It has been a pleasure being able to write this series and I have loved the support from my fellow roarers in the comment section.
Comment if you would like me to start a series of my tips each week.
It is officially the eve of the 2021 NRL season so here is who I think will top the competition and finish first this year.
1. South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs were the hottest team coming into their 2020 finals campaign. They were absolutely steam rolling through the opposition.
They were also able to pull off a win that was the definition of convincing, destructively ripping into the Sydney Roosters with a score line of 60-8 in the last match off the regular season.
This carried on into the finals as they were able to just walk over the Knights and Eels, before ending their year with a tight four-point defeat to the Panthers in the preliminary final.
This was the Rabbits’ third straight year of coming up short in a prelim final.
South Sydney will welcome in new recruit Jai Arrow, who will begin his new life as a Rabbitoh off the bench.
The departure of Bailey Simonsson will grant Keaon Koloamatangi a start in the second-row position, with Cameron Murray occupying the lock role.
I certainly would not be surprised if Arrow becomes a starter sometime throughout the season. Another new signing was Jacob Host, who will be settling into the other second row position alongside Koloamatangi.
Either of these players could be sent to the bench for Arrow and those three players will rotate throughout the season.
Benji Marshall will also be with Souths in 2021. He signed a one-year deal with the club and will bring rare experience and depth to the bench.
This was a great move by the Rabbitohs because Benji will be the perfect player as a utility option and will be there if either Cody Walker or captain Adam Reynolds suffer an injury.
Another great pick up for South Sydney is Josh Mansour, who will be replacing the departing Corey Allen on the wing.
Mansour from my thoughts was an upgrade to the Rabbits’ other outside backs, because he is a great try scorer and ball runner as he has shown at the Panthers.
Overall, I think the Rabbitohs showed us in the back end of the 2020 season how dangerous they can be, and I believe they will show those signs this season to become the minor premiers.
Christo
Roar Guru
Thanks for your support Souvalis
Christo
Roar Guru
Correct, the Rabbits have power house players and having not much of high level experience in the side will not help them much in the finals, however I think they will still win the Grandfinal.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Souths have so many top notch players -Mitchell, Gagai, Johnston, Mansour, Walker, Reynolds, Murray, Cook, Tom Burgess, Arrow, Marshall, they could virtually all walk into any team and make any Origin or Rep squad. There's so much talent, so much flair and experience throughout the squad, they also have some great youngsters like Graham, Koloamatangi. Mago, Paulo, all who have been playing brilliantly in the last 12 months. The key is that most of the core group has been playing together for 3 years now, it's a good squad capable of playing some awesome football and convincingly beating any team on their day. Bennett and Demetriou are a great partnership, along with Sutton they will have the players firmly focussed on that top spot.
Christo
Roar Guru
100% right. The Rabbits in that trial game and towards the end of last season looked superb and Wayne Bennet will look to find the areas that can get the best out of this team. If he can do that they will be premiers, simple as that.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Simmonson v Sirronen. Very nice work Christo. Look forward to more analysis from you !
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I have the Bunnies in top spot by season's end as well - but not sure they will win the comp. Bailey Simonsson has been playing for the Raiders for the past couple of seasons so not sure who you are referring to there.
matth
Roar Guru
Great series Christo, well done. Souths look the goods to me as well, their biggest risk is injury to either Reynolds or Mitchell. They could probably survive other setbacks - ok maybe Cook as well. Their biggest question mark may actually be their greatest strength. Wayne Bennett the grand old man of coaching and whether he can continue to adapt to the rule changes speeding up the game. I can see a relatively slow start for the Bunnies but by the time finals come around if their key players are fit this could be their year.
Christo
Roar Guru
I think Latrell is in for a big year as he looks string and fit
Walter Black
Guest
Now that my boys have finally got rid of the pensioner, they have to be a shoo in for top spot. Go Storm
Nat
Roar Guru
For mine, it pretty much relies on Mitchell. He is the difference between 2018 - 2020 Souths.