THE HALF-TIME REPORT
by Vas Venkatramani (Editor)
Like a bullet through the air, 13 rounds of football have passed us, with that number of rounds remaining before we determine our top eight. So how are the teams faring?
15th: South Sydney Rabbitohs (12 played, 0 wins, 12 losses, PF 206, PA 400, -194) 2 points
The figures speak of the misery Souths have endured the first half of 2006. As it turns out, the players' efforts have been for little reward. That with a massive 400 points conceded in the first half of the season can only fuel thoughts as to how worse the Rabbitohs' campaign can get.
Still, they displayed plenty of fight against Canberra to suggest the current holy grail of a first grade win may not be as inconceivable as some believe it to be.
Ladder Prediction: Wooden Spooners
14th: New Zealand Warriors (12 played, 4 wins, 8 losses, PF 254, PA 251, +3) 6 points
If it weren't for the four point docking placed on the Warriors pre-season, the figures would look respectable. As such, the numbers indicate that the Warriors have been solid without being brilliant, which is the opposite of the hallmark of their success in 2002 and 2003.
Ivan Cleary seems a good coach, and may be the man to revive the flailing aspirations of the Warriors, but it will be for another year. The class of 2006 will however merely be making the numbers.
Ladder Prediction: 13th
13th: Parramatta Eels (12 played, 3 wins, 9 losses, PF 195, PA 288, -93) 8 points
The problems of the Eels have been well documented, as last year's minor premiers have languished at the foot all year without looking to recover. That may have changed since the mid-season appointment of Jason Taylor. It seems a flame has been re-ignited.
Friday Night's clash against the Dragons saw the Eels pushed to another loss, but there was plenty of dignity in the performance. The personnel are there, but aspirations of a finals berth may be too ominous a task. Respectability isn't out of the equation though.
Ladder Prediction: 11th
12th: Penrith Panthers (12 played, 5 wins, 7 losses, PF 243, PA 291, -48) 12 points
After a brisk start to 2006, the Panthers have stumbled to a grinding halt. This side bears little resemblance to the class of 2003 that captured our hearts. Aside from personnel changes, there is little cohesion in the Panthers' play, in both attack and defence.
Simply put, Penrith's hopes lie with Craig Gower. A finals appearance isn't out of the question, but there is no evidence to suggest the Panthers' fortunes are on the rise. Talent is still there, but the purpose isn't.
Ladder Prediction: 14th
11th: Sydney Roosters (12 played, 5 wins, 7 losses, PF 282, PA 280, +2) 12 points
The 2006 campaign has been severely interrupted by injury to the Bondi Junction side. The results are no fair reflection of the resources the Roosters have at their disposal, but they have paid the price for an overall poor display of rugby league.
Still, it's tough to predict where their season lies. The Origin exploits of Braith Anasta and Brett Finch could well determine the Roosters fate, as will the impact Anthony Minichiello will have when he returns. It's a fool who writes them off, but an even bigger one who thinks Brad Fittler isn't missed.
Ladder Prediction: 10th
10th: Canberra Raiders (12 played, 6 wins, 6 losses, PF 267, PA 340, -73) 14 points
A tipster's nightmare. There are two sides to the Raiders. One that performs above their weight to upset better fancied opponents, and the other where the club's lack of big name personnel is fully exploited. The numbers say so.
You can expect Canberra to hang around the middle of the table with no one noticing. It's what they do best. Whether they have the discipline to sneak their way up to the final eight is another entity.
Ladder Prediction: 12th
9th: Wests Tigers (12 played, 6 wins, 6 losses, PF 266, PA 280, -14) 14 points
A slow start is now translating to favourable results for the premiers. There is a lot to like about the Wests Tigers. They play an enterprising style of football that will damage plenty of defences in the NRL.
It seems however that the teams hopes are pinned on their halves. Benji Marshall's injury problems are well documented, as are Scott Prince's pursuits in the Gold Coast next year. These two will determine how successful the Tigers' premiership defence will be.
Ladder Prediction: 9th
8th: St George-Illawarra Dragons (12 played, 7 wins, 5 losses, PF 241, PA 236, +5) 16 points
It is this time of the year when the Dragons make their move. Their free flowing style of football is returning slowly, along with star members of their roster.
That said, the Trent Barrett suspension will be of great impact, as will the switch to five-eighth of Mark Gasnier.
Last Friday night was a poor indication of how well the Dragons will fare with Gasnier at stand off due to the average conditions for offensive football. The Dragons' hopes are pinned on how well they go without their departing skipper, the impact of Gasnier, and if, when and how well Mathew Head retuns from injury.
