If Gaz does return to the Dragons as he more then likely will...?

No you're spot on there. The only team that could challenge is Melbourne with Slater, Inglis, Cronk and Finch but even then they aren't really a 'team', more of an illegal gathering. Brisbane go alright with Hoffman, Folau, Kemp, Hodges, Michaels, Winterstein, Wallace and Lockyer.

Penrith's backline is severely underrated and the Tigers actually have an alright backline as well.

But the Dragons back seven is definitely the best and it raises questions about how they fit under the salary cap.

Its a good backline but I wouldnt say the best. I guess the Storm at their overpaid best would be.

I do agree the Tigers with Moltzen and Marshall and Tuiaki are amazing - they are the reason we beat teams like we do. Unfortunately we are so below strength its not funny.

Boyd is an OK FB - not the best obviously. Soward has no defence - the more I see him play games and defend (or try) the more I realise that.

Plus Gaz and Coops dont have too many years left in them. But if as you say they are the best then you should expect nothing less than a Premiership this year.

Not even close, I rate all these backlines better

1. Norman

2. Yoh Yeh

3. Hodges

4. Folau

5. Kemp

6. Lockyer

7. Wallace

1. Hayne

2. Burt

3. Reddy

4. Tahu

5. Inu

6. Keating

7. Mortimer

1. Slater

2. Duffie

3. Chase Stanley

4. Inglis

5. Quinn

6. Finch

7. Cronk

1. Bowen

2. Williams (John

3. Graham

4. Tonga

5. Williams (Ty)

6. Thompson

7. Thurston

1. Campbell

2. Gordon

3. Tomane

4. Rogers

5. Mead

6. Bird

7. Prince

Wouldn't even rate that as the best centre pairing in the comp

Folau and Hodges quite a bit better

Edit:

After reading some of the answers below I agree.

I reckon dragons would struggle to make top 8 for backlines on paper. Only 1 outstanding player and 2 decent being Gasnier, Boyd and Cooper respectively. Other players just carried up by the team and bennet

I think if we get a good half partner for Mullen, Newcastle could challenge that backline. If we play our cards right, we may end up getting Kimmorley so just imagine.

1. Gidley

2. McManus

3. Sau

4. Uate

5. Vuna

6. Mullen

7. Kimmorley

Until Gasnier is in your lineup, I'd give the best backline to Parramatta. It was a toss up between them and the Bulldogs but when you look at...

1. Hayne

2. Burt

3. Reddy

4. Tahu

5. Grothe

6. Keating

7. Mortimer

... Not the strongest halves but 1-5 is probably the best all-round in the comp. No weak links.

Edit: Kenzillion, Newcastle are after every off-contract player lol everyday there's someone new on their recruit list. First it was Mason, then SBW, then Thurston, then Mateo, then Gasnier and all of them have fell through so I'm not holding my breath. The only players left I know of that the Knights are keen on is Luke O'Donnell, Brett Finch and whoever gets thrown out of the Storm so if we can't get any of those guys something is seriously wrong lol

Yes Mitch .. we have the best backline, but we have it now.

Who would you leave out for Sir Gaz? I don't want to see the backline disrupted for Gasnier, and I know I'm probably the only one, but you asked!!

Yep fair to say that.

Probably Parra.

1. Hayne

2. Burt

3. Reddy

4. Tahu

5. Inu/Grothe

6. Keating

7. Mortimer

And maybe Tigers when we are at strengh

1. Ryan

2. Tuiaki

3. Ayshford

4. Lawrence

5. Tuqiri

6. Marshall

7. Moltzen

1: not in the spirit of the question i guess but if Gasnier returns to the Dragons like an eagle out of the sun your team siprit is out of the window and you're flat out making the eight.

2 @knights 10: are the Knights a genuine chance of snaring Kimmorley?

yeh dragons are great 1-17 not just 1-7 buti really love the full strength eels line up 1-7 when its like this:

1. Hayne

2. Burt

3. Reddy

4. Tahu

5. Grothe

6. Keating/Mateo

7. Mortimer

I think that line up is right up there too

I'll take your word for it & hope they are good enough to keep the Mexicans (Storm) in their place.