sportsbarNRL 2007 - A year in review - Looking towards the finals
September 2nd 2007 06:59
The year started with much uncertainty, there were many questions begging to be answered. It promised to be an interesting year, and as always there have been shocks, controversies and brilliant football to boot! Lets take a look back at the season and recap a bizarre year.
The Questions before the season
-How would the Titans fair in their 1st season, would Matty Rogers be a successful re-convert to league?
-Were the Rabbitohs truly reborn?
-Would Lote Tuquiri make a shock comeback?
-The coaching merry-go-round, how would Hagan and Smith fair at their opposite clubs?
-The Roosters controversial one-marker policy - revolutionary or bound for failure?
-Were the Rumours of Andrew Johns returning to State of Origin true?
and the big one for me...
-Could Melbourne recover from the perfect season gone wrong? 2006 was meant to be their year, but they chocked in the most important game of the season
So what has 2007 delivered? The first week was a precursor for things to follow with Sonny Bill Williams levelling Andrew Johns- Johns was stretched off the field in a neck-brace. Johns would later be involved in a freak accident at training, which saw the end of his playing career. There were immediate calls to have him put aside Gasnier, Beatson, Lewis, Fulton, Langlands and Churchill in the immortals.
The Johns retirement came as a shock, perhaps the greatest player to ever grace the field was gone forever, forced out by a serious neck-injury. However, the injury now seems very poignant given the injury crisis that has engulfed the league. Just ask the Broncos. It is said you need a little luck to win a premiership; the Broncos have had none. Lockyer, Tate, Hunt, Berrigan and Hodges, an awesome array of talent has spent lengthy stints on the sideline. It even prompted Phil Gould to claim that the 2006 premiers may be cursed.
So who else has been injured? Gasnier was supposedly out for the season, as to was Kidwell – injured playing with his kids. Benji Marshall has been in and out with that damn shoulder, Mullen and Minichello haven’t featured since the opening Origin. Meanwhile, the amount of games played by the elite players again came under question with Danny Buderus admitting to being ‘burnt-out’.
What are the other major issues that surfaced this year?
---Club loyalty ---
There was the controversial transfer window with players transferring mid-season causing much uproar amongst fans and the media. It was heralded as the end of loyalty, the anti-christ of football. Tribalism, the foundation of league was being threatened. How dare players whose careers are dwindling look for other employers. When Kimmorley resigned with the Sharks on a lessened contract the media rejoiced; “Finally some loyalty” was a headline in the Daily Telegraph.
Players defecting to rugby and the English super league has been a major issue in recent years, it has been no different this season. Tahu has signed with the Waratah’s, and there are numerous players leaving the NRL including superstars Michael Monaghan and Matt King.
---Video Ref – Obstruction---
This has probably been the biggest issue in season 2007. Some of the refereeing decisions have been a joke, leaving players, coaches, commentators and spectators alike totally bemused. The NRL has tried to rectify the rule, but a week out from the finals it is still rearing its’ ugly head.
---State of Origin---
Origin 1 was a remarkable game, one that Hayne will never forget. The hero at half-time for that dazzling try after the siren, turned into the villain when a brain-snap led to a rash pass which gifted the Maroons the win.
The series was one that on paper QLD should have dominated, but never did. With an embarrassing abundance of talent the Cane Toads won the series 2-1, with NSW playing well above their weight.
---The Success stories---
South Sydney! The Rabbitohs have captured the imagination of the sporting public and have made the finals for the first time in 18 years. 2007 will be forever remembered as the resurgence of the green and red army. The Bunny-Bandwagon is bulging and who could begrudge them of their finals berth? Jason Taylor has done a magnificent job and has restored faith and respect in the famous jersey.
The Titans must also get a mention; in their 1st season they have exceeded expectation, and could have easily made the 8 if things had gone their way. If we can judge success by crowd attendance, the Gold Coast are a massive hit. The three Queensland teams have attributed 25% of total crowds for the NRL this season. This is an astonishing statistic, one that prompted Wayne Bennett to claim that Queensland was now the real home of rugby league.
