b'SPORTS MODE Big league predictionsBIG LEAGUE PREDICTIONSBig Sports Breakfast host Terry Kennedy provides a forecast of the NRL season as rugby league gets underway in 2019.If you think the NRL is the toughest competition12TH: PARRAMATTA EELS a gamble. Luckily Gareth Widdop is a great on the planet, try picking a winner, the topThe Eels are the massive disappointments ofleader and a man to follow. four, the top eight or the wooden spoon.last season, finishing with the spoon. New buy6TH: MELBOURNE STORMIt shouldnt really be that hard but its nigh onBlakeFergusonwillprovidesomehighlights impossible. along with the opening of their new stadium inMelbourne will feel the pinch in 2019, with Round 6. Other than that, its more heartacheanotheronce-in-a-generationplayerinBilly Thesalarycapisdesignedtoeventhefor Eels fans and crunch time for coach BradSlaternowretiredandCameronSmitha competition, spread the talent, promote lastArthur.year older. The Storms depth will be sorely minute thrillers and upset results. It works.tested.SlaterstalentedreplacementScott 11TH: NEW ZEALAND WARRIORSDrinkwater has already picked up a long-term Imthefirsttoadmitthatthecrystalball turned out to be a little bit foggy last season.They made the finals for the first time in seveninjury preseason. Okay, it fell off the table and smashed into ayears last season but have lost their enigmatic5TH: PENRITH PANTHERSmillion pieces. But Ive picked myself back up,halfback Shaun Johnson and were unable to dusted myself down and am ready to go againtrade hooker Issac Luke. The Warriors are setTheClearyClanobviouslyholdthekey:dad with some fearless predictions.to regain their underachievers tag.Ivan returns to join son Nathan at the foot of the mountain. James Maloney is the man to get them As we like to say, all care and no responsibility.10TH: CANBERRA RAIDERS over the line but remains a liability in defence.WOODEN SPOON: CANTERBURY- Ricky Stuart moved on big men Shannon Boyd4TH: NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYSBANKSTOWN BULLDOGS and Junior Paulo, along with playmaker Blake Austin and their replacements appear modest.Without Johnathan Thurston this is now Michael Sorry Bulldogs fans, someone has to finish lastHopefully hooker Josh Hodgson stays fit andMorgans team. Josh Maguire (Broncos) and and its you! The one time entertainers of theJackWightonfiresinthenumber6jersey,Nene Macdonald (Dragons) are two massive code are desperately seeking a new cast. Tootherwise therell be leadership challengers ofsignings. Jason Taumalolo is shifting to play on make matters worse, they saw their leadinga different kind in Canberra.the edgegood luck stopping him. man Dave Klemmer walk out the stage door.3RD: SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS9TH: CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS15TH: MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLESThe Sharkies have been remarkable and despiteWayne Bennett has arrived at Redfern and all Fortress Brookvale is more like Fort Fumble.the turmoil that had engulfed the club in theindications are that the Rabbitohs are responding. Already down on player power, Manly will startpast, they just find a way to win. However, theA win in the Charity Shield, the Burgess boys are the season without superstars Tom Trbojevicextra weight of salary cap investigations, coachfiring, and Cody Walker is coming of age as a (injured) and Dylan Walker (suspended). DesShaneFlanaganderegisteredandValentineplaymaker. Theres only blue sky. Hasler is a great coach but not a miracle worker.Holmes walking chasing an NFL dream, is set2ND: BRISBANE BRONCOS14TH: GOLD COAST TITANS to catch up with the Sharks. Anthony Siebold will always be the coach that Evenifitstheobviousdistractionsofthe8TH: NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS forced Wayne Bennett out of Broncos territory. glitterstrip,theTitansjustdontdeliver.Its time to shine for the Novocastrians and I cantNowequippedwiththebestyoungmobile TheyverecruitedwellwithTyronePeachey,wait to watch Kalyn Ponga in the halves with Mitchforward pack in the game, hes the man to end Tyrone Roberts and Shannon Boyd but theyllPearce. Dave Klemmer is a human wrecking ballBrisbanes longest ever premiership drought. be sunbaking not playing during the final series.and a crucial new piece of the puzzle, while JesseMINOR PREMIERS: SYDNEY ROOSTERS13TH: WESTS TIGERS Ramien will cause mayhem out wide. You cant knock the Roosters, they won the WelovetheWestsTigers,weloveBenji7TH: ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS premiership with an injured Cooper Cronk in (Marshall) we love Robbie (Farah) and we loveIm worried about the Dragons; the Jack Dethe Grand Final. Coopers back, Luke Keary Leichhardt Oval on a sunny Sunday afternoon.BelinissuecouldeasilyderailtheirentirehasgonetoanotherlevelandwithAngus But the Tigers simply fail to fire and haventseason. Not sure what position still suits BenCrichtonfromSouthstheyshouldonlybe since that premiership of 2005 Hunt, while the signing of Corey Norman isstronger. URBANDRIVER49'