www.katherinetimes.com.au KATHERINE TIMES, WEDNESDAY MARCH 5, 2014 29

NRL 2014 SEASON PREVIEW

GAINS: Clint Newton (Panthers),Michael Dobson (Hull Kingston Rovers).LOSSES: Danny Buderus (retired),Neville Costigan (Hull Kingston Rovers),Kevin Naiqama (Panthers).

OUR VIEWStrengths: One of the best backlines in theNRL, with terrific strike power out wide.The Knights boast a strong pack and, ofcourse, one of the best coaches in themodern game.Weaknesses: Injuries to key playmakersseem to haunt the Knights each season. Inrecent years Kurt Gidley has been sidelinedwith long- term injuries while this seasonJarrod Mullen will be out of action for atleast three months.Prediction: 8th. Bennett factor should kick-in this year.

THE DETAILSKey player: Kurt Gidley expected to fill- infor retired hooker Danny Buderus thisseason however the injury to Mullen meansGidley will lead the team around the park inpartnership with Tyrone Roberts.The coach: The best motivator in thebusiness helped engineer a shock win overthe Storm in Melbourne in the semi- finalslast year and has a team with renewedconfidence at his disposal this season.Bennett eats pressure for breakfast but theexpecations are high that Bennett willdeliver a premiership before he leaves theKnights at the end of 2015.The x-factor: Once known for their razzle-dazzle style the Knights have become arock-solid safety- first team under WayneBennett. They kept it simple by ignoringoffloads (they threw the fewest of anyteam last season) which helped themcontrol possession to the extent that theyboasted the best completion rate in theleague and the second- fewest errors of allteams.

GAINS: Lachlan Coote (Panthers), CameronKing (Dragons), Hezron Murgha (NorthernPride), John Asiata (Roosters), MatthewWright (Sharks).LOSSES: Matt Bowen (Wigan), DallasJohnson (retired), Ashley Graham (retired),Jayden Hodges (Sea Eagles), Felise Kaufusi(Storm).

OUR VIEWStrengths: Star power. With Test propsMatt Scott and James Tamou leading theway up front and superstar JohnathanThurston calling the shots from behind. Weaknesses: Depth in the back three. TheCowboys have not only lost favourite sonMatt Bowen and his replacement LachlanCoote (knee), but they’ve also farewelledwingers Ashley Graham, Wayne Ulugia andKalifa Faifai Loa.Prediction: 6th. The Cowboys have theforwards to make a top- four bid but relytoo heavily on Thurston.

THE DETAILSKey player: Following back- to-back brokenlegs, all league fans enjoyed seeing TariqSims play a full season in 2013 and amaiden Origin appearance with the Bluesbeckons if he can start 2014 in goodfashion. The coach: With Neil Henry shown the doorat the end of 2013 the Cowboys are relyingon former Queensland Origin rep PaulGreen to lead the club to glory in 2014.Green coached Wynnum-Manly to back- to-back Queensland Cup titles in 2011- 12 and in2013 guided the Roosters under-20s tothird in the minor premiership. The x-factor: Since making 125 metres,nine tackle breaks and two line breaks injust his third top-grade appearance, therugby league world has been waiting forJason Taumaolo to explode. Has thepotential to be a powerhouse contributoron a weekly basis.

GAINS: Will Hopoate (unattached), LeeMossop (Wigan), Nathan Peats (Rabbitohs),Corey Norman (Broncos), Justin Hunt(Rabbitohs), David Gower (Sea Eagles),Brenden Santi (Wests Tigers), Toby Evans(Panthers), Evander Cummins (Dragons),Liam Foran (Salford), Ben Roberts (Storm).LOSSES: Reni Maitua (Bulldogs), CheyseBlair (Sea Eagles), Jake Mullaney (SalfordRed Devils), Pat O’Hanlon (Bulldogs), MattKeating (Burleigh Bears), Taulima Tautai(Wakefield), Matt Ryan (Wakefield).

OUR VIEWStrengths: Jarryd Hayne went to a newlevel at the Rugby League World Cup andParramatta will be hoping his midastouch can see them out of the NRL cellar.Weaknesses: When you’ve claimed back-to-back wooden spoons, self-belief can bea problem. Week- in-week-out consistencywill test the Eels.Prediction: 15th. Strong off- seasonrecruitment should be enough for the Eelsto avoid the spoon this season.

THE DETAILSKey player: The return to the NRL of formerManly and NSW star Will Hopoate will addsome serious firepower to the struggling Eelsbackline. In his last season, in 2011, Hopoatenotched 14 tries and 14 line breaks in 19games, and scored in his Origin debut. The coach: New coach Brad Arthur is ahome-grown product, a hit with the playersand, with stints under Craig Bellamy andGeoff Toovey, arrives with a strong resume.His forte is discipline, which should bepriority number one at Parramatta thisyear, making him an almost a perfect fit. The x-factor: The Eels new halvescombination of Chris Sandow and CoreyNorman could be either the x- factor or they- factor.... if they don’t click Eels fans willbe asking ‘why’ the team can’t avoid yetanother wooden spoon.

GAINS: Peter Wallace (Broncos), JamieSoward (London Broncos), Elijah Taylor(Warriors), Brent Kite (Sea Eagles), KevinNaiqama (Knights), Tyrone Peachey(Sharks), Shaun Spence (Wests Tigers)Will Smith (Knights), Leilani Latu (Bulldogs)Wellington Albert (Lae Tigers, PNG), JamalIdris (Titans).LOSSES: Lachlan Coote (Cowboys), LukeWalsh (St Helens), Mose Masoe (St Helens),Clint Newton (Knights), Danny Galea(Widnes Vikings), Travis Robinson (Storm),Brad Tighe (Titans).

OUR VIEWStrengths: Outstanding talent in theoutside backs, with tryscoring potentialgalore. Experience in the forwards with theaddition of Elijah Taylor and Brent Kite.Weaknesses: Halves. Peter Wallace andJamie Soward have tasted individual successbefore, but is their best behind them?Prediction: 10th. Could finish higher if thenew halves combination fires.

THE DETAILSKey player: Jamal Idris. Failed to reach hisfull potential on the Gold Coast, but back inSydney and under the guidance of IvanCleary the former NSW star could explode.The coach: After reaching the grand finalwith the Warriors in 2011, Panthers coachIvan Cleary has done an admirable job inestablishing a new culture at the foot of themountains and it finally bore fruit lastseason. But now that he’s been gifted witha more balanced roster, the bar has beenraised and if they don’t make the top eightthis year, questions will be asked. The x-factor: The new- look Panthers line-up includes former NSW Origin playersPeter Wallace, Jamie Soward, Brent Kiteand Jamal Idris; a fourth New Zealandrepresentative in Elijah Taylor; and a coupleof lively young guns in Kevin Naiqama andTyrone Peachey.

NEWCASTLE

KNIGHTSNORTHQUEENSLAND

COWBOYSPARRAMATTA

EELSPENRITH

PANTHERS

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