The NRL season kicks off on Thursday night with 16 teams hoping to first be in the final eight and then be the last team standing with the trophy on grand final night.
Each week, The Roar will put a burning issue to our experts to get their opinions on the main topics for the Greatest Game of All.
Heading into Round 1, it’s only fitting that we see who they all think will be making the playoffs in 2022.
Former premiership-winning player and coach Michael Hagan will be a weekly columnist for The Roar this season and he believes there is a clear top six with at least another six sides in contention for the last two spots in the finals equation.
Check out his first column here on why the halves make a whole lot of difference when it comes to premiership campaigns.
And you can also have your say on each team’s chances of making the finals. Scroll to the bottom to rank their playoff hopes from 1-10. Give them a 10 if they’re dead certainties to challenge for the trophy or a 1 if you think the only prize they’ll receive in 2022 will be of the wooden spoon variety.
Experts Roar: Who will make the top eight?
Michael Hagan (premiership-winning player and coach)
1 Panthers
2 Storm
3 Eels
4 Sea Eagles
5 Roosters
6 Rabbitohs
7 Sharks
8 Raiders
The teams defensively that can get their structure in place will be hard to beat as well as the ones with settled halves combinations. A lot of the teams that finished at the bottom last year will improve but probably not enough to make the eight.
Paul Suttor (Roar expert)
1 Roosters
2 Panthers
3 Storm
4 Rabbitohs
5 Sea Eagles
6 Sharks
7 Eels
8 Titans
Canberra would have been playoff bound if Jamal Fogarty hadn’t been sidelined for most of the year in the pre-season while the Roosters should be back to legitimate title contention with Luke Keary giving them an experienced playmaker to steer around their talented team.
Mary Konstantopoulos (Ladies Who League)
1 Storm
2 Roosters
3 Rabbitohs
4 Panthers
5 Eels
6 Sharks
7 Sea Eagles
8 Raiders
As always, the hardest part of picking a top eight is those final two spots. After a disappointing 2021, Canberra steal my final top-eight berth, with the Roosters to rise to the top once again after last season was riddled with injury.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Joe Frost (Roar expert)
1 Roosters
2 Storm
3 Panthers
4 Eels
5 Sea Eagles
6 Knights
7 Sharks
8 Rabbitohs
With a fit and firing roster, I just don’t see who beats the Roosters. Maybe when they’re down on troops over the Origin period. They’re a scary prospect. The Storm were minor premiers for a reason – Craig Bellamy drives unbelievable standards that he won’t let slip in his final years.
Penrith have lost a bit of depth this year but are too good to drop from the top four, Parramatta’s premiership window is the widest it’s been since 2009 and won’t be this open again for the foreseeable future so they have to make it count, while Manly were fun to watch but struggled last year against the superior sides.
Kalyn Ponga will have the year he’s been threatening to have his whole nascent career and Chris ‘The Chad’ Randall is heaps better than you think so the Knights will play at home in Round 1 of the finals, Cronulla’s new recruits will see them improve, but it takes time for these things to gel – especially when you’ve got a new halfback who hasn’t actually played that position in first grade – while there has been too much churn at the Bunnies in the off-season for them to be a top-four team.
AJ Mithen (Roar expert)
1 Roosters
2 Panthers
3 Eels
4 Storm
5 Rabbitohs
6 Raiders
7 Sea Eagles
8 Sharks
Can’t see much change from last year’s top eight to this one. Before they copped so many injuries in 2021 the Roosters were 6-2 and had adapted to V’landysball faster than most. If they stay fit, they’re my pick for the JJ Giltinan. At the other end of the eight, the Sharks can go one better than last year but it was a toss-up between them, the Gold Coast and Newcastle, who wouldn’t look out of place here.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Danielle Smith (Roar expert)
1 Roosters
2 Storm
3 Sea Eagles
4 Panthers
5 Rabbitohs
6 Eels
7 Sharks
8 Knights
The Roosters are going to be close to unbeatable with a full-strength side, given what they were able to accomplish last season with a team full of walking wounded. The Panthers will be in the top four but will have some carry-over pressure and won’t finish at the top. Craig Fitzgibbon will guide the Sharks back into finals contention, and I know you are all shaking your heads at me picking the Knights coming eighth, but I am putting it out into the universe in the hope it comes to fruition.
Tim Gore (Roar expert)
1 Roosters
2 Panthers
3 Storm
4 Raiders
5 Sea Eagles
6 Sharks
7 Eels
8 Broncos
The Roosters had a horror 2021 with injuries, losing Keary, Cordner, Manu, Billy Smith, Morrises, etc. That they even made week two of the finals was remarkable. Surely they’ll have better luck this year. With all their cattle on the field they will be formidable. The Panthers have lost a combined six games in the last two seasons. Anyone who thinks that form is going to evaporate is misguided.
Anyone who thinks the Storm will not be in the top four similarly needs their head read. In the past decade the only two times they have not finished in the top two was 2015 (fourth) and 2014 (sixth). That’s a 90 per cent top-four record. Craig Bellamy has the cheat codes.
