IN THIS era of evenness created by the salary cap, how long until every team in the top eight the previous year finishes in the bottom eight?
It's unlikely to happen this year but a look at the losses and gains suggests 2007 grand finalists Melbourne and Manly do not have the same depth, nor do the Bulldogs and Broncos, and Wade McKinnon's season-ending injury is a huge blow to the Warriors.
Parramatta have also lost a number of players but the emergence of Krisnan Inu, Jarryd Hayne, Feleti Mateo and Weller Hauraki should offset the Eels' departures. Souths have added Craig Wing to a line-up boasting boom youngsters Issac Luke, Eddie Paea and Fetuli Talanoa, as well as the returning David Kidwell, who made just five appearances last season due to injury.
The return of Cowboys forwards Luke O'Donnell, Steve Southern, Carl Webb, Sione Faumuina and Shane Tronc from injury or suspension plus the recruitment of players such as Manly five-eighth Travis Burns, former Bulldogs centre Ben Harris and Roosters winger John Williams has the side primed to improve on their brave performance of 2007, when they finished third. After surgery on both shoulders, Johnathan Thurston is set to miss the first month of action but should be much stronger on return.
Of the clubs that finished outside the top eight last year to have improved their player stocks, the Roosters have grabbed the most headlines through the addition of Bulldogs Test props Mark O'Meley and Willie Mason, and big things are expected. But how much they will miss Wing?
Manly will also feel the loss of Michael Monaghan and Burns. But the return of Monaghan's brother Joel to the Raiders gives added strike power to a young side brimming with talent and size.
WALTER'S EIGHT
1. North Queensland
2. Parramatta
3. South Sydney
4. Melbourne
5. Brisbane
6. Manly
7. Sydney Roosters
8. Canberra
