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The curtain has fallen on the National Rugby League regular season and before we roll out the red carpet for what looks to be an exciting finals series, let’s take stock of the season thus far.
There have been a number of highs and lows in season 2012, the following are my top five in various categories.
Over-Achievers
1. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
2. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
3. North Queensland Cowboys
4. Canberra Raiders
5. Manly Sea Eagles
Minor Premiership or not, there can be no arguing that the Bulldogs have had an impressive regular season. After a 2011 campaign that saw them finish in ninth place, Todd ‘the magician’ Greenberg managed to convince Des ‘insular peninsula’ Hasler to leave his beloved Sea Eagles after a premiership winning season.
Fast forward 26 rounds and the Bulldogs are flying higher than a mid-air tryst between Lisa Robertson and Ralph Fiennes.
At least there is one success story out of the Shire this year.
The sharks have performed extremely well, thanks in large to the man motivator Paul Gallen. A season over 26 rounds is not built on the efforts of one player but when Gallen was side-lined so too were the sharks. Honourable mentions go to Todd Carney, Jeremy Smith and the Tigers’ outcasts Bryce Gibbs and Andrew Fifita.
The Cowboys have impressed with a fit Johnathan Thurston and are always difficult to beat, especially when playing at Dairy Farmers.
Add a rejuvenated Matthew Bowen to the mix and James ‘NSW for life’ Tamou and you have the beginnings of a formidable side. What has been more impressive is the contributions from the second tier. Ashley Graham, Kane Linnett and Brent Tate have finished well and Gavin Cooper and Tariq Sims have been impressive.
The Raiders get a shout out because even a die-hard Canberra fan has to admit no one thought they would be playing footy in September. When Terry ‘Leimo’ Campese was ruled out for the season and Josh Dugan was moved to five-eighth, TAB Sportsbet started paying out on the Raiders to finish outside the eight.
Jarrod Croker, Reece Robinson, Josh McCrone and Shaun Fensom deserve the lion’s share of the credit.
The Sea Eagles have struggled with injuries and have hardly fielded their strongest team all season. With finals footy beckoning they have kicked into gear and, for mine, are the favourites.
When Glenn and Brett Stewart step on the field together it’s a lock. Unbelievably, the Sea Eagles have re-signed all their stars on long term deals, which has the Melbourne Storm asking for their accountant’s number.
Under-Achievers
1. Wests Tigers
2. New Zealand Warriors
3. St George-Illawarra Dragons
4. Brisbane Broncos
5. Newcastle Knights
Where are the Eels and the Roosters I hear you ask? How can the Broncos make the list? My assessment is based purely on how teams have performed in comparison to their rosters.
Eels supporters shouldn’t be surprised that their team finished with the wooden spoon. Ill disciplined, out of form and ridiculous recruitment comes to mind when summing up their season. Hopefully Ricky Stuart and 2013 brings better things for the men in blue and yellow.
The Tigers have been as hot and cold as a Finnish Sauna, which is a shame because finals football isn’t the same without them. Benji Marshall hasn’t been at his best, but the entire team has looked distracted. The Tigers, in true Kevin Rudd style, have announced an end of season review, but what will that tell them that they don’t already know. If you don’t play as a team you won’t win games.
The Warriors, with basically the same roster that made the grand final last year, have looked like the Warialda Wombats all season. The loss of Ivan Cleary can’t be underestimated but considering what he’s done at the Panthers, that can’t be the reason. Currently without a coach for 2013, perhaps Stephen ‘Lazarus’ Kearney might bring them back from the dead?
The Dragons have struggled for consistency since the departure of Sir Benny and haven’t bought any new cattle to suggest things will change. The Dragons’ attack this season has been as potent as your grandfather after 50 schooners. Steve Price deserves another season at the helm but there are some worrying signs at present for the Red V.
The Broncos have gone from contenders to pretenders in the second half of the season. The hole left by Darren Lockyer’s retirement is yet to be filled and they are losing some good quality players at the end of the season, highlighted by Ben Te’o. The Broncos’ season is effectively over, with a trip to Dairy Farmers a nightmare considering their current form.
The Knights this season have been as impressive as Nathan Tinkler’s foray into thoroughbred racing. The biggest surprise has been their form at home, which has been non-existent. The Wayne Bennett factor perhaps had people expecting too much from the Knights this season, but it was the way they lost some of their matches which was most concerning.
Tune in for part two, which will look at the 2012 regular season’s most under-rated and over-rated players.
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