In what feels like the longest year ever – and essentially was – the NRL pulled off a massive feat by completing a full season, along with a State of Origin series.
Many had thought it wouldn’t surface but it was a huge feat for the competition. With such a turn around for pre-season, some sides are back into it already, having only maybe a month or so off.
With some sides who may struggle with a shorter pre-season, or some sides who may weirdly thrive off it, all eyes turns to the 2021 season.
In good news, it is looking like normal routine will commence in 2021 for the season, with crowd capacities increasing, and stadium rules easing off.
Based off what signings have occurred, and how the rosters and coaching staff look as of today, I will predict my top eight for the season of 2021, the job that no one likes to do a little too early.
As it stands, this is how I see the top eight unfolding for next season:
1. Sydney Roosters
The boys from Bondi look primed to made another red hot run for the premiership in 2021. With their glue man back in Victor Radley, and the possible pending signing of Gareth Widdop, the Roosters will be on the verge of another strong season in 2021.
Key men James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Radley, will do well to steer the ship home for a minor premiership, I think.
2. Melbourne Storm
Still as strong as ever on paper, add in the young gun Harry Grant, who takes over from the greatest in Cameron Smith, the Storm will be there again in what looks like Craig Bellamy’s final season at the helm.
My biggest issue for the Storm is the small things Cameron Smith done will be gone (goal-kicking, kick for touch, drop outs, reffing…).
Talent alone, and Bellamy at the helm, they will fight for top spot, but finish second for mine.
3. South Sydney Rabbitohs
Wayne Bennett, please for the love of everything, play Latrell Mitchell in the centres and Corey Allan at fullback.
The Bunnies can reach their full potential if this duo play where they should.
The Bunnies will boast the best backline in the competition. Welcoming a tough Jai Arrow also, will not hurt their claims. I love the Bunnies for 2021.
4. Canberra Raiders
Yep, I have the minor premiers from 2020 missing the top four.
Canberra, who came up with such a great game-plan without skipper Josh Hodgson, will welcome back their skipper in 2021. With the loss of John Bateman and Nick Cotric, their depth will be tested, but with a hungry Ryan James, I can see the green machine march to the top four in 2021.
5. Penrith Panthers
With such a young side, a bit of inconsistency that will creep into their game in 2021. With the loss of I think who inspired much of their game in 2020 in Tamou, I think they will lose that leadership presence, although Leota is a great player.
Look for Cleary to try and make amends for a tough finish in 2020, but a bit of inconsistency to creep into their game to push them to a fifth place finish.
6. Newcastle Knights
With the addition of Tyson Frizell, and the backflip from Blake Green, I can see a bit more stability come into the Knights game.
With O’Brien trying to enforce a system-like plan in Newcastle, a year further should help their cause. They will be in the top five for the major part of the season I think, but will finish in the sixth spot.
7. Parramatta Eels
The kings of hype. I am still not sure why people predicted the Eels to win it all in 2020, prior to the season, but it clearly haunted them.
With such a strong pack, and talented backs, you would expect so much more from the Eels. The jury is out on Mitch Moses, and so too coach Brad Arthur. I think they will do enough to finish in the seventh position.
Mitchell Moses of the Eels (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
8. New Zealand Warriors
This pick took me a lot longer than I previously would have thought. The Sharks? Not enough to convince me, roster is thin. The Tigers? Love ninth too much.
The Dragons? Not sold on their coaching staff. The Cowboys under Todd Payten? Tempting.
The Titans? Not buying into the hype of Fifita and co. I even thought of the Broncos… not enough to make a steaming comeback under Kevvy Walters.
Which leaves me the Warriors. With a few strong additions, and coming out of an Australia base in the first month, I like the Warriors to push for the eight and eventually make it.
Led by Roger the dodger, recruits Addin Fonua-Blake, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Euan Aitken, I like the Warriors for 8.
There you have it, that was a lot harder than I thought it would be.
Notable admissions:
– I am not sold on the Titans. I think David Fifita plays well below his pay packet and the new studs in Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Herman Ese’ese, lose their structure under new coach Justin Holbrook. However, if they happen to sign a man named Cameron Smith, then they make the 8, undoubtedly.
– No love for the Doggies and Bazza? Ahhhh nope.
– I really don’t like the Sharks under John Morris. They seem weak and don’t have that aura Shane Flanagan instilled in them. I wouldn’t be surprised if they fight for the spoon, to be brutally honest. Morris is to be the first coach sacked.
