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10. Eels to make Top 8

Dare to dream Parramatta fans but 2019 will be redemption for a very poor 2018. Remember this is the team that finished in the top 4 in 2017 and they still have the core squad together from that year. Brad Arthur has been running his iron fist throughout the club in the offseason and I expect them to bounce back and for Mitch Moses to shine as he takes on the sole responsibility of leading the team around. Plus, a new stadium and plans to pack it out will give Eels an extra edge.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Parramatta Eels NRL coach Brad Arthur speaks to the media during a press conference at the Eels Training Centre on July 1, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
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55 COMMENTS

    • This will be rickys last year IF the team doesn’t make the 8 but he I agree he will stand down if that is the case… BUT this is a very talented squad and they are a band of brothers with a great culture and they will be in the 8 for sure and Ricky will be there all the way ..

  3. Whilst a few of these aren’t exactly extraordinary to assume, all in all you raise some valid points. I really had North Queensland as a top 4 team again before the Barba fiasco. But they won’t be able to challenge without those two players, and I didn’t even rate Barba that highly. Ben Hampton has some work to do if the Cowboys can’t pick anyone up off the market…

    As for the premiership prediction, naturally I’ll agree. The Broncos have the second best side on paper this season, and the third best coach in the league (Judging off his debut season) behind Bellamy and Robinson. It’s nice to see someone NOT predicting a premiership for Souths. There’s a fearless prediction, they’ll struggle this year. Bennett is overrated, he’s hardly has a side that isn’t a premiership contender on paper anyway. The only time he hasnt was at Newcastle, and how did that end up? South’s wont make the eight.

    • Don’t be surprised if Easts struggle, Robinson not that good of a coach, maybe Souths will struggle, but Easts won’t go back to back, their not that good, Robbo did have Easts running second last not that long ago with a similar roster, only time will tell.

      • Yeah redv3, you watch , massive response from woody followed by his internal mate Russ , surprised he hasn’t repsonded already.

        At least sydneyroosta talks sensible and what he says makes sense not like that other dribbler

      • Nah mate look. Of course going back to back is a massive ask. It’d be unfair for me to expect that as a fan. But as for 2016 (When we finished 2nd last) that was a very different roster to what we have today. That was a roster with a rookie fullback and 5/8th, and we’d just lost Maloney, Jennings, and Tuivasa Sheck. It was far less stable than what we have this year. 4 minor premierships and a 2nd place finish in his 6 years means he has my faith.

        We’ll be right up there, we definately won’t struggle. My hearts prediction is a premiership, but my head says minor premiership and at least semi-finals

      • Your comments are the best from a Rooster’s fan that I have read in a long time. No personal attacks, just your opinion. As a Souths member I always have high hopes for my team but I never make predictions, I’ve been following rugby league for too long. I just want my team to play to the best of their ability.

      • It’s actually a breath of fresh air to see a chooks supporter on here be honest and not just talk about BS 🤙🏻

      • Sorry Moa did play in 2016 it was JWH who missed the first 8 games of the season due to a knee reconstruction from the previous season.

      • “Robinson not that good of a coach,“

        Results don’t lie penso, 2013,2014,2015 and 2018 minor premiers and won 2013 and 2018 premiership, You are blinded by jealousy.

        The roosters will go further then the rabbits in the finals AGAIN this year, that’s if the rabbits can get in the 8

  5. There is only a couple of those predictions I don’t agree with.
    I don’t believe Parra will make the top 8 and don’t think the donkeys will either.
    They have a pretty average side this year.
    The St Merge fade will happen early this year with Dozy Norman in the squad.

  6. I’m not sure about the Dragons having an Origin hangover again. Cherry-Evans has overtaken Hunt, De Belin is facing serious prison time and probably won’t be keeping Trbojevic away from lock, while Vaughan and Sims might have some tough competition with Pangai Jr, James, Finucane, Yeo, Murray and Tamou.
    Daly Cherry-Evans, Cameron Munster, Cody Walker, Anthony Milford and Michael Morgan will keep Ponga away from starting 5/8 for Maroons imo. With Barba gone, Inglis at centre and Boyd retired, Moses Mbye becomes the only available Queenslander with a guaranteed fullback position next year. Munster and Ponga have to be looking for the fullback spot instead of 5/8.

