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The season is essentially over for some NRL clubs, who must now look ahead to 2019 when preparing for their final seven games.
Blooding rookies, experimenting with positions and tactical changes should all be encouraged to ensure the end of the year doesn’t become a waste of time.
This time last week, I had the Raiders and Tigers on this list, but the weekend’s results have left them still in contention for the spot currently held by the Broncos.
But of this year’s current bottom six, are any in a position to shoot up the ladder in 2019?
Parramatta Eels
What a difference a year makes. Together with the Cowboys, Parramatta have been the disappointments of 2018 – you could nearly put a line through them after their 50 point loss to Manly in Round 2.
The Eels have a lot of versatile players who haven’t put in commanding performances to demanded a regular position.
Final assessment: 2017 proves to be an anomaly as Parra return to the team we know, missing the finals for consecutive years in 2018 and 2019.
North Queensland Cowboys
No one could have anticipated the fall from grace for last year’s beaten grand finalists. Still in the running for this year’s wooden spoon, they are pretty much being out-enthused each and every week.
What concerns me the most is the team’s lack of pace in the outside backs and Paul Green’s reluctance to change things up for such a long period of time.
2019 will see a fit-again Michael Morgan re-take ownership of the team as they head into a new era without Johnathan Thurston.
Final assessment: late 2017 form, with Morgan pulling the strings, has this side the most likely to return to the top eight in 2019.
AAP Image/ Action Photoraphics, Robb Cox
Canterbury Bulldogs
The club has been decimated by mis-management from those previously in charge and, if anything, I have been impressed with the effort they have put in each week.
Looking at the 17 they sent out on the weekend against the Rabbitohs, I was expecting a cricket score. It must be horrible for morale when their star player and big offseason recruit were both allowed to leave mid-season.
They seem to have taken a moneyball approach to recruitment for the foreseeable future.
Final assessment: hard to see them not anchored to the bottom of the table in 2019.
Manly Sea Eagles
What looked to be a promising season was cursed from the start. What is Murphy’s Law again? Most of Manly’s pain has been self-inflicted.
The salary cap penalties saw them forced to release Blake Green before the season started, then there was player infighting and the Gladstone incident, and a horror injury toll, which have all contributed.
On the bright side, they have unearthed some promising rookies, while Origin performances prove they have the nucleus of a top side.
Final assessment: Manly’s 2019 finals hopes hang on a knife edge and whether or not they make it may be determined by the final sanctions given to their salary cap appeal.
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Gold Coast Titans
I tipped them for this year’s wooden spoon, so according to my judgement they are overachieving. Their hopes seem to genuinely rest on Ash Taylor becoming the next superstar. The additions of Tyrone Peachey and Shannon Boyd are promising but the Gold Coast seems to continue to be a rugby league (or even sporting) graveyard.
Final assessment: another year out of the eight for them, could finish anywhere between 16th and ninth.
Newcastle Knights
This year will be considered a success for the Novocastrians, as they have seemingly avoided being anchored to the bottom of the ladder for a fourth straight year.
Their hopes seem to rely on Mitchell Pearce and Kayln Ponga staying injury-free, while their forward pack has proved to be sub-par again, despite adding some experienced campaigners.
They have Tim Glasby bringing defensive starch next year and Jesse Ramien is one of the hottest young prospects in the game.
Final assessment: they will make inroads in 2019, probably pushing for those lower spots in the finals.
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