NRL Crystal Ballin' - Cellar Dwellers
The 2014 NRL season was a pretty competitive one, teams beat teams that they shouldn't have and no one could really predict, well no one could predict much. People seem to be throwing a few teams in to the cellar already for 2015, but I'm not so sure and I'm struggling to pick out who will actually finish near the bottom.
This discussion largely centres on the teams who sucked in 2014 - the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks, Gold Coast Titans, St George Dragons, Parramatta Eels, West Tigers and the Newcastle Knights. While obviously a few of them were worse than the others, they all struggled to maintain their position with the pace setters, or even get near to the pace set by the best teams.
The Raiders, well this is the hardest case to argue. They haven't signed anyone who could turn their fortunes around with Blake Austin the only real player who could have a big impact. Their hopes still rest with a young group of players who have plenty of potential but haven't really found their feet at NRL level along with a forward pack who will struggle to hold their own. Compare the likes of Mitch Cornish and Jack Ahearn to the young crew at the Tigers who have spent a fair amount of time together at NRL level and it doesn't make for good reading for Raiders fans.
Luke Brooks, James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses form a strong group of exciting young players who will definitely impact their performances. Tedesco is returning from injury while Brooks and Moses will be bringing their existing connection to the NRL with an off season together under their belts. They're forward pack is still big and aggressive, so they shouldn't be near the bottom of the ladder.
Their western Sydney friends in Parramatta also shouldn't worry about being shit next season. Although they have lost their main man in Jarryd Hayne, there's a weird sense of calm with the Eels thanks to the strong presence of Brad Arthur. Anthony Watmough's arrival should give them some starch up the guts and William Hopoate looks to have been given the fullback spot. I reckon the Eels are on an upward trend, same with the Tigers so while they might battle for a spot in the top 8, they should be fine.
So I reckon the Eels and Tigers will be fine, with the Raiders almost certainly destined to be battling away for the wooden spoon. I've already explained why I reckon the Dragons will be all good, simply put - they have a great spine and a forward pack that will hold their own. Throw in to the mix a recruitment drive for job-doers and role players as well as some young blood and I'm pretty optimistic for the old fire breathers.
The Gold Coast Titans showed last season that they have some potential to compete with the best, but they fell extremely short. Josh Hoffman's arrival gives them a fullback who can have an impact on the game and this will be Neil Henry's first full off-season on the GC. I reckon the Titans are on the edge - on the one hand they could go pretty well thanks to a veteran forward pack and a half like Aidan Sezer, on the other hand they could definitely struggle. The key will be whether or not their forward pack can out-play the best of the best, which I'm pretty sure they won't. They have veterans who are very tough and gritty, but there's just no punch, power or pizzazz.
The Newcastle Knights are a team to watch as they transition away from the Nathan Tinkler/Wayne Bennett era. They might go alright, but I expect next season to be a rebuilding season for them as they bring through a few younger lads and coach Rick Stone brings in players he wants. There's nothing overly negative about the Knights, I just think they have a bit of work to do to get their football club back on track and be the face of their community.
The same can't be said about the Cronulla Sharks however who look destined to compete with the Raiders for the wooden spoon. There are positives as they appear to have said goodbye to the dramas of 2014 and they'll be playing to get some respect back, but I'm not sure they have the talent to compete despite signing Ben Barba. Barba might come out in vintage form and take the NRL by storm, but the Sharks still have a veteran core who lean towards tough footy - not quick, powerful and exciting footy. Shane Flanagan comes back as head coach, but I think the NRL has moved pretty quickly and he along with the Sharks might be playing catch up.