It’s the end of January and test match cricket is done for another season. The colour and energy of the shorter forms are about to begin. But aren’t we really just killing time until the footy is back? You can feel it. You can taste it. NRL 2012 is almost here.
Don’t get me wrong. Watching the Australian cricket side rip the smug Indians limb from limb for a month has been fantastic. The golden days of Aussie cricket aren’t back just yet, but they are on their way.
But almost robotically, as we watch the cricket wind down, we start to check the calendar. We start to check our favourite teams websites for news. The topic of conversation at the pub is changing. The thirst is returning.
Just as quickly as Peter Siddle can bellow “howzat”, rugby league is back baby.
The sweet sound of metal studs on concrete came marching through Redfern Oval on the weekend as the South Sydney Rabbitohs faced the Warrington Wolves. Sure it was a trial match and yes the Rabbitohs picked an inexperienced side. But how good is it to see some action again!
This weekend will see the third annual All Stars clash on the Gold Coast with the biggest names in the game facing off. The NRL All Stars are gunning for back-to-back victories while an impressive looking Indigenous All Stars side want their title back.
This event has become one of the highlights of the NRL season and will not disappoint on Saturday night.
We will also see the majority of other sides go around for the first time this season.
The defending premiers Manly Sea Eagles travel to Toyota Park to battle the rejuvenated Cronulla Sharks. The Eagles will play most of their superstars and Todd Carney will appear for the first time in a Sharks strip.
The Sea Eagles will be hoping to ramp up the momentum heading into the World Club Challenge in England in a few weeks.
Gold Coast Titans travel to Auckland to face the Warriors who return for their first game in New Zealand since appearing in the 2011 Grand Final.
Canterbury Bulldogs head down the Princes Highway for a clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium. This will be Steve Price’s first game in charge of the Dragons as head coach since Wayne Bennett left for Newcastle.
Redcliffe will host a Queensland derby between the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys. The Broncos play their first game post-Lockyer while the Cowboys will be without Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Robert Lui and Aaron Payne.
The Knights, Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers will all play representative squads or Queensland Cup teams respectively.
Its summer time and cricket is king. But the whispers of winter are coming.
The hot dogs, the Moore Park traffic jams, the beers, Leichhardt Oval, high tackles, Suncorp Stadium, Brad Fittler’s commentary, State of Origin, Billy Slater, tipping competitions, Paul Gallen, sausage rolls, the Continuous Call team, waking up Saturday morning to take your kids to footy and off course the soothing sound of Ray Warren.
It is back!
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January 31st 2012 @ 10:58am
db swannie said | January 31st 2012 @ 10:58am | Report comment
I hear ya brother..Cant wait for RD 2 at Suncorp.Go cows.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:04am
King of the Gorgonites said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Wheres crosscoder?
January 31st 2012 @ 11:24am
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:24am | Report comment
???
January 31st 2012 @ 11:07am
Go warriors said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:07am | Report comment
Best article of the roar for a long time. I am glad I am not the only hanging out until the footy season starts. Very excited and optimistic about my beloved warriors. New coach, new season hopefully we can go one better this year.
Go the warriors.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:25am
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:25am | Report comment
The Warriors should make the top 4. No excuses.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:33am
Go warriors said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Curtis who is your prediction for the top 8.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:35am
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:35am | Report comment
8 BULLDOGS
7 COWBOYS
6 KNIGHTS
5 TIGERS
4 SEA EAGLES
3 STORM
2 WARRIORS
1 BRONCOS
January 31st 2012 @ 12:54pm
Will Sinclair said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
The Broncos have lost their most influential player of the past 10 years and you’re tipping them to improve?
January 31st 2012 @ 1:22pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
Why not ?
January 31st 2012 @ 1:38pm
Will Sinclair said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Because they’ve lost their most influential player…
I agree the Broncos have a heap of great young talent, but won’t they miss the cool, experienced Lockyer guiding them around the park, and screaming for the ball when the pressure is turned right up and other blokes are looking for a hole to hide in?
January 31st 2012 @ 1:43pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
The Broncos will have altered their attacking style in the off season. Josh Hoffman will go to another level this year too.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:43pm
Will Sinclair said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
By the way Curtis – don’t want you to think I’m taking pot shots at you!
Enjoyed the piece and, like you, I am pumped for the season to start!
January 31st 2012 @ 1:44pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
All good mate. Nothing wrong with conversation.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:43am
Mark Young said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Good article Curtis!
I wrote a few weeks back, we are in for some great times for Rugby League.
