Disclaimer: If you can read this  you're to damn close....or not close enough.

2005 National Rugby League Season Preview

The 2005 season is shaping up as one of the closest in the games history. So unless you want to get stuck, not knowing
whats going to happen, who's going to win and who's going to lose....I suggest you read this season preview that League
Freak has put togeather!

Canterbury Bulldogs
Gains:  Christ Armit, Nathan Armit (Parramatta);  Ben Czislowski (Brisbane);  Marvin Karawana (New Zealand)
Losses:  Steve Price (Warriors);  Johnathan Thurston (Nth Qld);  Jamie Feeney, Dennis Scott (Melbourne);  Hutch Maiava
(Cronulla);  Glen Hughes, Steven Hughes (retired).  

Summary:
The 2004 NRL Champions look good in their quest to be the first club to win back-to-back titles since the Broncos managed
that feat in the 1992 and 1993 seasons.

With their one major loss being captain Steven Price, the Bulldogs have shown they can win the big games without their
former captain with their win in the 2004 Grand Final.

Andrew Ryan steps in as captain for the Dogs while Sonny Bill Williams starts his first full season as a likley starer. Such
moves could see the Bulldogs play better then they did last year.

The Bulldogs will find the defence of their title as a very tough challenge as ever opponent lifts and ever game is a big event.
Expect rep season to take its toll and speculations over players signing's are sure to have an impact as well.

Having saying that, the Bulldogs are a tough clubs and such things will be welcome relief after a nightmare 2004 season.
The Bulldogs are undoubtedly the favorites going into the 2005 season and at this stage very few clubs can even consider
themselves real challengers to the Dogs titles as the best club in the game.


Penrith Panthers
Gains:  Paul Franze (Cronulla);  Michael Roberts (Tweed Heads);  Luke Dyer (Melbourne).
Losses:  Ryan Girdler, Martin Lang (retired);  Paul Whatuira (Wests Tigers);  Amos Roberts, Richard Fa'asos (Sydney
Roosters);  Luke Harlen (Cronulla);  Jesse Royal (Newcastle).

Summary:
Having lost Ryan Gidler, Martin Lang and last seasons top try scorer in Amos Roberts, you could be forgiven for thinking the
Panthers are in for a rough ride in 2005.

The thing is, while other sides have all lost key players, the Panthers have not. Girdler, while a brilliant player, hardly played
by the end of his career and the Panthers are use to making do without him and his replacment in former Shark Paul Franze
could end up being the buy of the year. While Lang is a big blow to the side, expect Ben Ross to step up and take on some of
the work rate while young star Frank Pritchard will add to a forward pack that is arguably the best in the game.

The Panthers are the real X-Factor of 2005. They have a young side that has Grand Final experience and they have proven to
handle the big occasions better then any other side in the NRL. If the Panthers are not the favorites for the title....they are not
far off.


North Queensland Cowboys
Gains: Johnathan Thurston (Bulldogs);  Carl Webb (Broncos);  Justin Smith (South Sydney);  Brent O'Connell (Burleigh);  
Gavin Cooper (Redcliffe);  Sena Mataora (North Sydney);  Kieren Kerr (Tigers).
Losses:  Nathan Fien (Warriors);  Glenn Morrison (Parramatta);  Kevin Campion (retired);  Jamie McDonald (Melbourne).

Summary
After finally having a break out year, the Cowboys are now expected to back it up.

They have added Carl Webb and Jonathon Thurston who both seemed to lift their games after signing for the Cowboys.
Thurston in particular showed glimpses of the form that say many tagging him as the next great star in the game when he
was a youngster.

The loss of Nathan Fien is a blow. They lost him before he showed he can lead a team almost to a Grand Final so you cant
be to harsh on the team management for that.

Overall the Cowboys come back with potentially a more dangerous attacking side and a team that now has finals experience.


