Johns: Eels and Sandow the real deal

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THE NRL are pleased. For the first time in a number of seasons some of Sydney's most important heartland teams are firing, or at the very least, showing enough improvement to suggest finals football is a real possibility.

The season is starting to take shape and true form is being established, so let's run the rule over the Sydney sides and rate their prospects.

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THE BULLDOGS

Have simplified their style and returned to a more direct, aggressive brand of football. Last year there was far too much passing for passing's sake amongst the forwards and they were frighteningly short on punch.

Are they capable of winning this competition?

If Sam Kasiano comes back into the team and gets back to 2012 form, it will provide a huge boost, however the Dogs appear one playmaker short and although I can see a top 4 finish, I believe they lack the attacking potency to win the whole thing.

Luke Brooks has six weeks to prove he can full in for Robbie Farah. Source: Getty Images

WEST TIGERS

After their 2005 Premiership win, the Tigers, year by year, moved further away from the basic fundamentals required to win big games.

When Mick Potter was bought in he recognised this but inherited a side that was either unable to change or refused to.

With Benji Marshall as the focal point of their attack, the Tigers were predictably sideways.

Marshall's move to rugby has forced change. The Tigers have rediscovered direct, aggressive football and power running.

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As a result Robbie Farah has been in career-best form and Luke Brooks, on the back of forward momentum, has the time and space to show he's a champion of the not-too-distant future.

What next?

The six-week injury to Robbie Farah is a huge test. But if the Tigers' forwards continue to rip, tear and dominate, this period could be the making of Luke Brooks.

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MANLY

Gonna take a lot of stopping again. Paul Gallen rates them as the toughest team in the competition, and that toughness, combined with the class they have in crucial positions has kept them as a premiership contender since 2007.

Have the best halves in the competition, which carries any side a long way.

What could go wrong?

The Stewart brothers' contract negotiations has the potential to be an issue that could derail their season. I'm told Glenn has his head around the probability of being elsewhere next year, but Brett is seriously hurting and has made it clear, if Glenn goes, he will follow.

Chris Sandow's return to form has been one this season's great sights. Source: News Corp Australia

PARRAMATTA

Brad Arthur has only taken six weeks to prove he is a very, very good head coach. Parramatta's Round 2 hammering at the hands of the Roosters could've spelled disaster for a team desperate for confidence.

Instead it's acted as a positive turning point. Since that loss the Eels have been fantastic. Their defence is well organised and gritty and their attack a breath of fresh air in a competition where too many teams try to attack the same way.

The resurrection of Parramatta and Chris Sandow is one of the major stories of 2014 so far.

Can they make the Finals?

Did you see them beat the Roosters last week? Of course they can. How they fare with injuries and the loss of Hayne during Origin will be telling.

South Sydney are looking forward to Luke Keary's return. Source: News Limited

SOUTH SYDNEY

Have had a bumpy start to the year but recent signs are good.

There have been rumours of in-house fighting and a bit of player division. Do I think there's any truth to those rumours?

There's some truth in there somewhere. Even in the most successful sides personality battles often take place. The crucial thing is that these issues can be resolved and watching Souths play over the last two weeks tells me, these issues are behind them.

Have Souths got what it takes to win the comp?

I picked them to win the comp before Round 1 and I'm even more confident now.

The extra speed in the rucks caught them by surprise in the early rounds, but recently they've played a more direct, momentum-based game rather than the structure, which made them look slow and laborious. Luke Keary returns in the back half of the year and expect big things.

Gareth Widdop has proven a great acquisition for the Dragons. Source: Getty Images

DRAGONS

One of the competitions most improved sides, who deserve a better ladder position than ninth. Last Monday night must've been devastating for all involved. Rarely has a side been so dudded, a complete embarrassment for the NRL.

But even the Dragons will admit, it's a game they should've won regardless. Their nervousness in the closing stages, in trying to protect their lead, shows a side yet to fully rediscover that real confidence, after several disappointing years.

How far can they go?

They are certainly capable of sneaking into the eight, they do a lot of things very well. They are however, a quality playmaker short. Gareth Whiddop has made a huge difference and Glenn Stewart, with his skill, toughness and winning nature, would be an ideal signing for next season.

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PENRITH

A very tough squad. Like the Titans, they've developed a style that makes them difficult to play and that's going to carry them a long way.

Ivan Cleary has recruited a squad which is a nice blend of experience and youthful confidence.

How far can they go?

I'll be very surprised if they miss the top eight. Last weeks loss to Souths could be a positive catalyst, given that it's a match that showed them some areas they need to address. Their attack under pressure was too sideways and giving away crucial penalties against the top teams gets punished.

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ROOSTERS

Like Souths, have been caught off-guard by how the speeding up of the rucks has meant bigger side; unless they adjust, they will be disadvantaged.

Last year they were the most penalised side in the comp, but they still managed to come out on top. This year the penalties are catching up with them and they need to really address this area.

Alarm Bells?

Not yet. There's too much class in this squad for them not to come good — however they are finding out how difficult the Premiers tag is. Regardless of where they sit on the ladder throughout this season, they will face an opposition primed and well prepared to take them down.

The Sharks season appears to be going from bad to worse. Source: Getty Images

CRONULLA

Find themselves in an awful position. A club ravaged by injury, down in confidence and looking as though the ASADA saga has finally taken its toll.

Best result

One way or another the Cronulla Sharks deserve to be told the ASADA findings, then at least they can move forward and get on with the job of playing football. They are playing poorly but it's hard to be critical of the players; it must be nigh impossible to get up for games.

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