As we eagerly await the kick-off of another NRL season, it's time for me to put my reputation on the line and make a few predictions for the year ahead. I made these predictions back at the start of January on the Front Row Forums at League Unlimited.
Ivan Cleary first coach sacked
To me, this one seems a no-brainer. Cleary seems like a nice guy, but I just don't think he's an NRL coach. After he led the Warriors to one of their worst seasons in recent history, and their squad have gone backwards since. Some of his brilliant moves included releasing Nathan Fien, who went on to win a minor premiership with the Dragons, and Denan Kemp, who went straight back to Brisbane after just one season. The Warriors have a very poor roster for this season and I can't see Clearly lasting the year.
Newcastle to finish in the bottom 3
This prediction was made before the drugs scandal engulfed the club, and before their only decent player was sidelined with a knee injury. Now, it's a dead-set certainty. If they avoid the wooden spoon, they can consider it a good season.
Canberra and Souths to finish in the top 4
The Souths prediction shouldn't surprise anyone - they've potentially got the best forward pack in the NRL, and some great speedy backs. The only real question mark is at halfback, with Chris Sandow capable of going from the sublime to the ridiculous in a matter of minutes. The Raiders prediction, on the other hand, is very different to what most of the "experts" have been saying. Laugh all you want, I'm certain that this is going to happen. One of the best forward packs in the NRL, one of the most exciting backlines in the competition, and genuine superstars in Josh Dugan and Terry Campese. They'll have a very big year.
Todd Carney to be involved in an off-field incident
It didn't take long for this one to come true - the lighter incident coming to light literally one day after I originally made the prediction.
An undeserving Kurt Gidley gets picked for NSW - again
Kurt Gidley is not a big game player. Everyone except the selectors knows this. Kurt Gidley is not a utility. Everyone except the selectors knows this. Surely, with the abundance of candidates for the NSW fullback position, they can't select Gidley there again. Not ahead of the likes of Jarryd Hayne or Brett Stewart. Can they? History tells us - expect the unexpected.
Penrith to play well until Elliott gets a contract extension, then fall in a heap again
It happened last year, and in fact every year that Matthew Elliott has been the Panthers coach. They play badly, he's under pressure, and then after a couple of good games the Penrith hierarchy overreact and offer him a contract extension, or at least a reassurance that his job is safe. Once that happens, they fall in a heap again. With everything to play for, the way they ended 2009 was absolutely disgraceful. The fans deserve better.
Tim Sheens to make it 5 straight seasons without finals, but keep his job
We heard about it during the Tri Nations: Benji Marshall has a get-out clause if Tim Sheens is no longer Tigers coach. That alone should be enough for Teflon Tim to survive another year regardless of the performance on the field. He has a good squad at his disposal, yet somehow manages to miss the finals every year. Once again, the fans deserve better.
Josh Dugan to play representative football
One highlight of 2009 was the emergence of this future superstar. Josh Dugan played so well last season that he actually outperformed Jarryd Hayne statistically. He made more metres, more tackle busts... everything really apart from tries. This kid is the real deal, and he kicked off his representative career with a Prime Minister's XIII match at the end of last season. A Country certainty this year.
Ben Cummins to take the mantle of number 1 whistleblower
In an era where refereeing standards have plummeted to an all-time low, one man stands head and shoulders above the other as the best in the NRL. He's not regarded as such yet, perhaps due to his relative inexperience, but Ben Cummins will no doubt one day be the number 1. I think it'll happen this season
The Raiders to lose at least one game due solely to abysmal refereeing
On 6 occasions last year, abysmal refereeing decisions proved the difference between winning and losing for the Canberra Raiders, no more notable than the early season game at Parramatta Stadium which indirectly led to the Eels qualifying for the finals. The Raiders always cop a raw deal more often than other teams, so this one is a sure bet.
So that's it, my list of 10 fearless predictions for 2010. Stay tuned throughout the year, because I'll keep you updated as to how they're turning out. 1 of them has already come true.
skeepe out.
