Your club's prospects

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Your club's prospects; For 2010
Topic Started: Mar 7 2010, 02:51 PM (154 Views)
stacey	Mar 7 2010, 02:51 PM Post #1
Administrator Posts: 5,728 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: May 22, 2009	BRONCOS THE MAIL A hamstring problem has been a significant disruption for halfback Peter Wallace, who played only 40 minutes in the pre-season, but he will start against North Queensland on Friday. Understudy Tim Smith will begin in the Queensland Cup for Easts Tigers. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT For the same reasons the Broncos have made the semi-finals every year since 1991. If Darren Lockyer decides to quit rep football their cause will be further strengthened by having the Australian captain on deck throughout the usually troublesome State of Origin period. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Karmichael Hunt is kicking a Sherrin instead of a Steeden, Justin Hodges is hobbling around Red Hill and Dave Taylor is playing for the Rabbitohs. A lack of class in the forwards could result in their first September off in a long time. THE FAN SAYS "We probably don't have the big names we've had in previous years but I think young guys like Corey Norman are exciting and as supporters it'll be really interesting to see how they go. For the first time in a long time we've got competition for most positions. We haven't missed the finals for 19 years and if we can make the eight again, anything can happen." - Lyn Martin THE BOOKIE SAYS Longest price ever in a premiership pre-season. Getting on in years and will miss Hodges and Hunt. At $21 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS With the fewest-ever number of forwards to have played State of Origin (Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday), the Broncos lack grunt and strike power in the pack. They have lost Hunt and Hodges and already ran more times from dummy-half (782) last year than any other side. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 8th Glenn Jackson 11th Roy Masters 11th Greg Prichard 12th Brad Walter 12th DRAGONS THE MAIL Not the best start for boom 18-year-old Kyle Stanley, who had been touted for a utility berth on the bench. The younger brother of Storm star Chase could miss eight weeks after injuring his right ankle in the Charity Shield. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT A second off-season under Wayne Bennett should ensure the Dragons are an even better team than last year, while the recruitment of Junior Paulo and Michael Greenfield and the emergence of Trent Merrin more than cover the loss of Justin Poore in the front row. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT It would take the Dragons' greatest choke of all time and a horrific injury toll for six-time premiership winner Bennett to not be coaching in the play-offs for the first time since 1991. THE FAN SAYS "I'm reasonably confident. I think they've gone under the radar a bit for a team that won the minor premiership last year because of what happened last year in the finals. They've got a tough draw but I think if we can get three wins out of the first five games it will set things up for a good season." - Bob Culbert THE BOOKIE SAYS Finished last year on a downer going out the back door as minor premiers. May miss out this year. At $7.50 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS A great coach, strong defence but limited attack - unless hooker Nathan Fien can ignite new play around the ruck - won't satisfy the high expectations of most fans. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 6th Greg Prichard 5th Glenn Jackson 1st Roy Masters 3rd Brad Walter 2nd SHARKS THE MAIL Recruit Dean Collis is fit to make his Sharks debut against Melbourne after recovering more quickly than expected from a knee injury suffered in a trial against Manly three weeks ago. He's likely to begin a centre partnership with Ben Pomeroy. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT Brimming with the enthusiasm of youth, and a fresh start after the tears of last year, Ricky Stuart's side could catch many an opponent out with its unpredictability. Pace out wide, most notably from the legs of Blake Ferguson, a major asset. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Lacking in strike weapons across the park despite some shrewd recruiting considering their limited budget. If they lose key players like Trent Barrett, Paul Gallen or Luke Douglas for any stretch of time they're in all sorts. THE FAN SAYS "I'm confident that Ricky Stuart will get these young guns in line and we'll put some pressure on the bottom half of the final eight. We are the phoenix. We had to annihilate ourselves in fire before we could rise to new places." - Brendan FitzPatrick THE BOOKIE SAYS If they can maintain 17 fit players they will finish in front of more than you think. At $41 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS They have recruited 29-year-old journeyman John Morris to play half but he is unlikely to provide the stability to overcome two damning statistics: the most amount of handling errors before the third tackle (225) and the most number of players used over the past three seasons (57). THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 13th Glenn Jackson 13th Roy Masters 16th Greg Prichard 16th Brad Walter 15th BULLDOGS THE MAIL Bryson Goodwin's fractured toe opens the door for new arrival Junior Tia Kilifi to start on the wing in the opener against Newcastle. A long-term contract extension for hooker Michael Ennis will be announced during the opening rounds. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT Well credentialled across the field, the Bulldogs' prospects will be further enhanced if Brett Kimmorley receives the high level of support provided on occasion by halves partner Ben Roberts last year. With Ennis and Andrew Ryan marshalling the pack and a slick back line at their disposal, Canterbury have most of the boxes ticked. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Hazem El Masri's retirement leaves an unquestionable void, both in team dynamic and scoring power. If they have another weakness that could be exploited it is the lack of a real enforcer in the forward pack. THE FAN SAYS "A top-four finish is well within range but I wouldn't necessarily say we are stronger than last year so I'm hesitant to say we'll take the next step. I'm concerned about loss of Hazem El Masri but more worried by Greg Eastwood's departure. We now lack a proven game-breaking threat in the back row and I don't know if Yileen Gordon is the one to fill the void." - Dan Nancarrow THE BOOKIE SAYS A side that underachieved last year. Will miss Greg Eastwood and Hazem El Masri but should be there when the whips are cracking. At $7 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS The best away record (72 wins) over the past decade, with the most durable player (captain Andrew Ryan with 243 games) over the same period, but they have lost strike power from the back row and bench. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 1st Glenn Jackson 3rd Roy Masters 7th Greg Prichard 4th Brad Walter 7th [rainbow]Link[/rainbow]
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stacey	Mar 7 2010, 02:53 PM Post #2
Administrator Posts: 5,728 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: May 22, 2009	PANTHERS THE MAIL Fullback LachlanCoote is said to be making a good recovery after being concussed in the team's final trial, against Newcastle, and is likely to play in the first round. Halfback Luke Walsh is set to be joined at five-eighth by Travis Burns, with Wade Graham likely to miss the first month of the season with a shoulder injury. Utility Luke Lewis will do some playmaking as well, from lock. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT They came within an ace of making it last year – a win in the last round would have had them there – and they have since increased their depth with some decent buys. This competition is so even teams could rise or fall dramatically from last year based on getting just a few things right or wrong, so the Panthers are in the mix for a place in the bottom half of the eight. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT The really disappointing thing about that final round loss to Newcastle was that the Panthers didn't even make a game of it, losing 35-0. If they don't show more determination than that in 2010, they'll be spectators again come finals time. THE FAN SAYS "I'm confident. The club's made a couple of good buys, and the trial form has certainly been good ...we're going to be on the improve this year." – Peter Bowler THE BOOKIE SAYS Dark horse. Key off-season signings will help Michael Jennings. Forwards just need to stay fit. At $21 with TAB Sportsbet. – Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS Penrith have strike power and pace but the critical question is whether former Newcastle half LukeWalsh can stop the Chocolate Soldiers from melting. The last time they failed to feature in the finals for five consecutive seasons was after winning the 1991 trophy. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 12th Glenn Jackson 10th Roy Masters 9th Greg Prichard 11th Brad Walter 11th TIGERS THE MAIL Lote Tuqiri will arrive just five days before the opener against Manly, and will play on the wing. Taniela Tuiaki's recovery from ankle surgery is improving but he is sometime away from a return. Robert Lui is expected to be halfback for round one. Todd Payten (calf) is unlikely to play and English import Mark Flanagan may get on the bench. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT It could easily be argued that Tim Sheens has the best roster in the merged club's history. They finally have some size up front and if you mix that with potentially one of the best 1/6/7/9 combinations in the game (choosing fromRobbie Farah, Benji Marshall, Tuqiri, Lui and Tim Moltzen) and more depth than the club has had, they have to make the eight, don't they? Surely. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Not making the finals since 2005 leads to pressure on coach Sheens and the players. Most think they should make the finals, because of their strong squad, and that pressure will be multiplied. The Tigers played some of the best football of last season but still missed the top eight – that shows how inconsistent they can be. THE FAN SAYS "We've got experienced players this year, good buys, a strong pack and an exciting back line. Everyone's excited about what Lote [Tuqiri] can do." – Max Cowie THE BOOKIE SAYS The money says they will have a good year but they do rely heavily on Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.At $13 with TAB Sportsbet. – Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS The ball skills of Marshall, Farah and Moltzen, together with a solid back rowand speed out wide will have them build on their dazzling style of the past two seasons. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 5th Glenn Jackson 5th Roy Masters 4th Greg Prichard 2nd Brad Walter 5th WARRIORS THE MAIL With Ian Henderson sidelined for the opening month of the premiership with a knee injury, 27-year-old journeyman Aaron Heremaia is set to begin the season as the Warriors' starting hooker against Gold Coast on Sunday. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT The Warriors' production line just keeps churning out good talent and the likes of Russell Packer, Kevin Locke and Shaun Johnson are ready to make a big impact on the NRL, while Brent Tate returns after spending most of last season on the sideline with a knee injury. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Besides Brett Seymour, the Warriors lack experience in their halves, while the decision to replace Steve Price with 23-year-old Simon Mannering as captain has the potential to divide the team. THE FAN SAYS "I think Brett Seymour is going to be good at halfback and I think the appointment of Simon Mannering as captain will lift the boys. Steve Price did a wonderful job for the club but Simon is one of us, a Kiwi, and I think the fans will respond to that, too." – Peter Leitch THE BOOKIE SAYS Once a key finals team, now looks like they should book their end-of-season trip early. At $34 with TAB Sportsbet. – Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS Coach Ivan Cleary refuses to persevere with players in key positions and used 29 players last season, the second-most since 2000. It may cost him his job, although the owner refuses to buy up to the salary cap. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 16th Glenn Jackson 14th Roy Masters 13th Greg Prichard 14th Brad Walter 14th KNIGHTS THE MAIL The Knights, after all of their off-season bad news, are hoping for some good news this week surrounding a couple of key players. Neither hooker Isaac De Gois nor impact forward Richie Fa'aoso played in the trials because of knee injuries, but are close to being cleared in time for the first round. Coach Rick Stone could use them both off the bench if they are fit, with Matt Hilder as starting hooker. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT Let's run with the fact they made it last year, so they at least have a recent history of playing finals football, and the club – like the town – has a history of being able to battle against adversity and come out the other side in a better position than anticipated. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Where do we start? First they lose impact forward DannyWicks, after police charge him with drug offences, then, a couple ofweeks before the start of the season, they lose their best forward – Chris Houston – similarly. So the Knights are in turmoil, and will be without injured captain Kurt Gidley for the crucial first few rounds as well. THE FAN SAYS "I guess it's a season of uncertainty ahead for us, after what's happened, but if we can hang in there until Gidley gets backwe could head into the middle part of the season optimistic." – Shane Spruce THE BOOKIE SAYS Psychologically gone. Need character to bounce back. At $26 with TABSportsbet. – Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS Rick Stone is a players' coach but he will need innovative gameplans to counter the inexperience of the only club not to have a single player totalling 100 games over the past five seasons. Captain Kurt Gidley has 91. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 15th Glenn Jackson 16th Roy Masters 15th Greg Prichard 15th Brad Walter 16th [rainbow]Link[/rainbow]
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stacey	Mar 7 2010, 02:56 PM Post #3