When you talk about horrid luck, the Raiders’ 2021 was awful for injuries, suspensions and departures. Even with the injury to Jamal Fogarty, the squad depth is as good as anyone’s and they’ll be itching to get back into the winners circle on the back of some great experience and emerging talent.
The Sea Eagles have some outstanding talent which will see them figuring in the finals. However, their depth may not be as great as other sides.
With Craig Fitzgibbon, Nicho Hynes, Dale Finucane and Cam McInnes arriving, the odds of the Sharks again featuring in the finals are really good.
The Eels will make the finals but they won’t be one of the leading lights. The Broncos, led by Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas and Kotoni Staggs, will be the big improvers.
Mike Meehall Wood (Roar expert)
1 Roosters
2 Panthers
3 Storm
4 Eels
5 Sea Eagles
6 Rabbitohs
7 Sharks
8 Titans
Predictions are hard, because injuries and Covid will play havoc with tipping long-term. The Roosters have the best squad to cope with that, with so many battle-hardened players and youngsters with first-grade appearances already. That might not get them over the line in the finals, but in terms of piling up regular-season wins, they should be too good for most teams.
Melbourne and Penrith will keep on keeping on, but probably not at the same level as last year – that wasn’t sustainable. The Bunnies might well slide as Lachlan Ilias tries to replace Adam Reynolds, while the Sharks won’t get any higher than the lower reaches of the eight.
Kurt Capewell and Adam Reynolds (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Matt Cleary (Roar expert)
1 Storm
2 Roosters
3 Rabbitohs
4 Raiders
5 Panthers
6 Sea Eagles
7 Sharks
8 Eels
It doesn’t matter who they lose, Craig Bellamy’s perennial man-factory just keeps on producing. The Roosters ran fifth last year with a reserve grade team and with a quality spine, Vic Radley and the special sauce of Trent Robinson, they’ll be up there.
Souths skipper Cam Murray is among the best of his kind – and no-one’s really sure what that is – while the Raiders are the ultimate momentum team that plays fast footy and has a plethora of games both at home and in the day-time.
Penrith will be the hunted – they have superstar halves but it’ll be harder again in ‘22 while if Manly have Tom Turbo fit they can beat anyone but without him they’re back in the pack. The Brookie Hill tribe will pray for his hamstrings.
Nicho Hynes will bust out into the stratosphere for the Sharks and while Parramatta have too many good players not to make the eight, the Curse of Sterlo lives still.
Stuart Thomas (Roar expert)
1 Panthers
2 Sea Eagles
3 Roosters
4 Eels
5 Dragons
6 Raiders
7 Storm
8 Broncos
There is little chance of the Panthers being anything but a very similar form of their 2021 selves this season. Once again, they should be top of the pops come the end of the home and away season. The Sea Eagles and Roosters will be thereabouts, with a full season out of Tom Trbojevic and a better start, likely to improve Manly’s chances of making the top four. Look for the Eels to impress, the Dragons to be the big improvers and Melbourne to be not quite as dominant as they have been in recent seasons. A certain halfback will turn the fortunes of the Broncos and should the Raiders early injury woes subside, look for Ricky Stuart’s men to be very competitive.
Vote on which teams you think will make the finals below and we’ll bring you the results next week.
steveng
Roar Rookie
After last nights game I'm very sus with the Bunnies even making the top 10 never mind top 4, very disappointing effort by us and this was on the cards if you have watched the Charity Shield where the Bunnies were exactly the same as last nights game. So far I will put as the top 4 as follows: 1.Panthers 2. Storm 3. Roosters 4. Eels The rest 4 to 8 is a tossup but the Bunnies are definitely not in the 8, also what's happening with Milf, does anyone know if he is still a go with the Bunnies? I know that he's got an assault charge coming up but, what is the long term go? Not that he would make much of a difference with what is going on within our half's combos and especially out wide.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
When did I hide? I am not able to participate during the live call due to being moderated. I am back online this morning. In light of round 1 results thus far my tip of Rabbitohs 3rd, Panthers 6th looks shaky yes. But there are 25 rounds. I did say Souths would not come good until round 5 or 6. Now they look like being 0-4 after 4 rounds, but so were Manly last year, and they made the preliminary finals. Just before the game last night, I posted on the "NRL bans & bumps" article... March 11th 2022 @ 6:07pm Mansour will be on the wing tonight unfortunately with Blake Taafe out. Paulo and Mansour defending together will be a nightmare for Souths fans. If JD was smart, he would name the following back 5. 1. AJ 2. Karapani 3. Graham 4. Milne 5. Paulo The Panthers played well without Nathan Cleary, but no team can afford to give the defending “premiers” 60% possession and expect to finish on top. Manly’s 44 missed tackles to the Panthers 6 and their 8 errors to the Panthers 4 certainly didn’t help either. Bottom line, the Panthers weren’t tested all night. You're just butthurt because your team got caught out, che@ting to win a premiership. Still, I can't help wondering if you are Panthers14, Panthers 15, Panthers16 et al from ZT. Just like her, you have a chip on your shoulder, and you are a brave little keyboard warrior. :laughing:
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Very courageous to stick the neck out pre-game, then hide in tortoise shell post-game when abysmally wrong.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
so we all get go? 1. Rosters 2. Manly 3. Panthers 4. Storm 5. Rabbits 6. Canberra 7. Titans 8. Cronulla 9. Eels 10. Dragons 11. Broncos 12. Cows. 13. Knights 14. Dogs 15. Warriors 16. Tigers
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Time to stick my neck out. I got the top 6 pretty much spot on last year but this year is harder. This list is probably more heart than head with the Bunnies but I will back them in a best case scenario. I think the Panthers will be top 3 early but will drop down the ladder later in the season. 1. Roosters 2. Eels 3. Rabbitohs 4. Storm 5. Manly 6. Panthers 7. Sharks 8. Titans/Dragons toss a coin Rabbitohs vs Eels GF.