---Disappointments---
Penrith, a team on paper that looked like title contenders- on paper. How on earth the Panthers won the spoon, I’ll never know. The most inconsistent side in the premiership, Panther’s fans must be scratching their heads- what on earth happened?
Newcastle – the Knights were always going to struggle once Joey retired. It is what Novocastrians have feared for years, life after Johns. It is impossible to replace a player of his stature, his skill and his influence have been sorely missed. Add to this injuries to key players like Buderus and there should be no surprise that Knights were languishing on the bottom of the ladder.
Brian Smith has been besieged by the media, every man and his dog have put the boot in. Knights have been spread across back pages – a club in crisis. The fans have still turned up every week; it is a club in a transitional phase. Lets wait a few years to see where the knights are and what Brian Smith’s plan for the future is.
---Drugs---
The massive revelations from Andrew Johns and the recent fall-out will be talked about for years to come. It is a huge issue, and may have huge implications and ramifications.
---Finals time---
These are just some of the major issues that have occurred this year. We now know the top 8, and the finals start next week. It is the business end of the season and I guarantee there will be a few twists left in this extraordinary year.
-Melbourne have dominated all before them, but look far from sure bets. Will they avenge the demons of last year, or will they choke again?
-Manly, a team many believe are over-rated, have been in 2nd place all season, are they the real deal?
-The Cowboys turned it on against the Dogs last week before totally capitulating. Are they a two player team?
-The Warriors are the dark-horse, with home finals the boys from across the Tasman will have the other teams looking over their shoulders.
-Broncos have been ravaged by injuries, yet still made the 8. Without Lockyer it will be a tough ask for the defending Premiers
-The Bulldogs have everybody second guessing. This is the time of the season they are meant to revel in, however a dismal 1st half against the Cowboys was embarrassing to watch. They may get to redeem themselves next week.
-Rabbitohs – no matter what happens South’s have had a brilliant year. If they can manage to win their 1st final, Sydney will be painted red and green, the Bandwagon will take over the country.
-Paramattas have a decent side on paper and started the year strongly. Their recent form has been woeful, a losing streak leading into the finals will not give Eels fans confidence.
You have to love September, bring on the finals, bring on the footy!
The Questions before the season
-How would the Titans fair in their 1st season, would Matty Rogers be a successful re-convert to league?
-Were the Rabbitohs truly reborn?
-Would Lote Tuquiri make a shock comeback?
-The coaching merry-go-round, how would Hagan and Smith fair at their opposite clubs?
-Were the Rumours of Andrew Johns returning to State of Origin true?
and the big one for me...
-Could Melbourne recover from the perfect season gone wrong? 2006 was meant to be their year, but they chocked in the most important game of the season
The Johns retirement came as a shock, perhaps the greatest player to ever grace the field was gone forever, forced out by a serious neck-injury. However, the injury now seems very poignant given the injury crisis that has engulfed the league. Just ask the Broncos. It is said you need a little luck to win a premiership; the Broncos have had none. Lockyer, Tate, Hunt, Berrigan and Hodges, an awesome array of talent has spent lengthy stints on the sideline. It even prompted Phil Gould to claim that the 2006 premiers may be cursed.
So who else has been injured? Gasnier was supposedly out for the season, as to was Kidwell – injured playing with his kids. Benji Marshall has been in and out with that damn shoulder, Mullen and Minichello haven’t featured since the opening Origin. Meanwhile, the amount of games played by the elite players again came under question with Danny Buderus admitting to being ‘burnt-out’.
What are the other major issues that surfaced this year?
---Club loyalty ---
There was the controversial transfer window with players transferring mid-season causing much uproar amongst fans and the media. It was heralded as the end of loyalty, the anti-christ of football. Tribalism, the foundation of league was being threatened. How dare players whose careers are dwindling look for other employers. When Kimmorley resigned with the Sharks on a lessened contract the media rejoiced; “Finally some loyalty” was a headline in the Daily Telegraph.
