If your club did not qualify for the finals, who would you like to see win the 2019 NRL premiership?
With the regular home-and-away season complete, many supporters of the bottom-eight clubs will be looking to jump on a bandwagon for this year’s finals series.
Some fans of the bottom-eight clubs may choose to remain neutral and may not have any interest as to which team goes on to claim the premiership, let me make a case for each of the top eight clubs as to why you should choose them as your bandwagon team.
Melbourne Storm (first)
This year’s minor premiers, the Melbourne Storm are once again the benchmark. We continue to be in awe of the Storm’s system, their ability to continue developing young superstars, their long-term success and their professionalism.
Losing the likes of Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk, it shows how great their coach Craig Bellamy and captain Cameron Smith are as leaders of this club. Another Storm premiership would raise the bar even higher for every other club in the competition to strive for.
Sydney Roosters (second)
A foundation club with a long, proud history. The eastern suburbs-based team is arguably one of the best run clubs with one of the top playing rosters in the competition. They’re the reigning premiers and have a chance to become the first team in 26 years to win back-to-back titles.
This is the last hurrah for one of the game’s modern greats, halfback Cooper Cronk, who has the opportunity to win a third straight premiership.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (third)
South Sydney are the most successful club in Australian rugby league history, with 21 premierships, but they’ve won only one title in the past 48 years. Sustained success is very important for a foundation club with a long, proud history, and history is very important for rugby league.
A second consecutive top-four finish, but this time with master coach Wayne Bennett at the helm to guide them through the finals. A fairytale premiership would be a fitting end for the retiring John Sutton, the Rabbitohs’ most-capped player in the club’s history.
Canberra Raiders (fourth)
A club that’s teased with so much potential over the past few years but haven’t turned that potential into premierships. Always an attacking threat, their defensive resolve this year has seen them return to the finals for the first time since 2016.
(AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
Winning this year’s competition would be a dream-come-true for long suffering fans from the nation’s capital, ending a 25-year premiership drought for the Raiders.
Parramatta Eels (fifth)
Speaking of premiership droughts and long-suffering fans, the Eels haven’t won anything since 1986 – the longest run without a premiership of all current NRL clubs, besides the Warriors and Titans, who have never lifted the trophy.
There’s an entire generation of Eels supporters who are yet to experience the feeling of watching their team win a premiership.
From wooden-spooners to finalists, it’s been an admirable turn around. Coach Brad Arthur deserves much credit for what he’s done with the team, especially getting the best out of his halfback Mitchell Moses.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (sixth)
It’s hard not to be impressed with Manly in 2019, after a couple of seasons of turmoil both on and off the field. Their unexpected finals appearance comes down to the Des effect.
Widely tipped to finish near the bottom of the ladder, coach Des Hasler has instilled a belief in his team both individually and collectively and has them playing to their potential. With the injury to fullback Tom Trbojevic and some key players missing, they’ll go into the finals series with the underdog tag.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (seventh)
Scraping into the top eight by winning their last game of the season, the Sharks qualify for their fifth consecutive finals appearance. It’s been an up-and-down, controversial and injury-riddled season for the Shire-based club, so they’ve done well to get this far.
However, with the amount of talent and big match experience in their side, they have what it takes to replicate what the Cowboys did in 2017 and make the grand final from outside the top four, which would be a fitting end for retiring great and one-club stalwart Paul Gallen.
Brisbane Broncos (eighth)
The NRL’s glamour club, with six premierships since their inception in 1988, have a prestigious and proud history and are the most supported club in the competition. It’s hard to fathom that a club of such ilk hasn’t won a competition in 13 years.
They possess one of the youngest and most potent forward packs in the competition, but many would believe they’re simply making up the numbers this finals series. It would be a hell of a fairytale if they can make it to the grand final.
Whichever club goes on to win this year’s premiership, there will be a fairytale, feel-good or an in-awe story attached to it.
If you’re a supporter of a club that won’t be featuring in this year’s finals series or if your finals-bound club is eliminated before the grand final, it’s up to you which story appeals to you most when deciding which bandwagon you wish to jump on.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Firstly- giant raspberries to all who won’t support the Roosters just because. That said, if the jealousy-inducing Chooks get knocked out it’s because we see a Raiders/Eels grand final.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Assuming by popular opinion it's a storm chooks gf,. Then we have to look for an outsider to cause an upset. My sentimental choice is Ricky's raiders, always had them as a second or third team. I'm putting a line through the bunnies, Parra and manly. The Broncos , yes for maybe 1 big upset ,but not the 3 required for the big one. For the first time in a long time I believe we have a genuine bottom 4 chance for an upset run for glory, the sharkies. Well balanced team that can beat anyone on their day, but can they do it from 7th ,well worth a punt.
Peter
Guest
Amazingly, this will be the first year since 2018 that a team has the opportunity to claim back-to-back premierships, thus emulating the 1992-1993 Brisbane Broncos after a gap of 26 years. In 2020 it will be the first time since 2019...
