The Roar
The Roar

Tom Rock

Expert

Joined February 2016

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As a full-time pharmacist, part-time Roarer and fair-weather Newcastle Knights fan, Tom doesn’t leave anything on the field. He always gives 110% and never forgets to give full credit to the boys. But in a game of two halves, it’s important not to look too far ahead, so Tom’s just taking it one week at a time. Follow Tom on Twitter @_TomRock_

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If you make enough predictions, one of them is bound to be correct.

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

Hard to disagree with any of those. Especially your Origin prediction.

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

It’s true. I am a hack. Panthers for the spoon.

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

Canberra will slide, but you can’t honestly say that the St George Illawarra roster is stronger that the Raiders??

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

I wish the Panthers nothing but ill. I hope they are battling the Roosters for 8th spot, and then neither of them make it.

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

I’d take Munster, Grant, Hughes and Paps over any other combo. Without hesitation.

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

Raiders look set for a slide. Their spine is a chiropractor’s wet dream. They’ll be lucky to avoid the bottom 3.

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

Who else?

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

Sorry Jimmy. If it makes you feel better, I tipped big things for the Roosters, so they should slide. Helps me sleep at night

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

I prefer to go with the Mark Howard approach and refer to anyone over 6’0 as The Big Fella

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

Best spine in the comp, quality backline and a solid pack of forwards. That’s more than enough for Bellamy

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

It’s probably relative to other people’s expectations for him. Just like his whole career. Brooks will be just ok at Manly, when plenty are viewing him as the missing piece of their premiership puzzle.

Predicting the 2024 NRL season - Panthers' era over, Dragons to get spoon, Cowboys rising - and the stars under most pressure

But then who will coach the coaches to make sure they’ll are aligned???

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

I’m modern Origin, you can’t play centres in the centres. Just doesn’t work. If fullbacks aren’t available, conventional wisdom suggests beach sprinters or hobbled second rowers who have previously spent time in the centres ‘coming through the grades’.

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

I was going to suggest Rick Stone for the job but this scenario feels more plausible

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

Don’t rush him Muzz, he’s got a plan

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

Has anyone got Wayne’s number?

Gus, Ivan, Robbo and JD: How the coaching brains trust can give NSW a new Origin identity

I’m not arguing that he’s not a good player. I’m arguing that being in that Penrith system is a major contributing factor to him performing at that level.

Will his defence have the same urgency if those around him aren’t as committed as his former teammates? Will his attacking skills look as sharp if the service from dummy half and halfback isn’t as sublime as he’s used to? And if he’s playing longer minutes (have you seen Canterbury’s bench?) will his runs have the same venom??

Just asking….I’ve occasionally been proven wrong before (see Cowboys, North Queensland).

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

I really hope you’re right about the Roosters! Nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to see them underachieve and miss the 8….

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

Comparing any team to Pearce is a bit rough to be honest….I really hope he comes back for a Rooster swansong so I can go back to hating him and that club in peace.

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

Morning Barry. Always love your feedback mate.

Regarding Kikau, I could have pecked out a thesis on the things he did well at Penrith. An edge back rower that call tally 10 tries and 10 try assists in the same season is a rare beast. I highlighted his defence on kick chase as this was something that stood out to me every time I watched Penrith play. They control field position like no other side I have seen, and Kikau was the primary driver of that. Not sure why that’s odd, but to each their own. And in terms of him being a dud buy but still ravaging Penrith’s roster, I just feel he holds much more value to the Panthers than to the Dogs. He will be a bigger loss to Penrith than a gain to Canterbury.

And I think the Origin logic holds up. Talent trumps spirit. I agree that it won’t be as lopsided this year than the dynasty v Pearce years, but the best of NSW is far better this year than the best of QLD. Just my opinion, but I’ll put a case of beer on it if you like?

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

It’s a long season. That bloke who couldn’t crack the Dogs team is being replaced next week by the current Golden Boot winner and arguably one of the best players in the comp

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

Injury luck……but I hope all those things you listed happen as well! Except maybe Tino. I don’t mind the mullet.

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

Twice the amount of tears

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

I really wish I could spend more time in QLD, but honestly I can’t afford it. All of that extra toothpaste, multiple hats, tubes and tubes of sunscreen. Having two heads must be expensive, especially with the cost of living these days.

The NRL Forecast: Year of the Rooster, new-look Tigers spin their wheels, Payten's reality check

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