I would have respected Holbrook more if he came out and said that with so many with so many weapons to work with he want's us to be the slickest attacking side in the comp.
We honestly should be up there next year pending fitness. And reading between the lines of his comments he kind of does basically say that, given the only players he specifically mentions, in terms of talking to them and nutting out roles, are the spine players. I reckon he looks at us and sees a side with a lot of pieces in place besides that.
One big thing I think behind the big changes in the pecking order this season was spine upheaval in some traditional top sides & what are usually mid table sides getting their **** together way more. Aside from Melbourne always having the best spine in the game, always, because they're run by wizards, it's interesting looking at the rest of the ladder and noting what has changed this year & what will change next year:
Raiders - Figured out a great recipe for them, too bad they are removing the most important piece next year, womp womp. I guarantee they slide a long way down the ladder.
Storm - As mentioned above, will always have the best spine, will always be great, we will never be rid of them.
Bulldogs - Had a recipe which works and decided it would be a good idea to blow it all up when they were en route to a minor premiership, Gus gonna Gus. Galvin isn't a 7. Huge question marks next year IMO.
Broncos - Unexpected issues with Reynolds/Hunt as a halves combo, it might honestly be because they're too old and slow to play together at 6 and 7, with Walsh and Mam both fit they will be ****ing terrifying next year, especially with the level Walsh has reached now.
Sharks - Not the best spine, but they seem to think it's smart to have a good one and settle on it for some strange reason. Blayke Brailey is legit the 2nd best 9 in the game now though IMO.
Warriors - Smart coach, has worked out something which works very well for them, should be stable next year once Metcalf is back.
Panthers - Held Talagi back for a while because they didn't think he "got" the system yet, will be better for the run and they will be a favourite next year again. May very well win it again next year FFS.
Roosters - Squandered some early games on Chad Townsend who's totally cooked, Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala both did quite well given experience etc but obviously Sam Walker is in another class, Reece Robson & DCE in I think puts their spine on or around the top tier with Brisbane, those two vying for second best spine behind Melbourne.
Dolphins - If they can just get some injury luck in the forwards this is a top 6 side, spine has been great all year and looks even better with Fuller at 1 and Hamiso at centre.
Then below that there's a bunch of upheaval-ridden, uncertain clubs, except I think Parra will settle on Iongi-Papalii-Moses-Da Silva and that's the main reason they'll keep improving, and, cross fingers, maybe us. Legit think if we just settle on Crossland and Sandon, who are proven capable in a role, with an international class 6 and 1, there's still a clear gap between us and the very top sides, but it should at least be a top 8 calibre spine under a good coach, with scope for continued improvement.
IMO a plausible spine ranking next year is: 1. Melbourne, 2. Roosters, 3. Broncos, 4. Panthers, 5. Sharks, 6. Dolphins, and then us, NZ and Parramatta vying for 7th best. Some may call that optimistic but I think it's plausible, no one seems to be able to keep a quartet together longer than one season and if we can just get some fkn continuity and stability with four decent to great players, it will go a long way.
And then besides the spine, I don't think there are a lot of sides that have better weapons than Bradman, Lucas, Young, and wherever Sharpe ends up. It *should* be a good attacking side.
www.foxsports.com.au
