2016 NRL Season Preview & Ladder Prediction
With the 2016 NRL Season fast approaching, we thought we’d take a look at where we think the season will finish up.
2016 NRL Ladder Prediction
1st – North Queensland Cowboys
2nd – Brisbane Broncos
3rd – South Sydney Rabbitohs
4th – Melbourne Storm
5th – New Zealand Warriors
6th – St George Illawarra Dragons
7th – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
8th – Cronulla Sharks
9th – Manly Sea Eagles
10th – Sydney Roosters
11th – Penrith Panthers
12th – Parramatta Eels
13th – Newcastle Knights
14th – Canberra Raiders
15th – Wests Tigers
16th – Gold Coast Titans
2016 NRL – Minor Premiers
The reigning Premiers are going to challenge every team in the competition. Johnathan Thurston is undoubtedly the best player in the league at the moment, combined with Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote this combination insures the Cowboys are always ready to attack. This season we will see the same great structure, speed and ferocity that saw the Cowboys claim the 2015 Premiership. We expect they’ll be the leading point scorers this season and will win the Minor Premiership with 40+ points.
Bet On: Cowboys Minor Premiers – $7.00 at CrownBet
Finish Top 4
After an unsuccessful 2015 campaign, the Rabbitoh are now firing on all cylinders. Sam Burgess is back from Bath and the former Clive Churchill Medal winner is going to have a huge impact. The loss of Dylan Walker will be felt but with Damien Cook coming in to the team and looking to cement his place in the side. You simply cant look past the Rabbitohs attacking left edge. Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds are ready to go and in a few weeks Luke Keary will join them. Simply put, get out of their way, the Burgess brothers are going to smash their way through the league this season.
Bet On: Rabbitohs to Finish Top 4 – $3.30 at CrownBet
Miss Top 8
Manly wants to forget the 2015 NRL season after finishing 9th with just 11 wins they looked to be in a shambles. With all the positives of DCE electing to stay in Manly for life, there were just as many negatives. Kieran Foran and Matt Ballin both left the club. No team can expect to compete after losing one of the best five-eight’s in the league. Dylan Walker will endeavour to pick up the pieces, but we think the holes are too big. Apisai Koroisau will attempt to replace Ballin at hooker. No doubt in a couple of years Manly will once again be able to talk about a serious run at a Premiership, but not this year.
Bet On: Manly Sea Eagles To Miss Top 8 – $2.50 at CrownBet
Most Losses
The one positive for the Gold Coast Titans this season is that nobody cares how bad they do. The DCE incident last season has had a huge effect on the immediate future of this side. In order to fit DCE in to the salary cap the titans had to lose a bunch of senior players. So when DCE backflipped they were essentially left without a future. They’ve done their best to reload, but the inexperience of the side will cost them this season. We are happy to take them for the Wooden Spoon.
Bet On: Gold Coast Titans Most Losses – $2.50 at Sportsbet
2016 NRL Grand Final Winner
Looking to the future, The Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys are the clear standout performers. Both teams are barely changed from when they took to the field for the 2015 NRL Grand Final. Could we see a Grand Final rematch?
Johnathan Thurston is at his peak, He manoeuvres the Cowboys at his will and shapes games with his pinpoint kicking. He is certainly the key to the Cowboys going back-to-back. Fielding virtually the same team as last year, the Cowboys warrants a certain level of fear from other teams
The Big Three are fit right now, and if they can remain fit for majority of the season, then Melbourne Storm could look to make a big run at the Premiership. Storm has plenty of depth including Billy Slater 2.0 in Cameron Munster. Given his shot in 2015 when Billy was out, Munster took the leads and we saw him cross the line 7 times in 19 appearances.
The Rabbitohs suffered the post premiership blues last season. They barely fielded a title defence worthy team and finished 7th on the ladder. This season we’re expecting them to return to their 2014 premiership winning form with the return of big man Sam Burgess and the recruitment of Michael Oldfield. Souths are in possibly their strongest position both on and off the field this season. Greg Inglis, Adam Reynold and Luke Keary are formidable in attack not to mention Alex Johnston on the wing. The Rabbitohs are serious contenders.
A tough year to pick a winner, but we think the Cowboys could go back-to-back.
Bet On: Cowboys Grand Final Winner – $7.50 at CrownBet
2016 Dally M Winner
Johnathon Thurston has won back-to-back Back Dally M Medals. Can he go for the three-peat? Maybe, But it will be tough.
Anthony Milford is a star. In only 3 years in the league he has managed to secure himself a place at the table. Paired with Ben Hunt at Brisbane saw him put up big numbers and hit the scoreboard when his team needed it most. A vital member of the Broncos and touted as the future of the QLD origin side, Anthony looks like a strong competitor for the Dally M this season. With plenty of value on offer, we’re happy to give him a look for the Dally M.
Bet On: Anthony Milford Dally M Winner – $17.00 at Sportsbet
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