NRL 2012

While the summer of cricket has been awesome its hard to believe that the NRL season begins in just nine days. A big year to look forward to and their will be many surprises along the way. I thought it would be a good idea to run over all the teams and see who has the goods in their pursuit of premiership glory.

Brisbane Broncos
The big hurdle for 2012 will be life after Lockyer. Peter Wallace will need to step up a gear along with Corey Norman and Ben Hunt if the Broncos are to make the finals. Petero Civoniceva is a big signing and will lead a young and hungry pack of forwards. They should still make the 8 but a lot will come down to how well Peter Wallace leads the team around the park.

Canterbury Bulldogs
Des Hasler was the big change over the summer for the dogs. Many of his Manly stars were predicted to follow but all stayed with the Sea Eagles. All reports have indicated a new sense of discipline has been instilled into the Bulldogs, only time will tell. A big forward pack with some exciting outside backs, most notably Ben Barba will have a big say in their top 8 aspirations. Trent hodkinson had a solid year in the halfback role but I don't know whether Kris Keating is the right man for the number 6 jersey. They will finish no higher than 6th in my opinion.

Canberra Raiders
They can only go up after an injury riddled 2011 season. Terry Campese is fit and ready to go round one, massive plus for the green machine. With some of the best young talent in the league i.e. Josh Dugan, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Shaun Fensom and Josh McCrone they will be a tough opposition this year. They should be aiming for a top 6 finish as well as winning away from Canberra Stadium on a regular basis.

North Queensland Cowboys
Relatively unchanged roster from 2011. Disappointing end to last season but I think they could be a genuine premiership threat if they can field their best team each week and Johnathon Thurston only misses games he is rested for origin. Provided JT can play about 21 games for his club they should be a serious top 4 contender.

Gold Coast Titans
Need to make the top 8 this year after a horrific 2011 campaign. They recruited some big names for this season and they will be under a lot of pressure to perform and bring the crowds back after dismal gate takings and often flawed attendances. They shouldn't  make the top 8 but stranger things have happened.

Manly Sea Eagles
Many have written them off way too early. Des Hasler may have left and the board may be ruining the club  but they are the reigning premiers and have retained a large portion of that championship winning side. Tough first 5 weeks with all away games. They should finish bottom half of the 8.

Melbourne Storm
Im going to predict 'same ol same ol' for the Storm this year. No reason why they can't challenge for the title and frankly if they aren't there when the whips are cracking I will be shocked. Top 4 if not top 2 finish for the men in purple.

Newcastle Knights
Big year ahead for the Novocastrians. Big off season recruitments most notably 'super coach' Wayne Bennett. Many experts believe they can win the competition this year but I think thats too soon. They should win a premiership in the next four years but as everyone knows, these things don't come on a silver platter. Bennett will change the attitude and the way they play but he won't guarantee success. Genuine top 4 contenders and premiership threat.

Parramatta Eels
Shouldn't make the top 8 after a deplorable 2011 season. They have recruited smarter for 2012 as opposed to 2011 and will be a better team. They need to learn how to win the tight games after losing so many of them last season. I don't think they will make the 8 but I won't run the red line through them just yet.

Penrith Panthers
New coach Ivan Cleary will get the best out of this group in due time but I don't think 2012 will be their season. That being said the NRL needs them to be successful with the GWS Giants playing in the AFL for the first time. This is seen as a direct threat in the battle for Western Sydney and the Panthers need success on the field for the NRL to have success off the field. Probably won't make the 8 but if they do it will be no higher than 7th.

Cronulla Sharks
My tip to be the big improvers in 2012. They have recruited smartly given the limited resources they have. Todd Carney was the big signing and it was one the Sharks needed. While Carney has had his problems off the field all reports are he is in a good headspace at his new club. Good trial form against Manly and a narrow loss to the Knights gives an indication they have worked hard through the offseason and are ready to go this year. Like Parramatta they need to learn how to win the tight ones. Top 8 finish, no higher than 5th in my opinion.

South Sydney Rabbitohs
Will this be the year they finally make the 8? One semi final game in 23 years for the 'pride of the league' is simply not good enough for their long suffering fans. The time for talking is over and results need to come from a side that has possibly the most talented playing roster and a hard taskmaster in their new coach Michael McGuire. I think they will play semi final football this year. big disappointment if they don't.

St George Illawarra Dragons
Not sure what to make of the Dragons in 2012. After watching them in the Charity Shield I think they will be a good chance of making the 8 but I think they are no longer a genuine contender for the premiership. Some talented youngsters from the Illawarra region coming into the side this year will ensure some success in the future. Should make the 8, can't win the premiership this year.

Sydney Roosters
Shouldn't do too much having the youngest playing roster in the competition. Expect them within a year or 2 to be a strong team seeing they are going through somewhat of a 'rebuilding' phase. Wont play September football.

New Zealand Warriors
Last years Grand Finalists should be there or there about again. Talented playing roster with some young players coming through from their championship winning Toyota Cup side. Konrad Hurrell is the player to look out for as rookie of the year. Freakish ability and a former student at Auckland Grammar which is known worldwide for producing All Blacks.

Wests Tigers
My pick for the premiership. After 2 years of close finishes in the semi finals I think this is the year that Benji Marshall and his troops go one better and take out the title. Should be minor premiers, anything lower than a 4th place finish will be disappointing considering the talent at their disposal.

There is my view on all the teams for the 2012 season. I hope everyone enjoys the footy this year but most importantly a Knights Premiership.