Form Guide For 2008

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knight-no-7

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Form guide for 2008
TEAM-by-team form guide for the NRL clubs in 2008:


BRISBANE BRONCOS
2007 finish: Eighth
2008 Snapshot: If Darren Lockyer is fully fit then the Broncos are capable of anything. The loss of prop Petero Civoniceva to Penrith will take some punch out of their forward pack. Always a danger.

BULLDOGS
2007 finish: Sixth
2008 Snapshot: No longer boast the best pack in the NRL after losing both Mark O'Meley and Willie Mason to the Roosters. Coach Steve Folkes is off contract and in danger of losing his job. Need to restore battered reputation.

CANBERRA RAIDERS
2007 finish: 14th
2008 Snapshot: Unfairly labelled wooden spoon favourites, the Raiders can only improve on last year as the young squad matures and if halfback Todd Carney behaves himself. Will continue to surprise teams but consistency will decide finals fate.

CRONULLA SHARKS
2007 finish: 11th
2008 Snapshot: Full of promise with Greg Bird becoming a genuine star and Paul Gallen developing into a true leader. If they discover how to win close games then they'll be in the money. Should be in the finals mix.

GOLD COAST TITANS
2007 finish: 12th
2008 Snapshot: Will they suffer second-year syndrome? Have a good roster but big question mark over halves partner for Scott Prince. If Prince gets injured at the wrong time of the year again they could struggle. Finals debut well within reach.

MANLY SEA EAGLES
2007 finish: Runners-up
2008 Snapshot: Should be thereabouts again, but the loss of playmaker Michael Monaghan (Warrington) will be felt. Need Jamie Lyon to take ownership at five-eighth and have a greater influence in attack. Will be one of the pacesetters, but do they have a September kick?

MELBOURNE STORM
2007 finish: Premiers
2008 Snapshot: Whatever the odds to go back-to-back, get on now. They will only shorten once the season starts. Lost a couple of premiership stars, including Matt King, but have enough depth and young talent is still improving. The team to beat yet again.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
2007 finish: 15th
2008 Snapshot: Brian Smith has one year to prove his 2007 clean out is on track or he'll be driven out of town by the fanatical fans. If Jarrod Mullen and Danny Buderus remain injury-free the Knights will be competitive. Could sneak into the finals.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
2007 finish: Third
2008 Snapshot: With Matt Bowen and Johnathan Thurston on the field the Cowboys can outscore anybody. But, unless North Queensland has learnt how to defend over summer they won't threaten for the title. Remain premiership contenders.

PARRAMATTA EELS
2007 finish: Fifth
2008 Snapshot: Boast one of the most exciting backlines in the NRL and an under-rated forward pack that always does the job. With tutelage from the great Andrew Johns, their halves will become more dominant. Certainly a team to watch in 2008.

PENRITH PANTHERS
2007 finish: Wooden Spoon
2008 Snapshot: Coach Matt Elliott is under pressure to get this side performing or face the sack. Have lost Craig Gower but gain one of the game's best props in Petero Civoniceva. Should improve on last year, but top eight may be out of reach.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
2007 finish: 13th
2008 Snapshot: This is Nathan Brown's last chance to prove himself as a first-grade coach. Dragons should be finals contenders and if Mark Gasnier remains fit they'll push for the top eight. Will be better than last year, but how much?

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
2007 finish: Seventh
2008 Snapshot: Made a stunning run to last year's finals and the Bunnies will again be tough to beat in 2008. Craig Wing's arrival will add more spark in attack and with David Kidwell fully fit the forwards pack more punch. Finals a minimum requirement.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS
2007 finish: 10th
2008 Snapshot: Brad Fittler has a full season to mould his team and expectations are high after recruiting Mark O'Meley and Willie Mason. A lot rests on Mitchell Pearce at halfback and the return to fitness of Anthony Minichiello. Don't be fooled, finals won't be as easy as some predict.

NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
2007 finish: Fourth
2008 Snapshot: Disappointed with finals performance last year, but the nucleus of the team remains and they'll be tough to beat again next year. Skipper Steve Price is phenomenal up front but they need better output from the halves to improve in 2008.

WESTS TIGERS
2007 finish: Ninth
2008 Snapshot: Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall are capable of carrying the Tigers into the finals. The only question is, can Marshall's suspect shoulders last a full season? Should again be in the running for the top eight.
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I doubt it will be Parramatta ... them, St George Illawarra and Cronulla are all cursed never to win it again (or in the case of Cronulla - at all).
 
why do you say that...There only real weak spots is fui's defense issues and controling tim smith and Finch (not in the same way as smith though)
 
No, parra will not win in 08. With all the troubles surrounding Smith, i have my doubts. Cowboys are looking pretty good for the premiership IMO, after the Storm ofcourse.
 
Tim Smiths getting quite a bit of help, which is good to see.

Andrew Johns has also been in touch on a regular basis, able to offer an experienced insight into the serious issue of bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression.

Johns' mother Gayle contacted Melissa Smith earlier in the week, lending an ear and an understanding word, making sure she was coping.

The prospect of waking in the clinic on Christmas Day is a chilling reality, but the 2005 Dally M Rookie of the Year remains determined to emerge a better person.

Intent on rebuilding his playing career with Parramatta, Smith has been given permission to be released from rehabilitation to hold daily training sessions with former Eel Troy Pezet.
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knights4premiers said:
why do you say that...There only real weak spots is fui's defense issues and controling tim smith and Finch (not in the same way as smith though)
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Yeah, what others said about their dodgy halves. All teams that have won the comp in about the last 30 years have had a classy / legendary half or five eighth (the only exception is debatedly the Bulldogs in 2004) and Parramatta certainly don't have that.
 
Yeah The bulldogs won with Anasta, who can show brillance at times. Sherwin was and is just crap. From the tim smith article, I kinda got the impression that they where saying he has Bipolar like Joey, is this the case?
 
Sherwin was pretty good in his day, 02-04. His best feature was his short kicking game, particularly cross-field grubbers to wingers and centres, but I can't say I remember the Bulldogs scoring any tries from that in the 04 grand final. Still, not up to the class of halves who have won the comp before or after him.
 
He played awesome the year the Dogs won, but youd expect that... hasnt been the case recently. Dogs to miss the 8 this year (08) IMO.
 
AussieKnight said:
Itl be between Melbourne, Cowboys, Manly & Eels again.
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Itl be between Melbourne, Cowboys, Manly & Eels again.

Rubbish, I can see the cowboys missing the 8 next year, however i still think they will start well, I think Parra will make the 8 but fall out in either the 1st or 2nd week, I reacon the top 4 teams will be Storm, Manly, Roosters & of cause our Knights
 
Fair jumpr for both the roosters and the knights. I think we will do really well 2 make the top 4, i don't see us going that fair this year, nor the roosters.
 
I'd be surprised if it was the same top four next year, but there aren't many contenders to take one of this year's sides out and take their spot! I don't think the Roosters will be top four material, maybe top eight.
 
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