NRL 2018 Competition Smokies

[anthonyb1965]

Casting my over the teams for next year, a couple stood out as "interesting".

Dragons

1.Matt Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Jacob Host 17. Kurt Mann

Very talented back-line and a forward pack probably in the top 3 in the comp! The choke factor is always a worry with the queens.

Newcastle

1.Kalyn Ponga 2. Nathan Ross 3. Tautau Moga 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5. Ken Sio 6. Connor Watson 7. Brock Lamb 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitch Barnett 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Jacob Lillyman 16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 17. Jacob Saifiti

While they won't win the comp, if the team gels quickly they certainly can make the 8!

 

[Briza]

Buhrer will be in the starting side and captain, Brown stated as much in an NRL.com interview.

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[Blake A]

Casting my over the teams for next year, a couple stood out as "interesting".

Dragons

1.Matt Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tim Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Jacob Host 17. Kurt Mann

Very talented back-line and a forward pack probably in the top 3 in the comp! The choke factor is always a worry with the queens.

Newcastle

1.Kalyn Ponga 2. Nathan Ross 3. Tautau Moga 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5. Ken Sio 6. Connor Watson 7. Brock Lamb 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Danny Levi 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Sione Mata’utia 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitch Barnett 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Jacob Lillyman 16. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 17. Jacob Saifiti

While they won't win the comp, if the team gels quickly they certainly can make the 8!

That Newcastle team is still pretty average in my opinion. I can't see them anywhere higher than 12th.

 

[The Who]

I have a sinking feeling that the Eeeeels will be one of the top four teams next season. They have, on paper, a huge amount of depth. As to where they get the money to afford all of them is another matter.

 

[pjayz]

For me it's the Tigers. Not to win the comp - to get into the 8 and perform somewhat similar to we did this year.

 

[Deleted member 26876]

I have a sinking feeling that the Eeeeels will be one of the top four teams next season. They have, on paper, a huge amount of depth. As to where they get the money to afford all of them is another matter.

bottom four *

Their pack is still pretty poor, and as far as I can see it all they have done this off season is lose their god Radradradradra and gain Roosters meh player Kane Evans, who has been very underwhelming

Takairangi has proved to be a **** centre during the world cup and French can't tackle for **** at the back (or anywhere), Moses got better in defence although is still shocking and their halves are useless other than for kicking and magic, 50/50 plays. They need halves that will play roles, or just have one instinctive half

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

Ben Hunt will fit right in at St Choke

 

[nightster]

Ben Hunt will fit right in at St Choke

they may become saint dropsies

 

[Peter C]

At this stage of his career, Matt Dufty is still a touch footballer.

 

[Ralphie]

I have a sinking feeling that the Eeeeels will be one of the top four teams next season. They have, on paper, a huge amount of depth. As to where they get the money to afford all of them is another matter.

What I can tell you is that the squeals are not a happy camp. The rumours of Corey Norman's possible departure have legs. He probably won't go but they are a very unhappy group. I don't know the source of the discord but it's there and will show in their performance in 2018.