 | | Mark Riddell's move from the Dragons to the Eels is sure to have some effects. |
by Scott Kidson
As is usual, predictions will be made about any new season. Who’ll improve, who’ll drop down the table? Who’ll win the title and who’ll take home the wooden spoon? Last year I put the Sharks and the Eels in the eight and the Bulldogs and Broncos outside. No, I don’t know what I was thinking either. So with that form laid on the table as a warning, here are my fearless predictions for the 2005 table. We all know the finals series is anyone’s race. Brisbane Broncos
Darren Lockyer. Two words that strike fear into most players and joy into the hearts of Broncos fans. Now at home in the number six jersey, injury is the only thing that might slow the Brisbane captain down as the Broncos aim for yet another finals appearance - their tenth straight. The southern Queensland team is another has lost some depth with Carl Webb and Ben Czislowski moving to other NRL clubs. But the biggest losses are the now retired Gorden Tallis and often underrated Michael De Vere. De Vere’s boot means Lockyer will most likely kick goals, a duty he hates. Strong junior program should see plenty of talented new faces filling in for household names … and probably becoming the new household names. Prediction: 3rd Canberra Raiders
Canberra will rely on extremes to get them through in the coming campaign. Signing a couple of over thirties and several under twenties gives this Raiders side a look of a club rebuilding. Ruben Wiki has left the club for his homeland and playmakers Michael McLinden and Brad Drew along with Luke Davico have taken contracts in mother England. Add to that the departure of their leading try scorer and a sorry picture awaits fans of the green machine. Lincoln Withers will add something but there is much for the younger players to live up to for success to happen. Prediction 15th. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The loss of Steven Price will be a blow for the Bulldogs who have looked to their inspirational skipper over the past few seasons. Some of the solid background players like Jamie Feeney, Dennis Scott and Jonathan Thurston have also departed from Belmore. On the outside you could think that depth will be a problem for the reigning premiers, but there always seems to be emerging talent at the ‘Dogs. With players like Sonny-Bill Williams and Mark O’Meley at their disposal, go forward won’t be an issue, but the loss of Willie Mason until July may hurt. The back line is as solid as ever with Anasta and Sherwin calling the plays and a string of line breakers queuing up outside of them. Prediction: 2nd Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
“Sixes and sevens.” It’s a term used to colloquially describe disorder, yet sixes and sevens are the only numbers that give Cronulla a hope this year. The combinations between Brett Kimmorley and Adam Dykes are pivotal to the success of the Sutherland club in 2005. Most of the movements for the Sharks were like-for-like with no representative players coming or going which would suggest another year of the same for Shire supporters. Nigel Vagana has been uninspiring since his defection from the Bulldogs and will need to take more of the load. Watch another Canterbury convert, Hutch Maiava, who has shed much weight and may be an impact forward. Prediction 12th. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Manly have used what remained of their salary cap to buy some names to bolster the ranks. Ben Kennedy and Brent Kite head the list, which includes Parramatta’s mostly unused halfback, Michael Witt. With acceptable losses the Sea Eagles appear to have come out on the positive side of the ledger. Terry Hill’s career has also been resurrected after impressive pre-season form. Souths fans would be booing, especially if he makes an impact in any NRL match. For Manly’s sake, I hope he is on match payments. Prediction 11th. Melbourne Storm
Steven Kearney leads a list of experience to depart the southern capital before 2005 starts. However the Storm have not only compensated with experience, but former Bulldogs duo, Jamie Feeney and Dennis Scott also provide some winning culture. With an almost unchanged back-line including Billy Slater, Matt Orford, Matt King and Scott Hill, the leadership of Robbie Kearns and the scheming of origin hooker Cameron Smith, it will be another good year for the Storm who’s most desperately needed quality is a home crowd. Prediction: 6th New Zealand Warriors
After losing their way in 2004, the Warriors will be after a change of fortunes in the upcoming campaign. The key buys of Steven Price and Ruben Wiki will change the attitude of the existing forward pack. It has often been said that a few Australian players are required to keep the Kiwi contingent on track and Price seems ideal for this role. Nathan Fien is another important buy to cover the roles of Monty Betham and Stacey Jones should Coach Tony Kemp need to shuffle the side around. Prediction: 8th Newcastle Knights
The Knights have seemingly dropped all their eggs in one basket by resigning Andrew Johns. Ben Kennedy, Michael Ennis and Timana Tahu were victims of the salary cap and some of the older brigade including Robbie O’Davis and Matt Parsons has retired. Kirk Reynoldson’s arrival from Melbourne will add some starch to the pack and there is always another Newcastle junior ready to be promoted to the top grade. But will they be able to keep up with their general who has proved he gets frustrated when his charges can’t? And should he get injured, what then? Danny Buderus will provide guidance inspiration when not on representative duty, but is that enough? I think not. Prediction: 10th. North Queensland Cowboys
Confidence and belief have moved north. Perennial cellar dwellers no more, the Cowboys fell one match short of the fairytale last year and have recruited reasonably well in the summer. Balancing the ledger though are the departures of Nathan Fien, Kevin Campion and Glenn Morrison. Usually, the Cowboys will drop the big games when it’s close, but this year, the self-belief will see the men from Far North getting over the line more often than not. Graham Murray continues to work well with the players and club, his approach fitting in nicely with his surroundings. Expect more excitement and suspense as North Queensland shoots for back-to-back finals appearances. Prediction: 4th
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