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NRL News - by Craig Hill

NRL News - February 2007

Fearless predictions for the 2007 NRL season

February 6th 2007 01:34

Well it's that time of year again, when most rugby league experts are asked their predictions for the upcoming season. Of course this is a waste of time, and mainly used for a space filler in most print media, but with the first round of trial games only a week and a half away, we here at NRL News thought we would contribute our thoughts.

So here we go, with our predictions, preminitions and crystal balling for "one of the most anticptaed seasons in rugby league history!"

Top Four Finish:-
(in no particular order)

Melbourne Storm, Canterbury Bulldogs, Manly Sea-Eagles and North Queensland Cowboys.

Top Eight Finish:-

Melbourne, Canterbury, Manly, North QLD, Brisbane, Newcastle, New Zealand and Parramatta

Top Eight Darkhorses:-

Penrith Panthers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Gold Coast Titans

Wooden Spoon Contenders:-

Canberra Raiders and Sydney Roosters

Best Signing of 2007:-

Jamie Lyon (Manly Sea-Eagles)

Coach of the Year:-

Ivan Cleary (New Zealand Warriors)

Premiers:-

Canterbury Bulldogs or Manly Sea-Eagles

We will check back in eight months time, to see how accurate these predictions were.

In the mean time, stay tuned to NRL News for the latest on the newest NRL supporter group - THE LEGION!!

Cheers,

StephenP.

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Comment by Cibbuano

February 7th 2007 22:45

Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak

the roosters at the bottom? Can they ever get out of there?

Comment by StephenP

February 7th 2007 23:09

Hey Cibby,

My theory on the Roosters haveing a mediocre season is based on the fact that they have no established, potent looking half or five-eight

They only have Anasta, Soward, Flannery and Lewis to pick out of, with rumours hinting that Anasta will play lock this year. Flannery is no more than a handy utility forward, whilst Soward has big wraps, but limited NRL experience and no experienced half partner to nurse him through the pressure situations.

The Rosters have an awesome loking pack and pacy backine, but having speed in the backline is not much use if you can't get the ball out to them.

I guess time will tell!

Cheers,

StephenP

Comment by Anonymous

February 8th 2007 11:27

Go ahead and write off the Roosters. They have forever been the team that is expected to do well, and recently have performed very poorly.

Perhaps taking them out of the spotlight will relieve some of the pressure to perform, and we will soon see them back atop the table, WHERE THEY BELONG. With an improved forward pack and better luck with injuries they should at least make the 8.

Remember about the team called Penrith in 2003...and the Tigers or North Qld of late...sometimes it pays to be the underdog.

Comment by Anonymous

February 17th 2007 09:46

Where are the Dragons? predicting a lean season? probably right considering the new halves combinatio be gasnier and head (who will probably get injured anyway)

what do you think.

Comment by StephenP

February 17th 2007 11:48

Hey Anon,

As you will here me say quite a bit this season, to be a successful team, you have to have depth.

And I honestly don't see a lot of depth in the Dragons this year - and you are right, the combo of Gasnier and Head does also worry me.

They have lost too much in talent over the off season for mine, and I think the best they can hope for is to scrape into the eight.

Cheers,

StephenP

Comment by Anonymous

March 1st 2007 05:55

Raiders are always pretty heavily favoured for the spoon these days and the are always there or thereabouts when it comes finals time. They haven't got the superstars of some other clubs but they have got some backline talent in Phil Graham and one of the best workhorses going around in Alan Tongue. They also boast plenty of fight and work ethic all over the park. I'm pretty sure they will miss the eight this year without Jason Smith but they won't get the spoon.

