NRL 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

GAINS: Ben Barba (Bulldogs), MartinKennedy (Roosters), Todd Lowrie(Warriors), Daniel Vidot (Dragons), StewartMills (Sharks), Marmin Barba (Titans), JonGreen (Sharks).LOSSES: Scott Prince (retired), PeterWallace (Panthers), Corey Norman (Eels)Luke Capewell (Panthers), Lama Tasi(Salford Red Devils), Delroy Berryman (SeaEagles), Kurt Baptiste (Raiders), ScottAnderson (Wakefield), Dunamis Lui (SeaEagles).

OUR VIEWStrengths: In addition to the high-profilesignature of Ben Barba the Broncos havemade some very handy acquisitions inMartin Kennedy, Todd Lowrie and DanielVidot which adds depth to some key areas.Weaknesses: The halves pairing stillremains something of a mystery followingthe departure of Peter Wallace and ScottPrince.Prediction: 11th. Possibly higher if theycome up with a winning halvescombination.

THE DETAILSKey player: Sam Thaiday. Relinquishedcaptaincy to contribute more to the team....“I’ll bust my butt and do everything that Ican for the team this year.”The coach: Anthony Griffin will be hoping hisoff- season signings will fire early in theseason and set the team up for top-eightfinish. However if the two-preason thrashingsthe Broncos suffered are any indicationGriffin’s future at Red Hill looks grim. The x-factor: The Broncos squad includesa raft of current Origin players, futureOrigin players and current England andNew Zealand internationals. With so manystars the Broncos should be a certainty forthe eight. However star-power counted forlittle last year when the Queenslandersended up near the foot of the table.

GAINS: Reni Maitua (Eels), Chase Stanley(Dragons), Pat O’Hanlon (Eels), KayneBrennan (Dragons), Damien Cook (Dragons),Tyrone Phillips (Rabbitohs).LOSSES: Ben Barba (Broncos), DeneHalatau (Wests Tigers), Steve Turner(retired), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers)Danny Galea (Widnes Vikings), Kris Keating(Hull Kingston Rovers), Paul Carter (Titans),Leilani Latu (Panthers), Jack Littlejohn (SeaEagles), Joel Romelo (Storm).

OUR VIEWStrengths: The Des Hasler factor. Fourgrand finals in the past six years speaks foritself. Weaknesses: Life after Ben Barba. TheBulldogs’ performances declined noticeablylast year when the champion fullback wasout with injury.Prediction: 5th. Strength in alldepartments will see the ‘Dogs be there orthereabouts come September.

THE DETAILSKey player: With Barba gone, the slate iswiped clean and the birth of a newsuperstar, such as Josh Reynolds, awaits.Reynolds is a running five-eighth, the kindthat takes half the defence to bring downafter he’s turned defenders inside out. The coach: In a turbulent 2013, wily mentorDes Hasler – together with a strongmanagement team – coaxed everything hecould out of a squad that could’ve thrownin the towel at any point. Get rid of thedramas that engulfed the club last year, andwatch Hasler weave more magic. The x-factor: Without the likes of SamKasiano, Frank Pritchard and Graham formost of the first two months of 2013, theBulldogs struggled to a 1-5 record over thefirst six weeks of the season. Now with thetrio fit and firing – a strong start to the yearbeckons. Strong defensive framework is thekey to the Dogs’ title hopes in 2014.

GAINS: Lagi Setu (Storm), Kyle O’Donnell(Panthers), Kurt Baptiste (Broncos).LOSSES: Blake Ferguson (released), JoelThompson (Dragons), Shaun Berrigan(retired), Sam Williams (Dragons), JoePicker (Rabbitohs).

OUR VIEWStrengths: The Raiders boast a formidablepack, with emerging Maroons wrecking ballJosh Papalii backed up by front- rowersDavid Shillington, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs andBrett White – all of whom have Originexperience.Weaknesses: With Josh McCrone moving tohooker, the Raiders are auditioningyoungsters to partner Terry Campese in thehalves, and getting that combination firingmay take some time.Prediction: 14th. Stuart might need aseason or two to develop a consistentwinning culture.

THE DETAILSKey player: Shaun Fensom. Having such atireless defender in the middle – especiallyone who can churn out 100 metres pergame with the odd line break and offload –is a huge asset. The coach: Ricky Stuart arrives at RaidersHQ after a disastrous term at Parramatta andan unsuccessful stint as coach of NSW. Hemay not have had the happiest of years inthe blue and gold last season but as aRaiders legend he should have no troubleinspiring his new charges, or getting them tobuy into a fresh start for the club. The x-factor: With recently debuted playerssuch as Jack Wighton and Mark Nicholls tobe joined in the top squad by prospectiveNRL talents including the likes of MitchCornish and Jack Ahearn in 2014, not tomention last year’s breakout prop PaulVaughan, Canberra’s talent breeding groundhas been a fertile source of NRL talent forthe Green Machine in recent years.

GAINS: Blake Ayshford (Wests Tigers), MattPrior (Dragons), Eric Grothe Jr(unattached), Daniel Holdsworth (Hull),Tinirau Arona (Roosters).LOSSES: Jayson Bukuya (Warriors), TyronePeachey (Panthers), Ben Ross (retired),Mark Taufua (retired), Chad Townsend(Warriors), Stewart Mills (Broncos), BenPomeroy (Catalans Dragons), Jon Green(Broncos), Matthew Wright (Cowboys).

OUR VIEWStrengths: Cronulla’s yin and yang of ToddCarney and Jeff Robson is both underratedand dangerous. Another plus is the signingof former Tiger’s centre Blake Ayshford,Weaknesses: Off- field dramas involvingcoaching staff and some players. Anyresidual effect will harm the Sharks’ titlehopes.Prediction: 7th. The Sharks have the depthto finish higher but too many uncertaintiesto tip a top- four finish with confidence.

THE DETAILSKey player: It’s difficult to recall a morerapid career ascent than the one AndrewFifita managed with apparent ease atCronulla in 2013. He finished as the NRL’stop metre eater by the length of thestraight (his 3,949 in 25 games was wellclear of Brisbane lock Corey Parker’s 3,456in 22 games) and his average metres permatch of 158 ranked second in the league –and it was only his club skipper Paul Gallenwho finished ahead of him.The coach: Former Manly and NorthernEagles mentor Peter Sharp’s last head-coaching role was with Hull, who he left in2008. Reluctanly takes over from ShaneFlanagan who is serving a 12-month ban.The x-factor: An all- star forward packfeaturing skipper Paul Gallen, Andrew Fifita,Luke Lewis, Anthony Tupou and more depthoffered by the evergreen Chris Heighingtonand Dragons recruit Matt Prior.

BRISBANE

BRONCOSCANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN

BULLDOGSCANBERRA

RAIDERSCRONULLA

SHARKS

www.katherinetimes.com.au KATHERINE TIMES, WEDNESDAY MARCH 5 2014 27

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