UAP
Guest
You need one of Rogers proton energy pills Nick. Saints were hopeless last year but there is something intangible about this team .. looking forward to the kickoff
Nick
Roar Guru
Optimistic would be making 9-12. Stupidity is inside the 8. It's an old team and Aaron Woods is a starting prop. Help us all.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I agree to an extent. IMO the Storm won't make it to the preliminary finals and will finish 4th at best if not 5th or 6th.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Note this comment as well... IMHO at least 2 of those 3 teams (and possibly all 3) will NOT finish in the top 8 in 2022 and you can add the Bulldogs to that list. Certainly the Broncos won't and neither will the Tigers. The Dragons have a slim chance but that's all.
UAP
Guest
Ah Nick .. last year is long gone New start for saints .. young players with talent .. just wait and see how they burn the grass with speed and power this year If one is optimistic doesn't mean they are less intelligent ... It's like the jousting sticks .. tell him he's dreaming ..
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Slipping a bit? From 3rd on the ladder and Grand Finalists to 9th? That isn't a slip that's falling off a balcony and plummeting 7 stories! :laughing:
Nick
Roar Guru
Intelligent ones aren't putting them in the 8. People who think that they were "top 8 quality" last year when they didn't beat a top 8 team for 20 weeks are putting them in the 8.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Because Ilias's game is similar to Reynolds though not of the same standard. That said Reynolds running game has been steadily deteriorating while the running game is one of Ilias's strengths. Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell still have one of the most lethal combinations in the game and all Souths attacking success was 100% due to JD and Ben Hornby who are still running the show in that department. Souths lack depth though so they will need to have a lucky run with injuries and suspensions. For me the greater concern is replacing Dane Gagai who was consistently one if the Bunnies best 3 players in most of the ganes last year. Souths will need to maintain that lethal left edge attack and to do that they will need to move Campbell Graham to left centre, Paulo to right wing and see who best fits in at right centre out if Milne, Tass and Karapani. Josh Mansour should also be kept out of the starting 17. Based on their Charity Shield form Souths forwards have to lift their game (and I think they will). They seemed unmotivated in the pre-season but that should change come round 1.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
A few experts have Manly lower than I expected.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I still give Souths a solid chance of a top 4 finish by the end of the regular season. Latrell, Cody, Cam and Cookie have to play the vast majority of games though for that to happen and ideally they should move Graham to left centre to maintain Souths' lethal left edge attack. Souths have also finished 6th before but still made it to the preliminary final. I don't see Souths finishing outside of the top 6 and if they go on a run then 3rd or 4th. Time will tell.
ROARHIDE !
Guest
People keep saying we'll drop down the ladder because of a rookie half and coach. But we have a decent team and one of the better spines. Look back at 2012, we had a rookie half and coach in Reynolds and Maguire with a decent team and spine -- and finished 3rd on the ladder. We may not finish 3rd this year, but don't write us off.
Larry1950
Guest
The most interesting matter to come out of the expert opinions is the wild variation on the Eels finishing spot, evenly divided between top 4, bottom of the 8 & mid-8. Never been one of my favourites but they appear likely to win more 50/50 & close contests this year, just don’t foresee a premiership. I’ll make the bold prediction that the Storm will lose a few they expect to win because of their weaker depth & finish 5-7 on the ladder but are one team that could win a premiership from outside the top 4.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Ilias has a good running ans kicking game and is a good organiser as well. When Cody Walker wants the ball he will get it. Unencumbered with an organising role Walker will be free to continue his heads up running game. JD was very specific that he had no intention of changing Cody's role. I think you will see more of Cam Murray as a sevond option at first and second receiver and Latrell should get his hands on the ball more. Souths have a tough start to the competition playing the Storm, the Roosters and the Panthers in consecutive weeks from round 2 and it will take some time for the Bunnies halves and Latrell to develop a combination. That being the case I don't expect Souths will jump out of the blocks early. Look for them to stsrt clicking into gear from round 6 onwatds.
KenW
Roar Rookie
That's definitely what it looks like. Things have changed so many times though I can understand them taking it slow.
KenW
Roar Rookie
That's clearly not true. You're literally having discussions with some of us in this thread.