A CLUB-BY-CLUB ANALYSIS OF THE TEAMS THAT FAILED TO MAKE THE NRL FINALS
* WESTS TIGERS
HITS: Their 17.8 points conceded per game was the third best in the league and is in line for their best ever. The mid-season pick-ups of Moses Mbye and Robbie Farah were inspired and Corey Thompson was a find.
MISSES: Big-money recruit Josh Reynolds played just five games due to injury. Their 15.7 points per game was the worst in the competition and on track to be the lowest in their history.
NEEDS: Ivan Cleary to stay and bring in son Nathan Cleary to fix their attack.
* CANBERRA
HITS: Their 23.8 points per game is the best in the league and the most points a team has scored in missing the eight. Winger Nick Cotric is first in tackle busts.
MISSES: Josh Hodgson injured for half the season was a big reason why they lost so many close games and the suspension to Jack Wighton was a late-season blow. Ultimately though, their inability to close out games cost them.
NEEDS: A full season of Hodgson and some big forwards to replace the outgoing Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo.
* NEWCASTLE
HITS: The recruitment was a big tick, headlined by the emergence of Kalyn Ponga as one of the best players in the league. With Mitchell Pearce and Slade Griffin, they’ve found their spine.
MISSES: Last in run metres and conceded metres led to the worst defence in the competition. Pearce, Griffin and Moga getting hurt was rough.
NEEDS: They need a full campaign from Pearce. They’re getting one decent big man in Tim Glasby and some class in Jesse Ramien.
* CANTERBURY
HITS: Never gave up in a trying season, finding some form in the back end and unearthing the likes of Lachlan Lewis and Rhyse Martin. David Klemmer and Josh Jackson were rock solid.
MISSES: High-profile signing Kieran Foran was a bust, revelations of their salary cap mess meant Aaron Woods and Moses Mbye were pushed out.
NEEDS: Foran to get healthy and for their lesser likes like Lewis to kick on.
* GOLD COAST
HITS: Developed a gem in AJ Brimson. Tied up Jarrod Wallace long-term and threatened to find some form late.
MISSES: Big-money signings Bryce Cartwright and Leilani Latu were busts. Speaking of, they were last in tackle busts.
NEEDS: Ash Taylor to find the next level. Got some nice signings in Shannon Boyd and Tyrone Peachey on their way, too.
* NORTH QUEENSLAND
HITS: Champion halfback Johnathan Thurston first in line break assists, try assists and line engagements. Jason Taumalolo first in post-contact metres and second in runs.
MISSES: Last in completion rates. Michael Morgan injured for half the season while the absence of Jordan McLean was a massive blow for them up front.
NEEDS: Some new blood and it’s coming, with eight members of their 2016 premiership side leaving over the summer. Also need a fullback. Will Valentine Holmes find the love at home?
* MANLY
HITS: The Trbojevic brothers are a godsend. Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake are both in the top five for post-contact metres. Taupau is first in offloads. Daly Cherry-Evans back in Origin.
MISSES: Where do you start? Gladstone saga. Salary cap breaches. Coach Trent Barrett’s ugly split. And that’s just off the field. Last in points conceded.
NEEDS: A new coach, for starters. A recruitment manager, too. On the field they need a five-eighth, is Kane Elgey the answer? And some depth, although their cap problems could present hurdles.
* PARRAMATTA
HITS: Jarryd Hayne eventually came good. Nathan Brown was a rock again.
MISSES: Signing Kane Evans was a bust. Couldn’t sort out their spine as Corey Norman and Mitchell Moses struggled to combine. Bevan French went backwards.
NEEDS: Some big men. Junior Paulo and barnstorming winger Blake Ferguson will help. Coach Brad Arthur needs to deliver or face the sack. A new stadium will provide some excitement as well.