  8. cowboys, titans will struggle but fearless prediction is Souffs to collect the wooden spoon..sorry to all their tooth missing fans. Wayne will make a mess of that club…..Broncs def. the winners in that coach exchange. A Sydney team will win the GF….Roosters or Sharks if they can get over the coach mess.

  11. I rate Newcastle this year as the ‘smokies’ – agree the Cows will struggle with no real pace in their backline. I think Raiders, Tigers and Bulldogs will be the bottom 3. Dragons, Broncos, Souths and Roosters top 4.

  12. This is my top 8

    1: Penrith
    2: Brisbane
    3: Storm
    4: Roosters
    5: Newcastle
    6: Souths
    7: Sharks
    8: Wests Tigers

    9: Dragons
    10: Parramatta
    11: Cowboys
    12: Titans
    13: Warriors
    14: Bulldogs
    15: Raiders
    16: Manly

    That’s right I’ve got Penrith taking out number 1 spot

    Grand final will be

    Penrith vs Brisbane

    1st coach to get sacked will be BA
    Parramatta to sign flanno for 2020

    Rookie of the year will be Dylan Brown this guy is a gun.

  13. Raiders won’t miss the 8 , we have the second best attack in the comp and have lost the fat bastards in the middle that slow us in defence , we will be fit and mobile in the middle which was our Achilles heal along with Austin’s decision making in defence , jack wighton at five – eight will hit anyone that runs at him and help his outside men make better decisions, but as usual we get underestimated and we love that this time of year 👌

    • Great to know we have some supporters in the Gold Coast. It will be really interesting to see how the Raiders go this year. There is zero expectation for a start which will go in their favour. Plenty of so called experts will write them off before the season even starts. We have no idea how they will line up but I’m expecting Jack Wighton to have a great season wherever he plays and if I was an opposition half they will get their rib cages rattled on multiple occasions if he plays at 5/8. I think the recruitment of the pommy Bateman will be a master stroke and as you suggest the loss of our 3 worst defensive liabilities has to help. I can’t see Ricky getting the flick if it all goes pear shaped – he will have tp walk.

      • I think Bateman will get over 10 tries for us this year, I can see us flying under the radar and catching a lot of people off guard this year

  14. Am I the only one that thinks cowboys will make the 8 this year? There is no pressure on them now and we all know (as much as it kills me to say it) QLD teams always win when there backs against the wall (except GC aha) look at the baby broncos during the origin period when the basically had the QLD team.

  15. Hey Woody, what u think of this ladder after the 2019 regular season
    1. Roosters
    2. Souths
    3. Panthers
    4. Broncos
    5. Storm
    6. Knights
    7. Cowboys
    8. Dragons

    9. Raiders
    10. Warriors
    11. Tigers
    12. Titans
    13. Sharks
    14. Eels
    15. Sea Eagles
    16. Bulldogs

    • It would be totally amazing if the Sydney Roosters and Rabbits played in a grand final. It probably should of happened last season but the top 8 system sometimes can be cruel with the best two teams playing a week before in the Preliminary Final after ending up on the same side of the draw after week 1. I know the NRL will never revert back to a top five but in the top 5 system the best two teams always made the grand final.

  16. I’ll guarantee Manly will be the dark horse this year and perform far better than anyone believes. Penrith will do squat with Cleary, Cowboys will do wore than people think and my boldest prediction Raiders will shock everyone and make top 4, they have too much talent and will fire up. Dragons will either be top 4 or bottom 4, it’ll either be a brilliant season or they’ll fail miserably and struggle all season. If Norman and Hunt fire with that forward pack they’ll be unstoppable barring injuries.

  17. I’ll guarantee Manly will be the dark horse this year and perform far better than anyone believes. Penrith will do squat with Cleary, Cowboys will do worse than people think and my boldest prediction Raiders will shock everyone and make top 4, they have too much talent and will fire up. Dragons will either be top 4 or bottom 4, it’ll either be a brilliant season or they’ll fail miserably and struggle all season. If Norman and Hunt fire with that forward pack they’ll be unstoppable barring injuries.