The only teams that frighten me in 2016 are:
Brisbane. If they can play like they did this year they should be ok. And they'll be motivated after the GF loss. If they do pick up Roberts it'll cover the loss of Hodges.
Warriors. An enigma of a team, but the addition of Luke and RTS along with Johnson's return should turn them from pretenders to contenders. If Manly don't win it all I wouldn't be surprised to see the Warriors finally get there. But, do they have the coach to take them there? I've read a few comments around the place from their fans and a lot seem to wish that a certain Manly junior recently gone from a Sydney club was back in charge in Auckland.....
Cowboys. a lot depends on Thurston of course, but they are good enough to go back to back. They tried so hard for so long to get there, now that they have will they still have the motivation? We did back in 1973, the Speels in `82, Canberra in `90 and Brisbane in `93 also did it..... And how will it affect the team if Green also gets the Qld job?
Of the others.....
* Parra-doesn't-matta's recruitment will flatter only to deceive. Very good backline, no forward pack.
* Souffs have weakened themselves to get Sam back. That will prove costly.
* The Rorters have lost a LOT of their strike power. RTS will be hard enough to replace and although Ferguson is good, he is very inexperienced in the #1 jumper. And I don't know if they realise how hard they might do it without Maloney. Ok he's not the worlds best 5/8, but he's still pretty good. And they don't seem to have a replacement for his quality goal kicking.
* I think Cronulla over-achieved in 2015. They are a top 8 side, but its 5-8 and not top 4.
The rest, IMO, will need misfortune from others to be a threat. Perfect example is St Merge. They were the ones who made it this year because of our poor season. I'd be surprised if they made the 8 next year.
Chip and ChaseTrue Supporter
