My fearless predictions for NRL season 2018

Nice prediction

Apart from the sharks who I expect to underperform, I reckon you have that pretty much right.

I can't help but think Parra will go backwards this year. Apart from Hayne there hasn't been any big name signings. Considering Semi got the team going forward on many occasions I don't know if any of their gun backs can replicate his blockbuster runs from near their own 5-20 metres. Parra to make the eight but not the much needed top four. The Roosters are an interesting team for mine. Full of superstars including the recent additions. The scary part is they can still fit 3-4 other superstar players under their cap. A team full of champions but not a champion team. The team of superstars are going to need at least a season to gel and become a champion team. Top four finish for me. The Cowboys. Massive overachievers last year in my books. Mind you, they were certainly helped by the poor efforts of the teams they played at the end of last season. I can't see them fluking so many wins this year. They'll be in the top eight somewhere but where I'm not sure. Probably a top eight side. The Sharks seem to be the forgotten team as far as making the eight. They weren't that far off the pace last year. Gallen & Lewis most importantly don't seem to have lost any desire and are still matching it with the best. Yes they have some good new signings but for me it's a case of Fifita lifting his game this season. For some reason he appeared to be suffering the premiership hangover. If the coach can turn his fortunes around then I think the Sharks will be right up there again. Second place for me. The Storm. Lost some good players but have recruited a few good players. Have great depth which is important if you want to go all the way. The more things change, the more they stay the same. First past the post at the end of last year and the same again this year. Will be holding up the shield again after this year's grand final making them the greatest team in the short NRL history. That's if they aren't already. Too bad time has caught up with me. But for me it's the Sharks playing the Storm in this year's grand final only this time the result will be reversed. Throw in the other teams where ever you like but it really doesn't matter. They'll just be making up the numbers.

Thanks Joe. I base that on a slow start from Croft (though he was pretty good against Leeds) gradually building throughout the year until by finals time he is a decent 7 with good combinations. Bellamy and the team will have worked out how to best utilise him by then. Hence the missing out on the minor prem but gaining the big one.

I wanted to disagree and point out the likes of Shaun Berrigan, Brent Kite and Luke Lewis. But you're absolutely right. In today's game, the media will pick a favoured player, over the better player, every time. JT in 2015, and DCE in 2013 for the Churchill come to mind, along with Josh Jackson in Origin last year.

I reckon you may have nailed the 8 - though the order may be shuffled around a bit. I'm not as convinced as others that the Roosters will take the title. I don't think they can compete with the Storm and Cowboys for a start and I like the look of the Sharks for a spot in the 4. I'm not convinced about the Eels either for that matter. I think it will be the Storm, Cowboys and Sharks and you can raffle the rest. Not sure that FPN brings much to the Roosters. He was a dud and a bludger at the Raiders. Ricky lost patience with him and he got the flick. The Raiders faithful couldn't wait to seethe back of him. Cost us a couple of games with some stupid brain explosions. Will be interesting to see how the Panthers go with the loss of Moylan and Cartright and the recuitment of Maloney. If they go off the rails you could be right and we could see Griffin gone before the end of the season. If the Warriors have a poor start Kearney is right under pressure. Interesting that the Raiders have just recruited another half - Ato Hingano - a 20 year old from the Warriors and the Tongan test team. Can't say I know much about him. That makes 4 halves (Austin, Sezer, Williams and Hingano) competing for spots in the 17. Good to see some depth and competition for spots. Hopefully it sends a message to Austin and Sezer that they need to perform or its see ya later.

Few predictions there I find a bit odd. I think Parramatta have gone backwards in they havnt improved their roster. They will miss the 8 for sure. Cannot find much for Panthers. They are also on a slide. Bulldogs will surprise a lot of people and will make the 8.

Very bold Thom. Every chance with the Roosters and the Titans. An off chance a Pom may take the Dally M. Very little chance NSW take State of Origin. Qld will replace two of the very best with the next 2 very best. Who are NSW fielding? Who would Qld take from the current NSW team; Klemmer, Cordner possibly Tede but not in place of Billy, Holmes or Gagai. Freddie doesn't offer anything more re: passion, pride or coaching ability than his predecessors so the best thing he can do is clean house and leave nothing more than a handful of current players and build from there.

My predictions: Roosters premiers, Cowboys lose back to back GFs. Qld to have Origin wrapped up by game 2. Warriors wooden spoon. Kearney sacked. Jarryd Hayne to star at Parra under Brad Arthur. Raiders to make fans long for 2017 and finidh 15th.

Unless Freddy plans to take out Smith, Slater, Munster, Morgan and probably a few more Qld halves and hookers, it doesn't matter how good a coach he is. There's only so much that Fittler or any human can get out of a State that hasn't produced an Origin standard half since Andrew Johns retired while Qld seemingly has an endless supply.

Does he have any more of those qualities than Ricky and Daley? It's not the coach, it's the players.

I like your predictions...especially the Storm win the GF one!

Agree with points 1 and 2 but I think Roosters win Minor Premiership as well. Blues to go well under Freddy and QLD to struggle without Conk and Thurston and depending on Slaters dodgy shoulder might be without him as well. Point 3 I don't think Kearney will be sacked, expecting the Warriors to have their best season in recent memory and challenge for a top 8 position. Griffith on the other hand could well be sacked. Point 4 - I think Hunt will actually take points off Widdop this year so he wont' get the Dally M. Spoon - no idea....I think the battle for the spoon will be more fierce than battle for top 8 as a lot of teams improve.

I don't think Gus has ever put down the clip board out there ! That's the problem .

Great Read and Brave tips! :) I'm predicting the Knights will be up there this year, perhaps around 8th or 9th.. I'm taking Bulldogs for the wooden spoon and Cowboys for the premiership, although I think Roosters will be a force! I like the idea of Widdop for Dally M! He's very underrated! As for Parramatta; they are definitely the team to watch this year.. I think they will surprise everyone!

My predictions have been pretty set now for a while. Roosters to win the minor prem but to lose out in the GF to the Storm. Like everyone else round here, I think your prediction on the Cowboys is ambitious. I think that a top 4 finish for them will be a good performance for the season (bring on the deluge of comments, someone has dared to point out that the king has no clothes) Likewise, the Eels are being talked up at the moment. They should be in the finals come September but I don't see top 4. The Broncos will be better than you predict. They have a problem in the halves but I expect them in the eight. To make a fearless prediction of my own : Warriors to play finals football in 2018.

These are indeed fearless. Especially the NSW win on the origin. Remember that Qld have a production line of origin quality halves. Michael Morgan and Cam Munster will be the halves for Queensland - that will take some beating. A player like DCE can only find the bench. And, they get Greg Inglis back too.

“Fringe” players like Keary don’t get Churchills. If the Roosters win the comp bet that it will be Cronk that gets the medal.