Albo
Roar Rookie
As my Panthers team has been eliminated, I will try to watch the finals series objectively. Like many, I do fancy it being a Roosters v Storm Grand Final , but would really love to see an upset pop into the frame. But just who might that be ? I have had a “man crush” on Cam Murray since he emerged last year, and would love Souths to win for him, if it wasn’t for that grumpy Bennett & that “bad” pommie Burgess. I really like that “nice” pommie Elliot Whitehead and Jarrod Croker deserves a win, and I would love to see the Raiders win, if it wasn’t for that whinging Sticky. I am such a fan of Payne Haas & Kotoni Staggs, the nice NSW Broncos , and would like them to succeed, but as they are Broncos , on pure interstate rivalry basis, I just have to rule them out. I really think Jurbo deserves a premiership for all the effort he has put in for Manly and young Waddell and even Desi have ex-Panthers connections , if only they weren’t playing for Manly? The Eels have three ex-Panthers outside backs in Jennings , Blake & Sivo which frustrates me looking at the Panthers current ordinary backline, but they have Moses who annoys me often, but the Eels are the battlers’ favourites. Maybe I could go for them ? Yeah , Nah. The Sharks have a couple of ex-Panthers too in Moylan & Graham and some great young prospects in Nikora, Xerri & Williams, some match winners in Fifita & Johnson, but they do have Paul Gallen and the ever-prone and annoying Josh Duggan. But I think these Sharkies might just be my “roughie” to follow into October.
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
What about souffs? They beat roosters twice this year. Dont think roosters will make it
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Sounds like everyone is getting on the raiders. Feel a bit sorry for eels fans though so i wont be irritated if they win it
John
Guest
As a Broncos supporter, if they get knocked out early, it will be Bunnies because I am fan of Bennett and would like to see him get another premiership before he retires which I reckon is fairly close.
Janis Lopez
Roar Rookie
No bandwagoner, I would tho go for Parra or the Raiders only because it would be awesome to see a team who hasn't won in years
Greg
Roar Pro
Ive followed the exact same path to your final 3, but dont care about having recently won one. But: Souths: dont mind the club but dont want to see the Burgess brothers or roberts winning anything so no (a little conflicted though as i would like Sutton to get a fairytale) Sharks: i like the players and coach but don't want to see a club that has had salary cap issues, peptide allegations, and Flanagan dramas getting more success, so no. Raiders: like the players, dont dislike the club so Go Raiders
Janis
Guest
If my team were not playing finals I would choose Parra or the Raiders
Harry
Guest
Wait are you calling the Raiders a Sydney team?! I've never been more offended!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
So does that mean, we’re doing you a favour when we starting “hating” on the Storm...? That takes a bit of the fun out of it... :laughing:
Harry
Guest
If that's not enough, consider this: Ricky Stuart, Canberra born and bred (okay Queanbeyan, but close enough), should've been a one-club player if ever there was one but was forced by the salary cap - hearbreakingly! Devastatingly! - to play out his career at Canterbury. But look! The prodigal son returns! The man who always bled green, even when he was in blue and white! And he leads his beloved Raiders to a stirring grand final victory... Not a dry eye in the house, I tells ya!!
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Surely for everyone its the Raiders? The only way that wouldn't have been the case was if the Tigers beat the Sharks, then we would be conflicted, but right now in my mind its Storm first and foremost, Raiders a distant second. Other than that, if I'm honest, I don't even know if I'd bother watching the game. Can't stand the Roosters (they'd need to buy another premiership in a few years right?) , Sharks (I dont want Gallen going out a winner)Bunnies (Burgess x 3?) or Friday night Broncos. Manly are alright now-a-days, loveable losers (though if they win, will our hatred return?), and Parra, do they deserve it...really? So yeah, Storm, Raiders or bust for me!
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Coming on TB, we Storm fans have a chip on our shoulders about all fans of other clubs, the administration, the media, and pretty much everything that is mentioned against the Storm. Heck, I see positive Storm comments and feel a little indignant that it wasn't me who said it! But honestly we are used to everyone hating on us so we just assume you're all against us! Helps in our team mentality!
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
I'm not sure if the sample size is large enough yet jimmmy however the results (so far) are certainly skewing towards neutrals favouring the Raiders! (...let's hope we're discussing Cowboys vs Dogs next year mate!) :)
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I can do a pretty good anti - Melbourne rant if you like though.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Amazing , all roads seem to lead to the Raiders.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
When my Broncos get knocked out in week 1 (week 2 if we’re lucky) I’ll be jumping on the Raiders bandwagon. Reasons why: Roosters: Can never support them. Ever . Storm: Over both their wrestling and their winning. Souths: I would… but Wayne . Parramatta: too many mates who are Parra supporters. Will be no fun if they actually win it. Manly: Almost likeable now, but no they are Manly. Sharks: Gallen, Fifita, Dugan… Which leaves the Raiders, they haven’t won it in a while, I like the way they play, they are not from Sydney and Ricky Stuart doesn’t annoy me as much as he used to… probably because he’s not coaching the Roosters, Sharks or Parramatta.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
That makes them morals to win it.