Comment by Raiderholic

March 1st 2007 23:32

I have to agree in a way to the previous comment posted about the raiders, always ridden off early but are there or there abouts come the end of the season. However this season is very very different, this season will make or break the raiders in so many ways, in the past the raiders have heavily relied upon Shiffa to get them across the line when things werent going there way and in more recent time Jason Smith, both gone!, on top of that the ever consistent Jason Croker gone, Woolford, Hodgson, Kahler gooone. But here is where the postives ( i hope) begin, Mal Meninga spoke to the team in QLD whilst they were trialling, he mentioned similiarities between this team of virtual unknowns and the team of 89, dont get me wrong im not even going to consider comparing the player calibre, but its interesting to note that in 89, the raiders where no names the likes of lazarus, clyde and walters were basically unknowns. Very similar however in a different position of the halves, Dobson only 20 and Carney only 20 are what looks like to be Neil Henrys preferred options, they will get massive protection and go forward from the likes of a hopefully in form costigan, Dane Tilse (7ft mamoth), Mick Weyman (The injured Lazarus), Scott Logan(Huge), Glenn Turner (ruthless), Alan tongue(energiser battery), Tom Lehroyd lahrs (injurey prone yet effective), Matt Bikerstaff (Never says die), so this means the raiders have accounted for the problem of the past which has been the lack of depth in the forwards, What Henry has also down is promote promising youngster William Zillman, who to my knowledge has a above average try to games played ratio, in my opinion what he has done by putting him in the centres is exactly what happened to laurie daley, giving him first team experience without the enormous pressure of controlling the halves(YET), im hoping carney and dobson will do the trick but i some how think that zillman will get his chance. On top of this the raiders have depth in the halves with the experince of Andrew Dunneman, who has spent quite a number of seasons in the UK (alot better league than i initially gave it credit for) If you put the likes of Craig Frawley back in the centres put Zillman in there with either Dobson or Carney(Very unstable form) and place Colin Best next to frawley you get the picture, this would be my team in any case (Injury Free)
1.Marshall Chalk
2.Phil Graham
3.David Howell
4.Craig Frawley
5.Colin Best
6.Todd Carney
7.William Zillman
8.Dane Tilse
9.Lincoln Withers
10.Mick Weyman
11.Tom Lehroyd Lahrs
12. Troy Thompson
13. Alan Tongue (c)

Bench (rotateable)
14.Andrew Dunneman
15.Scott Logan
16.Matt Bikerstaff
17.Neville Costigan
18. Josh Miller
19.Adrian Purtell
The rest of the players in the raiders 1st team squad would act essentially as back up premier league players ( ive seen Bronx Goodwin) doesnt live up to family name, doesnt have the physique of a good fullback nor does he have Ted's tenacity.
And finally there is the hot gossip, i was speaking to Brad Haddin(Raiders fan and Ozzie keeper) he is close mates with Zillman, Carney and co being from Canberra, anyway he was telling me the only downfall or stumbling block he could see with the raiders this season was the torturous training programme that Neil Henry has the team going through, the players are sick of it, and feel that if this is to continue the players will have a bright start to the season but will fade come the back end of it with injuries and player fatigue, Maybe that is why the bought so many forwards ?????

Comment by StephenP

March 2nd 2007 02:30

Thanks for your comments both Raiders fans,

Anon - I agree with your assumption that the Raiders will miss the 8, and unfortuntaely for you, I think the wooden spoon may be heading your way. I just can't see how they can replace the vast amount of experience they have lost in Schifcofske, Woolford, Mogg etc., and still expect to do as well as last year.

Raiderholic - What a fantastic insight into the Raiders squad for this year - thanks for your insightful analysis.

Maybe Neil Henry learnt a bit too much about training through his time spent with Billy Johnstone up at North QLD.

While you have named a fairly impressive first 13, it doesn't exactly put fear into the minds of their rivals. There is a lot of experienced first graders in that team, but they seem to be lacking a real gamebreaker or pointscorer for mine. I know that Lincoln Withers is capable of producing a rare moment of brilliance, but it is a long season, and I just don't know where the Raiders are going to get the points from to be comepetitive.

