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2016 NRL Ladder Predictions, Team by Team Betting Tips and NRL team special bets.

Posted on 28/02 by Dave Farrell

2016 NRL Ladder Predictions, Team by Team Betting Tips and NRL team special bets.

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 We hope you enjoyed our 2016 NRL Ladder predtiction forecasts, and maybe even made a few dollars following our tips.

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Sportsbet.com.au provides the latest odds for bet-au.com in our 2016 NRL Ladder predictions.


If you thought the 2015 NRL Season was hard to tip, you were right. It was a year full of upsets and a ladder that would swing in the breeze, with the top 8 separated by only a handful of points for most of the year.

2016 looks to be no different. Aside from only a few movements and retirements, the top contenders for the 2015 premiership have left their sides mainly intact.

The rest of the clubs have been making some changes to their squads during the off season with big name player trades impacting almost the entire league. There'll be teams with an almost completely different line-up from 2015.

With the top 4 looking to be tough fight; even the smallest of errors could make all the difference. 2016 will be a season to remember and is set to be another nail-biter. Here’s the outlook for each team for the coming season.



Brisbane Broncos - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 1st
One single Golden Point made all the difference for the Broncos in a 2015 grand final heartbreak for a side that dominated most of the season. 2015 looked worrying in round one with a 30 point deficit to the reigning premiers.

The Broncos didn't take long to turn around their form to start winning from round 2, finishing with 19 wins and 8 losses. Wayne Bennett's return to the club in 2015 seemed to light a fire in the player's belly and they enter 2016 with much the same side.

The only exception is the loss of Justin Hodges to retirement who looks to be replaced by Jordan Kahu or Dale Copley. Josh MCguire will be back from injury and with Bennett about to start his 2nd year back at the club; the troops will rally and make the Broncos a force to be reckoned with in 2016. They've got everything to gain after their grand final loss to the Cowboys. This will be their year for a minor premiership.

Brisbane Broncos 2016 Premiership winner odds $4.75

Win/loss prediction: 18W - 16L

Recommended season bet: Over 16.5 wins at odds of $1.80 with Sportsbet



Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 9th
2015 was a tough year for the Bulldogs. One of the biggest packs in the competition was plagued with constant player rotations due to a string of injuries and suspensions throughout the seasons. With true Doggies determination, they battled into the top 8 but were never destined to go any further.

As tough as they may be, 2016 looks to be a harder season again.

The exit of Trent Hodkinson and Frank Pritchard are big roles to fill. Will Hopoate is the only signing worth mentioning. Moses Mbye will step up into the halves but with other teams around them making key changes to their line-up, the Bulldogs are likely to be edged out of the top 8.

Canterbury Bulldogs 2016 Premiership winner odds $15.00

Win/loss prediction: 12W - 12L

Recommended season bet: No bet advised



Canberra Raiders - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 11th
A win at home would help the Raiders cause. They were one of the more dangerous attacking sides in the competition but they're inability to win games at home was their Achilles heel. They've spent years lingering around the fringes of a finals birth and 2015 was the same.

With no massive injury toll to blame, the Raiders have some work to do if they want a shot at the premiership again.

2016 sees David Shillington and Dane Tilse vacating both prop positions, which are likely to be filled be from within the club. Aidan Sezer is a great signing and the potential to link up with Blake Austin in the halves combination could be of concern for other teams. Without some bigger changes, it's more likely that the same problems they faced in closing the deal at home will rear its ugly head again in 2016.

Don't expect a place in the finals this year.

Canberra Raiders 2016 Premiership winner odds $26.00

Win/loss prediction: 10W - 14L

Recommended season bet: Under 11.5 wins at odds of $1.75 with Sportsbet



Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 3rd
This was the comeback story of the year, even if it was bitter-sweet. The Sharks entered 2015 still reeling from the doping scandal and player bans that rocked the club in 2014. Struggling to find their form in the early season they didn't get a win until round 5.

That win seemed to breathe new life into the team and they fought back with some close hard fought wins to bring the season home with a place in the finals.

The Sharks lose Michael Gordon in 2016 but Dally M Rookie of the Year, Jack Bird, is in line to replace him. Their big name signing in James Maloney will link up with Chad Townsend to form a stronger halves combination to fix a weak spot from 2015. With Paul Gallen set to retire at the end of the season, the club will be out to make it a year to remember.

The doping scandal is a distant memory now. Expect the Sharks to hit the ground running with a serious chance at the premiership in 2016.

Cronulla Sharks 2016 Premiership winner odds $16.00

Win/loss prediction: 16W - 8L

Recommended season bet: Over 11.5 wins at odds of $1.87 with Sportsbet



Gold Coast Titans - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 14th
There weren’t a lot of clubs to receive as much press coverage as the Titans in 2015. And none of it was good. Before the start of round 1, the Titans were front page news as the cocaine scandal and subsequent NRL takeover set the scene for the year.

Their on field performance showed the effects of the off field dramas, only managing to win 9 games all season. Fans were already looking to 2016, anticipating the arrival of Daly Chery-Evans. That was until his backflip to stay at Manly for a record $10M deal.

