferguson, maybe but i have my money on Hayne 5. Knights wont get the spoon again so i agree thanks mate have a great day
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hastings and Green have shown they are first grade standard. The jury is way out on Kelly, Sironen, Lane, Uate and Perrett. Cullen looks the goods but has only played a handful of games and will have DCE, Green, Hastings and Korisau in front of him.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It's reported on seemingly 8 days a week 13 months a year so it wouldn't surprise me.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Origin will be played over 6 months this season...
The Barry
Roar Guru
As long as there was no video evidence he'll be fine...
The Barry
Roar Guru
I've read that the Panthers, Manly, Knights, Titans, Roosters and Tigers all had the worst injury counts in the comp. Now you say it's the Bunnies...I don't know what to believe. Souths may have fewer question marks than the Dogs (may). But the author of this article isn't tipping the Dogs to win the comp. Neither am I. Your spine is solid? Reynolds is out for a month, OAR Walker (Old Age Rookie) is entering the dreaded second season and Inglis has worse knees that my 80 year old father. You hope the forwards are solid. They didn't look too solid last year. Burgii twins couldn't catch a cold and you've still got numpties like Clark and Tackle Bag Tyrrell running around. Turner is potentially one tackle away from his career being over and John Sutton spends as much time on the physio's table as the paddock these days. Good work on the caps...
Agent11
Guest
I tipped them to miss the top 8 but I have a feeling the Dogs may surprise everyone and Des will have something up his sleeve. It wouldn't surprise in the least if they finished top 4 and made another GF...
GC Dave
Guest
Mate whatever it was, the NRL are under the spotlight here and they can't let Domestic Violence go that easy. Water bottle or verbal abuse, it's not always the physical weapon that constitutes the gravity of the Domestic Violence, it's the bullying and mental abuse. I know you are not trivialising it mate, but it may well not be the full story. The NRL have a duty of care, they are madly competing for families to attend the games, and they certainly will not be soft on this one, or with Parra's Semi when and if he is found guilty. parramatta now have a new board. Two things, they will want to make a statement and hey certainly will not pick a fight with the NRL. The NRL will have the final say and 1 week is a pipe dream for Kenny.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Yep. They proved that last year.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I'll make a bold prediction that the winner of the GF will come from outside the top 4 this year. Teams are just so close I don't think there will be much between 1 and 8 this year.
bearfax
Guest
Get your point Crosscoder. But maybe you forget Matai was a virtual cripple when he played last year and only managed 8 games early in the season. Stewart hobbled about for 11 games. Lyon was too slow at centre and improved at 5/8. Walker should never have played 5/8 and is now back at centre where he is effective. The Walker-Kelly combination could become as lethal as the Lyon-Matai combination was years ago, and both are faster. Tom T and DCE were playing injured because there were so many injured in the side. And Green will take a lot of pressure off DCE, which wasnt happening last year, with hookers at 5/8, forwards in the centres. And they have more effective backups for hooker, half and 5/8 with Hastings and Cullen added to the side. And look out for Tom Wright and Parker later in the year.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I understand where you are coming from Bearfax,and would be happy to be proved wrong.Still it's just my view ,and last year thought the Sharks were no chance a few weeks into the season. My view was based on the fact the Sea Eagles new faces ,hardly set the world on fire last year. Yes Green had a good season with the Storm,but look who who he had inside and outside him.Sirro may improve wirh a new club.Uate did little ,he killed it early with the Knights then faded. Mattai was a strong defensive centre, and could position himself well in both attack and defence. Lyon was worth points just from a conversion point of view. I'll concede on Stewart.spent little time on the field, and the new breed will fit in admirably A strong NRL Manly side is good for the game, let's wait and see.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Souths have far fewer question marks than the Dogs have. Our spine is solid Our forwards are solid Outside backs. now that is the main dilemma for 2017! Last season Souths were chock full of injuries, the worst injury count in the comp so don't use last season as a yardstick for 2017. Your halves, Hooker and Fullback have huge questions that are unanswered. A rookie centre who will be exploited No kicking game. There you go mate, no cap lock, lol
bearfax
Guest
Crosscoder, like many critics at present, I suspect you havent looked too closely at the Sea Eagles potential side this year. Forget Matai, Stewart, Lyon. They are a huge loss, but they had very little impact in the Manly side last year. So what you should be looking at is what the Sea Eagles side without considering those players in the equation (Lyon was very average except when 5/8 last year), and then compare what is left with the 2017 stable. The loss of Buhrer and perhaps Parcell hurts. But then they have acquired Green, Kelly, Sironen, Lane, Cullen, Uate, Hastings etc, all players of first grade standard, some with huge potential, some with proven quality such as Green and Lane. The Manly backline last year changed every week because of injury, and was a mess. This year we have a fit Tom T, Uate and Taufua on the wings, Walker and a potential star in Kelly in the centres, Green, the proven 5/8 from Melbourne and a fit DCE . That is a lot faster and more dangerous backline than last year, and with a build up in the forwards, the Sea Eagles look much better than 2016. As long as they dont suffer the atrocious injury toll they had last year, they will rise several places on the table. They wont win it (though miracles do happen), but I'll be surprised if they aren't between 5-10 at season's end.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Not only are warriors top 4 they're 1st. Must be a hell of an origin period this year.