Sydney Roosters
Gains: Amos Roberts, Richard Fa'saso (Penrith);  Joel Managhan (Canberra);  Brett Firman (St George Illawarra).
Losses: Justin Hodges (Brisbane);  Brad Fittler (retired);  Shannon Hegarty, Peter Cusack (South Sydney);  Chad Robinson,
Ian Henderson (Parramatta);  Jermaine Ale (Canberra);  Aaron Mercer (Wests Tigers);  Todd Byrne (Warriors).

Summary
Brad Fittler's loss will have a huge impact on the club. Without Fittler on the field the Roosters winning percentage fell well
below 50% over the years he was at the club.

The Roosters have signed Brett Firman who is a VERY GOOD young player from the Dragons. If he can stay injury free they
have signed the most promising halfback in the game. As I predicted when this signing was announced, Firman will push
Brett Finch out of that halfback spot in a move that tells me Rickey Stuart has put the big red line through Finch being the
halfback the club wanted to lead the club into the future.

Their signing of Amos Roberts is puzzling. He never reached his potential until he found himself in the right situation at
Penrith. The Roosters then signed him to a big contract on the back of half a seasons good form. The Rooster seem him as
a jack of all trades, but to be honest, I think Amos is nothing more then a handy winger.

The Roosters will do well this season on the back of their good defense, but their lack of killer instinct in big games, the loss
of Fittler's leadership and with a couple of below average stars now in key positions, the Roosters really need to spend 2005
rebuilding for a REAL title run in the future.


Brisbane Broncos
Gains: Justin Hodges (Sydney Roosters); Brad Thorn (NZ Rugby).
Losses: Carl Webb (North Queensland); Michael De Vere (Huddersfield); Brad Meyers (Bradford); Craig Frawley (Canberra);
Ben Czislowski (Bulldogs); Gorden Tallis, Paul Green, Ben Ikin (retired).
Summary: The Broncos has learned from mistakes they have made in recent seasons and the club is now in full rebuilding
mode.

The loss of inspiration captain Gorden Tallis will hurt the club, but the youngsters coming through will provide the extra boost
the club really needs. The club also added former player Brad Thorn who will at least provide some depth in the forwards.

The 2005 Broncos are all about the kids. Karmicheal Hunt is sure to improve on his rookie of the year showing, look for
David Stagg to come out and become one of those highly valuable players that every premiership winning club needs. The
broncos will be pretty good this year and as long as Darren Lockyer is healthy, they are right in the battle for the Premiership.
My only real concern are the Broncos forwards. I would like to have seen one more top class performer in there.


St George/Illawarra Dragons
Gains: Michael Ennis (Newcastle);  Albert Torrens (Manly);  Colin Best (Hull).
Losses: Mark Riddell, Henry Perenara (Parramatta); Brent Kite (Manly), Nathan Blacklock (Hull); Brett Firman (Sydney
Roosters); Lincoln Withers, David Howell, Michael Howell (Canberra); Tony Jensen, Nathan Long, Willie Leyshon, John
Carlaw (released).

Summary
The Dragons have lost a lot of players and made a couple of good signings, but their 2005 NRL season all comes down to
the same problems that held back the Dragons in 2004.

Their star players are extremely injury prone. The Dragons will be lucky to play three or four games this year with their best
team on the park. Trent Barrett is either injured or out or form, Mark Gasnier is almost a part time footballer and their front
rowers in Ryles and Bailey, while brilliant player, are just to fragile for the club to rely on week in week out.

The Dragons biggest problem though is that quite simply, they are a dumb football team. They make the same silly mistakes
week after week. They never learn, they never progress.

They'll do some great things in 2005, they'll look dangerous, put up some huge scores against quality opponents and even
un-earth a few stars....but the fact is the Dragons just don't have what it takes to win the 2005 title unless their have a MAJOR
attitude adjustment and learn to win the big games without their stars.


Melbourne Storm
Gains: Dennis Scott, Jamie Feeney (Bulldogs); Ian Donnelly (Manly); Jamie McDonald (North Queensland).
Losses: Stephen Kearney (Hull); Kirk Reynoldson, Dustin Cooper (Newcastle); Rodney Howe, Robbie Ross (retired) Danny
Williams (released).

