Julian's 2016 NRL Predictions

Yeah they're all written. I've not been home since Friday.

 

Panthers


1. Matt Moylan
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Dean Whare
4. Peta Hiku
5. Josh Mansour
6. Te Maire Martin
7. Jamie Soward
8. Trent Merrin
9. James Segeyaro
10. Sam McKendry
11. Bryce Cartwright
12. Isaah Yeo
13. Elijah Taylor


14. Tyrone Peachey
15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
16. Jeremy Latimore
17. Leilani Latu


Waqa Blake, Suaia Matagi, Will Smith, Peter Wallace


Strengths: Strong right across the squad. Moylan and Cartwright are super exciting prospects and even back up players have stepped up and done the job when required. Forward pack looks really well balanced. The Segeyaro/Peachey combo looks so, so suited to reduced interchange.


Weaknesses: The halves just look like they pull this team down. Te Maire Martin could hopefully change that. They probably have a bit too much cap money in the outside backs.


Key Players/Coaching Moves: Like so many other teams; getting the halves right. This squad can't push for a premiership with Peter Wallace there for mine. Segeyaro also needs to stay fit.


Verdict: They'll compete with everyone but a lack of star power will see them just miss the 8: 9th.

 

Knights


1. Jaeleen Feeney
2. Aku Uate
3. Dane Gagai
4. Sione Mata'utia
5. Jake Mamo
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Korbin Sims
9. Danny Levi
10. Kade Snowden
11. Tariq Sims
12. Robbie Rochow
13. Jeremy Smith


14. Joseph Tapine (Jacob Saifiti)
15. Mickey Paea
16. Pauli Pauli
17. Tyler Randall


James McManus, Jack Stockwell, Chanel Matautia


Strengths: The halves pairing in conjunction with some tough forwards should be able to gring out wins and create enough points to do so.


Weaknesses: Depth looks very thing. Beyong their best 5 or 6 running forwards you're well and truly into reserve graders. There's also no proven fullback, Mullen is terribly injury prone and there's no proven rake either.


Key Players/Coaching Moves: Getting the fullback spot right. Mamo probably not the right option, Feeney looks born to play the custodian role. And the fitness of the halves, obviously.


Verdict: Lumbering forward pack may not help the rookie fullback and hooker. They'll struggle again. 14th

 

Bulldogs


1. Brett Morris
2. Sam Perrett
3. Will Hopoate
4. Josh Morris
5. Curtis Rona
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Moses Mbye
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Michael Lichaa
10. James Graham
11. Josh Jackson
12. Tony Williams
13. Greg Eastwood


14. Tim Browne
15. Sam Kasiano
16. David Klemmer
17. Craig Garvey


Shaun Lane, Tyrone Phillips, Chase Stanley




Strengths: Tight forwards and the Hasler factor. It's hard to trump Tolman, Graham, Klemmer and co. It's a back five oif strong ball runners and good finishers.


Weaknesses: The ball playing forwards can only do so much. Promises to be a serious lack of direction and organisation from the spine as a whole.


Key Players/Coaching Moves: Mbye working at halfback. Potential filled and we know Reynolds is inconsistent. Mbye needs to perform week in-week out.


Verdict: The Dogs are renowned for being fighters and always being there or thereabouts. That will change in 2016; 13th

 

Sharks


1. Valentine Holmes
2. Sosaia Feki
3. Gerard Beale
4. Jack Bird
5. Ricky Leutele
6. James Maloney
7. Chad Townsend
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Michael Ennis
10. Sam Tagataese
11. Luke Lewis
12. Wade Graham
13. Paul Gallen


14. Chris Heighnington
15. David Fifita
16. Jason Bukuya
17. Ben Barba


Jesse Sene-Lefao, Matt Prior, Mitch Brown, Joseph Paulo, Fa'amanu Brown




Strengths: As always; their pack. And Bird and Holmes' 2015 promised so, so much for the future. Plenty of options in key positions and Ennis was great last year.


Weaknesses: Still not a dominant backline. Maloney and Townsend are an improvement, but could still stutter. Durability of Gallen and Lewis.


Key Players/Coaching Moves: Fullback. Looks like it will be Bird, which seems odd to me.


Verdict: Undoubtedly moving in the right direction. I can't see a team with Maloney being the go to playmaker winning the comp. Too strong not to go well though; 4th.

 

Cowboys


1. Lachlan Coote
2. Antonio Winterstein
3. Kane Linnett
4. Justin O'Neill
5. Kyle Feldt
6. Michael Morgan
7. Johnathon Thurston
8. James Tamou
9. Jake Granville
10. Matt Scott
11. Gavin Cooper
12. Ethan Lowe
13. Jason Taumololo


14. Scott Bolton
15. Ben Hannant
16. John Asiata
17. Rory Kostjasyn


Ray Thompson, Matthew Wright, Tautau Moga, Ben Spina,




Strengths: So many. JT, Morgan and Granville are supreme in attack. It's a perfectly balanced forward pack for the modern game.


Weaknesses: The back 5 does the job but they're not near the best in the comp. With Thompson gone for half the season there's not much depth for the spine.


Key Players/Coaching Moves: Most slides into place. The only danger at all is Green botching the 8 interchange with his big men, but it won't happen.


Verdict: Best team in the competition; 1st

 

As I post this Dean Ritchie tweeted that Brett Morris is out for 4 months.

 

Bullshit.

 

The Sharks aren't relying on Barba at all. He will be lucky to make the team.