Looking into the Crystal Ball: NRL Preview 2011 (Part 4) | Thebigtip

WESTS TIGERS
Attack: 2nd
Defence: 4th
Predicted finish: 4th
Tigers Best: Beni Marshall, Robbie Farah, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington

DANGEROUS EVERYWHERE:
Any side that has the attacking forces that the Tigers boast is going to be a championship contender. Wests are at their best when Robbie Farah runs from hooker and Benji Marshall has the time to pick and choose his options. Many believe the Tigers will once again be the real deal in 2011, but many factors come into the toughest compertition in the world. Wests have never felt the brunt of State of Origin selections like they may this year with several players in line for higher honours. The only thing that may stop the Wests Tigers fulfilling their destiny in 2011 is the old injury bug which can cripple any side at any time. If the black and gold’s keep the majority of their best players on the field, they will be come close to a Grand Final appearance.

HIGHLIGHT: The sheer attacking brilliance of the Tigers
LOWLIGHT: Chris Heighington again misses out on Origin selection

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NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Attack: 3rd
Defence: 3rd
Predicted finish: 3rd
Warriors Best: Lance Hohaia,  Manu Vatuvei, Michael Luck, Ben Matulino

GRAVEYARD AUCKLAND:
The Warriors first goal in 2011 is to make trips for teams to Auckland a living nightmare. With wins at home come wins away and there is no reason why New Zealand cannot win more games away from home this season. There is a quiet confidence over the ditch that this squad can win the title with Feleti Mateo, Krisnan Inu and Shaun Berrigan adding much needed experience to a young side. James Maloney may have the easiest job in the NRL this year if his young forward pack can play the way they are expected to. Sam Rapira, Russell Packer, Lewis Brown and Ben Matulino are the future of the club and the future may be now.

HIGHLIGHT: Unbeatable at home
LOWLIGHT: Beatable away

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ST GEORGE/ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Attack: 6th
Defence: 1st
Predicted finish: 2nd
Dragons Best: Darius Boyd, Nathan Fien,  Dean Young, Trent Merrin

FORWARDS WIN MATCHES:
Unfortunately for Saints fans, the Dragons may get even more boring this year. Jamie Soward will have a huge X on his chest and opposition teams will do anything to bring him back to earth. Their saving grace in attack may be Boyd and Mark Gasnier. Boyd is almost untouchable from fullback and chimes in whenever he sees fit while Gasnier will be better for the run in 2011. But it's St George/Illawarra’s defence that will see them into September. Despite losing Neville Costigan and Jeremy Smith, the Dragons still have one of the hardest working forward packs in the NRL and expect Trent Merrin to have a huge year.

HIGHLIGHT: Mark Gasnier returns to State of Origin
LOWLIGHT: An entire season of Dragons fans telling us about 2010

Those keen on the Dragons can get $6.00 at Centrebet and if they bet here, they can get a $50 free bet meaning for a $50 outlay fans of the Bulldogs can get a collect of $600.

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CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Attack: 4th
Defence: 2nd
Predicted finish: 1st
Bulldogs Best: Trent Hodkinson,  Jamal Idris, Frank Pritchard, Greg Eastwood

THIS SIDE IS SCARY:
If everything goes to plan this year for the Bulldogs, Andrew Ryan will be holding up the NRL trophy in October. There isn’t a weakness in this team and if anybody is going to dismantle the Dragons, its these guys. There is speed in the backline, unbridled talent in the halves and absolute grunt in the forwards.
Todd Greenberg must be licking his lips at the prospect of 2011 with wins expected on the field and a river of sponsorship on the back of superstars in the making like Jamal Idris and Ben Barba. The Bulldogs depth is so strong that guys like Gary Warburton, Kris Keating, Grant Millington and Dene Halatau will be struggling to make the first seventeen. All of them would walk into most NRL teams.

HIGHLIGHT: Remember the Dogs of War?
LOWLIGHT: Michael Ennis loses Origin spot to Robbie Farah

Those keen on Canterbury can get $9.00 at Centrebet and if they bet here, they can get a $50 free bet meaning for a $50 outlay fans of the Bulldogs can get a collect of $900.