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The NRL trials are done and we are on the doorstep of a new season. The bottom four in my ladder predictions is complete and here are the teams that I think will finish in 13th and 12th.
13. Gold Coast Titans
The Gold Coast Titans looked to be on the rise when they were only one pass away from progressing to the second round of the 2021 finals. Many thought things were turning around on the Goldy and that making the 2022 playoffs was a sure thing.
However, this was not to be the case, as they finished 13th and disappointed everyone. It’s hard to put a finger on an exact reason why things went wrong last year. Some would say it was their poor defence and limited attack, both those points are true, however their lack of direction was a major factor and key players that didn’t fire.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
One such player was David Fifita, who signed one of the Titans’ most expensive contracts in club history. Fifita looked like a lost puppy in 2022 and must step up in order for the Titans to at least sniff September footy this season.
Kieran Foran is set to play in the number six jersey on the Gold Coast and could provide a spark of experience and leadership. Foran and Tanah Boyd could link very well, however the Gold Coast needs two rock solid young halves who are able to develop a partnership in the years to come. The two things that the Titans need are a high-quality halves partnership, as well as David Fifita back to his best. Looking at their roster though, it’s hard to move them any higher then where they finished last season.
12. Canberra Raiders
My first bold prediction of the season involves the Canberra Raiders. The Green Machine finished their 2022 campaign immensely, winning seven of their final eight games of the regular season, before upsetting the Melbourne Storm in week one of the finals.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Their possible fairy-tale story came crashing down in week two when they were thrashed by Parramatta. The Raiders seem to have a pattern of carrying on with their business quietly for most of the season, before turning a switch and playing close to perfect around finals’ time. The squad is heading into the 2023 season with few changes and their strongest starting seventeen is set to remain almost identical to last season’s, except for Zavier Savage who suffered a broken jaw in the trials and is expected to return mid-season.
I don’t think the Raiders will decline much in quality, however there are teams such as the next one on my list that are improving and moving onto better things. It seems that Canberra may be stuck in the mud and will find themselves mid-table all season.
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