Read it here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=570 Quote I've done many of these season previews over the years and I have to say I think this season is the hardest season to pick. There are so many variables to think about in 2009, new coaches, big clear outs of players, young stars coming into first grade, its takes some type of super massive brain to work it all out. Hold on! I have a super massive brain, I can work this out for you! I think the step between the true contenders and the teams that are there abouts is a lot smaller than it was last season. Some teams have made good steps forward in 2009. Having said that, some teams have taken big steps backwards, and I think for the first time in a number of years we'll see some clear cut cellar dwellars. So lets use the massive power of my massive brain for good instead of evil....just this once.... '" Read it here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=570

Read it here: leaguefreak.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=570 Quote I've done many of these season previews over the years and I have to say I think this season is the hardest season to pick. There are so many variables to think about in 2009, new coaches, big clear outs of players, young stars coming into first grade, its takes some type of super massive brain to work it all out. Hold on! I have a super massive brain, I can work this out for you! I think the step between the true contenders and the teams that are there abouts is a lot smaller than it was last season. Some teams have made good steps forward in 2009. Having said that, some teams have taken big steps backwards, and I think for the first time in a number of years we'll see some clear cut cellar dwellars. So lets use the massive power of my massive brain for good instead of evil....just this once.... '" 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.

Don't expect him to know the difference - he is pretty clueless about everything he posts

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

As I said they are an enigma - time will tell

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.

If the NRL is as tough as everyone says Jones should not last 20 minutes - a real backward step

hes doing pre season training.

if he can get through that the NRL will be a walk in the park

Again, where did they lose Rapira to?

He played in last week's trial versus Melbourne. I think you're confusing him with his brother from the Under 20's 2008 team, Steve, who has now gone to North Queensland. Sam, the Kiwis test prop is still with the Warriors.

Swann was hopeless for the last 18 months, and Wiki was running on about 50% for the last half of his contract. He got dropped midway through last season as a result.

Must have got him mixed with Steve then.

Manly will go back to back,I put money on it so they better!

Cronulla and the Roosters will be up there too.

After watching the rooters against tigers last night I'm sure they will be a force in 09.But the sharks ummm i don't think so!

It's too hard to win twice in a row now. If the Storm and Roosters couldn't do it in the last decade, Manly won't.

The problem will be the lack of credible challenger - Melbourne apart - would not be surprised to see a repeat of the GF of the last 2 seasons

Still begs the question - if the comp is so fast and physical how can a 35 year old expect to contribute much?