The top two ( and the rest of us).

[Mark from Brisbane]

It’s a long long way to go but not withstanding injuries jeez there a huge gap between teams 1 & 2 and the rest of us so you can almost pencil in the Grand Finalists already.

Yes a lot can happen but you’d have to agree , as long as injuries hold up for them that the Drizzle and the Panfers are going to take some beating.

3rd or 4th still vital positions as least you are in with a chance but doubt you can win from 5-8.

 

[Rosko]

Penrith and Melbourne are on a different planet from the rest.
Our aim this year should be to compete every game, win more than not against the other 8 finals contenders and smash the 5 crap teams. And blood the best future talent we have.

 

[Rocky]

Yes the gap is seemingly huge. Hard to see anything but that Grand final.

From last years Top 6, the Roosters and Souths have gone backwards. Parra is probably somewhat comparable to 2021.

What about Manly? Definitely some improvement from certain individual players but clearly the same bigger problems from recent years still exist. However given how weak it is outside the top 2, I think a top 4 finish is still attainable.

 

[Hibyemama]

It’s a long long way to go but not withstanding injuries jeez there a huge gap between teams 1 & 2 and the rest of us so you can almost pencil in the Grand Finalists already.

Yes a lot can happen but you’d have to agree , as long as injuries hold up for them that the Drizzle and the Panfers are going to take some beating.

3rd or 4th still vital positions as least you are in with a chance but doubt you can win from 5-8.

agree. a wise man would put a wager with sportstab for panthers vs storm in the grandfinal.😊

 

[Woodsie]

It’s a long long way to go but not withstanding injuries jeez there a huge gap between teams 1 & 2 and the rest of us so you can almost pencil in the Grand Finalists already.

Yes a lot can happen but you’d have to agree , as long as injuries hold up for them that the Drizzle and the Panfers are going to take some beating.

3rd or 4th still vital positions as least you are in with a chance but doubt you can win from 5-8.

Was thinking the same thing .. but our hope is that .. "on any given Sunday "

Plus I think players like Shu, Guac Foran, and others are improving ...

I am not so concerned with our squad .. I think our problem is more one of game style.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Was thinking the same thing .. but our hope is that .. "on any given Sunday "

Plus I think players like Shu, Guac Foran, and others are improving ...

I am not so concerned with our squad .. I think our problem is more one of game style.

If you put yourselves in a position to play to get to a GF it’s a pretty fair effort , and you are right , anything can happen on the day.

My hope is , they’ll have experienced that pain last year and will learn.

But we have to get there first

 

[The '47ers]

agree. a wise man would put a wager with sportstab for panthers vs storm in the grandfinal.😊

Pointsbet 😉

 

[jbb/james]

as they dont steer away from what makes them top 2 they will be hard to beat as they get so much practice at finals footy as they dont go all touch footy if they play the doggies

parra trouble those gameplans somewhat and seem most likely to cause an upset , but are not consistent enough. they have licked there wounds and tried to play the same style for a few years but are not as clinical, but have committed to a similar strategy

Manly need to be there or there abouts in case we meet the storm or riff in a prelim , and there spine share the same crack pipe or beer bong and all get covid .

i think the roosters could get close but lost some great leadership. they also have similar style halves and no game manager but both halves leave nothing in the tank and create opportunities galore for some classy backs. they have experience as well in big games and know the road to victory

souffs .........pffft

 

[Remy]

Look at the line speed of both Melbourne and Penrith. It's so far clear of any other team. They're all supremely fit individuals, gone through army camps during pre-season, just well drilled. Suffocating line speed.

We need that badly.

 

[double hoops]

Look at the line speed of both Melbourne and Penrith. It's so far clear of any other team. They're all supremely fit individuals, gone through army camps during pre-season, just well drilled. Suffocating line speed.

We need that badly.

Both those team would have taken home the 2 points against South's with only 12 men and done it pretty easy.

They are just better in every aspect of the game then us currently. The margin is huge. As an outsider they just look like they are so much better drilled. Like whatever we spend 6 hrs on at training, they spend 12.

 

[Will on the hill]

The group below the top 2 tightened a lot this week.
2 points between 3-11.

 

[Uk eagle]

agree. a wise man would put a wager with sportstab for panthers vs storm in the grandfinal.😊

But that same man would have placed the same bet last year

 

[Eagle 1]

With a fully fit full strength team, we can really be that X factor team that Penrith and Melb keep looking back over their shoulders at. Exciting times ahead guys..

 

[bob dylan]

The rest of the teams couldnt come up with a combined squad that would get near Storm and Riff.

Best Storm side ever imo, not a single player I really hate helps.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

The group below the top 2 tightened a lot this week.
2 points between 3-11.

Yes , that’s what I’ve said 3-11 all capable of top 4 ( positions 3 & 4).

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Jake should consider changing the name of his band from Jake and the Six-Agains to Jake and the Also-Rans…

 

[ricardo]

Easts ... feel like they are a couple of dodgy calls away from another GF appearance. But yes, agree with what's been said above

 

[MadMarcus]

agree. a wise man would put a wager with sportstab for panthers vs storm in the grandfinal.😊

We have had 2 or 3 horse races before, but i don’t think the gap has ever been so wide.

Having said that, GFs rarely seem to be between the 2 best teams all year. There is usually some team that comes home with a wet sail or gets a bit of luck and causes an upset somewhere along the line. So I don’t think a bet on a Penrith v Melb GF is as safe as it sounds.

 

[Nordburg]

The difference between Penrith/Storm and the rest of the competition is how methodical they are.Both teams are well disciplined,with and without the ball.Both very professional and stick to a basic game plan.Both teams can be beaten on their day by a few brilliant plays but others have to be just as disciplined,an area Manly has fallen down in,in particular the last year and a half.The Storm lost the prelim last year due to their errors,all be it against Penrith.

 

[Wombat64]

Watching the Storm yesterday it’s blindingly obvious how much Harry Grant controls Melbournes ruck speed.

We desperately need an eyes up, running 9 to get our sets on the front foot.

Rolling through the middle is the modern game. API and Grant are masters of it. We lack it. And we will always be bashed in the ruck when playing these guys due to it.

Love Crokers heart - but to beat these 2 teams and the best - our forwards ruck momentum needs a makeover…and it starts with him.

I miss Api ......