With the NRL season quick approaching, it’s time to delve into some much needed power rankings.
Who has recruited well, who has kept some fire power and who dwindled away their shot at the eight?
9. Sea Eagles
Turbo Tom Trbojevic returning is the major reason this team could push for top-eight honours. Injuries and inconsistency blighted their 2020 season but they have the talent to push the top teams all the way. The three-headed monster of Kieran Foran, Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans could lead this team to the promised land provided they all stay healthy and Foran can keep his head on straight, which might be too much of an ask.
10. Sharks
Shaun Johnson is the key to this team’s future, alternating between being the hottest player in the league and colder than a White Walker from Game of Thrones. Youth will push them far as they attempt to make a name for themselves and should keep them in each game. Will it be enough? The Sharks will be left on the outside looking in unless one of their youngsters takes that next leap.
(Tony Feder/Getty Images)
11. Tigers
A great recruitment drive has given rise to some optimism coming out of the Tigers’ camp. James Tamou is the spearhead of the signing blitz, being handed the captaincy. He is an experienced head for the team to build around. Moving Adam Doueihi to the halves will give the mercurial playmaker more space to operate but also more decision making on his shoulders. His play and whether the move unlocks a higher tier for him will be the key to the Tigers moving themselves into the top eight at the end of the year.
12. Knights
When Kayln Ponga is on form, there isn’t a more exciting player in the comp. The key for the Knights will be how much dominance they can get from their massive forward pack, boosted with the addition of Tyson Frizell to the likes of David Klemmer and Daniel Saifiti. When on the front foot and moving forward, players like Ponga and Bradman Best can be lethal. The Blake Green signing gives them some consistency and experience in the spine but will it be enough for them to challenge for higher honours?
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
13. Dragons
Youth, youth, youth are the keys for the Dragons this year. Sprinkled among the youngsters are some NRL veterans desperate for a few more years at the top. Captain Ben Hunt will be expected to carry a huge load if this team is to improve upon last year’s finish of 12th. The signing of Andrew McCullough and Jack Bird will be integral in easing some of the youngsters up to first grade but the talent across the park is not good enough for this squad to grab a top-eight position as they currently stand.
14. Cowboys
With no stars recruited and the old guard coming back, this year is looking dire again for the Cowboys. The coaching appointment of Todd Payten will pay dividends eventually but may take longer than this year for the systems to improve. While Jason Taumalolo has broad shoulders, even they may not be big enough to drag this squad anywhere near the top eight. Valentine Holmes showed flashes of his old self last year, but will need to return to full strength if this team has any chance of contending for finals.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
15. Bulldogs
While a few signings will help this team try to improve upon last year’s 15th-place finish, there simply isn’t enough talent across the board for this year. Kyle Flanagan comes across as a proven playmaker with a massive chip on his shoulder and the addition of Nick Cotric in the centres will be a huge game-changing addition to this side. A few wins snatched from the jaws of a defeat and this team may challenge for the eight to 12 places on the ladder but they are a few more years away from getting close to contending.
16. Broncos
Kevin Walters’ return to the Broncos will inspire some big effort and discipline changes in the sheds for this squad. Anthony Milford is the key man. When on form he can be inspirational but he still makes too many brain-numbing decisions for this team to go anywhere. Payne Haas as well needs to stay healthy and keep his head. He can be so dominant and could challenge for top fantasy player honours if he can avoid the injury bug. Losing a wide range of experience may allow youth to shine but just like the Bulldogs before them, a few more years of wooden spoon circling is required before this squad has the talent to move closer to finals.
Ben Simpson
Roar Pro
Need the Guru next to my name :) we shall see! Long season ahead but some Of these teams are who we thought they were
Dayer
Roar Rookie
hey ben me thinks you could be right on the money with them Broncos.... i predict now 10 to 16th place only 2 rounds BUT... ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Jeez - is that how low we’ve sunk - I’m getting pity from a Warriors fan !!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I think Flanagan was a great pick up for the Dogs, Barrett will be a great coach him, and they added some quality attack, but: I think the head coach is a halves only coach and there's a lot of "average" remaining in the squad, coupled with an "average" (at best) head coach so anywhere in the bottom 4 looks about right.