Summary
After a very solid performance in 2004 the Storm head into their 2005 NRL title run having not gained or losed a great deal in
the off season.

Stephen Kearney, Robbie Ross and Rodney Howe are no longer with the club but to be honest, all three of them didn't
contribute a great deal to the club in recent seasons. They haven't really added anyone of note aside from Bulldogs pairing
Jamie Feeney and Dennis Scott who will give their forward pack good depth and who remind me alot of some of their bench
players the Storm used for their 1999 NRL Premiership win.

The Storm are sure to trouble a few sides and if they get on a roll, they could play the football needed to win an NRL
Premiership. But at this stage I think they lack a damaging forward that would bring their side togeather quite well and give
them a bit more impact in their forward pack.


Parramatta Eels
Gains: Timana Tahu (Newcastle); Mark Riddell, Henry Perenara (St George Illawarra); Paul Stringer (South Sydney); Chad
Robinson, Ian Henderson (Sydney Roosters); Glenn Morrison (North Queensland); PJ Marsh, Marcus Perenara (Warriors).
Losses: Adam Dykes (Cronulla); Michael Witt (Manly); Chris Thorman (Huddersfield); David Vaealiki (Wigan); Junior Langi
(Salford); Craig Stapleton (Leigh); Lee Hopkins, Shane Muspratt (released) Corey Pearson (retired) Jamie Lyon (St Helens);
Wise Kativerata (Randwick rugby); Chris Armit (Bulldogs); Mal Kaufusi (London).

Summary
The Eels went out and spent up big on new recruits looking to get back to their glory days. They spent millions of dollars, and
yet their biggest problems last season are still there this season.

The Eels don't have any halves. They signed P.J. Marsh to play halfback, marsh hasn't played in 18 months after a career
threatening neck injury. Marsh has publicly stated as last as January that he doesn't not really want to play halfback and that
he would much rather play as a hooker!

The signing's of Morrison and Riddell will give them a better forward pack, but signing Timana Tahu to a huge contract was a
terrible decision. Tahu is an erratic, injury prone winger and my guess is they brought him to play centre.

The Eels will be an improved side, a solid team and not an easy beat....but they don't have the things a top team needs in two
halves that can guide the team around the park.


New Zealand Warriors
Gains: Steve Price (Bulldogs); Ruben Wiki (Canberra); Nathan Fien (North Queensland); Todd Byrne (Sydney Roosters).
Losses: PJ Marsh, Marcus Perenara (Parramatta); Jerry Seuseu (Wigan); Justin Murphy (Widnes, French RU); Matt Jobson
(Wests Tigers); Henry Fa'afili (Warrington); Danny Sullivan, Paul Dezolt (released); Mark Tookey (Castleford/Hull); Ali Lauiti'iti
(Leeds).

Summary
They spent up big last season and made some key signing's, but will the Warriors be able to recapture the form that saw
them compete in the 2002 Grand Final?

The Additions of Steve Price and Rubin Wiki were just what the team needed. The best gap filling by a club since the
Panthers got just the player they needed in Luke Priddis. Wiki and Price will ad MUCH needed leadership, experience, a
great work ethic....things the Warriors really needed.

On top of that they managed a steal by getting Nathan Fein. The word is Fien was purchased as a hooker, but I expect to see
Fein playing in the halves pretty early in the piece.

The Warriors have one major problem. The attitude at the place is terrible. A lack of work ethic, big headed players, outsiders
hanging around like vultures and doing their best to stir up trouble...its a worst environment over there then I think many
people realise. To me it seems like there are many people formally involved with the club that rub their hands with glee at the
possibility of the Warriors failing miserably.

Keep in mind NZ isn't the biggest place as far as Rugby league goes. The League community over there is pretty small and
close knit so these type of attitude among just a few people can really hurt the game over there.

