The Newsroom sports team gives their predictions on the top 8 for the 2014 NRL season.
Noah’s Picks
1. Melbourne Storm
2. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
3. Sydney Roosters
4. South Sydney Rabbitohs
5. Canterbury Bulldogs
6. Newcastle Knights
7. North Queensland Cowboys
8. Brisbane Broncos
The top four will be roughly similar to that of the top four last year, although I am backing the Storm to take out the premiership after a disappointing season in 2013. Thy are definitely looking to improve their decreasing form and are doing so with an intense training regime (especially their “I Don’t Quit” pre-season camp). The Sea Eagles have been grand final mainstays for the past few years and will most likely reach the grand final again. I don’t see the Chookies continuing their epic performance from last year although I do predict a Broncos comeback to finals footy after their most disappointing season in Broncos history in 2013.
Luke’s Picks
1. Sydney Roosters
2. South Sydney Rabbitohs
3. Melbourne Storm
4. Manly Sea Eagles
5. Penrith Panthers
6. Cronulla Sharks
7. New Zealand Warriors
8. Parramatta Eels
The Chooks will look to take back-to-back titles for the first time since the Broncos in the 90s and are already favourites to do so. Phil Gould’s five year plan for the Panthers may come into effect with a successful off-season in the buyers market including Tyrone Peachey, Jamal Idris and Jamie Soward just to name a few. We witnessed firsthand what Sam Tomkins and Shaun Johnson are capable of in the Nines, and that shouldn’t mean much, but these talents will propel the Warriors towards finals football. The wildcard pick for finals football, Parramatta, do not want a third consecutive wooden spoon and this year’s roster is capable of a successful season. – Noah La’ulu and Luke Mahoney
Top photo by Noah La’ulu.
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