Broncos - Once again the Broncos have been a bit hit or miss. Plenty of young talent who are becoming solid first graders and a strong base of quality Origin players means there is always hope for the Brisbane outfit. Unfortunately, this is the age of the super star. Unless you have one it is very difficult to make an impression and the Broncos this season appear to be lacking major strike weapons. I am predicting them to drop points throughout the Origin period which will ruin their season as they will quickly fall behind the large group of teams currently on 10 or 12 points.
Consistent performer - Justin Hodges
Projected finish - 11th
Bulldogs - After a terrible start, the Dogs found some strong form with the return of key forwards. The problem for the Bulldogs is that they made the grand final last year on the back of a stellar season by Ben Barba. The quality teams this year have taken the standard of footy up a level and I think this will leave the Bulldogs floating in the 7 or 8 spot which will make it very tough to go very far in the finals. However, they can easily turn in to a dominant force very quickly so don't be surprised to see them deep in to the finals.
Consistent performer - Trent Hodkinson
Projected finish - 5th
Raiders - Two words. Terry Campese. Campese has made a huge impact on this Raiders team. They have long had the grunt upfront, but throw in a high quality play maker plus exciting players on the edges and you have a dangerous team. Currently in 8th with 16 points, the Raiders have a nice little cushion on the chasing pack and I wouldn't be surprised to see them climb as high as 5th. Come finals time they will crumble under the pressure of playing against the best.
Consistent performer - Reece Robinson
Projected finish - 10th
Cowboys - 2013 has been a rough year for the Cowboys. Packed with talent, they haven't been able to string quality wins together let alone grind out a win. Jonathan Thurston's constant injury cloud could have had an impact but this could easily turn around if Thurston finds form in Origin. Ray Thompson has come back in to dummy half which could provide some stability and allow the Cowboys to build each week. Their form so far has put them in the chasing pack so they can easily get back in contention but any losses will spell the end of Neil Henry's tenure.
Consistent performer - Kane Linnett
Projected finish - 8th
Titans - The Titans have looked the goods so far this season on the back of a solid forward pack and two very good young halves. This is their problem however, on the weekend there was a reliance on Albert Kelly to provide an attacking option and not much structure to get Jamal Idris and Dave Taylor involved when the game was on the line. Looking at the chasing pack, there are teams who have multiple weapons which when combined with momentum, will over take the Titans. Titans fans can look forward to seasons to come should Kelly sort his contract out.
Consistent performer - Albert Kelly
Projected finish - 9th
Sea Eagles - It has been a tough wee period for the Brookvale faithful recently. Despite playing some very tough footy, they have been able to win games they probably should have. Expect this to change, rather quickly. Brett Stewart is expected to return soon and while Peta Hiku has done a fantastic job, Geoff Toovey will be looking forward to having the firm back in action. New boys Justin Horo and Brenton Lawrence hve added a new dimension to Manly and I can't see them slipping down the ladder.
Consistent performer - Kieran Foran
Projected finish - 3rd
Storm - Once again the Storm are up the top. This year however they are facing serious competition and it will be interesting to see how they fare. Looking back in history, the Storm have generally let another team win following their successful campaigns so I'd expect to see a new champion this year. They have maintained their victorious formula while riding the form of players such as Will Chambers, Tohu Harris and Jesse Bromwich. I don't see them being as dynamic as many other teams this season but could be a banana skin for many teams with their big game experience and footy nous possibly troubling other contenders.
Consistent performer - Gareth Widdop
Projected finish - 2nd
Knights - Very inconsistent this season. Have looked fabulous one week and terrible the next. Jarrod Mullen has led the team strongly following injuries to Kurt Gidley and Danny Buderus. They have unearthed talents like Robbie Rochow and Korbin Sims but there aren't enough genuine match winners to give them much hope. Wayne Bennett hasn't done enough to warrant his selection over Rick Stone, but I think most of the blame should fall upon the players who haven't been up to the challenge of playing against quality teams week in, week out.
