Coaches hold ticket to glory

Jacquelin Magnay | March 10, 2008

THIS top eight comes with an important disclaimer. I came last in the Herald tipping competition last season because I followed my heart, not my head (refusing to tip Manly and repeatedly, and stupidly, thinking St George Illawarra would, indeed must, turn around their woeful form).

In 2008, I am toughening up, switching tactics and following the coaches. There are three brilliant masterminds in the competition: Ricky Stuart, Craig Bellamy and Neil Henry. Tim Sheens is another but is hampered by Benji Marshall's fragility, which will restrict their top-eight chances.

This season the Sharks will be the big improvers with Stuart's exacting demands extracting the best out of his men, but they will fall a fair way short of winning the minor premiership.

That, of course, will go to current premiers Melbourne, who have lost a little in the way of personnel in the past three years but will once again dominate with stellar home performances and their explosive attacking flair.

Last year's grand finalists Manly will continue the recent hoodoo of top teams failing the following year as they are vulnerable in the halves and have lost Michael Monaghan.

Youthful enthusiasm and a touch of good luck will drive the Raiders, and their top-eight aspirations will be realised if they can win a couple of matches away from home.

St George Illawarra will stutter along clinging desperately to 10th or 11th spot, if only because everyone expects them to fail dismally.

If the players stay away from nightclubs the Eels will be strong contenders, as will the ever-improving Rabbitohs.

The Cowboys' fortunes depend largely on Johnathan Thurston's return from two shoulder surgeries. Either the Roosters, Tigers or Warriors will round out the eight.