Here are my predictions for which teams will finished 13th, 12th and 11th on the NRL ladder this season.
13. Brisbane Broncos (last year 16th)
If 2020 was represented through an NRL team, it would certainly be the Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos had their worst year in club history as they picked up their first ever wooden spoon.
Things looked promising for the Broncos before the league was postponed due to COVID-19 as they had two convincing wins on the board, coming against the Cowboys and the Rabbitohs. After the COVID-19 shutdown I was proved wrong when I thought they would be a team to beat.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
They ended up with only one win in their last 18 games, which led them to last place on the ladder. As a Broncos fan this had broken my heart because in my 13 years of life, I had never seen a more depressing year for the Broncos.
The problem for Brisbane in 2020 was obviously the players not performing but also coach Anthony Seibold and CEO Paul White. It started with the decision to sack Wayne Bennett and then hiring Seibold, who just came in and wrecked the club with unnecessary player releases.
The Broncos have had some key player losses this off-season in David Fifita, Andrew McCullough, and Joe Ofahengaue. Some good news though is the signing of John Asiata and the return of David Mead and Dale Copley.
Many people would have the Broncos in their bottom three, however former Queensland coach Kevin Walters will bring passion and try and get this club back to the consistent sporting club they used to be. He is the best person for the job.
12. Wests Tigers (last year 11th)
The Wests Tigers were the definition of inconsistent in 2020 as they were able to show signs of greatness throughout, but then other weeks they would come out and play awfully.
An example of this is midway through the season when they had their best win of the season when they put 48 points on the Broncos while leaving them scoreless, but then they came out the next three weeks and lost three straight games.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The Tigers have had to give up many players this off-season. Some of their biggest releases have been Josh Aloiai, Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings and Benji Marshall, however a loss that is going to look almost certain is Harry Grant.
The young and talented player is already an Origin winner. He was signed to a one-year loan deal from the Storm to the Tigers. Grant is likely to head back to the Storm this year as Cameron Smith will probably not be playing for the Storm next year as Harry Grant will fill the hooker role.
The Tigers will welcome Joe Ofahengaue, James Tamou and the speed of James Roberts into the side. These signings are nothing compared to the players they have lost this season.
Overall, the Tigers will have another poor season and not make the finals. In fact if they finish any other place on the ladder than 12th, it would be even lower.
11. Canterbury Bulldogs (last year 15th)
The Canterbury Bulldogs had one of the best-off seasons in the league. They made all the right choices as they gained some great players in Corey Allan, Nick Cotric, Jack Hetherington, Corey Waddell and one of the most underrated players in the league Kyle Flanagan.
This will improve the team a lot as they were one game off the dead bottom of the ladder last year. The former Rabbitoh Corey Allan will be a big threat in the Bulldogs’ back line alongside their other new back-line signing Nick Cotric.
Nick Cotric (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Dogs will lose halfback Kieran Foran, Reimis Smith, five-eighth Jack Cogger, Tim Lafai and Aiden Tolman as he retired at the end of last season. Releasing these players was a smart move for the Bulldogs as Kieran Foran has been riddled with injuries and when he plays, he never clicks into gear and sending away both of the halves will allow two more young halves to develop in the Bulldogs’ system.
With the loss of the two halves this will allow either Lachlan Lewis or Brandon Wakeham to start along side Kyle Flanagan in the halves and whichever of the two does not get that position, they will compete with Sione Katoa for a utility spot on the bench.
A blow for Canterbury is that Jayden Okunbor will miss a large chunk of the season due to a knee injury. New coach Trent Barrett and other coaching staff have done well to transport some great young players, who will be stars in the future.
Plus there is of course someone who is already a star in Josh Addo-Carr, who will be coming to the club in 2022 through Melbourne.
Overall, Canterbury will start to become a finals contender over the next few years and if they do not finish bottom three this year, it will be their first step towards the finals in the future.
Rob
Guest
I can’t see the Tigers or Dragons finishing above the Queensland teams this year. Tigers have lost Grant and Marshall which will see them struggling in attack. Bulldogs have gained a good winger and lost a slow middle worker. I’m thinking the issues relating to their success is attacking creativity through the spine? In reality the Dragons have more strike and creativity than the Dogs IMO. The Broncos had a young side last season and were let down badly by some old blokes. It appeared Seibold, had massive (attitude) problem within the squad last season and his departure along with Walters coming in will hopefully see a massive improvement. The young ones are a year wiser and the talent is there if Kevie can get the attitude of Hass, Lodge, TPJ, Milford right. Riki, Coats, Fegler, Farnsworth and the rest are more than capable of winning football games IMO. If you look at the ages of these young blokes you could expect 12 months physical growth and experience in the NRL could produce significant improvements. It appears the NRL are looking for a faster game? Young players are suited to a faster game IMO. Not much went right with injuries, rule changes and off field issues after Covid hit the Broncos.
