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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 3004557, member: 1899"] [B]Premiers - Penrith Panthers - [/B]Mid-way through last year, I thought the Panthers were on track to their third premiership. While it was only a fleeting second, that brief glimpse resonated with me and I believe if injuries are kind they will be hard to stop. What I like about them is that the young crop of talent that dominated their age group is beginning to become of age and a few of them have representative experience to work off of. I believe this will translate well into the post-season where they've been found wanting these past couple of years. [B] Biggest Improver - Parramatta Eels - [/B]The story of Parramatta's 2018 is one we've all grown accustomed to over the years. Talked up by all and sundry down south only to finish with a wooden spoon - it's a tale that's almost as well known as Hansel and Gretal. However, there's always the other side to the Eels story where they eventually catch everybody off-guard and deliver a perfectly acceptable passable season. With the additions of Blake Ferguson, Junior Paulo, Shaun Lane and the discovery of Marata Niukore, Reed Mahoney and Dylan Brown, I believe the ingredients are all there. It's well worth remembering too a lot of the success they enjoyed in 2017 was built off of players like Clinton Gutherson and Nathan Brown, both of whom struggled with injury in 2018. [B][/B] [B] Fall From Grace - St. George Illawarra Dragons - [/B]Every year at least two teams bow out of the top eight and I believe the Dragons will be hit the hardest. The Jack de Belin saga has been a bitter pill to swallow for the club, especially after de Belin's wonderful 2018 season. On top of that, the decision of Gareth Widdop to leave St. George at the end of the season doesn't bode well for the club. Widdop's impending departure has seen them brought Corey Norman over prematurely and it remains to be seen how Widdop, Norman and Hunt will co-exist. Last year when the Dragons were dominating the competition it was on the back of Widdop's combination with Hunt, I can't help but feel the addition of Norman may have spoiled the dynamic. Not to mention, it has left Matt Dufty out in the cold after he enjoyed a wonderful break-out season. Factor in the losses of McDonald, Ah Mau, Nightingale etc. and the season just has that familiar smell of disappointment. [B] Dally M Player - Mitchell Pearce - [/B]Judging by the votes last year, the panelists appreciated Pearce's hands-on display at Newcastle and with a more stellar roster around him, it's difficult to see him missing out on the award. [B] Origin Series - NSW 2-1 - [/B]Last year there was an element of luck to the Blues win that may have given Queensland fans a false impression that they were the better side. While there were some arguments to be made, I believe the pendulum has swung and we're about to see that come to fruition this year with a comfortable Blues victory. I think it's going to take Queensland awhile to get over the loss of the dynasty and I would not be surprised at all if an SOS is sent out to Cameron Smith at some stage in the series. [B] Wooden Spooners - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - [/B]The Bulldogs showed plenty of heart last year and were quite admirable in their application. However, the loss of Klemmer and the Morris twins is another crucial blow and their recruitment does little to inspire me. I rate Corey Harawira-Naera, but where is he going to play with Josh Jackson, Rhyse Martin and Raymond Faitala-Mariner in the side? They have the worst roster in the competition and outside of another team imploding, I believe 2019 is the year where the Bulldogs will have to take their medicine. [B] Top Try Scorer - Campbell Graham - [/B]I rate Campbell as one of the best emerging talents in the game and think he'll only get better under Wayne's tuteledge. Wayne is a specialist at finding space out-wide and Graham's size and athleticism should see him among the top scorers. [B] Rookie of the Year - Payne Haas - [/B]The early suspension is going to be the making of Haas and once he finds his way back, it's going to be difficult envisioning him in ISC again. Haas has the attributes to become one of the best props in the game and after a brief taste, I can see 2019 being the making of him. Even if Haas has an amazing season, the NRL will find some way to give the Dally M award to Dylan Brown. [B] Final Top 8[/B] Penrith Panthers Sydney Roosters South Sydney Rabbitohs Brisbane Broncos Melbourne Storm North Queensland Cowboys Cronulla Sharks Newcastle Knights [/QUOTE]

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