So thats the X-Factor for the Warriors. Can they get a hold of that poor vibe around the club and kill it off. With the signing's of
Wiki and Price and the coaching additions of Ivan Cleary and Kevin Campion....there is a chance they could kill that terrible
culture and bring in some sort of work ethic to the club.


Newcastle Knights
Gains: Kirk Reynoldson, Dustin Cooper (Melbourne); Jesse Royal (Penrith); Dane Campbell (Brisbane Easts); Grant
Wooden (Wynnum); Kurt Hancock (Bathurst St Pats).
Losses: Ben Kennedy (Manly); Timana Tahu (Parramatta); Michael Ennis (St George-Illawarra); Keith Henderson (Leigh);
Matt Parsons (retired); Robbie O'Davis(retired); Russell Richardson (retired); Jamie Fitzgerald (released); Grant Wooden
(released).

Summary
Having lost a heap of talent and replaced them with solid first graders, the Knights can expect another tough season in 2005.

If Andrew Johns stays on the first they will trouble some of the top teams, but the Knights simply don't have the talent to
challenge for the NRL title. If Johns gets injured...season 2005 could get really ugly for the Knights.

In this lineup the only players you can reply on to play good football from the start to the end of the season are the Gidley
brother and Danny Buderus. Outside of those three you get injury prone stars, erratic performers or guys that are just solid
first graders.

I think Johns will come back and play some good footy, the rep season will see them lose Johns and Buderus....their'll start
to struggle with injuries from early in the season and basically find out that they haven't got the cattle to compete with the big
guns for the NRL Premiership.


Wests Tigers
Gains: Paul Whatuira (Penrith); Matthew Rieck (Cronulla); Mark Meredith (South Sydney); Nick Kouparitsas, Kosta
Kouparitsas, Matt McLay (Canberra); Aaron Mercer (Sydney Roosters); Matt Jobson (Warriors); Tim McGann (Easts Rugby);
Jarrod Saffy (Sydney Uni rugby).
Losses: Luke Covell (Cronulla); Luke Isaaka (Leigh); Gray Viane (St Helens); Keiran Kerr (North Queensland); Scott Sattler,
Jason Moodie, Robert Mears, Michael Buettner (retired).

Summary
Expect a typical year for the Wests Tigers because thats what the club has set themselves up for.

By signing's solid players from other NRL clubs, the Tigers have added depth but have not added anything above or beyond
what they had last year. Scott Prince is sure to develop further as a halfback but people expecting Benji Marshall to shine in
2005 should prepair to possibly be disapointed. While Marshall is an exciting youngster, he is proving to be injury prone and
fragile when compared to his first grade counterparts. While he is only young, he has also yet to show the same sort of
sustained brilliance against top opponents as other great youngsters like Sonny Bill Williams and Karmichael Hunt have
shown.

The Tigers will start well, play some solid football and slowly fade down the ladder to miss out on the playoffs. Along the way
they'll sign middle of the road players and hope that they will improve in 2006.


Cronulla Sharks
Gains: Adam Dykes (Parramatta); Paul Mellor (Castleford); Hutch Maiva (Bulldogs); Luke Covell (Wests Tigers); Luke Harlen
(Penrith); Beau Scott (St George-Illawarra); Philip Leuluai, James Stosic, Cliff Manua (Newtown).
Losses: Matthew Rieck (Wests Tigers); Paul Franze (Penrith); Chris Beattie (France); Pat Gisbon (Carcassonne); Dean
Bosnich (Pia); Jason Kent (released); Michael Russo (retired).

Summary
When you best off season addition is an aging, injury prone Adam Dykes.....you have a few problems.

The Sharks have some quality players in their lineup but with a number of below average performers and a coach thats just
got nothing in Stuart Raper, the Sharks will provide little more then nucense value in the 2005 NRL Premiership race.


