2011 NRL Preview - Sydney Roosters and West Tigers

For a league fan, the night before kick-off is just like Christmas Eve: you spend the night tossing and turning, waiting for the presents to come. Instead of one jolly old fat man in a red suit, there’s 16 teams full of heroes ready to deliver the presents. One lucky set of fans will get the best pressie of all – not on Christmas, but the October Long Weekend – a grand final win. Another poor set of fans will get the wooden spoon, others bags full of disappointment, some glorious hope for the future. An unexpected gift – a new superstar, a heartwarming redemption tale, an amazing moment – is bound to turn up under the tree or on our TV screens. I’m going to bed extra early – the earlier I fall to sleep, the earlier I’ll see some footy.

Oh, today’s predictions – two teams that played one of the great finals in history last season – 2010 runners up Sydney and the West Tigers, who came within a kick of joining them in the grand final. I suspect the Roosters will drop off the pace this year – for off-field reasons – while the Tigers will be right there when it’s all said and done.

Sydney Roosters

Home Ground: Sydney Football Stadium

Coach: Brian Smith

Premierships: 12 (1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1945, 1974, 1975, 2002)

2010 finish: 6th

First five rounds: Rabbitohs (h), Sea Eagles (h), Bulldogs (a), Wests (h), Warriors (a)

IN: Anthony Watts, 24, hooker (North Queensland Cowboys), Justin Carney, 22, wing (Canberra), Lama Tasi, 20, prop (Manly), Mark Riddell, 30, back row/hooker (Wigan Warriors - Super League).

OUT: Ben Jones (North Queensland Cowboys), James Aubusson (released), Lopini Paea (Catalans Dragons - Super League), Nick Kouparitsas (Harlequins - Super League).

Why they can win it: Young side shocked everyone by going from wooden spooners to the grand final last year. The young core of Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce and Shaun Kenny-Dowall should only get better. Old hands such as Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichiello only have so many chances left. Surely Brian Smith WILL win a premiership one day …

Why they can’t: Todd Carney is back on the drink. He has already been deregistered for a season as a result of alcohol-fuelled atrocities, but became the redemption story of the century when he won the Dally M Medal during last year’s tea-totaling season. Carney’s DUI is a dark sign of things to come, which could be the distraction that runs the Roosters off the road.

Prediction: 10th

Wests Tigers

Home Ground: Leichhardt Oval, Campbelltown Stadium, ANZ Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium

Coach: Tim Sheens

Premierships: 16 (1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1924, 1930, 1934, 1939, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1969, 2005)

2010 finish: 3^rd

First five rounds: Bulldogs (a), Warriors (h), Raiders (h), Roosters (a), Rabbitohs (h)

IN: Evander Waitoa, 18, halfback (Wellington), Jacob Miller, 18, halfback (Sydney Roosters), Marika Koroibete, 18, wing (Fiji), Mosese Fotuaika, 18, prop (Keebra Park), Ratu Tagive, 18, wing (Canterbury-Bankstown), Teqele Nayarvovo, 19, wing (Otahuhu Leopards - New Zealand).

OUT: David Gower (St George Illawarra), Daniel Fitzhenry (Retired), Tame Tupou (Redcliffe).

Why they can win it: They are many pundits’ pick to win it all this year. Benji is the best player in the game, Farah one of the three best hookers, Chris Lawrence dynamic in the three-quarters, Gareth Ellis arguably the best Pom going around. They play a vibrant and attacking brand of footy but show the grit to knuckle down when it counts.

Why they can’t: Injury to either Marshall or Farah would be a disaster. Underwhelming offseason-recruiting. Some fellow contenders have made great strides in the offseason while the Tigers have stood pat.

Prediction: 3rd