'Hope I'm wrong': Why Gal is tipping Qld teams for finals

Paul Gallen hopes he is wrong, but the man considered public enemy No.1 in Queensland during his decade long Origin career is reluctantly tipping all four Queensland teams to make the NRL finals.

Gallen, who played 24 Origins for NSW and led the Sharks to an historic premiership in 2016, made the bold prediction at the NRL season launch in Sydney on Monday.

He also expects the Broncos to not only return to the play-offs, but finish in the top four under new coach Michael Maguire.

“I don’t make a habit of wrapping Queenslanders, but I genuinely think we could see all four Queensland teams make the semis,” said Gallen, who now works for Channel 9.

“I think at least three of the four will make it and which one misses out I am not too sure.

“I hope I am wrong but, definitely, I do see a lot more Queensland teams in the finals this year.  You have got to give credit where it is due, they have good rosters and they have built well.”

After making the grand final in 2023, the Broncos slumped to 12th place last year, while the Dolphins fell just short of an historic top eight berth and the Titans were 14th, with the Cowboys being the only Queensland club in the play-offs.

However, Gallen is predicting a huge turnaround in fortunes for the south-east Queensland clubs following the appointment of Maguire at the Broncos after overseeing an Origin series win with NSW last year and the recruitment by the Dolphins and Titans.

“I think Brisbane will definitely make the top eight and I have them in the top four,” he said.

“The talent in that Brisbane side is unquestionable and I think the coach up there will give them the … get your head out of your you know what, and I think they will. If they can stay injury free, I think they can make the top four.

“I think the Titans will make the eight on the back of their forward pack and they have got some really good outside backs.

“I think the Dolphins have some absolute superstars in their side also. Herbie Farnworth for me is probably one of the top centres in the game, they obviously have a great fullback [Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow] and some quality forwards as well.

“If they find a bit of consistency, I think they will definitely push towards the top eight.

“The Cowboys are a quality side too, so if all four of those teams can put it together, I can see all four making the finals.”

Fellow Blues great Greg Alexander, who was an advisor to former NSW coach Brad Fittler and one of the stars of Penrith's 1991 premiership winning team, also tipped the Broncos to return to the finals this year.

Alexander, who is a member of the Fox Sports commentary team, was also positive about the finals prospects of Parramatta, under Jason Ryles, and South Sydney, with Wayne Bennett returning to the club.

"It's hard to imagine the Broncos, the Bunnies and the Eels all missed finals last year so they will improve," Alexander said.

"All three have got new coaches so I'm thinking they make the finals, and the Tigers will be much better. Where that leads them I don't know but they will be much better than they were last year."