NRL 2016 predictions: Which clubs will make the top eight?

HOW do you fit 13 teams into the NRL top eight? With the season kick-off just days away, The Daily Telegraph’s team reveal their final predictions.

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IT’S the mathematical equation that has rugby league experts stumped.

How do you fit 13 teams into the NRL top eight this year?

With the kick off to the 2016 season now just five days away, The Daily Telegraph’s team have revealed their final predictions.

While most of our judges think Wayne Bennett’s Broncos are charging towards the minor premiership, they also maintain this is going to be the closest NRL competition in years.

“Without a doubt,” Matthew Johns said.

Johns has run his rule over every team’s chance in today’s Saturday Telegraph NRL season guide, and like every league fan, he found it just about impossible to make his top eight cut.

“Last year when I sat down to pick my top eight I pencilled in five or six teams who I thought couldn’t make the eight,” he said.

“This year it is three. But the rest can make it.”

Pick up Saturday’s Daily Telegraph to get your free NRL 2016 guide.

Johns is of the same view as most that Gold Coast, Wests Tigers and Newcastle have virtually no hope.

But take them out, and you could make a genuine case for the other 13 teams.

“Canberra is the perfect example,” he explained.

“I have Canberra finishing way down but that is only indicative of what a tough comp it will be because Canberra might finish five or six.

“And if you ask me straight up, can the Panthers make it? Pretty good chance.

“Parramatta? Yep.

“Then you go along and say, ‘well, they all can’t fit’.

“There are so many factors that aren’t clear at the moment.”

The interchange is a big one.

Johns believes the reduction from 10 to 8 will play right into the hands of the Sharks.

The way we calculated the total votes was to give each team a maximum mark of 8 if they were ranked first, counting down to 1 point for the team coming in 8th on each expert’s list.

Of our team, 13 of the 16 put the Broncos on top while last year’s premiers North Queensland came in next.

Overall, the Roosters were third despite their disastrous pre-season, and the Storm were fourth ahead of the Sea Eagles, Warriors, Sharks and Rabbitohs as the most favoured top eight finishers.

The Bulldogs came in at 9th, then the Raiders, Eels and Panthers, who all tallied the same amount of votes.

Johnathan Thurston and Paul Gallen with the Daily Telegraph NRL 2016 guide. Picture: Mark Evans

But the selections from the individuals were widespread.

For instance, Phil Rothfield positioned the Cowboys at the head of his list but the Broncos eighth.

Johns had the Warriors second, but there were six people who didn’t even rate them in the eight.

Evens Johns conceded the Warriors’ 46-10 thumping by the Dragons in last weekend’s final trial made him nervous for coach Andrew McFadden.

“Every year we get reminded, don’t buy into trials.” Johns said.

“But when you get beat by 46 points by a side who has had a lot of trouble attacking, that got me worried.

“I had my grand final pencilled in as Broncos/Warriors.

“But how (the Warriors) went last week worries me.

“I can see the Warriors having a real slow start which, who knows, that may cost them their coach.

“But if they play toward their potential they are a top four team.

“Luke, Tuivasa-Sheck and Johnson are the potentially the best spine in rugby league.

“You just look at the ability of those three blokes and you say if they don’t finish top four there is something wrong in the system.”

Only Newcastle and Wests Tigers didn’t get a single top eight vote, while Gold Coast ambassador Gorden Tallis gave the Titans their only tick.

Unfortunately for Tallis and the Titans, nine of the other 15 judges put the Gold Coast last.

Newcastle and the Wests Tigers collected three votes each to finish with the wooden spoon.

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Originally published as NRL 2016 predictions: Which clubs will make the top eight?