fLIP
UFO Hunter
Just came across this article from back in Feb regarding their 11 predictions for season 2011.
No.1: Inglis won't make a difference at Souths
No South Sydney fan wants to hear it, however, the Rabbitohs look set for another mid-table finish. The Bunnies have owned strong forwards and fast backs for the past two seasons, but they retain the same halves combination - Chris Sandow and John Sutton - who have failed to deliver consistency. Expecting one champion centre - at the expense of the one they lost - to catapult the club into top-four contention is too much, even for Greg Inglis.
No.2: Struggling Sea Eagles to miss finals
Manly have slid back to the pack in recent seasons and their run of seven consecutive finals appearances looks set to end in 2011. While Des Hasler still has the core of the 2008 premiership-winning side at his disposal, the Sea Eagles have slowly lost squad depth while failing to rejuvenate their roster with strong signings. If Manly suffer a similar injury toll to last season they could fall as far as the bottom four.
No.3: Maroons to overcome improved NSW
It is hard to make a strong case for a New South Wales series victory after Queensland's utter dominance in 2010. Sure, Blues coach Ricky Stuart will bring a new dimension, but it's old Queensland combinations that have been hurting NSW for the past five years. Maroons selectors largely know what their side is going to look like; NSW selectors, sadly, remain at the drawing board. With Darren Lockyer fit and Johnathan Thurston pumped for a huge season the Maroons will triumph 2-1 to make it six straight, as NSW move closer to the mark, but ultimately fall just short.
No.4: Cowboys to top the Queensland teams
Gold Coast Titans have been consistent for the past two seasons without taking their game to another level. This year, with Mat Rogers retired and no significant recruits, the chasers might just catch up to John Cartwright's men. Brisbane Broncos, meanwhile, look unlikely to improve dramatically on their 2010 season, especially given their late switch of coach. The new blood at North Queensland Cowboys will do wonders for a team who needed a culture shock while the early signs suggest Matt Bowen and Johnathan Thurston are getting back to their best.
No.5: Blues to bank on Roosters trio
Fitness and form permitting, Sydney Roosters' attacking trio of Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta will all be in the starting 13 when NSW selectors pick their line-up for Origin I. No combination in the NRL is more dangerous, and chemistry is something the Blues need badly. Anasta may be a contentious decision; however a continuation of the form and leadership he showed with the Roosters in 2010 would make the former NSW five-eighth a valuable recall to the back row - and also a captaincy bolter.
No.6: Jamie Soward for Dally M Medal
With their premiership drought finally over the early indicators are that St George Illawarra will shed the shackles from their attack in 2011. This augurs well for five-eighth Jamie Soward, whose full attacking potential has not been seen since his time in the lower grades with Sydney Roosters. Soward came of age in last year's finals series; and with 11 of the past 13 Dally M Medal awards going to halves he shapes as a frontrunner snare league's ultimate individual honour.
No.7: Dogs won't take Moore disappointment
Expect Canterbury-Bankstown coach Kevin Moore to feel the heat if his side can't lift from their disappointing 2010. It's hard not to judge Moore by his stellar rookie season of 2009; his side struggled with injuries last year but there will be no excuses this time following a huge club spending spree. If Moore's men even look like missing the eight - and a slow start is quite possible given the club's player turnover - it won't be long before off-contract coaches are being linked to Belmore.
No.8: Parramatta to prove the critics wrong
It won't be the most stylish Parramatta side to run around in NRL history but new coach Stephen Kearney will lead a committed Eels back to the finals. Kearney's international pedigree has helped him stamp his authority on the turbulent club immediately. A lot has been made of the turnover of players at the Eels but, in truth, many of the exited players were well past their prime. The recruits - many of which are playing for their careers - share with their new coach a common desire to prove they have what it takes.
No.9: Melbourne back with a vengeance
They may not retain the fear factor of previous seasons but Craig Bellamy's charges will be straight back in the finals. While the salary cap sees it that all 16 NRL clubs contain squads of roughly the same ability, it is the game breakers in key positions that ultimately decide which line-ups flourish while others flounder. By keeping Cronk, Smith and Slater Melbourne Storm still have the spine to stick it to any team in the competition.
No.10: Green Machine on road to grand final
Terry Campese's injury aside, Canberra loom as a formidable football team ahead of a season in which their greatest challenge could be high expectations. Lightning backs, monster forwards - the Raiders have even added a premiership-winning halfback in Matt Orford. In fact, the Raiders were the only team to beat the premiers twice in 2010, and indeed it is these two teams who look best placed to clash for the NRL grand final trophy on October 2.
No.11: The three best buys of the season
Cronulla's Wade Graham, Warriors' Feleti Mateo and Bulldogs' Aiden Tolman. Graham played second fiddle to Luke Walsh at Penrith and will revel at a club with less expectations and a formidable forward pack. Mateo is exactly what the Warriors need - an extra ballplayer in the back row; he'll also go up a gear as he looks to prove himself to a new club. Finally, Aiden Tolman, he may be overshadowed by some of the Dogs' other recruits but this backrower will go close to NSW Origin selection.
