NRL journalist David Riccio has come up with his surprising top eight for the upcoming rugby league season.
The Daily Telegraph writer has only one of last year’s finalists missing the eight completely, but some of his position choices may shock you.
Riccio has South Sydney and Canberra at the top of the table in 2021.
“I’ve got the Raiders and the Rabbitohs meeting in the Grand Final,” he said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“They’re my top two, the Raiders on top and Rabbitohs second.”
Riccio expects the Storm and Eels to feature in the top four for a second consecutive year, but expects the Panthers and Roosters to drop out.
“The Melbourne Storm will be there, they’ll be in third and Parramatta in fourth,” he added.
“The Roosters and Panthers will be outside the four in fifth and sixth.”
Riccio surprisingly selected the Warriors to feature in finals despite the club being based away from home this season.
“The Knights will finish seventh, and everyone’s second favourite team in eighth, the New Zealand Warriors,” he added.
“I think the Warriors have bought really well and under the leadership of Nathan Brown, they can play finals.”
Check out Riccio’s top eight below.
1 Canberra Raiders (Premiers)
2 South Sydney Rabbitohs (Runners-up)
3 Melbourne Storm
4 Parramatta Eels
5 Sydney Roosters
6 Penrith Panthers
7 Newcastle Knights
8 New Zealand Warriors
Listen to the full chat below.
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