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Cowboy Crow
Cowboy Crow Week 1
NRL 2011 Premiers
Russell Crowe's battle-hardened Rabbitohs are massed at the border and ready to bring glory home to South Sydney in season 2011. Matt Villalba gazes into the crystal ball for 2011. See where your team rates and who will need a Dally M medal like year for your team to have finals glory.
Cronulla Sharks: Cronulla made key signings in the off season of Jeremy Smith, Colin Best and Wade Graham but they won only 7 games last year and with a rookie coach in Shane Flanagan and the loss of Trent Barrett the trend looks set to continue in 2011. Key Player-Paul Gallen, Prediction-16th
Canberra Raiders: Canberra surprised many last year when they finished in the top 8 and won away from home against Penrith in the first week of the finals. However, the loss of their key player Terry Campese for at least the first 10 rounds of the season could derail their finals campaign before it's started. Along with the drama of Joel Monaghan and new signing Matt Orford, Canberra look like they're in for a tough season. Key Player-Matt Orford, Prediction-15th
Penrith Panthers: Many people feel Penrith over achieved last year when they finished second only to St George Illawarra in the home and away season, crashing out of the finals with consecutive losses. The loss of Frank Pritchard and the ageing bodies of Luke Lewis and Petereo Civoniceva could prove too much for the Panthers who will have to rely heavily on Michael Jennings and Lachlan Coote for their offensive spark. Key Player-Michael Jennings, Predicition-14th
Canterbury Bulldogs: After a disappointing 2010, In 2011 Canterbury looked to rejuvenate their squad. With the extra players acquired of Pritchard, Eastwood and Keating look to add spark to a lack luster attack from the previous year. However team chemistry will be a factor and with players fighting for key positions it could take them a year to find their form. Key Player-Ben Barba, Prediction-13th
North QLD Cowboys: North QLD had one of their worst seasons in 2010 finishing 15th only ahead of the Melbourne Storm. In 2011 they will look to once again create the combination of Bowen and Thurston that made them one of the best attacking teams in the league along with the inclusion of Brent Tate. However the losses upfront of Carl Webb, Willie Mason and Luke O'Donnell will have a major impact on their defence. Key Player-Jonathon Thurston, Prediction-12th
Newcastle Knights: Newcastle finished 2010 in 11th place, inconsistency and the struggles of play maker Jarrod Mullen cost them a finals spot, the only highlight being the emergence of winger Akuila Uate who lead the competition in trys scored with 21. 2011 looks like much of the same from the Knights. Despite the signing of Neville Costigan it might take them another year to make a finals charge. Key Player-Jarrod Mullen, Prediction-11th
Manly Sea Eagles: In 2010 Manly had high hopes of repeating their success in 2008. However they only managed to finish the home and away season in 8th position and bowed out in the first week of the finals. Despite the returns of internationals Brett Stewart and David Williams, Manly will field the youngest halves paring in the competition along with the departure of forward Josh Perry they could be in a for a long year. Key Player-Jamie Lyon, Prediction 10th
Parramatta Eels: 2010 proved to be disappointing for the Parramatta Eels, many tipped them to go all the way after their dream run to the 2009 grand final. But inconsistency from their superstar Jarryd Hayne and lack of chemistry in the halves saw them unable to mount a finals charge. A similar year looks likely with key losses of Nathan Cayless, Krisnan Inu and Feleti Mateo. Key Player-Jarryd Hayne, Prediction-9th
Brisbane Broncos: 2010 ended in disappointment for the Broncos with them finishing in 10th place. A club with such a strong finals history were forced to watch their former coach Wayne Bennet steer St George Illawarra to a premiership. With the recent surprise sacking of their own coach Ivan Henjak after alleged fallouts with several players and his replacement assistant coach Anthony Griffin 2011 will once again have its hurdles for the Broncos. 2011 also sees the loss of Israel Folau to AFL and the controversial loss of Greg Inglis but they welcome back Ben Hannant and with Justin Hodges back from injury they should mount a finals charge. Key Player-Justin Hodges, Prediction-8th
New Zealand Warriors: The New Zealand Warriors impressed many in 2010 finishing the home and away season in 5th position. 2010 also saw the retirement of their inspirational captain Steve Price and the departure of Brent Tate. However 2011 sees the inclusion of Feleti Mateo, Krisnan Inu and veteran Shaun Berrigan. They should see finals action again this year and could push for a top four finish. Key Player-Lance Hohaia, Prediction-7th
Melbourne Storm: In 2010 the Melbourne Storm had arguably the worst season in history when they were stripped of their premierships and were forced to be spectators in the finals series. However in 2011 they will be playing under the salary cap and will have something to prove to the rest of the competition that they are still as good as the rugby league team that dominated the NRL for the best of the last decade. Despite the departures of many key players they still have internationals Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater running the show. Key Player-Billy Slater, Prediction-6th
Sydney Rooster: The Sydney Roosters nearly had a perfect 2010, from the wooden spoon to a grand final appearance. Along with the emergence of bad boy Todd Carney as the premier player of the year. Expectations will be high in 2011 and Carney will once again be the key to their finals success, will be knocking on the door of a top 4 finish. Key Player-Todd Carney, Prediction 5th.
