Melbourne weren't far behind, also gaining three first-place selections (from Chris Barrett, Adrian Proszenko and Roy Ward) along with a second, third, fourth and fifth. The one remaining first-place prediction (Matt Bungard) went to the Sydney Roosters, with all seven writers picking them in the top four. Parramatta were also well liked, with six of seven picking them to make the finals, and three predicting them for the top four - only Roy Ward has them missing the finals. Brisbane were picked to make the finals unanimously, but only received two selections in the top four. Contenders: The Broncos were picked in the finals unanimously. Credit:AAP

2016 Premiers Cronulla were picked in the top four by James Buckley, in the top eight by four other writers and missing the finals in Phil Lutton and Roy Ward's picks. The middle of the pack Perhaps the most divisive team of all, Penrith were picked as high as third (Adam Pengilly) and as low as 13th (Roy Ward.) Polarising: Peter Wallace of the Panthers. Credit:AAP The St George-Illawarra Dragons narrowly missed out on last year's finals but the addition of Ben Hunt and James Graham was enough for five of our experts to pick them in the eight.

Manly were the least fancied of last year's top eight, with only Phil Lutton picking them to make the finals again. However, each of the other prediction hovereed just outside the top eight, from ninth to 11th. Canberra were picked inside the top eight by Matt Bungard and Roy Ward, with a couple of other picks just outside the finals places. Surprise packets: Several experts are backing Souths to bounce back in 2018. Credit:AAP South Sydney, somewhat surprisingly, are favoured to bounce back into the finals by the trio of Chris Barrett, Phil Lutton and James Buckley The long shots

None of our experts think that Newcastle will come last again, but only Roy Ward picked them to make the finals. The Canterbury Bulldogs were picked to scrape into eighth by Chris Barrett, with nobody else picking them higher than 10th. Unfancied: The Gold Coast Titans were not picked higher than 15th by anyone. The NZ Warriors were picked between 14th and 16th by six of our seven experts - with Roy Ward going completely against the grain and backing them for the top four. Only two teams were completely left out of the top eight by our panel of seven - the Wests Tigers were picked highest by James Buckley at 11th, and with one wooden spoon vote from Roy Ward.

Finally, the poor old Gold Coast Titans couldn't find a friend - being picked 15th by Chris Barrett and Roy Ward, and last by everybody else. What do you think? Vote on the graphic above, and let us know in the comments.