This is my top eight for season 2021. Who makes yours?
Ben Kerrison
Guest
Early 2021 Top 8 Prediction 1. Sydney Roosters 2. Melbourne Storm 3. South Sydney Rabbitohs 4. Penrith Panthers 5. Canberra Raiders 6. Parramatta Eels 7. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 8. New Zealand Warriors :thumbup:
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I don't think there any evidence Widdop is going to the Roosters. And you have the Raiders missing the top 4 ..by finishing 4th?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I think Allan plays the modern roll of fullback better, but Mitchell is the better player overall. Bennett’s a fan of Mitchell at 1 so I don’t expect anything to change.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I am really looking forward to watching Staines play. He has infectious enthusiasm. I also agree the Panthers didn't peak at the the right time. They will learn from that.
Walter Black
Guest
Panthers New signings for 2021: Robert Jennings, Matt Eisenhuth (Wests Tigers) Losses: Shawn Blore (Wests Tigers 2020), Kaide Ellis (Dragons 2020), Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs 2021), Caleb Aekins (Raiders 2021), James Tamou (Wests Tigers 2021), Jack Hetherington (Bulldogs 2021), Braydon McGrady, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, Pat Hollis (released) Many players have break out seasons only to follow up with an average performance. I think this will apply to the Panthers as a club next year. Travelling 10 minutes down the freeway to play at another Sydney stadium hardly counts as an away game when other clubs are having to fly in / fly out on the same day. Also, you cannot count the Central Coast as home for the Storm, it just wasn't. Look, its not like I am suggesting the Panthers for the spoon or anything, I just don't see another 15 game winning streak nor a minor premiership. But time will tell, put it on your calendars to have a go at me next September.
fr4d
Guest
Fanua-Blake is a big loss though. Best forward on ground in several of their games
fr4d
Guest
Depends if they're planning on Flanno in 2022. If they are I think Morris is safe, as they know he won't be extended - and he might even be happy to be bumped back to assistant if there's not much else in the way of jobs on offer. After all the changes this year, I expect next year to be pretty quiet on the coach sacking front - almost half of them have the "first full season" leeway
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
Its strange that a coach that has taken an unheralded team to the finals the last two years is under the pump. Very strange.
Joe
Roar Rookie
You could be right, but I think replacing the GOAT is going to take a toll. He takes a lot of pressure off the halves with his direction and leadership. I know Hughes can step us as he did against the Roosters without both Cams and Munster should be ready to lead. Harry I expect to slot in seamlessly...if he can slot in seamlessly into the Tigers system with only a couple of weeks training he surely will be better with a team he has trained with for years. He definitely brings some strengths that Smith doesn't have as you said, much quicker like Damien Cook so much more of a threat. How much that makes up for what Smith brings remains to be seen.
Tony
Roar Guru
Morris is probably unbackable at this point, unless the Sharks win four of their first six games.
Adam
Roar Guru
Money on first coach out the door for 2021?
Adam
Roar Guru
The Broncos steaming back :laughing: they're a pile of steaming something, that's for sure
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi TJ. I’m not sure either way. But who else could they get?
Rob
Guest
Five wins in a row on the trot to finish the year not enough substance for you? If you've watched Fogarty play in the lower grades you'd know that he didn't overachieve at all last year. He did exactly what he had been doing for years in reserve grade. Ash Taylor is still hit and miss but was much better last year and looks to be slowly working his way back to his best. Agree that they could probably do with a good hooker, although they might just get that if Smith does make his way there. No idea how you can say Brimson is a rookie fullback. He's played almost 50 NRL games and just got picked to play at fullback for Queensland.
TJ
Guest
If I were an Eels fan I'd actually want Brad Arthur sacked. He's been at the club for a long time now and has delivered nothing but poor results. Don't think he's the man to turn Parra into a premiership force.
tetley
Guest
You can't play Trell in the centres now Willie. Never going to happen. He's about to sign an extension based on the fact that he's locked in as fullback. Plus he's clearly making progress in the position. Full steam ahead!
Larry1950
Guest
Despite all the Titans hype about a gun pack, their spine is dodgy. An Intrust Cup halfback who overachieved at the back end of a weird season, Ash Taylor as 5/8 with erratic form & game related mental health issues, no settled hooker & a talented but rookie fullback. It's all speculative without substance at this stage.
Larry1950
Guest
Surely not as big a call as having the Broncos fifth?
Tony
Roar Guru
Near enough, but no doubt we'll all be in for a few surprises in the end
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
but not next year