Gold Coast Titans: 2010 saw the Gold Coast Titans finish one win away from a maiden grand final birth. 2011 should be a similar year with the Titans having one of the most experienced teams in the NRL. Lead by Scott Prince and coach John Cartwright expectations are high for this team to be the first Gold Coast team to win a title and anything but a trip to the second week of the finals would be seen as a failure. Key Player-Scott Prince, Prediction-4th
West Tigers: 2010 was the premiership that got away for the West Tigers with a one point loss to the premiers St George Illawarra in the preliminary final. 2011 should be no different with the squad settled and Benji Marshall in career best form after leading New Zealand to the Four Nations title. Will be one of the favourites going into the season and will push for a grand final appearance. Key Player-Benji Marshall, Prediction-3rd
St George Illawarra: St George buried their nightmares from 2009 after bowing out in straight sets in the finals. In 2010 they capped off the perfect year with a 32-8 victory against the Sydney Roosters in the grand final and added to Wayne Bennets legacy as the arguably the greatest coach of all time. There is nothing stopping this team from repeating their success in 2011 but with the Melbourne Storm saga over, the league will be much stronger and they will have to have a big season from their play maker Jamie Soward and see Mark Gasnier return to form which saw him be one of the best attacking centres in the world. Key Player-Jamie Soward, Prediction-2nd
South Sydney Rabbitohs: 2010 saw the South Sydney Rabbitohs miss the finals by one game and make their die hard supporters wait another off season for finals glory. In 2011, Russell Crowe's South Sydney boast the best forward pack in the competition which includes Sam Burges, Roy Asotasi, David Taylor, Ben Ross and Michael Crocker. Along with the key signing of Greg Inglis to accompany John Sutton, Issac Luke and Chris Sandow in attack. Expectations will be sky high in Redfern and they look set for finals glory. Key Player-Greg Inglis, Prediction-1st
About the Author
Matt Villalba , see www.sportspartners.com.au for more of Matt's work
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Frequently Asked Questions...
Can you eat crow????????
i can. and i eat it heartily.
i very much felt the titans were a team that benefited from a soft schedule. i felt they hadn't played a real team to verifty their 12-2 record. and now, since they beat a good, proven 11-3 team in the steelers, feel like they are in fact a team to beat in the playoffs.
my question to you, especially you cowboy and arizona (and unfortunately steeler) fans, can you admit your team wasn't as good as you thought they might be???? are you disapppointed in how your team has played in these last few weeks going into the playoffs?
Answer:
Well, they will have the top seed...I still think the Steelers (if they face them again) will beat them for the AFC Championship...
today's game turned on a few crucial plays...the fumble by Ben at the 1...not scoring at the end of the half...and the INT for a TD at the end (meaningless, but it made the score look worse)
Not making excuses, the Steelers got outplayed...but I'm sure it won't happen again...
