By Casey O'Connor
The wait is almost over – the NRL season is on our doorstep.
It is almost time.
Coaches have just a week to shuffle the deck chairs and come up with their starting sides.
And how are things looking across the board?
The competition heavyweights look likely to remain unchanged however there is likely to again be plenty of shuffling and scrambling at the bottom end of the eight when we get close to the pointy end of the season.
While coaches have to line up their sides many tipsters have awkward decisions to make in the coming days.
Before a ball is kicked, a ref questioned, a try scored or a knock on missed any of us are expected to come up with a top eight; a leading points scorer and who wins wooden spoon.
Really – how long is a piece of string. It’s a bit like pin the tail on the donkey meets a clairvoyant.
I have not had the opportunity to watch many trial games but frankly they are not much of a guide with most teams resting their key players and taking a look at some upcoming talent.
I expect the Storm, Penrith and the Roosters will figure prominently again. Although it will be interesting to see if Penrith can handle those player raids as well as Melbourne have done over the years. How will the Bunnies handle life after Benny and what of Manly – will Turbo face more injury crises. Can the Eels put together a full season performance? The Dragons have surprised a few in the trials can they carry their form into the main part of the season. Fans of the White and Red V however are true believers and think so.
For Queensland the conundrum is will the Broncos fire; Have the Titans got the fire power. Mother nature has not helped with Suncorp and Cbus resembling oceans not football fields in the past week. Just another hurdle to overcome. And what pray tell is going on at the Cowboys? Their roster gives me the feeling it could be a long year for the Cows. And I can’t even begin to think about the other teams.
Seriously, Kevvie things he’s got problems – all he has to do is find a playmaker.
Casey
