TOP 8 - CRYSTAL BALL TIME 2026

[redv13]

Brisbane
Easts
Penrith
Canterbury
Melbourne
Canberra
Dolphins
Cronulla

 

[RedV01]

Melbourne
Dolphins
Rorters
Warriors
Panthers
Souffs
Canberra
Grubs

just what I think, not want. I want to be wrong.

 

[Dragons4me]

Brisbane
Easts
Penrith
Melbourne
Canberra
Dolphins
Tigers
Warriors

If we don't make the 8, I hope the Dogs and Sharks don't either. It'll give me some comfort out of the disappointment of us not making it.

 

[George Sancti]

Brisbane
Easts
Penrith
Melbourne
Canberra
Dolphins
Tigers

If we don't make the 8, I hope the Dogs and Sharks don't either. It'll give me some comfort out of the disappointment of us not making it.

That’s a strong prediction, Dragons4me. Bonus points for managing to keep Manly, Cronulla and the Bulldogs out. Nicely done!

 

[Edward]

That’s a strong prediction, Dragons4me. Bonus points for managing to keep Manly, Cronulla and the Bulldogs out. Nicely done!

For the Dragons, I think Manly are irrelevant. Compete for juniors, sponsorship $ and supporters about the same as NQ or NZ.

 

[Dragons4me]

That’s a strong prediction, Dragons4me. Bonus points for managing to keep Manly, Cronulla and the Bulldogs.

Thanks George, but I wouldn't put any of your cold hard cash on my stupid predictions my friend. I've now updated but I just noticed I only picked seven out of eight!!

"Folks are dumb where I come from!!!"

 

[Dragons4me]

** Deleted **

 

[dragonheart]

Penrith
Roosters
Broncos
Melbourne
Dogs
Dolphins
Dragons
Souths

 

[Edward]

Penrith
Roosters
Broncos
Melbourne
Dogs
Dolphins
Dragons
Souths

I'll go with this. What I hope for and isn't too radical. Just swap Dogs for NZ.

Penrith
Roosters
Broncos
Melbourne
NZ
Dolphins
Dragons
Souths

 

[George Sancti]

For the Dragons, I think Manly are irrelevant. Compete for juniors, sponsorship $ and supporters about the same as NQ or NZ.

I still haven’t forgiven Manly for stealing Michael O’Connor in 1987. I can hold a grudge.

 

[Frank Facer]

I still haven’t forgiven Manly for stealing Michael O’Connor in 1987. I can hold a grudge.

O'Conner worked for Wormald as a sales rep. Wormald was Manly's sponsor, so there were other factors in him signing with Manly. In the 80's they were very successful at signing top talent.

 

[George Sancti]

O'Conner worked for Wormald as a sales rep. Wormald was Manly's sponsor, so there were other factors in him signing with Manly. In the 80's they were very successful at signing top talent.

From Manly’s perspective, Ken Arthurson was a very effective administrator. His philosophy was that it was better to sign one $500,000 star (in 1980s dollars) from another club than two $250,000 players. And as you say, Manly was very successful at it, regularly poaching the best talent available including Cliff Lyons from North Sydney.