NRLWeekly Blog Post - 29th February

Tomorrow marks the start of the 2012 NRL season and I can't believe its finally here!


The Week Its Been...
This week its been all about teams preparing for the NRL season. Jarryd Hayne and Willie Tonga are out of the Eels clash with the Broncos, and on the other side of the scale, Petero Civoniceva is suspended for one match for a high tackle in the Broncos trial match against the Storm. Greg Inglis has made a remarkable recovery and will start for the Rabbitohs on monday night when the Bunnies clash with the Sydney Roosters. Jason Ryles is out for the Storm, while big names Isaac Luke, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Michael Luck, Beau Champion and Tariq Sims will all be out of action.



Games Coming Up...

• Knights v Dragons - This will shape up as one of the games of the round, I reckon, as Wayne Bennett's Knights take on his old club the Dragons. With not a lot of confidence, I'll tip the Knights.
• Eels v Broncos - With Jarryd Hayne, Ben Smith and Willie Tonga all out of this game, it will be tough to go against the Broncos, even without kingpin Darren Lockyer. I'll tip the Broncos.
• Raiders v Storm - With the Raiders, its hard to know what you'll get, but the Storm just have such a formidable team this year, that its hard to see them getting beaten. I'll tip the Storm.
• Panthers v Bulldogs - Bit of a tough one as both teams look like they're on the verge of a revolutionary season with new coaches. I'll tip the Bulldogs.
• Cowboys v Titans - The Titans should improve on their dismal season last year with some good new recruits, but JT and co. should get the job done. I'll tip the Cowboys.
• Warriors v Manly - Probably the toughest tip of the week in a rematch of the grand final. It may come back to bite me but I'll tip the Warriors in a nail-biter.
• Tigers v Sharks - The Tigers are another team that look very hard to beat this year and should make light work of an admittedly improved Sharks line-up. I'll tip the Tigers.
• Rabbitohs v Roosters - The Roosters are looking like a transformed team after their devastating year last year and should beat the Rabbitohs. I'll tip the Roosters.

Jarryd Hayne is out of the Eels' match against the Broncos

Team of the Week...
Since their have been no games this week, I'll pick the team I think will win the year, as well as the other 15 teams after that ;)

1. Storm
2. Tigers
3. Knights
4. Manly
5. Roosters
6. Cowboys
7. Broncos
8. Bulldogs
9. Dragons
10. Warriors
11. Eels
12. Rabbitohs
13. Titans
14. Sharks
15. Panthers
16. Raiders

I'll admit the Dragons and Warriors could easily make the eight, but looking at the teams above them, (Bulldogs, Broncos, Cowboys), I honestly think those teams have a better chance.



Dream Team News...
I'll keep this section short and sweet because the stats will reveal all in the next few days. I just wanted to wish everyone good luck for the dream team season, and whether you're going for the major prize, or simply want to try and beat your mates in a league, have fun and don't waste too many trades early on. Make sure you also check the team lists that are now up on the NRL website to see if all you're big guns are playing.



Thanks for reading NRLWeekly - make sure you read next week's post where I'll have a look at the first week of the NRL season.