General 2010 predictions featuring Hughesy

That is funny although it is slack as

I am going to do my last prediction, Penrith.

 

Team: Penrith Panthers

Predicted Finish: 4th

Best 17:

1. Lachlan Coote
2. Michael Gordon
3. Michael Jennings
4. Brad Tighe
5. Adrian Purtell/ Shane Elford
6. Wade Graham/ Travis Burns
7. Luke Walsh
8. Tim Grant
9. Kevin Kingston
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Trent Waterhouse
13. Luke Lewis

14. Matthew Bell
15. Joseph Paulo
16. Sam McKendry
17. Nigel Plum/ Daine Laurie/ Nathan Smith

So many names that are first graders but can't fit into this one team.

Strengths: Depth and Representatives. Penrith have got a lot of depth now in their team and it is really going to help them in the 2010 season. Especially in the forwards, Petero Civoniceva will no longer have to be the only player making the team go forward. Penrith have the second most amount of stars during the Four Nations tour with 5 (4 in Australia and 1 in New Zealand). With names of the likes of Luke Lewis, Michael Jennings, Petero Civoniceva, Frank Pritchard and Trent Waterhouse Penrith really should be in the top 8.

Weaknesses: Inexperienced halves. With a half combination of Luke Walsh and Travis Burns or Wade Graham you have to think inexperience could play a big role in the games. Luke Walsh only has a few more games over 50 and the same with Wade Graham. This should be good in the long run but short term this could be a problem especially in the pressure situations.

Key Player/s: Michael Jennings and Luke Walsh. Start off with Luke Walsh. Walsh is going to need a big year especially after his recent contract extension. He will need to show that he has what it takes to take a side into the top 8. If he doesn't Penrith will struggle to make the 8 without a genuine playmaker. Michael Jennings, he has the ability to make something out of nothing. Expect to see him in more representative teams this year.

Breakout/Surprise Player/s: There a few from this outfit but I will name 2. Joseph Paulo and Sam McKendry. Joseph Paulo played well last year and he showed that he deserved another contract and was rewarded with a one year extension, he has impressed during the trials and has been solid. Sam McKendry is fresh from the NYC and has already impressed many, he is a big player and has trimmed down a lot over the off-season.

Can they make the top 8/4? Yes/ Yes

They might not even make the top 8 if they play like they did at the back end of last year. This is the best roster Matt Elliot has had since taking over the club he really have no excuses. Anything less than a top 8 spot will be a disappointment.

 

You know some of my other predictions were pretty good. Bulldogs were my only real stuff along with Storm and Roosters.

 

Manly predicted finish - 9th (Can still happen)
Warriors predicted finish - 16th (They overachieved in my books but I probably underrated their side a bit too much)
Cowboys predicted finish - 14th (not too bad, finished 15th)
Sharks predicted finish - 15th (close, finished 14th)
Storm predicted finish - 3rd (well, who knew that was going to happen!)
Bulldogs predicted finish 1st (ouch, they should of at least finished in the top 8)
Tigers predicted finish 7th (Finished 3rd)
Knights predicted finish 11th (Had them 4th originally but I edited my predictions for another site and had them 11th.... thank god)
Raiders predicted finish 12th (They still seem like a side that shouldn't be in the finals but they have played some good football and deserve to be where they are)
Roosters predicted finish 11th (Don't think many thought they would be as high as they actually finished)
Rabbits predicted finish 8th (Still possible at this stage but it seems unlikely)
Broncos predicted finish 10th (Actually did pretty good picking them 10th, was probably more luck than anything)
Titans predicted finish 5th (Pretty much spot on, they have finished 4th but I did a good job at picking them)
Eels predicted finish 7th (I am ashamed I put them up so high, the media probably got to me)
Dragons predicted finish 2nd (Didn't think they would do it two years in a row but it appears they proved me wrong)
Panthers predicted finish 4th (Doesn't worry me, it was the F/A that made me look wrong, could of finished 4th if they didn't have such a good F/A)

 

God I'm good.