Crystal ball: Robert Craddock reveals his predictions across all sporting codes in 2014

ROBERT Craddock digs out his shattered crystal ball and reveals who will crash and burn in 2014. Has Crash got it right?

IT is that time of the year when every team is a premier in waiting, every fan has a dream and no tipster is a fool.

It's also the time for putting the crystal ball on the table and laying down some firm predictions.

I actually carry my crystal ball - or the remnants of it - in an envelope after it exploded with a series of misguided punts last year including the exclusive prediction that Mitchell Johnson would not to play another Test.

But you are not a sports watcher unless, like Johnson, you rise from the ashes so here we go again.

With the bravado that runs eternal before anything actually happens, we strongly tip that the sporting year will see ...

KEV'S CRISIS

News_Rich_Media: England captain Alastair Cook refuses to endorse Kevin Pietersen as a key component of England's plans moving forward.

England sack Kevin Pietersen from their Test team because he is too difficult - then recall him because they realise they cannot do without him.

But he turns his back on the offer, claiming he has better things to do with his life.

NOT AGAIN

News_Image_File: The Cowboys' finals dreams will be shattered by yet another referee howler. Picture: Ian Hitchcock.

The Cowboys finish Queensland's top side in the NRL but their cursed finals luck continues.

They make the grand final but are beaten when a space shuttle lands on the ground and a martian intercepts what would have been the match winning pass to Brent Tate - the referee claims he missed it.

ORIGIN SEEDS

News_Image_File: Queensland will win a ninth straight Origin series. Picture: Adam Head.

Queensland win their ninth Origin series in a row but it's tight and at least one big name gets tapped on the shoulder.

The Maroon selectors ease Roosters second-rower Aidan Guerra onto the reserves bench with Jake Friend and Ben Barba also getting exposure as the cards are shuffled with a view to blooding a new generation.

THE DEMON'S DEMON

News_Rich_Media: Melbourne Football Club's new Head Coach Paul Roos has put the side through the paces, hitting post Christmas training hard with a 3.2km time trial.

New Melbourne AFL coach Paul Roos gets so frustrated coaching the hapless Demons he decides to give it away and head back to the high rating television show On The Couch.

But debonair Roos, for so many years an ageless man, has aged so much under the stress of coaching the demons that viewers get him confused with his On The Couch sidekick, veteran journalist Mike Sheahan.

BRONCOS BATTLE

News_Image_File: Even Ben Barba won't save the Broncos in 2014. Picture: Darren England.

The Broncos, with Ben Barba in form, give some early season cheek but fade out of the reckoning as critics recite one of the oldest theories in rugby league - you can't win a premiership without a classy halves pairing.

DIRTY MONEY

News_Image_File: More corruption charges in the Indian Premier League.

More corruption is unearthed in the Indian Premier League and some of the names make jaws drop.

The arrests are followed by an IPL statement saying the corruption is not widespread which prompts ripples of laughter from players who know different.

CRICKET WARS

India, England and Australia take over the running of the ICC but after two months are getting on as well as partners in an unfaithful marriage.

India claims unless it is allowed to make all major decisions the union is off to which Australia and England say "whatever you say ... sounds good to us.''

STORM FADING

News_Image_File: The mighty Melbourne Storm will begin their descent down the NRL ladder. Picture: Colleen Petch.

The mighty Melbourne Storm, after making fools of all of us who tipped them to go belly up after the salary cap scandal, finally succumb to the forces of gravity.

They fight hard but are not the team they were and just make the eight.

MAJOR SUCCESS

News_Rich_Media: From Adam Scott to ASADA, it was a year of high drama in Australian sport. But which story do you believe was the biggest of 2013? Cast your vote and tune in on Christmas Day to find out the winner.

While every local tournament preview focusing on Jason Day and Adam Scott, Mark Leishman creeps out of the shadows to become the next Australian to win a major, snatching the USPGA.

KNIGHTMARES

News_Rich_Media: Sacked NRL player Russell Packer has been refused bail, after a court heard he may seek to withdraw his guilty plea over a drunken assault which has seen him jailed for two years.

The Newcastle Knights go a full month without having any player or official arrested, prompting a wave of feel good stories about how the club turned around its culture.

They rise again to make the finals before they are beaten by South Sydney who storm through to the decider and finally, after all these underachieving decades ... actually that's one prediction we are not bold enough to make.