(u"On the run in last year's finals: Bulldogs forward Greg Eastwood is set for a big season. Picture: Quentin Jones",)
CANTERBURY Bulldogs have the team, the right coach and the mental and physical mettle to go one step better and I believe win the 2013 NRL grand final.
Under coach Des Hasler the Bulldogs exceeded many expectations and made the premiership decider last year, downed 14-4 by Melbourne.
Hasler, who is more thorough than a surgeon, did wonders with the Dogs in his first year as a coach.
The squad now having had a year of his meticulous coaching can only be a better team in 2013.
And Greg Eastwood is the man I believe will be crucial to Canterbury's 2013 premiership aspirations.
While new buy and Australian second rower Tony Williams has stiffened up an already formidable looking forward pack under Hasler this season, I believe Greg Eastwood at lock is arguably the most crucial component in this finely tuned forward engine.
The Kiwi international is having his second stint with the Bulldogs.
Eastwood joined the Dogs from the Broncos in 2009 and then went to play in the British Super League with Leeds.
But in 2011 he returned from England to join the Dogs. Two major hand injuries which required multiple surgeries dulled his 2011 season.
But the deceptively fast backrower was back to his best last season, injury free.
Eastwood is somewhat of a "throwback" to a bygone era. He doesn't have the classic physique of Sonny Bill Williams.
But he is strong, quick, very light on his feet for a big man, weighing 105 kilograms, tough and has a great skill that most back rowers don't have in the modern era, smart ball play and soft hands.
Eastwood has played in two grand finals one with the Broncos when they won the title in 2006 and with the Dogs last season, finishing runners-up.
He has also played nine Tests for the Kiwis and always shown his class and ability against the Kangaroos and England at international level. At age 25 he is nearing the best years of his footy career.
The Bulldogs pack has plenty plenty of bite and size. Have a look at their talent, Tony Williams, Josh Jackson, Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, British hardman, prop James Graham and Aiden Tolman and skipper Michael Ennis.
However, Graham is out of action for nine NRL matches serving a suspension for being found guilty of biting the ear of Melbourne Storm fullback, Billy Slater, in last year's grand final.
The Dogs also are well served out wide with goalkicking centre, Krisnan Inu, the elusive and lightning fast speed and skills of fullback Ben Barba and NSW and Australian centre Josh Morris. Throw in the relentless five-eighth Josh Reynolds and it's a backline to be reckoned with.
They are the team to beat.
Prediction: 1st.