Shane Flanagan reveals staggering top eight prediction for 2021
What do you think of this top 8 prediction by Flano??
Former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has deliver one of the more surprising top-eight predictions for the 2021 season, with last year’s wooden spooners Brisbane set to creep into finals qualification.
Despite a horrid campaign both on and off the field, Flanagan has tipped the men from Red Hill to vastly improve on their 2020 campaign with a return to finals under new coach Kevin Walters.
Flanagan also believes Manly will return to the top-eight this year, claiming a respectable sixth-placed finish thanks to the highly-anticipated return of Origin star Tom Trbojevic.
The Cronulla premiership coach has tipped Melbourne for the minor premiership, just ahead of fellow 2020 grand finalists Penrith, with the Roosters, Rabbitohs, Raiders and Sharks rounding out the remainder of the top-eight.
“I’m really comfortable with the top five, the top five is basically the same as last year,” Flanagan told Matt White on 1170 SEN.
“The Storm and the Panthers will definitely be up there, the Storm will definitely be up there, they will finish top four and the Panthers will be around their mark.
“The Roosters and Canberra will also be there, they round out my top four and the Bunnies round out my top five, I think you can say they’ll be pretty close to those four teams.
“I have a sneaking suspicion Manly are going to do something this year,” he added.
“Des (Hasler) has been really quiet and I know Tommy (Trbojevic) is coming back … they’re going to be hard to beat.
“And I think the Sharks and the Broncos will be fighting out for the seventh and eighth spots.”
Flanagan’s prediction suggests a shock drop for Parramatta, who finished third on the ladder last season, with Newcastle set to join them in missing the top half of the competition.
Shane Flanagan’s top eight for 2021:
1.Melbourne Storm
2.Penrith Panthers
3.Sydney Roosters
4.Canberra Raiders
5.South Sydney Rabbitohs
6.Manly Sea Eagles
7.Cronulla Sharks
8.Brisbane Broncos
:surprise:
https://www.zerotackle.com/shane-fla...21-nrl-100899/
