I see Top 4 and expect it

[Mark from Brisbane]

We have good personnel and an astute coach coming off an encouraging year. Defence has been highlighted to the team as the key area for improvement.

The thing that really matters, and is either in place already due to a tough pre season or it won't happen at all, is fitness.

The top two teams, Penrith and Melbourne, just go and go and go and go and go.

Fingers crossed

I agree about the top two , but surely with the loss of Laui & JFH , plus others in recent years , they’ll be starting their downwards slide soon.

Also , it’s 4 Premierships in a row , can they keep the fire in their belly’s at peak levels for yet another year ???

 

[Eagle 1]

We have good personnel and an astute coach coming off an encouraging year. Defence has been highlighted to the team as the key area for improvement.

The thing that really matters, and is either in place already due to a tough pre season or it won't happen at all, is fitness.

The top two teams, Penrith and Melbourne, just go and go and go and go and go.

Fingers crossed

Could be a bit of a let down in 25 for Penrith and Melb. It's hard to stay on top and sustain the effort that you've had for 3 or 4 seasons. In Melb's case, a long winning run of games then into the top 4 on a reg basis. Anyway, Tommy keeps fit and uninjured, we'll make the 4. From there anything can happen, especially if Penrith and Melb falter at the finishing line.

 

[sheridanstand78]

We have good personnel and an astute coach coming off an encouraging year. Defence has been highlighted to the team as the key area for improvement.

The thing that really matters, and is either in place already due to a tough pre season or it won't happen at all, is fitness.

The top two teams, Penrith and Melbourne, just go and go and go and go and go.

Fingers crossed

After watching the grand final live one thing really stood out for me was the structure and systems of the Storm and Penrith is they just do the 101s so well, watching that game was like a game of chess and it was one or 2 small errors that decided it.

Manly have to develop that sort of consistency so that the spectacular tries that the team scores for fun is balanced out by strong field position earned by solid defence and cutting down errors with and without the ball.

 

[Rocky]

Could be a bit of a let down in 25 for Penrith and Melb. It's hard to stay on top and sustain the effort that you've had for 3 or 4 seasons. In Melb's case, a long winning run of games then into the top 4 on a reg basis. Anyway, Tommy keeps fit and uninjured, we'll make the 4. From there anything can happen, especially if Penrith and Melb falter at the finishing line.

I reckon Melbourne will be super hungry after last season.

Add Stefano to the mix and they are the team to beat imo.

 

[Eagle 1]

I reckon Melbourne will be super hungry after last season.

Add Stefano to the mix and they are the team to beat imo.

Yeah, Melb will come out of the blocks firing right from rd1, no doubt about that. It's the 2nd half of the season, especially after Origin 3 when the whips come out, heading down the straight. Think we could be in for some surprises tbh.

 

[Ryan]

What we have:
1. Experience
2. A fantastic backline
3. Speed out wide
4. A generational fullback (as was Brett Stewart) - we've been very lucky

What we don't have:
1. Play-the-ball speed
2. Defensive line speed
3. A winning culture
4. An acceptable Hooker (unless Simpkin plays)
5. Mobility

 

[sheridanstand78]

What we have:
1. Experience
2. A fantastic backline
3. Speed out wide
4. A generational fullback (as was Brett Stewart) - we've been very lucky

What we don't have:
1. Play-the-ball speed
2. Defensive line speed
3. A winning culture
4. An acceptable Hooker (unless Simpkin plays)
5. Mobility

We have to learn to control the ruck with and without the ball, too many times we are schooled in that area and its holding us back, we need a running 9 who can kick from dummy half to ease the pressure on our halves. That is why Melbourne and Penrith are so dangerous, they never seem to be out of gas due to their fitness, tactics and ability to do the simple things really well. That is what we need to bridge if we are to be a serious threat.