South Sydney Rabbitoh's
Gains: Shannon Hegarty, Peter Cusack, Peter Taylor, Ray Moujalli (Sydney Roosters); Trent Young (Brisbane Easts);
Germaine Paulson (Toowoomba); Willie Peters (Widnes) Scott Logan (Hull); Micharl Greenfield (Cronulla).
Losses: Paul Stringer (Parramatta); Justin Smith (North Queensland); Owen Craigie (released); Jason Death (retired); Mark
Meredith (Wests Tigers); Damon Alley-Tovio (Canberra); Filimone Lolohea (Hull); Willie Manu (St George-Illawarra); Mark
eafa (released); Brett O'Farrell (Cronulla).

Summary
With the signing's of Shannon Heggarty and Peter Cusak, the Rabbitohs are slowly building a very solid NRL club. Whether
these additions are enough to drag the Bunnies off the bottom of the ladder though is yet to be seen.

South Sydney signed Shaun McRea from Hull to coach the side in a move that will add some stability to the club. While
McRea will never be accused of being at the cutting edge of Rugby League coaching he will at least give the club a credible
coach to start the season for the first time in many years.

Souths lack depth and rely on a few players that are injury prone such as the MacDougal brother. Their halves are
inexperienced and the lack of self belief within the club is immense. I have no doubt the Rabbitoh's will improve from their
2004 showing, but they still have a LONG way to go to make any impact on the NRL Premiership.


Manly Sea Eagles
Gains: Ben Kennedy (Newcastle); Brent Kite (St George-Illawarra); Michael Witt (Parramatta); Matt Ballin (Brisbane); Ashley
Alberts (Brisbane).
Losses: Ian Donnelly (Melbourne); Albert Torrens (St George-Illawarra); Andrew Walker (retired).

Summary
Having finally gained some financial stability, the Sea Eagles wasted little time going on a spending spree to add some star
power to a very poor squad. The Sea eagles added NSW stars Ben Kennedy and Brent Kite to their forward pack while
lucking out in the off season by picking up young Parramatta halfback Michael Witt for a bargin.

The problem for the Sea Eagles though is that it could all very easily go very wrong.

Ben Kennedy is probably the most injury prone player in the game. A GREAT player, but he hardly ever plays. Brent Kite is a
solid player, he will help the Eagles, but they paid to much for a guy who was showing good form rather then good ability.

The Sea Eagles lack a really good halfback. Witt is a good signing's, but has yet to show he is a first grade halfback and the
Sea eagles lack strike power out wide with the club having to trial Terry Hill for a contract.

The Sea eagles will improve, but at this stage their signing's look poor and it looks like a house or cards thats about to get
put out in a gale force wind.


Canberra Raiders
Gains: Jason Smith (Hull); Matt Adamson (Leeds); Lincoln Withers, Michael Howell, David Howell (St George-Illawarra);
Craig Frawley (Brisbane); Jermaine Ale (Sydney Roosters); Bronx Goodwin (Cronulla); Damon Alley-Tovio (South Sydney);
Ben Jones (Redcliffe).
Losses: Ruben Wiki (Warriors); Joel Monaghan (Sydney Roosters); Luke Davico (Wigan); Brad Drew (Huddersfield); Mark
McLinden (London Broncos); Nick Kouparitsas; Kosta Kouparitsas, Matt McLay (Wests Tigers).

Summary
The worst off season for any club I can ever remember. There are rumours that everyone wants out of Canberra and we saw
glimpses of that with Luke Davico, Mark McLinden, Joel Monaghan, Brad Drew and Rubin Wiki all leaving the club.

On the flip side the club signed Lincoln Withers and Broncos winger Craig Frawley......as well as the worst signing's I can
remember, Matt Adamson and Jason Smith. Why any NRL club would sign the latter two is a complete mystery.

Not only are the Raiders a poor football team, they are probably the most boring side in sport. Matthew Elliot has taken a
good club and turned them into something no one wants to be a part or....let alone watch. The tactic that saw Bradford gain
SL success has seen the Raiders become a big, imobile, one dimensional side that has no plan B should plan A fail.

Not only do I think the Raiders will claim the wooden spoon, but I'd be surprised if this wasn't the last year Matthew Elliot
coaches an NRL side. This club is going no where under the current leadership.