Ladder predictions 17/18

**DJ Rod** · 02-10-2017, 10:59 PM

Ladder predictions time

Here's mine:

Melbourne
Perth
Illawarra
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
New Zealand
Cairns

Melbourne just have too much scoring and big game experience
Perth - I actually think this could also be the year they miss out on the playoffs BUT their roster is solid AND they have that home court advantage!
Illawarra are just a team that will grind out wins, really well coached and will play uptempo to dare teams to try to run and gun with them
Adelaide will start slow but come home and get Brisbane on a count back i reckon.
Just missing one piece i think. Will be really close tho
Sydney will get another import 1/3 of the way through the year. I dont think they have enough talent at the 4 spot.
New Zealand have a really good team... for 2015. Dont think they will be as potent this year.
Cairns already cant take a break, are struggling to keep up with the salaries of the big teams and i think they could be exposed this year. No favours in the fixture either.

**2sc945** · 03-10-2017, 01:22 AM

Melbourne
Perth
New Zealand
Cairns

Adelaide
Brisbane
Illawarra
Sydney

**Ingles13** · 03-10-2017, 02:00 AM

Illawarra
Melbourne
Adelaide
Perth

Sydney
NZ
Brisbane
Cairns

**GordonG** · 03-10-2017, 12:38 PM

Can I give my predictions in late January?

Nice to see Cairns being written off everywhere - as usual. Except by the bookies.

I'll go:

Melbourne (if they finish anywhere other than first, they've failed. The coach is going to be the difference)
Perth (because Perth)
Brisbane (again coach)
Cairns (sheer bloody-mindedness on the part of the playing group)

Illawarra (why not?)
Adelaide (brain fades?)
Sydney (again coach)
New Zealand (age...)

But who knows, it could be totally inverted and no-one would be surprised

G

**miracle.touch** · 03-10-2017, 05:07 PM

Melbourne
Perth
Illawarra
Cairns

Sydney
Adelaide
New Zealand
Brisbane

**Stumps** · 03-10-2017, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by DJ Rod

Cairns already cant take a break, are struggling to keep up with the salaries of the big teams and i think they could be exposed this year. No favours in the fixture either.

Don't worry, those equalisation payments from last season will hit their bank account any day now. Yep, just waiting for the transfer to clear ...

**DJ Rod** · 04-10-2017, 04:41 PM

I've changed my ladder picks since doing my podcast - on The Long and Short of it - NBL Season preview

Melbourne
Perth
Illawarra
Adelaide

Sydney
Brisbane
Cairns
New Zealand

I cant see NZ winning many games, Sydney still have an import to use so they will be better than their current roster and Cairns and Bris are already struggling with injuries.

**de_beers** · 04-10-2017, 08:19 PM

Might as well have a stab

Melbourne
Perth
Adelaide
Sydney

Illawarra
Cairns
Brisbane
New Zealand

The only teams I don't think that'll make the Final 4 are NZ and Brisbane. As has been mentioned previously Cairns and Illawarra always seem to get written off yet consistently perform, even though I've placed them missing the fianls wouldn't be at all surprised with them making it

**Plastic Wiezels** · 06-10-2017, 06:06 PM

Perth
Illawarra
Melbourne
Adelaide

Sydney
Cairns
New Zealand
Brisbane

**Wild 1** · 10-10-2017, 01:42 PM

*After round 1

Melbourne
Perth
Illawarra
Adelaide
---------------
New Zealand
Cairns
Sydney
Brisbane

**DJ Rod** · 11-10-2017, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Wild 1

*After round 1

Melbourne
Perth
Illawarra
Adelaide
---------------
New Zealand
Cairns
Sydney
Brisbane

I assume Cairns in 6th would be a consequence of the 2 injuries atm?

**Wild 1** · 11-10-2017, 11:05 PM

No, I just really want to under-estimate them again and have it come true for once haha

My top 4 has always been my top 4. Main issue was ranking the bottom 4. Impossible, and really just got tired so went with NZ and Cairns to fill next 2, then Sydney and Bris the bottom 2. Then the order between each pair was doing my head in...Thought NZ may get another import so that's why I went with them at 5.