Nat
Roar Guru
I'm a bit more optimistic, well, we have to be at this time of year. #touchwood The 1st thing is the injury list, Staggs is it atm. Haas will come back from suspension so they should be able to play with the top 17. Last year, only Capt Pat and Haas played more than 10 games from the whole pack. Do we want to do the clacs on how many spine combos they tried last year? If they can keep the troops on the park, they have to be better than last year straight away. Fifita is a big loss but Riki will hold his own and I can't say they'll miss Joey O and Darius. Asiata is an interesting signing and I'm sure how he'll be used but of the signing, he'll probably be the one used the most. Question marks over Isaako at FB but they have young gun Walsh or Mead, who was still playing at a high level in SL. That's why I'm not overly concerned about recruitment be cause their best 17 never had a proper shot last season.
Christo
Roar Guru
thanks for your effort in commenting such a long comment, I did feel on edge to put the broncos this high, however I don't think they will have another absolutely horrible year because its not like the Broncos to have two bad years in a row and Kevin Walters will fire them up hopefully
matth
Roar Guru
Well I am hoping to be wrong but I’m very worried about the Broncos again this year. They’ve lost Fifita, McCullough, Joe O, Boyd and their most high profile signing is John Asiata? So to actually improve on last year they will need essentially the same players to perform a whole lot better. And they have to do it without Fifita’s strike on one side. They had the comp’s worst defense last year by some margin and have let go the guy who held their middle defense together for the past 8 years. All of that makes me worry, as the difference must therefore come from attitude, coaching and a year’s more experience into some of the youngsters. I can see some early gains as Walters gets the team enthusiastic and the old boys get behind them, but one the grind starts and if there’s a few injuries, I’m struggling to see any depth at all in key positions. Where it really falls apart for me is the same as last year: a distinct lack of leaders in the team and I’m worried about their resilience again when the chips are down. Last year every time the other side had a good period in the game, Brisbane went to water and gave up. Who is going to stop that this year and yell out “come with me!? Lodge? TPJ? About the only upsides I see are: – Dearden and Turpin are real tryers and they will have another year’s experience – Surely our injuries can’t be as bad this year. So I’m starting this year with a healthy dose of despair, which means any decent results will be a pleasant surprise. Good articles by the way. Get well soon.
Nat
Roar Guru
He's out for 6 wks after the trial! fmd.
Christo
Roar Guru
Yeah seibold has left plenty of mess for walters
Christo
Roar Guru
yeah all my bottom 6 teams should proberbly stay somewhere around here
Rellum
Roar Guru
Let Cobbo and Walsh battle it out in the QRL for the role. Isaako will get first crack I guess but I can't imagine him holding it for too long. Who knows maybe Cobbo on the wing and Walsh at fullback.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Broncs have loads of talent and the juniors have started flowing again in recent years. We have been held back by culture and coaching as well as some list management decisions(not a bad as people make out). With some decent coaching a big changes behind the scenes we should be pushing for the top 8. Top 4 requires better halves but maybe Deardon and Milf will be that in the next few years, Unlikely but maybe.
IGOR11
Roar Rookie
All three clubs have massive issues across the spine...in other words...very vey weak...bottom 4 in some combination for all three...
Christo
Roar Guru
Mabye I will have to double check that but that's what it said in the nrl news feed
Christo
Roar Guru
Thankyou, I took a test yesturday and it said I am positive for something, so I have to isolate for 5 days and that means with no school I can do a lot of sports writing
Christo
Roar Guru
Thanks for your comment, as a broncos fan it was hard for me to put them any lower as I could not see them having another bottom 3 season. Also I love reading your articles.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yep and scored. Then played for Broncos in 2nd 40. Another Cherbourg fella, they said he's been on the Broncos books since 15yo. Walsh knocked a few over from the sideline as well. Another tick if he's chasing Isaako.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Cobbo played fullback for Wynnum last night didn't he?
Nat
Roar Guru
No, 20yo, my bad math. I really don’t know about FB. Nui played center last night and was ave in D. Strong runs but you expect that. I reckon a few games in QCup for Walsh would do him well. If he’s still running amok, I’ll back him in for the big gig. There’s another young guy Cobbo. Hodges-esk and fastest 40m Broncos have recorded ever apparently.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Who's 21, Walsh? Are you sure he is that old. I was thinking he was a year younger than that. Still, who would you rather have back there, a raw talent in Walsh or Isaako or Tesi? Niu is a centre and maybe a decent one but to me he is over hyped so far. Jamayne I have little confidence in as a dynamic fullback but we will see. I would rather strike power and creativity with errors this year compared to no risk it no biscuit to quote some NFL stuff. We are not going to do too much this year, maybe sneak into the finals at best. It's the best time to give a young guy who has "IT" to grow into the role. Stick Jamayne on the wing if Oates is going into the pack. If Walsh is showing more at training age would not stop me picking him.
Tony
Roar Guru
I know the feeling
Nat
Roar Guru
Agree and it was a trail. Still he's 21 this year, the penny has to drop soon. He was getting among the push and shove as well so he's got spirit.
Tom Rock
Expert
Nice article Christo. I know you are taking some heat for putting Brisbane so high, but I’m with you mate. The Broncos have a talented squad that was ruined in 2020 by injury, poor discipline and Anthony Seibold. Based on the strength of their roster, they should finish above the likes of North Queensland, Canterbury, St George Illawarra and New Zealand. Keep them coming mate.