Players defecting to rugby and the English super league has been a major issue in recent years, it has been no different this season. Tahu has signed with the Waratah’s, and there are numerous players leaving the NRL including superstars Michael Monaghan and Matt King.
---Video Ref – Obstruction---
This has probably been the biggest issue in season 2007. Some of the refereeing decisions have been a joke, leaving players, coaches, commentators and spectators alike totally bemused. The NRL has tried to rectify the rule, but a week out from the finals it is still rearing its’ ugly head.
Origin 1 was a remarkable game, one that Hayne will never forget. The hero at half-time for that dazzling try after the siren, turned into the villain when a brain-snap led to a rash pass which gifted the Maroons the win.
The series was one that on paper QLD should have dominated, but never did. With an embarrassing abundance of talent the Cane Toads won the series 2-1, with NSW playing well above their weight.
---The Success stories---
South Sydney! The Rabbitohs have captured the imagination of the sporting public and have made the finals for the first time in 18 years. 2007 will be forever remembered as the resurgence of the green and red army. The Bunny-Bandwagon is bulging and who could begrudge them of their finals berth? Jason Taylor has done a magnificent job and has restored faith and respect in the famous jersey.
The Titans must also get a mention; in their 1st season they have exceeded expectation, and could have easily made the 8 if things had gone their way. If we can judge success by crowd attendance, the Gold Coast are a massive hit. The three Queensland teams have attributed 25% of total crowds for the NRL this season. This is an astonishing statistic, one that prompted Wayne Bennett to claim that Queensland was now the real home of rugby league.
---Disappointments---
Penrith, a team on paper that looked like title contenders- on paper. How on earth the Panthers won the spoon, I’ll never know. The most inconsistent side in the premiership, Panther’s fans must be scratching their heads- what on earth happened?
Newcastle – the Knights were always going to struggle once Joey retired. It is what Novocastrians have feared for years, life after Johns. It is impossible to replace a player of his stature, his skill and his influence have been sorely missed. Add to this injuries to key players like Buderus and there should be no surprise that Knights were languishing on the bottom of the ladder.
Brian Smith has been besieged by the media, every man and his dog have put the boot in. Knights have been spread across back pages – a club in crisis. The fans have still turned up every week; it is a club in a transitional phase. Lets wait a few years to see where the knights are and what Brian Smith’s plan for the future is.
---Drugs---
The massive revelations from Andrew Johns and the recent fall-out will be talked about for years to come. It is a huge issue, and may have huge implications and ramifications.
---Finals time---
These are just some of the major issues that have occurred this year. We now know the top 8, and the finals start next week. It is the business end of the season and I guarantee there will be a few twists left in this extraordinary year.
-Melbourne have dominated all before them, but look far from sure bets. Will they avenge the demons of last year, or will they choke again?
-Manly, a team many believe are over-rated, have been in 2nd place all season, are they the real deal?
-The Cowboys turned it on against the Dogs last week before totally capitulating. Are they a two player team?
-The Warriors are the dark-horse, with home finals the boys from across the Tasman will have the other teams looking over their shoulders.
-Broncos have been ravaged by injuries, yet still made the 8. Without Lockyer it will be a tough ask for the defending Premiers
-The Bulldogs have everybody second guessing. This is the time of the season they are meant to revel in, however a dismal 1st half against the Cowboys was embarrassing to watch. They may get to redeem themselves next week.
-Rabbitohs – no matter what happens South’s have had a brilliant year. If they can manage to win their 1st final, Sydney will be painted red and green, the Bandwagon will take over the country.
-Paramattas have a decent side on paper and started the year strongly. Their recent form has been woeful, a losing streak leading into the finals will not give Eels fans confidence.
You have to love September, bring on the finals, bring on the footy!
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