No.1: Inglis won't make a difference at Souths
No South Sydney fan wants to hear it, however, the Rabbitohs look set for another mid-table finish. The Bunnies have owned strong forwards and fast backs for the past two seasons, but they retain the same halves combination - Chris Sandow and John Sutton - who have failed to deliver consistency. Expecting one champion centre - at the expense of the one they lost - to catapult the club into top-four contention is too much, even for Greg Inglis.
No.2: Struggling Sea Eagles to miss finals
Manly have slid back to the pack in recent seasons and their run of seven consecutive finals appearances looks set to end in 2011. While Des Hasler still has the core of the 2008 premiership-winning side at his disposal, the Sea Eagles have slowly lost squad depth while failing to rejuvenate their roster with strong signings. If Manly suffer a similar injury toll to last season they could fall as far as the bottom four.
No.3: Maroons to overcome improved NSW
It is hard to make a strong case for a New South Wales series victory after Queensland's utter dominance in 2010. Sure, Blues coach Ricky Stuart will bring a new dimension, but it's old Queensland combinations that have been hurting NSW for the past five years. Maroons selectors largely know what their side is going to look like; NSW selectors, sadly, remain at the drawing board. With Darren Lockyer fit and Johnathan Thurston pumped for a huge season the Maroons will triumph 2-1 to make it six straight, as NSW move closer to the mark, but ultimately fall just short.
No.4: Cowboys to top the Queensland teams
Gold Coast Titans have been consistent for the past two seasons without taking their game to another level. This year, with Mat Rogers retired and no significant recruits, the chasers might just catch up to John Cartwright's men. Brisbane Broncos, meanwhile, look unlikely to improve dramatically on their 2010 season, especially given their late switch of coach. The new blood at North Queensland Cowboys will do wonders for a team who needed a culture shock while the early signs suggest Matt Bowen and Johnathan Thurston are getting back to their best.
No.5: Blues to bank on Roosters trio
Fitness and form permitting, Sydney Roosters' attacking trio of Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta will all be in the starting 13 when NSW selectors pick their line-up for Origin I. No combination in the NRL is more dangerous, and chemistry is something the Blues need badly. Anasta may be a contentious decision; however a continuation of the form and leadership he showed with the Roosters in 2010 would make the former NSW five-eighth a valuable recall to the back row - and also a captaincy bolter.
No.6: Jamie Soward for Dally M Medal
With their premiership drought finally over the early indicators are that St George Illawarra will shed the shackles from their attack in 2011. This augurs well for five-eighth Jamie Soward, whose full attacking potential has not been seen since his time in the lower grades with Sydney Roosters. Soward came of age in last year's finals series; and with 11 of the past 13 Dally M Medal awards going to halves he shapes as a frontrunner snare league's ultimate individual honour.
No.7: Dogs won't take Moore disappointment
Expect Canterbury-Bankstown coach Kevin Moore to feel the heat if his side can't lift from their disappointing 2010. It's hard not to judge Moore by his stellar rookie season of 2009; his side struggled with injuries last year but there will be no excuses this time following a huge club spending spree. If Moore's men even look like missing the eight - and a slow start is quite possible given the club's player turnover - it won't be long before off-contract coaches are being linked to Belmore.
No.8: Parramatta to prove the critics wrong
It won't be the most stylish Parramatta side to run around in NRL history but new coach Stephen Kearney will lead a committed Eels back to the finals. Kearney's international pedigree has helped him stamp his authority on the turbulent club immediately. A lot has been made of the turnover of players at the Eels but, in truth, many of the exited players were well past their prime. The recruits - many of which are playing for their careers - share with their new coach a common desire to prove they have what it takes.
No.9: Melbourne back with a vengeance
They may not retain the fear factor of previous seasons but Craig Bellamy's charges will be straight back in the finals. While the salary cap sees it that all 16 NRL clubs contain squads of roughly the same ability, it is the game breakers in key positions that ultimately decide which line-ups flourish while others flounder. By keeping Cronk, Smith and Slater Melbourne Storm still have the spine to stick it to any team in the competition.
No.10: Green Machine on road to grand final
Terry Campese's injury aside, Canberra loom as a formidable football team ahead of a season in which their greatest challenge could be high expectations. Lightning backs, monster forwards - the Raiders have even added a premiership-winning halfback in Matt Orford. In fact, the Raiders were the only team to beat the premiers twice in 2010, and indeed it is these two teams who look best placed to clash for the NRL grand final trophy on October 2.
No.11: The three best buys of the season
Cronulla's Wade Graham, Warriors' Feleti Mateo and Bulldogs' Aiden Tolman. Graham played second fiddle to Luke Walsh at Penrith and will revel at a club with less expectations and a formidable forward pack. Mateo is exactly what the Warriors need - an extra ballplayer in the back row; he'll also go up a gear as he looks to prove himself to a new club. Finally, Aiden Tolman, he may be overshadowed by some of the Dogs' other recruits but this backrower will go close to NSW Origin selection.
