The NRL season is just a month away, so here is Part 3 of my analysis of where each NRL team will finish in 2022.
You can also read about my predictions for places 14-13 and places 16-15.
12. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs did not deliver in 2021 on the field, but they certainly did off it. They secured some top-quality players who will be a key part in trying to lift this side up and get them back into finals contention in the coming years.
The Bulldogs will be one of the most interesting teams to watch this year, as it will be exciting to see if they can move out of a bottom-three ladder position, which is where they have finished the last two years.
Matt Burton is the most intriguing player, and I want to see him perform from the Bulldogs, as he was sensational at Penrith, but the question is whether he can prove it at a club not as stacked as the Panthers.
A few other well-noted signings include Josh Addo-Carr and Matthew Dufty. Addo-Carr is obviously one of the best wingers in the league, and the success he had at Melbourne will be important in trying to bring that winning feeling back to the Doggies. Dufty is a great signing because when you’re rebuilding a side you almost always need a solid fullback, and he fits that role perfectly at Canterbury.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The only three losses that could have a meaningful effect are those of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Nick Cotric and 2021 centre Will Hopoate. The outside backs that will be taking Cotric and Will’s roles are Brent Naden and Jayden Okunbor, one of the most underrated wingers in the competition. He’s very strong and has a great mentality on the field in a losing team.
Bulldogs fans have had to go through hell over the last four years, but they will make their way out of the bottom three and have the potential to finish just outside finals territory, though right now I have them at 12th because of the quality of other teams above them.
11. Canberra Raiders
This was the hardest placement to decide so far because of all the possibilities around seventh to 11th on the ladder. There’s so much to analyse when deciding whether teams reach the finals or not. The Raiders are among the hardest to place because of the way they surprised us in 2021, finishing 10th after falling asleep midseason, losing nine matches across an 11-game period. It was their first absence from finals footy in three years, and there were many reasons for it. They were in the bottom half of the league in attacking, defending and discipline stats.
If they want to improve this season, they need a true leader, and Josh Hodgson fits the bill after battling with Tom Starling for hooker duties all last year. Starling was starting in the role for parts of the season, while Hodgson came off the bench. Despite being criticised all year, Hodgson finished the season in the No. 9 jersey, with Starling suffering a broken jaw in the Round 22 loss against Melbourne.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Hodgson is predicted to begin the season in the starting line-up, while Tom is set to play in No. 14, but don’t be surprised if that changes throughout the year. Josh Papalii was once again a standout player last season, and he finished runner-up in the Mal Meninga voting, which he has won four previous times.
The Raiders are one of the more likeable teams in the NRL, so to see them have a poor year was a large shock to not only Canberra fans but the whole league. I have them concluding the season in 11th spot because of the quality of teams above them, although a return to the finals is definitely a possibility if they execute their game plan and mould together well.
blahblah
Guest
Not sure the Raiders will get worse this year. They had a lot of internal turmoil last year. I'm expecting them to get back on track. Dogs spine is weak.
Nat
Roar Guru
Jumping 6 fences and running 5km home is solid.
Rob
Guest
Yes I think there could be some surprises to who goes up and down this season. The Bulldogs are certainly not the same in attacking potential. The Cowboys and Bronco kids are a year or two older and both clubs have invested in a quality kicker and experienced game manager. Prior to 6 again several clubs faired much better. The rules are being re-giggled again about how 6 again works. Simply because some clubs were only receiving 1 or 2 extra plays coming of their line whilst others were effectively getting a 30-40m advance out of trouble and a set of 6 in the opposition half? Penalties awarded and those conceded were never more subjective in their importance IMO. It was no coincidence that the Cowboys, Bulldogs and Broncos received very few penalties whilst Panthers, Rabbits, and Manly were awarded a substantially higher amount. It was reflected on the ladder?
KenW
Roar Rookie
3-16?