In 2016, the hole left by DCE is a big one and will place a lot of pressure on Kane Elgey to fill. Aidan Sezer has moved on and Tyrone Roberts slide right in to replace him. Nate Myles is off to Manly and the remaining forwards will see some movements to make room for new signings of Nathan Friend and David Shillington.

The Titans haven't made the finals for the past 3 years and there's still some work to do, and maybe some bigger signings before they have a real chance of making their way up the ladder.

Gold Coast Titans 2016 Premiership winner odds $151.00

Win/loss prediction: 7W - 17L

Recommended season bet: No bet advised



Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 7th
Will they stay or will they go? That was the Sea Eagles story of 2015 with DCE and Foran's future's up in the air until the mid-season deadline. They started the season without key players Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart now at different clubs. An ageing backline and and early season injuries saw the clubs spend more time at the bottom of the ladder for more weeks than any other team.

A strong second half gave us a glimpse of what Manly is capable of when their backs are against the wall.

Now we know that DCE is staying but Foran is off to join other former teammates at the Eels. Coach Geoff Toovey has been moved on to make way for Trent Barrett and DCE starts his record contract with an all new team. 13 players have moved on including Kerian Foran, Matt Ballin, Clint Gutherson and Peta Hiku.

Strong signings in Apisai Koroisau, Nate Myles and Martin Taupau are more than capable of filling in the gaps. DCE will be looking forward to linking up with recent signing Dylan Walker in the halves. It's a very different team and the experts will split on which way it will go.

They'll make the top 8 but it's likely to be a transitional year as they work back to the strength seen in previous years.

Manly Sea Eagles 2016 Premiership winner odds $9.00

Win/loss prediction: 13W - 11L

Recommended season bet: No bet advised



Melbourne Storm - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 5th
Most punters and tipsters were tearing their hair out trying to pick the outcomes of Melbourne games. They spent their season with upsets going for and against them, and won on some of the closest margins in the season. While their defence was not as strong as in previous years, the Storm still showed what they were made of to hold out some of the best attacking teams of the season.

Billy Slater returns from shoulder surgery, breakout star Cameron Munster is likely to replace the departing Kurt Mann, and the backline will rotate to make space for new signing Cheyse Blair and the spot vacated by Matt Duffie.

If Bellamy can build the world class defence back up and find some consistency, it sets the stage for a strong finals appearance. Slater, Cronk and Smith only have a few years left in them and will be hungry for a premiership before they retire. Expect big things from the Storm this year.

Melbourne Storm 2016 Premiership winner odds $13.00

Win/loss prediction: 15W - 9L

Recommended season bet: Over 12.5 wins at odds of $1.87 with Sportsbet



Newcastle Knights - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 15th
The Knights found themselves holding the wooden spoon at the end of the 2015 season. They showed us all how important a good defence is by not having one. Who would remember that they were at the top of the ladder for the first 4 weeks, before only winning 4 more games for the remainder of the season?

The team will miss Kurt Gidley this year but the addition of Trent Hodkinson will go a long way to fill his shoes. They just don't have the new signings to fill the holes left by Beau Scott, Tyrone Roberts and Adam Clydesdale. This year does not hold great promise for the Knights. I'd be surprised to find them anywhere near a finals appearance.

Newcastle Knights 2016 Premiership winner odds $81.00

Win/loss prediction: 6W - 18L

Recommended season bet: Under 8.5 wins at odds of $1.80 with Sportsbet



New Zealand Warriors - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 6th
Another club ravaged by injury. The Warriors just didn't have the depth to cover handle it. The expectation on the young and inexperienced team was just too much to cover the injury ravaged season.

Nathan Friend is the only real loss for 2016 but big name signings of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Isaac Luke will be a huge boost for the team. Shaun Johnson will return from injury but his halves partner is still currently up in the air. With the 2015 injury horrors behind them, the Warriors have a good enough side to make the finals.

New Zealand Warriors 2016 Premiership winner odds $9.00

Win/loss prediction: 15W - 9L

Recommended season bet: Over 13.5 wins at odds of $1.87 with Sportsbet



North Queensland Cowboys - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 2nd
The Cowboys season set in them in good stead for the grand final win that we won't soon forget. It was a hard-won season filled with more second half comebacks and close calls that any team could bear thinking about.

The upside to the difficult season was a hardened team, ready for battle in the grand final. And what a battle it was, decided with a single point from Thurston's Golden Boot.

The Cowboys plan to show us in 2016 why "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". We'll see the reigning premiers field same team, up for the fight from round one to defend their title. They'll face some tough competition from other teams; the Broncos in particular will still be stinging from the grand final loss. If the Cowboys showed us one thing, they're up for the fight and will leave it all on the field.

North Queensland Cowboys 2016 Premiership winner odds $8.00

Win/loss prediction: 17W - 7L

Recommended season bet: Over 14.5 wins at odds of $1.92 with Sportsbet



Parramatta Eels - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 8th
The Eels had a frustrating 2015. The defence never found their rhythm and left a lot to be desired. Couple that with a troubled Chris Sandow that left mid season and an injury toll that began in the pre-season, even leading try scorer Semi-Radradra couldn't save their season.

