Read it here Read it here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=570

Read it here Read it here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=570

The Bulldogs have recruited well. I'm surprised Brisbane have allowed so many forwards to leave, leaving their pack weakened.

israel folau is on $400,000 and put them over the cap

they still have to fit lockyer and hunt for next year as well.

Melbourne look weak without Crocker, Folau, Geyer, Tagataese and Kaufusi.

St george looked very good last night. Head and Soward played very well together and their pack with Smith looks good. With Bennett leading them could this finally be the year of the Dragon?

Geyer and Tags were dead weight. The others are a loss, of course.

EDIT: Just read the article.

Your Raiders assessment is confusing. We haven't had as much depth available to us in many years, especially in the forwards, where we have the best depth in the comp. And it's Terry, not David.

Roosters 13th. They'll be a lot higher than that.

death for the roosters

roosters will finish in the top 8 or thereabouts.

manly will still be strong.

cronulla will improve and saints will make the top 4.

i think brisbane could miss the 8.

the titans should make the semis.

west tigers for the spoon

My top 8

1. Melbourne - even with a weaker squad - still a core of great players
2. Manley - best pack in the league - average backline
3. Brisbane - if they can keep Lockyear fit and Folau - exciting combo if they gel
4. St George - Bennett effect
5. Cronulla - dull but effective - let's hope Setanta pass them by
6. Parramatta - new coach new atmosphere can only be good
7. Roosters - showed glimses of what they can do Fittler can only improve
8. West - dark horses if they can keep Marshall on the field.

Of the rest
Titans - Prince apart not a lot to offer and lack depth
Bulldogs - not one decent player in positions 1,6,7,9,13 - wooden spoon
Penrith - lack of progress under Elliott caused by in-fighting will show they were a 2 season flash in the pan
Cowboys - lack of quality outside of Thurston and Bowen will kill them once again
South Sydney - could be knocking on the door for the 8 - Taylor has surely learned something from last year
Warriors - an enigma, capable of beating anyone on their day - just their day is too infrequent
Newcastle - never rated Smith - control freak who has seldom added value in recent years.
Canberra - one season wonders who like Wests 3 years ago will be sunk without a trace

you under rate the warriors

the closest the tigers will get to the top 8 is before the season starts.

the rest of it isnt far off the mark, except broncos

Warriors could be hit and miss because they have lost a lot of forwards like Wiki, Rapira and Swann. However they have signed Denan Kemp and got Stacy Jones back so they should score more tries.