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I'm not sure how the Bulldogs finish 12th. They haven't really addressed their weakness at hooker and halfback. Their forward pack is modest. I think they will be battling for the spoon
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:laughing: we’ll do our best for you
Redcap
Roar Guru
I've never heard Matt Dufty described as solid before.
Paul
Roar Guru
spot on. If the halves gel, there's every chance they could get on a roll and perhaps make the finals but I'm wary about suggesting the halves will work well together. I hope they do because, as a Dragons supporter, I need a Qld team to dislike :happy:
Malo
Guest
You might be right about Canberra but think the dogs will scrape the 8.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah that's a fair step up from last year, a lot hangs on settling on the halves.
Tony
Roar Guru
Christo, I can only conclude that you are drawing the teams out of a hat :happy:
Nat
Roar Guru
If his next 4 peak at Brisbane, I'll take it.
Nat
Roar Guru
I wish Christo well! :silly: I'm not playing that game this year. It's hard enough watching your team get pumped but then have to listen to others about it... I'm probably with Christo on the Dogs position for this year. Outside of Josh Jackson, who are the defensive specialists they have/brought in? They'll have some good wins but not many teams but it's a hard task just trying to outscore the opposition every week.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Big call to say the Raiders will regress further this year from 10th to 11th. Last season saw them lurch from one crisis to another - George Williams getting homesick and eventually being shown the door mid season, Curtis Scott's night club incident and generally poor form when he did play, Tapine stuck on the bench with his missus airing her displeasure, Hodgson spitting the dummy and leaving the leadership group, and CNK being unavailable for most of the season after copping a whack against the Panthers. Plus Jarrod Croker's form fell away alarmingly due to his chronic knee injury. That's half their spine gone for a lot the season plus their captain playing like a busted and some unhappy campers airing their issues in public. The confidence of the squad looked shot to pieces by mid way through the season and they never recovered. Williams and Scott have gone and Hodgson been sorted with one year left to run on his contract. Hopefully all that sh&t is settled. Tapine has to start given his dominant display for the Maori. A forward combination of Papalii and Tapine is formidable. In the off season they have picked up Fogarty, Cotric and Elliot and Cory Horsburgh and CNK return after missing most of least season - so that is virtually five recruits - and Jarrod Croker looked to be travelling well in the trial against the Roosters. If he can regain full fitness and form that is virtually another recruit. Mick Crawley has returned as attacking coach and they have a new fitness and conditioning coach in Jeremy Hickmans who should have them looking a lot fitter than in 2021. The Raiders looked unprepared for the more uptempo game of RL that was Vlandysball last season but there will be no excuses this year. Difficult to judge where they will finish given the changes to other squads but I'm tipping they'll finish between 6th and 8th.
Paul
Roar Guru
fair call, but I just can't see them 9th or 10th.
Paul
Roar Guru
Christo and I have have a small side wager going on which team finishes further up the ladder, the Broncos or my Dragons. I reckon he's being a tad ambitious, think the Broncs will finish higher than 10th. No argument about Dufty's attacking skills, he's one of the best half dozen fullbacks in the NRL IMO. I guess we'll see how Barrett plans to cover for the mistakes Dufty will make, unless he magically improves.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! It is a tough assignment forecasting the finishing positions below the top 6 , I believe. So far, I have no real issue with Christo's bottom 6 selections. His next 4 might interest me ?
Nat
Roar Guru
I don't envy you writing these mid-table ones Christo. 5 - 12 could be just about any team this season.
Nat
Roar Guru
You leave Christo be mate, I got a feeling he’s on the money! :stoked: Dufty will be interesting to see this year. Hook is about defence and high % plays so was he right to try to steer Dufty that way? Barrett wants to be the opposite and has given Dufty some decent targets to aim at. Assuming, of course, that he gets the FB gig.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I reckon Broncs with be there abouts. Last year there was only 3 wins difference between 8th and 15th. In reality it’s a bracket of 4 or 6 teams that’ll be within a win/loss or 2 of leapfrogging or sliding a few places.