DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: Tyrone Roberts, Greg Bird, Nene MacDonald and Conrad Hurrell of the Titans watch the replay on the big screen after the referee call for a video referral during the round 14 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans at TIO Stadium on June 11, 2016 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Prior to the season, I laid it all on the line and made some 2016 ladder predictions placing teams from 16th to 1st.
Some are looking pretty close, while others have me shaking my head and wondering what I was thinking.
Many drew the ire of the fans in question, especially those supporting the Eels, Panthers and Bunnies.
At the halfway(ish) point of the season, we revisit and revise some of those predictions made pre-season.
Prior to the season I couldn’t see many positives on the holiday coast. Kane Elgey went down injured and the club lost its best player in James Roberts. Predictions across the board were dire, and for good reason.
The squad looked like it was going to lack the fire power to worry many sides in terms of attack, while defensively they looked as though they would ship plenty of points.
Fast forward to the rep season and the Titans are sitting just outside the eight, on point’s differential, and have been one of the more entertaining sides thus far in 2016.
Young Ash Taylor has far surpassed all expectations during his short NRL career while Greg Bird has turned back the clock. The signings of Nathan Peats and Konrad Hurrell have them looking a far stronger outfit, although they had already smashed most people’s predictions well before those signings were announced.
I am still confident that the Titans won’t worry the top sides or challenge for the title, but they’re a genuine shot at the eight.
Happy to be wrong here. I’m loving the way the Titans play their footy. I underestimated them greatly.
Updated Prediction: 10th
The Tigers were another side most, myself included, saw as struggling in 2016. They started well but have lacked any sort of consistency, trading wins and losses en mass.
James Tedesco has been one of the form players of the competition, especially early on, while the likes of Moses, Lawrence and a few of the outside backs have shown glimpses of breaking out.
The Tigers have re-signed their young halves and can now plan for the future.
Despite a few good wins, I’m not convinced that the Tigers will prove me wrong by a great deal. They certainly won’t finish last, but I can’t see them in the battle for finals footy.
The horror form of the Knights and Roosters, combined with the struggles at the Eels will see them rise. Pretty happy with this prediction to be honest.
Updated Prediction: 13th
Looking at the make up of the Newcastle squad, I’m not sure why anyone overlooked them as short-priced wooden spoon favourites.
I don’t mean to kick a side when it is down but there are very few members of the Knights setup who would make many first grade sides at other clubs.
Trent Hodkinson’s signature was seen as the kickstart to a new era on the Hunter, but unfortunately for fans, he has not been able to produce anything close to the form that was expected of him.
Dane Gagai has been moved across the backline and hasn’t been able to settle, while the Mata’utia brothers have been bouncing in and out of the casualty ward.
Unless the Eels are stripped of their right to play for points, the Knights have the wooden spoon parcelled up already.
Nathan Brown has the right idea as he looks to the future. I hope they recruit well for 2017 and beyond.
Updated Prediction: 16th
Without a doubt the prediction that caused the greatest uproar was when I said the Panthers would finish 13th.
I said this due to the halves partnership of Soward and Wallace filling me with zero confidence. Despite a brilliant forward pack and talented outside backs, if the halves aren’t there, it all falls apart.
Fast forward and neither Wallace nor Soward are currently in the Panther’s top two halves. Wallace looks far more at home in the number nine, while Soward has been sent back to NSW Cup.
With all due respect to Soward, Cleary is the way forward, as was TMM when he was fit.
The Panthers suddenly look a new side, especially given the increasing influence of Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachy.
Another where I’m happy to be wrong as Penrith are another team who plays attacking footy on their day. The Panthers should make the eight.
Updated Prediction: 8th
Although there were rumours, I don’t think anyone knew just how hard the club would be hit during 2016 by the salary cap problems they are enduring.
The Eels recruited well, started the season well and were looking like a genuine title threat.
Unfortunately, appeals pending, it looks as though they’ll be penalised massively points wise.
Regardless of results, the Eels should now miss the eight, although there are rumours that more punishments are yet to be handed down.
My pre-season prediction was more struggling to find a place for the Eels more than any great foresight. I had no idea how the rumours would impact them, although they have played far better than I expected.
The Eels are a top eight side, but with punishment in mind, I can only see them running down the Knights and maybe the Roosters.
Updated Prediction: 14th
The Dragons are right where I predicted them to be at the start of the season. They’re middle of the road, having won some brilliant games, having lost some horrible ones.
This Dragons side is capable of turning up and playing sides off the park one weekend, yet be belted silly the very next.
I had no confidence in placing them pre-season and I am no closer to any confidence in placing them now.
I believe they’ll miss the eight but that they’re way better than the bottom few sides.
We’ll pick a number out of the hat.
Updated Prediction: 9th
Canberra are one of the sides I most look forward to watching each and every weekend. Whether they are the Green Machine of old, or are being walked all over, their games usually feature plenty of points.
Jordan Rapana is one of the most exciting players in the competition, while Austin, Sezer and Hodgson are brilliant fun to watch.
I certainly wouldn’t be placing any large amount of money on a Raiders result anytime soon, nor would I be backing, or betting against, any of the Raiders back three catching or dropping the next high kick.
I think they’re good enough to plays final footy but not to challenge the big four. They’re another side, much like the Dragons, who can produce two extreme opposite performances in a matter of days.
They’ll finish higher than the 10th I placed them pre-season, but won’t be top six.
Updated Prediction: 7th
Prior to the season I was pretty sure that the Bunnies would miss the eight. Given their efforts over the past few weeks, that feeling has only grown.
I was worried that the Bunnies may have put too many eggs in the Burgess basket, and unfortunately for the red and green, that has proven to be true.
The Bunnies best players simply haven’t been performing with any great consistency. Inglis looks injured, Reynolds has been on and off, while their forwards are losing way too many battles considering the money invested.
I can’t see this side turning it around with enough time to mow the better sides down.
Updated Prediction: 11th