Ben Simpson
Roar Pro
Condolences on the Bulldogs fandom - coming from a tortured Warriors fan
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mate - I’m a Dogs fan so I’m brimming with optimism - unfortunately the last few years the optimism has died on the vine by about round 3 Hopefully young Flanagan takes it as what it is, he wasn’t a good fit for the Roosters. I thought he was pretty good for most of last year and hopefully he kicks on
Ben Simpson
Roar Pro
Understandable, I think he's been professional on the outside but must be fuming on the inside as he basically got given the blame for everything that went wrong with their season (not outwardly but the sack said it all). Fair enough on the proven, i'm a tad more optimistic on his ability and what he showed last year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s not unreasonable that he felt blindsided...he went from being the man who replaced Cronk, Roosters half for the foreseeable future to being cut one year into a three year deal within a year I haven’t read or heard anything from him that he’s filthy on the Roosters, just disappointed but completely professional He’s had one full season as a first grade halfback and ended up getting the sack. That’s a long way from “proven” to me
Nat
Roar Guru
I just shook my head when I seen these come out.
Ben Simpson
Roar Pro
I disagree on Flanagan. A lot of articles about him feeling “blindsided” about his departure. Think he is level headed about the challenge ahead of him. Also, three quarters of the way through last season he was the top points scorer in the competition and considered an upcoming superstar. I’d say that qualifies him to be considered somewhat proven.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Barry the Dogs are the biggest unknown of the new season ,could finish anywhere between 6 n 16 .With the Roster clean out and the new Coach - Who knows? If Sharks fix there Defence and minimal injuries they should be in the 8 .Titans n NZ are yet to prove their potential.Another big unknown -the impact of the lose of C Smith at the Storm.Everyone’s assuming the Bellyme Magic will overcome this Hurdle- me not so sure
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
John, I put the Cows and Titans on the same level.Potentially both should improve this year.However ,Theory n Practice quite often clash
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
You also have the other unknown factor - The Gus Factor , who can be very devisive n destructive.let’s hope the Kiwis n Brownie take to him positively
The Barry
Roar Guru
“Kyle Flanagan comes across as a proven playmaker with a massive chip on his shoulder” I think the opposite is true on both counts. Flanagan is very much unproven as a player and seems to be pretty level headed about his Roosters sacking It will be a huge effort for the Warriors to make the eight I think the Sharks still have a top end roster. Their issue will be keeping Johnson, Moylan, Graham, Dugan, Fifita, etc on the field If they have just an average year with injuries I think they’re still a top 8 roster
John
Guest
So the bottom 8 is almost the same order as last year with a few exceptions, gotcha. Can guarantee the Cowboys go close to the 8 ... they look good and was at the Broncos trial game last weekend watching them. Payton is a VERY good coach. And dont forget they have underachieved the past few seasons and are due.
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
The Dragons 13th over the Bulldogs 15th and the Cowboys 14th? The Sea Eagles 9th and the Sharks 10th? The Knights 12th? Sorry, but I can’t agree with any of those assessments. At this point the Dragons are favourites IMO for 16th position with the Broncos hot on their heels in 15th. IMO the Sharks will be just above that. Manly, with continuing injuries to Turbo, and after losing both Fornua-Blake and Thompson will not finish that close to the top 8 IMO. Manly were only missing Jake T. from their forwards in their recent trial against the Tigers and got absolutely dominated by the Tigers average forward pack. The Knights should still be good enough to make the bottom of the top 8 this year with the Titans big improvers on last year. The jury is still out on the Warriors though. What they achieved under Todd Payten I don’t see them repeating under Nathan “slap-happy” Brown. Just my opinion… but I’m usually right. I mean I tipped the Broncos would get the wooden spoon last year and predicted that Seibold would be the first coach sacked.
ferret
Guest
I forgot about the RTS factor. It might just be enough,
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the article Bsimpy ! Warriors have got some challenges in front of them in the first half of the season. Firstly navigate their way thru the new coach’s philosophies then try to form some combinations and familiarity with 10 of their predicted starting 17 being either new to the club, new to the position or not playing the greater part of 2020. These new rules will strongly favor a dummy half who can exploit the middle I’ve never seen Jazz with that kind of nous. Wish them well just can’t see them finishing in front of the Knights who start with a hooker, and will hopefully have a 6 and 1 after a month.
Ben Simpson
Roar Pro
We the North! As someone whose idol is Johnathan Thurston, painting this picture for the northern teams hurt me but consider me a pessimistic man. I hope that next weeks week 1 power rankings paint a very different picture for the boys and the broncos. Good luck!
3 R M
Guest
Bsimpy cowboys have a good roster , the young mobile monsters are Already pushing for the spots of all the fowards. We'll need to replace cliffo but hopefully the roster won't change too much next year . The starting side will though . The north is optimistic about finals at this stage mate.