It is such a good time of the year because everyone reckons they could be in with a shot, even Sharks fans are really positive what with Todd, one for the road, Carney on board.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:47am
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:47am | Report comment
I actually originally had the Sharks in my 8
February 1st 2012 @ 4:28am
AndyMack said | February 1st 2012 @ 4:28am | Report comment
From a long suffering Sharks fan….. thats optimistic!!!!
January 31st 2012 @ 11:50am
Go warriors said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:50am | Report comment
No Dragons in the top 8 there Courtis. Big call. Well said Mark, I think even Parra could be a surprise this year with Sandow in the side.
January 31st 2012 @ 11:58am
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 11:58am | Report comment
16 PANTHERS
15 RABBITOHS
14 ROOSTERS
13 TITANS
12 EELS
11 DRAGONS
10 RAIDERS
9 SHARKS
I just don’t know if the Dragons can back it up again mentally. Time will tell.
January 31st 2012 @ 12:00pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
Remember, the gap between 9 and 16 will be tiny
January 31st 2012 @ 12:04pm
Gaz said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
Bronco’s yougsters are a year older.
We’ve been waiting patiently…….
January 31st 2012 @ 12:05pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
Yep they are scary good
January 31st 2012 @ 12:34pm
Nathan of Perth said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
And still no Western Reds, grr!
January 31st 2012 @ 12:47pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
It really is a disgrace. They’ll be back though. Thank god.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:38pm
Nathan of Perth said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Talk of 2015 is just a real headscratcher. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want to at least formalise the selection and process now before the negotiations. You can’t go to the table and say “we have interested bids” and expect it to carry as much weight as “we have an expansion in progress”.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:45pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
Agree 100%
January 31st 2012 @ 2:11pm
Nathan of Perth said | January 31st 2012 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
Unless they’re planning to include rights to select the winning bid(s) as part of the rights on offer…
January 31st 2012 @ 1:46pm
Jaceman said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
Negotiating tactic between Stokes (7 and West Australian) and the NRL..
January 31st 2012 @ 1:51pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
I’d love to see 7 with the rights
February 1st 2012 @ 5:38pm
Jaceman said | February 1st 2012 @ 5:38pm | Report comment
They would only be interested in SOO
January 31st 2012 @ 12:50pm
Will Sinclair said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
“This event has become one of the highlights of the NRL season and will not disappoint on Saturday night.”
Can’t agree with this Curtis, my man…
I reckon it’s a waste of time, and if either of Benji or Blair get injured I’ll be… well, less than happy.
Unfortunately it’s only a matter of time until a club loses a key player in this Mickey Mouse event, and when they do the airwaves will go into absolute meltdown. As they should.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:23pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Kurt Gidley got hammered by Cory Patterson and missed the start of the season. I don’t recall there being an uproar in Newcastle.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:36pm
Will Sinclair said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
Yeah, I remember that now you mention it.
If Benji Marshall or Jonathon Thurston gets a bad injury on Saturday night, get ready for a massive uproar.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:40pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
And if they don’t play All Stars .. they play a trial instead and still run the risk of being injured. Injury comes with footy. But footy players need time on the field. I think the players themselves want to play in the game. You can’t stop injuries.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:50pm
Will Sinclair said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
Yeah, injuries are obviously part of the game.
But Benji getting injured playing for the Tigers is very different to Benji getting injured playing in some money spinning, meaningless, NRL marketing exercise.
I won’t be watching the game – I’d be too stressed about the great man getting up every time he is tackled!
January 31st 2012 @ 1:52pm
CurtisW1908 said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
haha its like that every week in the NRL anyway isn’t it ?
February 1st 2012 @ 4:33am
AndyMack said | February 1st 2012 @ 4:33am | Report comment
Josh Fraser (Collingwood Ruckman) was injured a few years back in that AFL All-Stars match. Ruined his year, and pretty much his career after that, but the uproar wasn’t that bad, as I think the fans liked the concept of the all-star game. Similar to the NRL i guess.
February 1st 2012 @ 9:49am
Ian Whitchurch said | February 1st 2012 @ 9:49am | Report comment
If you’re going to do rep football, bring in Broken Time for clubs, offering cap concessions if their players get hurt furthering the interests of the code as a whole.
January 31st 2012 @ 12:58pm
League fan said | January 31st 2012 @ 12:58pm | Report comment
Will I wouldnt call it a complete waste of time. I am sure the game has a lot of meaning for the indigneous people. It is also a good trial for any rule changes.
What I would like to see is instead of playing against an NRL all stars is they should play against a Pacific all stars team. This way the game would have a lot more meaning as both teams would have a lot to play for as they would be representing their people.
January 31st 2012 @ 1:10pm
Pieboy said | January 31st 2012 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
League fan i totally agree. Pacific Islanders v Indigenous match would hold meaning to both sides unlike in its current form. Lets hope that the powers that be agree.