Consistent performer - Jarrod Mullen
Projected finish - 12th
Eels - The Parramatta Eels need Ricky Stuart. They need him to revamp the club and its culture. This process has already begun and the Eels have a wealth of young talent at their disposal. In Tim Mannah and Jarryd Hayne, they have characters capable of leading the Eels in to a new era. The Eels will provide tough opposition each week but don't expect them to get many wins. They do have the future to look eagerly upon and with Stuart at the helm expect them to steadily improve.
Consistent performer - Ryan Morgan
Projected finish - 16th
Panthers - Like the Eels the Panthers are in a rebuilding stage. Unlike the Eels, the Panthers have shown their capabilities, upsetting a few teams and displaying high levels of energy and enthusiasm. With further changes to the squad over the summer, the Panthers will be almost ready to make an assault on the NRL hierarchy. They are an exciting team to watch given they get some go forward and could make things hard for many teams come crunch time.
Consistent performer - Nigel Plum
Projected finish - 13th
Sharks - With the drugged up elephant still in the corner of the room, the Sharks have relished the opportunity to bond together and perform through adversity. Todd Carney has limited to club duty and the Sharks will be able to maintain a play making core that will get them through to the playoffs. Not many teams possess a forward pack like Cronulla, who have many strings to their bow. Big enough to roll through the middle, skillful enough to off load like the 02 Warriors and mobile enough to trouble teams on the edges the Sharks are primed and ready to strike.
Consistent performer - Wade Graham
Projected finish - 6th
Rabbitohs - The Bunnies have emerged as genuine contenders for the title this season. The arrival of the Burgess clan has sent shock waves through the NRL as they joined an already Hulk like group of monsters. What they have lacked in the past, are now strengths of their game. An attitude change on defence has turned the Rabbitohs in to a team that can win games on defence alone and John Sutton is relishing the opportunity to play alongside Adam Reynolds. They are my favourites because they have shown that they can destroy a team in many different ways. Whether Greg Inglis has a show stopping performance, Adam Reynolds plays a blinder landing kicks on a dime for his outside men or they just plain and simple beat you up through the middle, the Rabbitohs have options. Having options is a good place to be.
Consistent performer - George Burgess
Projected finish - 1st
Dragons - The Dragons, pre Josh Dugan were pretty bad. They offered nothing on attack but could grind out a few wins thanks to strong defence. Lacking creativity, they succeeded in their pursuit of Josh Dugan, who has been able to breathe a bit of life in to this lacklustre St George team. They have the forwards to trouble a few teams but just seem unable to string together quality attacking plays, let alone team performances. Like the other crappy teams, they have next year to look forward to with some big signings who should be able to provide the spark that is missing.
Consistent performer - Tyson Frizell
Projected finish - 15th
Roosters - Like the Bunnies, the Roosters have shown their hand. They are capable of striking from anywhere on the pitch while still being able to limit their opposition with tough defence. The biggest factor to their strong showing this season (besides their defensive attitude) is the way Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney have been able to quickly learn to play alongside one another. Maloney alone, has the rare ability to put his team mates in to a hole while also being able to hit a hole and create a line break. Sonny Bill Williams doesn't need much said about him. He has shown how great a sportsman he is, while Michael Jennings has reminded everyone of his quality. The only issue for me is that they might be a bit light up front compared to teams like the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs. Minor issue really though.
Consistent performer - Sonny Bill Williams
Projected finish - 4th
Warriors - Struggled throughout the early stages of the season as they tried to get their head around Mathew Elliot's game plan. Despite loosing many games, they were getting better until being smashed by the Panthers. Since then they have not looked back. With the table so congested around the 8 spot, the Warriors could easily make a strong run in to the playoffs. I think they'll loose a couple of games as they continue to develop a team identity but they have the personnel to trouble many teams.
Consistent performer - Ngani Laumape
Projected finish - 7th
Tigers - Ravaged by injuries, the Tigers have been an interesting story this season. They have been able to introduce a bunch of youngsters in to first grade which may not have been planned, but will do these guys a world of good. They have upset a few teams and can continue to do so as Benji Marshall, Curtis Sironen, Braith Anasta and Robbie Farah get more game time together. Like Tigers teams of recent years they are capable of leaking plenty of points, so while they might find some form and win a couple of games they will still find themselves out of the finals.
Consistent performer - Curtis Sironen
Projected finish - 14th
