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Message: [QUOTE="Sproj, post: 2958372, member: 8423"] I actually think that if ever a winner could come from outside the top four, this is the year. I think there are about six teams that can win the whole thing: Storm, Roosters, Dragons, Rabbits, Broncos and Penrith. The Sharks and Warriors will put up a good show but I just don't think they have enough to step up when other teams do. That said, any of the top 8 could win it and not surprise anyone that much. Every single one of these sides has deficiencies, even the Storm. The Dragons have a shaky mindset in big moments and have a pretty average backline which may get caught out in the big moments. Their depth is not great either. Key player - Widdop - he goes down, so the Dragons chances, thoug hDufty is a very close second here. The Storm are always going to be one of the elite sides as long as Slater and Smith are there, and given how well their system works. That said, their glaring deficiency depends on the referees doing their job. If they do, the Storm struggle when they can't wrestle to their hearts are content. Their younger guys are pretty easy to rile up though if you get in their face, that could come back to haunt them. Key player - Smith - origin showed just how much this guy means in any side he plays, he goes down, the Storm will float but sink come finals step up without the future immortal. The Rabbits look the team to beat for mine, quality all across the park but I suspect they may be peaking a little too early, like the Dragons. Their bench is not a strength though and they lack depth. Key player - Inglis - They need Inglis back as quick as possible, he has matured into a fine leader the older he has gotten. The Roosters are a dangerous side for anyone. They will compete in every game they play but I think their problem is still the same as previous years, they don't have the ability to step up as much as other teams. Cronk may help that in the big moments but they have a lot of confidence players who really do go missing when the going gets tough, I'm looking at you Latrell. Key player - Cronk - He was bought in as the final piece to ruthlessly replace Pearce, a lot of pressure on the guy but his career has shown he doesn't mind that at all. Penrith have the best depth of any side in the competition not named Brisbane. However, they have a massive asset where evey other side lacks, they can call in two pretty gun playmakers from reserve grade. They haven't peaked at all (except last week) and have had a huge injury toll all year. This team needs a settled spine as all season they haven't really been able to do it and that is the one weakness for me, plus playing Peachey at centre over Blake. If they can get a 1, 6, 7 and 9 playing harmonious and settled come finals, they are my smokey. Key player - Maloney - can't defend to save himself but every side he is in ends up contending, this is no coincidence, he is pretty much the best non-rep retired half running around these days and while the Panthers have a lot of depth, his big game experience is needed. This brings us to the Broncs. Everyone knows the weakness - halfback. I'd also argue hooker but there are enough stars around the 9 that this side can often get away with Macca's glaring deficiencies. They also have a genius coach who is starting to show that he may well have figured out how to use this side. Last week showed the depth the Broncs have and it is scary. This side is starting to click and if the spine continues to compliment each other the way they have been, well you just never know, maybe the run is being timed perfectly and the shackles will come off at exactly the right time. Key player - McCullough - simply because of his importance to Milf who has had a great season and no, I'm not joking at all. Milford has been the tactician, magician and technician behind the Broncs all season without getting much help at all from his 1, 7 and 9. Turpin showed what Milf can do when he is given good, crisp service that isn't over his head, behind him, too far in front or simply, too slowly delivered. Should Milf then be the key player? Probably but 2015 showed that if Macca had better game awareness and passing, this team would have 7 premierships now. They don't and Macca hasn't really improved in this glaringly below average part of his game. [/QUOTE]

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