Just my thoughts, and thank you so much for yours,

StephenP

Comment by Raiderholic

March 3rd 2007 07:29

good point stephen about the fear factor thing, i know i ramble mate but im passionate about this stuff, in my highly bias opinion lol, i think that Colin Best covers for Mogg, If frawley isnt injured then his a threat, i think Tongue at hooker is a more prefered option because as you say Withers is somewhat unreliable, the halves i think is where it all comes down to, if Dobson and Carney can fire (both 20) that will decide whether or not Canberra do well, Neil Henry today announced that Dobson and carney( although majoritevely unknown quantities) will get the first crack at the halves pairing, if they shit themseves in the NRL, then the experience of Dunneman and Withers will be used. Canberra will go close to the wooden spoon if Dunneman and Withers are used, they are known quantities and have proved to be somewhat varied in form over a season as you say. I just hope the young guns fire tonight against the tigers, the spirit is certainly there, Carney is playing with a splint on his finger tonight. Good luck to them i have missed the fire they put in my belly years ago.

Comment by Raiderholic

March 4th 2007 08:32

Although only a trial, well done the raiders, we showed were no easy beats despite the tigers giving us the game, unlucky stephen with the eels mate, but again trial form means absolutely nothing. But it was just the remedy i needed to cling on the hope that raiders have a shot at the 8
cheers

Comment by StephenP

March 4th 2007 10:06

Hey Raiderholic,

Good on the Raiders for winning against the Tigers - but as you said, it was only a trial.

I guess we will know come round 5 how the green machine are travelling - they meet Manly, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta and the Roosters, with 3 of those games to be played at home.

Unfortunately though, those home games will still be played in warmer conditions than that of the conditions expected in July!!

The thing with my Eels is, that I think we may struggle all year as well - in my view, I think we have a serious lack of depth in the club, especially in the halves (also the Raiders achilles heel)

Thanks for returning, and I hope we can continue this banter throughout the season.

Cheers,

StephenP

Comment by Raiderholic

March 5th 2007 05:49

To be honest mate, i think we have to give both our halves pairings a shot, to be honest im not too sure about the depth at parra in terms of the halves but you have to admit for both Canberra and parra, their halves pairing are young, creative and must be given every oppurtunity to shine, Dont get me wrong i wouldnt compare the quality or experience Finch and Smith has with Carney or dobson but with the right coaching of which i think parra have a ripper(Hagan) these young blokes in my opinion will do well, In terms of the depth at Canberra we have plenty in the halves however it is a different story if we are talking about quality depth because im not convinced just yet about withers nor dunemann, but they serve as replacements for Dobson or Carney should either of them get injured or play out of sorts. keeping in mind that withers and dunemann are now fighting for the hooking role after Carney and Dobson did well in their last trial. Oh yeh and In terms of injuries Carney will be right, the injury of the finger was sustained prior to the Tigers match and of what i have read and heard he will be right for Manly. Sorry mate if i keep goin on about the raiders mate, im open for discussion about other sides as well.
Cheers

Comment by Anonymous

March 5th 2007 08:46

hey your all forgetting the eagles, proud suuporter for all my life, i think that they have improved a lot and they deserve to win the premiership, they have a great team and when ben kennedy left it inspired them to step up their game.

Comment by StephenP

March 5th 2007 10:24

Hey Anon,

I haven't forgot Manly at all - if you take a look at the corresponding story, I have predicted Manly to finish in not only theTop 4, but also to make the grand final!

I also beleive that Jamie Lyon will be the buy of the year, and thats a big call coming from a DIEHARD Parra supporter!!!

Raiderholic,

I love your enthusiasm for the Raiders - and by all means keep posting your outlook on the Green Machine!

One last thing though, I was doing soem research the other day, and I was wondering if Canberra have a fan forum in their new website?

Cheers,

StephenP

Comment by Anonymous

March 8th 2007 23:47

A warning to all you Aussies was issued on 3 March:

Warriors 36 - (Full Strength) Bulldogs 6

The 2007 Premiership is heading across the Tasman lads!

Comment by Anonymous

March 27th 2007 21:02

get lost, flannery hasnt played in the halves for years

[ Previous - 2007 NRL Trial Match Results ]

[ Next - The key NRL signings for 2007 ]

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