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| The Titans will make the 8; but the Sea Eagles will fall short. |
Gold Coast Titans – Prediction 10th
One
of the hardest sides to place on the prediction list after their finish to
2016. With the inclusion of Jarryd Hayne at the end of last season, they looked
like a side who had an extra man on the field. Robbed of progressing past week
one of the finals by some of the worst refereeing in rugby league history, I’m
expecting the Titans to explode out of the blocks.
They
are a club on the comeback, on the rise, and with a point to prove. But how bad
do they want to prove they can match it with the big guns? It was intriguing to
hear the talk of Neil Henry looking to overlook Jarryd Hayne for a captaincy
role, because the success of this team ultimately rests with him. Not to
produce the winning plays and single-handedly take his side to a grand final
like he did in 2009, but to inspire and lift those around him simply through
his actions.
Hayne
has previously been tagged as a poor-trainer but former Eels teammate Nathan
Hindmarsh, and whether or not the 29-year-old has been pushing himself in his
first full preseason in many years remains to be seen. After all his
globe-trotting, you have to wonder what Hayne wants from his sporting career.
Does he still desire an NRL title? His determination will determine the Titans
2017 season, let me give you the tip.
Manly Sea Eagles – Prediction 12th
Difficult
year for Trent Barrett in his debut season as an NRL Head Coach in 2016, but I
believe he’s got the qualities to make it a long coaching career.
Has
made the 10-million-dollar man Daly Cherry-Evans captain which was a must if
they’re to do anything this season. DCE must take control of this team and
stamp his authority week-to-week in each and every game. There’s no excuses for
him now; he’s a senior player, has won Grand Finals, and its time he took
control of the result.
Have
a reasonable forward pack but will need to find the right tactics to be able to
harness their strengths e.g. Martin Taupau’s size and running game. Expect to
see some more juniors get a run with Brett Stewart and Steve Matai retiring, but
I don’t think they’ve got the quality across the park to make any serious
impression this year.
Melbourne Storm – Prediction 3rd
A
team that just keep producing year-after-year, and at the start of every season
questions seem to be asked how they can maintain such consistency. The answer
obviously lies in their big three, but it’s possibly because Craig Bellamy gets
all the players around those leaders to play to the best of their ability.
Have
a new kid on the scene ready to come through in Brodie Croft after a
sensational appearance at the NRL Auckland Nines, and it will be interesting to
see whether he fits into their top 17 every week, or bides his time in the
Under 20s. Billy Slater will likely return with a point to prove, and I think
you’ll see another outstanding season from the Storm barring injury to their
stars.
With
a World Cup at the end of the year, I can see Slater, Smith and Cronk wanting
to have a big year. AAMI Park is nicknamed ‘The Graveyard’ for a reason and
their impeccable home record will see them fit comfortably inside the top 9.
New Zealand Warriors – Prediction 8th
Will
undoubtedly be one of the most watched teams this year with Kieran Foran
entering the side alongside the rest of the Kiwi’s spine. But I don’t think it
will be all sunshine for the Warriors this year after a dismal end to 2016,
they’re going to have to work hard and earn every point on the ladder.
Stephen
Kearney comes in as a Head Coach and with over a decade of experience at three
NRL clubs and under some of the game’s biggest names, he looks ready to take a
side to the next level. Has made RTS captain in what would appear to be a bold
move and certainly a look to the future, but with little to no experience as a
leader how that unfolds remains to be seen.
Without
a shadow of a doubt the Warriors can make a serious impression on the
competition this year, but how bad they want it is another thing. They are the
league’s best underachievers and if you look at the side’s that have won the
comp recently, they’ve had a burning desire to get their hands on the
Provan-Summons trophy. Isaac Luke is the key for me, if he plays like a man
possessed I believe they can be their on Grand Final day but consistency is the
buzzword for him.