Julian's 2010 NRL predictions

No.

I tip them to come last but I am certain they won't finish above 12th.

 

He just said there is no chance they will finish above 12th. He didn't say they would finish 12th.

 

Lol @ my lag.

 

Team: North Qld Cowboys

Predicted Finish: 9th

Best 17:

1. Matt Bowen(Ty Williams)
2. John Williams
3. Willie Tonga
4. Ash Graham
5. Ty Williams
6. Grant Rovelli
7. Johnathon Thurston
8. Matt Scott
9. Aaron Payne
10. Antonio Kaufusi
11. Willie Mason
12. Scott Bolton
13. Luke O'Donnell

14. Anthony Watts
15. Carl Webb
16. James Tamou
17. Steve Southern/Steve Rapira

Strengths: Besides the obvious strength of thurston, Bowen and Payne in attack the Cowboys have really improved the attacking strength of their forwards over the last season and the off season. Unless injury hits they're not going to have to depend on loads of game time from the likes of Lillyman and Ben Harris in attack which they have done in the past. Their whole backline is very strong in attack. Rovelli is much maligned and whether he is up to it is questionable. But he could well play the Brett Firman game that got them so far a few years ago. He simply just has to take a bit of pressure off Thurston which will be much easier once Bowen is back. Watts has the talent to do this from the bench as well. But the running power of Scott, Tamou, mason, Webb, Rapira etc is where the club will make a lot of impression this year.

Weaknesses: As always defence will be a problem. Neither half is great (Thurston's scrambling is though) and out of all the forwards that are good in attack, not many are noted for their defence. The majority of their bench or impact forwards are really big blokes and not many appear to be so mobile. The likes of Mason/Webb/Tamou etc are all sort of in between front rowers and backrowers in terms of where they play best and work ethic in defence. Most are better running wide but defend better in the middle. This lack of mobility could hurt them in the heat but I reckon it'll hurt them more in the wet where their attacking prowess will be nullified. Fullback will be a problem until Bowen gets back, Graham's defence is ordinary and whether the 2nd winger (Bani at this point) is up to NRL is debatable. The form of some of their forwards is worrying too; Kaufusi, Southern and Manouakafoa have all been ordinary in recent times.

Key Player: Matty Bowen. Has proved in the past that even playing nearly fully fit he adds worlds to the team. Will help them in every facet of the game. Most league fans would like to see him back ASAP too.

Breakout/Surprise Player: Hard to pick because I haven't really seen many of their debutantes. Thompson has huge wraps but I wouldn't know. I'll go Mason to rekindle his top form though.

Can they make the top 8/4? Yes/No because their forwards won't compete at a high level week in, week out.

 

I wish Gallant was still a Tiger. Such a gun fb.

 

I fail to see what is rude, and imo, Gallant > Williams.

Williams on the wing and Gallant at fullback gives them 2 upgrades for the price of 1.

 

He has a cute bum though. Like it sticks out. Watcha gonna do wit all dat junk in that trunk baby?