The Eels seemed to play a solid first 40 minutes each week but let too many games go in the second half.

The talent influx of Keiran Foran, Clint Gutherson and Michael Gordon will boost the backline attack as Will Hopoate and Reece Robinson leave the club. Beau Scott will add even more strength to a forward pack anticipating the return of injured 2015 signing, Watmough. If they find some consistency on the road and play the full 80 minutes each week, expect a top 8 finish after years of just missing out.

North Queensland Cowboys 2016 Premiership winner odds $17.00

Win/loss prediction: 13W - 11L

Recommended season bet: Over 11.5 wins at odds of $1.87 with Sportsbet



Penrith Panthers - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 13th
You have to feel sorry for the Panthers. With the heaviest injury toll in the league, it's probably quicker to list the players that were injury free. There aren't many teams with enough depth to sustain heavy losses but Penrith's woeful error rate and inconsistency away from home only compounded the problem.

A mass exodus of players won't help their chances in 2016 with Apisai Koroisau, Lewis Brown, Sika Manu, Adam Docker, Nigel Plum, David Simmons, Jamal Idris all having played their last games at Penrith.

Signing Trent Merrin, Matt Moylan and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will add some talent back in but it just seems like they've got too much work to do in rebuilding the side to be able find a place in the finals this year.

Penrith 2016 Premiership winner odds $19.00

Win/loss prediction: 8W - 16L

Recommended season bet: Under 11.5 wins at odds of $1.80 with Sportsbet



South Sydney Rabbitohs - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 12th
The 2014 reigning premiers were a different side in 2015, with an outfit that lost key players like Sam Burgess. Even so, they started out like the side that finished 2014, dominating teams that would finish in the top 4 and spending some time at the top of the ladder.

As the season progressed, their form went south and they barely held on to a place in the finals.

Isaac Luke and Dylan Walker will be hugely missed this year. Sam Burgess will be welcomed back by the club and fans alike, but with Glenn Stewart and Chris McQueen moving on to make room for him, 2016 might be a transitional year before they become real contenders again. With other teams making stronger changes to their squads, I can’t see them in with a chance of a finals birth.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 2016 Premiership winner odds $13.00

Win/loss prediction: 9W - 15L

Recommended season bet: Under 13.5 wins at odds of $1.80 with Sportsbet



St George Illawarra Dragons - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 10th
A tale of two seasons; the Dragons spent most of the first half the season at the top of the table before they forgot how to win games in the run home. Just scraping through to the 8 before bowing out of the finals, the Dragons never found their early season form again.

Michael Cooper joins the club to replace the outgoing Trent Merrin. Most of the 2015 side remains intact but unless they can turn around their lacklustre performance in the second half of the season, making the top 8 seems unlikely.

St George Illawarra Dragon 2016 Premiership winner odds $34.00

Win/loss prediction: 11W - 13L

Recommended season bet: No bet advised



Sydney Roosters - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 4th
3 minor premierships in a row, one of them saw the team holding the cup in 2013. It's the sign of a consistently strong team. And in a close competition it was their points for and against that saw them edge out the Broncos for the minor premiership once again. The premiership could have been theirs again if they had not suffered key losses through injury to Waerea-Hargeaves and Mitchell Pearce in the finals.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves may not be fit for the start of the 2016 season. Losses will be filled by rotating the back-line with starting young up and comers Joe Burgess, Latrell Mitchell and Jackson Hastings. Tuivasa-Sheck and James Maloney are big losses to be filled by rotating the back-line and starting young up and comers Joe Burgess, Latrell Mitchell and Jackson Hastings.

The only thing keeping them from another premiership is 2 unchanged Queensland sides with a score to settle.

Sydney Roosters 2016 Premiership winner odds $8.50

Win/loss prediction: 16W - 8L

Recommended season bet: Over 14.5 wins at odds of $2.50 with Sportsbet



Wests Tigers - 2016 Ladder Prediction: 16th
The only thing that kept the Tigers away from the wooden spoon was a troubled Titans club. This year, that safety net is gone as the Titans rebuild.

Tensions between Jason Taylor and Robbie Farah simmered throughout the 2015 season and their on-field performance was a reflection of it, with only 6 wins all year. The biggest sign of the troubled club was a half empty stadium at the Leichhardt home game.

What else is there to say for 2016? If Farah and Taylor can't get along, the Tigers will struggle. If Taylor gets the boot mid-season, the Tigers will struggle. In the NRL, you never know how it will play out. But with off field dramas and the loss of key players; Pat Richards, Keith Galloway and Martin Taupau, it's not looking like a good year for the Tigers.

Dene Halatau will take over from Martin Taupau and Matt Ballin joins the club to fill gaps in the backline but it won't be enough this year. I’m picking the Tigers to take out the wooden spoon

Wests Tigers 2016 Premiership winner odds $101.00

Win/loss prediction: 6W - 18L

Recommended season bet: Under 8.5 wins at odds of $1.80 with Sportsbet



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