Administrator Posts: 5,728 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: May 22, 2009	RABBITOHS THE MAIL The Rabbitohs' much-hyped forward pack will be missing just one man when it lines up against Sydney Roosters on Sunday. Michael Crocker, attempting to overcome shoulder, groin and ankle ailments, remains the only injury concern among John Lang's best starting forward pack. Youngster Shaune Corrigan (compartment syndrome) went under the knife lastweek, while winger Chris McQueen (knee) is out for the season. New recruit Ben Ross is hoping to get his clearance to return from a neck injury this Thursday. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT Said forward pack, which is being judged by some as the best in the competition. Throw the relatively young Sam Burgess and Dave Taylor into a group of forwards that already includes New Zealand representatives Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, the still underrated Luke Stuart and the highly-rated Eddy Pettybourne, and you have a team that won't have its reverse lights on for long. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT They are South Sydney. Success, at least since flares came (and subsequently went, and came, and went), has not been their friend. THE FAN SAYS "I'm excited in the sense that we're going to have a lot of second-phase play, with Taylor, Burgess and John Sutton." – Michael Hagarty THE BOOKIE SAYS Expectations through the roof in 2010. Most popular team backed to win the premiership so far. At $11 with TAB Sportsbet. – Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS They have the NRL's best forward pack on paper but games are won on grass. Success depends on whether half Chris Sandow steers them around the field and fullback Rhys Wesser takes the right options. Coach John Lang failed in his debut year at his previous two clubs but in his second season, he reached the finals and won a premiership. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 10th Glenn Jackson 8th Roy Masters 8th Greg Prichard 7th Brad Walter 6th STORM THE MAIL Recruit Todd Lowrie will miss the opener against Cronulla and more than likely the round-two clash with Newcastle after injuring his groin in the World Club Challenge win against Leeds. Lowrie played against the Storm in last year's grand final, for the Eels. Halfback Cooper Cronk (hip) is expected to be fit by round three. Front-rower Brett White (shoulder) should return a month later. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT Two premierships and four grand finals in four seasons – all good enough reasons. Have three of the best players in the world in Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Greg Inglis. Inglis, probably the best of them, is apparently fitter and bigger this year. The move into a new stadium in May will give the club another reason to perform at their best, not that they need one. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Um, ahhh ... save for the NRL suddenly decreeing that the finals will be contested by nine teams, or the Prime Minister decreeing that Victoria is no longer a part of Australia and its teams should be banned fromall sporting competitions (probably more realistic), the Storm will make the eight. THE FAN SAYS "It's a very exciting year. Cam did say at the launch that he felt the Storm were in a better position as far as fitness and talent than last year, and that's a big statement to make." – Molly Meldrum THE BOOKIE SAYS Impossible to ever write off and showed why in the World Club Challenge. At $7.50 with TAB Sportsbet. – Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS After a tepid start to the campaign, Melbourne's new stadium, together with the best decision makers in the game, will revive the gale force of last season where they scored more tries (63) and created more line breaks (81) after half-time than any other club. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 2nd Glenn Jackson 2nd Roy Masters 1st Greg Prichard 3rd Brad Walter 4th TITANS THE MAIL Joseph Tomane has impressed John Cartwright hugely in pre-season and is set to be partnered with Mat Rogers in the centres, pipping fellow recruit Clinton Toopi. Winger David Mead has re-signed until 2013, while Rogers and Ashley Harrison are the big names off contract at season's end. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT Add Greg Bird to the mix and suddenly the Titans have an extra dimension of old-fashioned aggression and potentially the best halves combination in the NRL. Lightning-fast wingers, great back line depth and a top-class back row complete an encouraging picture of a team who have developed a fortress on the glitter strip. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Scott Prince is the glue that holds the Gold Coast together. If the halfback and skipper breaks down, they could be left spinning. If not, only an ill-advised team field trip to Cavill Avenue on a Saturday night stands between the Titans and the finals. THE FAN SAYS "We've had a taste of the finals now and ... we can build on that. Greg Bird obviously gives us a big boost and young Tomane looks the goods, too. I think we'll be right up there again." - Michael Smith THE BOOKIE SAYS Huge plus signing Greg Bird, which will strengthen the scrumbase with Scott Prince and Mat Rogers. Set to be there in September. At $11 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS Great starters - 61 per cent of their victories have come in the first half of the season - but their forwards haven't the size and power to overcome the predictability of their backs and win September games. They led the NRL the past two seasons in tries scored from forcing line drop-outs but need to find more ways to score. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 4th Glenn Jackson 6th Roy Masters 12th Greg Prichard 8th Brad Walter 1st SEA EAGLES THE MAIL Centre Ben Farrar will miss the start of the season through injury, but the word is that won't stop coach Des Hasler from using the experienced Jamie Lyon, who is normally a centre, at five-eighth alongside 19-year-old Kieran Foran at halfback. Tony Williams or youngster Dean Whare are the options to partner Steve Matai in the centres. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT They've got a hard core of star players, including Anthony Watmough, Jamie Lyon, Brett Stewart, Brent Kite, Glenn Stewart, Josh Perry and Steve Matai, who should be able to do enough to ensure they get those key wins on days all teams get when you're not playing well as a whole. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT There are a couple of things that could bring them down. One, they have lost their halfback and captain, Matt Orford, and aren't in a position to replace him with an experienced No.7. And, two, Brett Stewart still has sexual assault charges to answer soon. THE FAN SAYS "The lack of an experienced halfback worries me a bit, but overall the team looks as strong as in previous years and they should make the top four going into the finals." - Anthony Coleman THE BOOKIE SAYS No Matt Orford and no major signing. On the cusp of the eight. $13 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS It's a big ask to expect Trent Hodkinson to be Matt Orford but since 2006 Manly have played just seven games with Orford missing and lost only one. Despite being Silvertails, they share the ball like a good socialist team, with 25 of the 26 players appearing in first grade last year scoring a try. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 9th Glenn Jackson 7th Roy Masters 10th Greg Prichard 6th Brad Walter 9th [rainbow]Link[/rainbow]
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stacey	Mar 7 2010, 03:00 PM Post #4
Administrator Posts: 5,728 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: May 22, 2009	COWBOYS THE MAIL Manase Manuokafoa stands between controversial signing Willie Mason and a first-round game. Coach Neil Henry will decide between the two for a bench spot against Brisbane on Friday. Johnathan Thurston's contract saga is likely to provide a distraction. Fullback Matt Bowen is two months from recovering from a knee injury. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT They have one of the best players in the competition in Thurston, one of the smartest coaches in Henry, the most underrated hooker in Aaron Payne, strike power across the park, an intimidating pack, and are also difficult to beat at home. Henry has quit his role with Queensland, which should dull the impact of Origin somewhat on the club. They also have an x-factor in Mason, who will be out to show his career ain't over until the fat businessman sings. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT It is almost inexplicable that the Cowboys have failed to be finalists since 2007. They have been arguably the game's biggest underachievers in the two seasons since. But those two seasons have shown that you can still fail despite the efforts of Thurston, Henry and company. THE FAN SAYS "I'm pretty positive - we haven't bought too much, but all we've bought is good-quality people." - Rob Accorsini THE BOOKIE SAYS Mason's signing triggered a $10,000 wager to win the premiership. We have banked that money. At $21 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS Mason adds hype and height to a team that has four players 190cm or taller but the little men, such as Thurston - who touches the ball more in the final 10 minutes of a game than any NRL half - will have the Cowboys rope in the home wins. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 11th Glenn Jackson 9th Roy Masters 5th Greg Prichard 10th Brad Walter 10th ROOSTERS THE MAIL Skipper Braith Anasta (ankle) and star recruit Jason Ryles (quad) are on track to make Sunday's clash with South Sydney and trained strongly late last week. With Kiwi enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves out until round five and Anthony Cherrington out for the season, Tom Symonds and Mitch Aubusson are set to move into the forwards. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT New coach Brian Smith has a track record of gaining instant improvement at a new club, while the snaring of recruitment guru Peter O'Sullivan from the Storm is paying dividends with the signings of Ryles, Waerea-Hargreaves, Todd Carney, Phil Graham and Daniel Conn and the emergence of several younger players. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT It's a long climb up the ladder from last place and injuries are already starting to take their toll, with Cherrington and Boyd Cordner out for the season. With the departure of Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, Shane Shackleton and Craig Fitzgibbon, it shapes as a rebuilding year for the Roosters. THE FAN SAYS "Discipline and respect is what I hope Brian Smith has brought to our club. I think we are a top-eight side this year." - Simon Lockwood THE BOOKIE SAYS Can improve enormously on last year's wooden spoon - a Smith trait in his first year. Carney the key. At $26 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS If Carney can crow as fullback, they will have a quartet of game-breakers in positions 1,6,7 and 9 near equal to the best. If not, coach Smith will be on the chopping block. Only once has Smith guided his previous five clubs to the finals in his inaugural season but he's only once inherited a side that was top eight the previous year. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 7th Glenn Jackson 12th Roy Masters 6th Greg Prichard 9th Brad Walter 8th RAIDERS THE MAIL NSW Origin forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs is a slim chance of being fit for Saturday night's opening-round clash with Penrith after scans showed he had suffered only a small tear in his knee during the recent trial loss to the Bulldogs. But the Raiders will be without Blues centre Joel Monaghan (thumb) for up to three months and injured wingers Justin Carney and David Milne until round four. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT With Learoyd-Lahrs, David Shillington, Scott Logan, Dane Tilse, Troy Thompson, Joel Thompson, Joe Picker and Bronson Harrison, the Raiders boast one of the biggest and best forward packs, and they have a talented young back line. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT The Raiders haven't had an established halfback since Todd Carney was sacked by the club in 2008 and unless Marc Herbert or Josh McCrone can finally make the step up this season, five-eighth Terry Campese will again be left to steer the team on his own. THE FAN SAYS "We've invested heavily in youth but there are still massive question marks at halfback and hooker ... I can't place us higher than 11th. Happy to be proved wrong though!" - Warrick Nicolson THE BOOKIE SAYS Almost always written off before the season, the Raiders will miss Monaghan early. Too much on the shoulders of Campese. At $34 with TAB Sportsbet. - Glenn Munsie MASTERS SAYS Have a giant forward pack but the rudders - hooker and half - are inexperienced. Can win games with the boot, recording the most 40-20s (26) and best field goal percentage (57.5 per cent) of any club in the competition. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 14th Glenn Jackson 15th Roy Masters 14th Greg Prichard 13th Brad Walter 13th EELS THE MAIL All are expected to be fit and the tip is Krisnan Inu will miss out on the 17 for round one. Look for last year's grand final halves pairing of Jeff Robson and Daniel Mortimer to remain, with Kris Keating on the bench. Robsonmay switch to hooker during the game to give Matt Keating a rest. Captain Nathan Cayless is set to remain a starter at prop, with Justin Poore and Fuifui Moimoi fighting it out for the other starting spot. WHY THEY WILL MAKE THE EIGHT They're too good not to. Daniel Anderson was in his first year as Eels coach last year and needed time to mould the team hisway. They finished the season brilliantly, and have since added Poore, Shane Shackleton and Timana Tahu to their squad. The go-forward they should get from their pack will make it easier for Jarryd Hayne to do his thing fromthe back. WHY THEY WON'T MAKE THE EIGHT Theywould have to be the victims of a massive injury toll, including Hayne and Nathan Hindmarsh, or a massive drama at the club for them to be at risk of missing out. THE FAN SAYS "I think, if Daniel Mortimer and Kris Keating step up in the halves, Parra have a great chance of winning the grand final." – Cameron Johnson THE BOOKIE SAYS Good signing in Tahu. Will be there or there abouts but no certainty to have as successful a year as last year. At $6.50 with TAB Sportsbet. – Glenn Munsie ROY MASTERS SAYS The grand finalists are a dangerous outfit, recording more offloads than any teamover the past six seasons, but they lack a good halfback, although three newplayers (Shackleton, Poore and Tahu) will provide more attacking options. THE HERALD PREDICTS Chris Barrett 3rd Glenn Jackson 4th Roy Masters 2nd Greg Prichard 1st Brad Walter 3rd [rainbow]Link[/rainbow]
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