One key injury and it's over

Roy Masters | March 10, 2008

THE NRL frigate, SS Salary Cap, is dumping cannon, making English Super League clubs stronger and Australian clubs weaker.

Every NRL team, including premiers, Melbourne, has a serious tactical weakness.

In past seasons, the Storm had specialist back-up for brilliant dummy-half/kicker, Cameron Smith, in Nathan Friend and James Aubusson, but they have moved to other clubs, leaving Matt Geyer - who has spent 11 years as a back - to fill in.

Smith's absence during the State of Origin series, or unavailability via a major injury, will blow out the Storm.

Parramatta gave the Storm a big scare at Telstra Dome in last year's preliminary final, mainly through the clever passes of centre Timana Tahu, who has gone to rugby union.

The Cowboys have perhaps the best all-round back-rower, Luke O'Donnell, back from a season-long injury but he merely turns a two-man team (Matt Bowen and Johnathan Thurston) into a three-man team.

Grand finalists Manly have lost their main playmaker, Michael Monaghan, leaving the front-running Matt Orford to get them home.

The Warriors, with an entire nation to draw upon, have lost the one player they could least afford, fullback Wade McKinnon, for the year with a knee injury.

No club can make the top eight without their best player.

Similarly, if Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah, is hurt, the club can book their end of season trip early.

Clubs without a sound 1, 6, 7 and 9 - the spine of a team - will struggle.

The Sharks have the best back row in the NRL and can defend strongly but without the playmakers they have limited attack. The Broncos and Titans will sneak into the top eight on the basis of home penalties.