Ladder Prediction: 7th
7th: Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (11 played, 6 wins, 5 losses, PF 284, PA 254, +30) 16 points
The Sharks have proven a revelation by winning five of their last six games. What has been most impressive about it has been how it has occured with their two halves out for lengths of time. Their axing of Tevita Latu was dealt well and compensated with the acquisition of Richard Villasanti.
Their strength is the fact that their game is more revolved around a performing team rather than a standout individual. Their defence however has been an area of major concern, with points being leaked often too easily. That said, the imaginative nature of the Sharks could see them giving the premiership a shake. The memory of Steve Rogers couldn't be better severed.
Ladder Prediction: 2nd
6th: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (12 played, 7 wins, 5 losses, PF 280, PA 247, +33) 16 points
The boos can only mean one thing. Manly are playing well. The investment by Max Delmege is coming to fruition, with recruits Steve Bell and Matt Orford stamping their marks to the fortunes of the club. Their defence has been the hallmark of their success, and Des Hasler deserves praise in this area which has been suspect in previous years.
Manly's fortunes are seeing them impacted slightly by State of Origin, and that may impact the club's ascension up the ladder. What is assured though is that the Sea Eagles have the potential to give the 2006 premiership a real shake. A player of Ben Kennedy's stature deserves nothing less than to depart on a winning note.
Ladder Prediction: 6th
5th: Newcastle Knights (13 played, 8 wins, 5 losses, PF 369, PA 314, +55) 16 points
After starting the season with an overwhelming roar, the Knights have stumbled slightly. It may be the effect of playing 13 games in a row, but the Knights have appeared out of their depth of late, and this may harm them come business at the end of the season.
As usual, the Knights' fortunes depends on Andrew Johns. He has looked thoroughly deflated in the last few weeks, and the break may not have come at a better time. Whether the club can withstand the Origin period is also in question. If they can, a third premiership is a very real prospect.
Ladder Prediction: 5th
4th: North Queensland Cowboys (12 played, 7 wins, 5 losses, PF 268, PA 183, +85) 16 points
Like the Knights, the Cowboys were looking red hot at the beginning. Since winning six in a row to begin the season, they have lost five of their last six. Origin time isn't going to be kind to them either, with both players and coach heavily involved in proceedings.
The early season form of Johnathan Thurston has dropped significantly, and the Cowboys hopes are on whether he can recapture it. However, it appears the Cowboys may finally get a taste of what Brisbane have endured for so long to their cost. We may have already seen the best of them.
Ladder Prediction: 8th
3rd: Canterbury Bulldogs (12 played, 8 wins, 4 losses, PF 319, PA 271, +48) 18 points
Has anyone noticed that the Dogs are in third spot? Wasn't this meant to be another re-building year with Braith Anasta's departure? This lends weight to the theory a champion team can overcome the loss of an individual player.
The Bulldogs will be heavily impacted by the Origin period, and much will depend on their forwards ability to back up from this testy time. That said, a coach of Steve Folkes' calibre is of greater impact, and expect the Dogs to mount a serious challenge on the title, regardless of Sonny-Bill Williams' suspect shoulder.
Ladder Prediction: 3rd
2nd: Melbourne Storm (12 played, 9 wins, 3 losses, PF 301, PA 224, +77) 20 points
The Storm are playing like a team possessed at the moment. They have plenty of flair, honest defence, a sound coach, and are away from the negative spotlight the media can bring. It seems their only enemy could be themselves.
The Storm's good form has seen them impacted by Origin, and they were smashed by Manly during Origin 1 without their key personnel. That may well be a slight bump as they enjoy their second bye during the Origin period, so the impact may not be as severe as some may believe. All will depend on the Storm maintaining their tenacious approach, while being simultaneously held back by their smart coach in Craig Bellamy.
Ladder Prediction: Minor Premiers
1st: Brisbane Broncos (12 played, 9 wins, 3 losses, PF 286, PA 202, +84) 20 points
The fact that Brisbane are leading the competition halfway through the season will surprise few. What is of critical importance is the second half. The perennial question lingers: how will Brisbane fare despite heavy Origin representation? Will it be like previous years and the Broncos' premiership claims whimper, or will there be a change?
I suspect that Brisbane are starting to adapt to the heavy commitments Origin asks of them every year, and they seem better equipped to handle it. That said, other teams not pressured as much will make their move up the ladder at Brisbane's expense. A top 4 finish isn't questioned, the club's stamina is though.
Ladder Prediction: 4th
Doesnt the completion of the rep season make teams struggle more? Tired, injured players..
