What a useless summer of sport we just witnessed. The cricket was more boring than a christening, the tennis wasn’t what it used to be and soccer is, well, soccer.
To be fair, there were some highlights over summer, but you can feel the days getting shorter and the temperature slightly dropping, and this means only one thing…
*Rock voice* – “Finally… the footy is coming back to your lives!”
A new season brings hopeful predictions, increased banter in the workplace and a whole heap of unknowns. In what is sure to be another crazy season of rugby league in Australia, I’ll begin with the ‘jewel in the crown’, State of Origin.
At the conclusion of last year’s decider, as I departed the slowly-emptying ANZ Stadium, I turned to my mate and said (in a voice which sounded like that of 40-year chain smoker), “Make sure you remember this, take a look around, don’t forget this feeling.
“Smug Queenslanders chanting their catch-cry from the other end of the field, the distance between us and them somewhat resembling how far away the last Blues win was.”
For the love of god, please win Blues, end the rort.
And if you don’t, sack Laurie Daley and bring back the only bloke who could save our state from a decade of torment, the messiah of NSW Origin, Phil ‘Gus’ Gould.
Now for the clubs, Firstly, the Roosters.
Their brand all of a sudden feels like the strongest and coolest in the comp. Look at their logo – go ahead – it’s bold and bright. But will their rookie coach be able to win two titles in two seasons?
If there is one thing they have, its depth. How are they under the cap?
My favourite part of the 2013 season was seeing Sam Burgess steam-roll Sonny-Bill Williams in Round 1, what a moment!
Of course, by winning the premiership this year, Burgess might truly become a great before departing for rugby union.
Roosters, Souths, Thursday night… Ohh, sometimes, I get a good feeling!
Although the title of ‘grudge match of the year’ belongs to Round 22, Sunday 6:30 pm, when the Eels play the Raiders at TIO Stadium, in Darwin.
Who the hell scheduled that one?
Parramatta are in their best position in 12 months – that is, without Ricky Stuart.
No matter his reasons for going to Canberra, Stuart, who is a self-proclaimed ‘players’ coach’, let everyone associated at Parramatta down by walking out.
Or did he do them the ultimate favour, saving them from two more years under Ricky Stuart?
The team I most want to see play this year, are the Warriors. You would have seen Sam Tomkins in the nines, but seriously find some vision of the bloke from Super League – can get across the line.
He reminds me of Josh Dugan when he first came into the NRL, with his slightly-lanky, agile running and ability to get through a gap.
Shaun Johnson-Tomkins combo please, with a side of kiss-blowing Konrad Hurrell and the Manu ‘The Beast’ Vatuvei.
The Storm, the Dogs, the Eagles. All roll with passionate leaders and their authoritative management styles.
Will the Storm’s veterans continue to dominate, or will one of them fall to a season-ending injury which never seems to have happened.
What will Des Hasler bring to the NRL buffet without Ben Barba? Surely to fly ‘under-the-radar’ but carry the siege mentality.
Who blew more gaskets last year – The V8 supercars or Geoff Toovey? Manly fell short at the last hurrah in October but with Tony Abbot as their number one ticket holder, SPC beans might not be the only organisation the PM ensures stays at the top.
I predict one of these authoritarian-led armies to miss the eight. By injury, luck or form, one of the giants will fall.
As for the Queensland trio, where to start…
Will the Cowboys fire under a new coach? The fresh and exciting roll out of youngsters was an appetiser that left me searching for the main. If they can put it together with the mix of experience and youth, look out.
Anthony Griffin’s made more changes at the Broncos than the missus does outfits before a Saturday night out. His decision to axe Sam Thaiday as captain is ballsy. Justin Hodges won’t be back for a while, so Corey Parker is going to have to prove his worth alone.
The Titans seemed to have a solid, but on/off year last season, and unless they’ve made significant improvement over the off-season, they may have some déjà-vu.
Dragons equal goneskies. Steve Price should be using his spare time to see if Mt Ousley or Bulli Pass is a quicker exit out of ‘the Gong’. Dugan does everything for them, someone else have a crack.
The Tigers will be the most-quoted team to be having a ‘re-building year’ this season. Hopefully coach Mick Potter holds Board-Voldemort at bay and casts up some wins from his book of spells e.g. Luke Brooks, Tim Simona, Curtis Sironen and co.
The Sharkies were lucky, beating the Cowboys in the finals last year and could have beat Manly, but without their figurehead of Shane Flannagan, they might struggle this year.
The Knights and Panthers play each other in Round 1 and both have had interesting summers.
Oldcastle (sorry) have lost legend Danny Buderus and criminal Russel Packer. Wayne Bennet appears to be trying to buy a premiership with experience rather than digging in and developing talent.
The Panthers couldn’t be more different, citing a five-year plan to develop their title-winning youth. Will Jamie Soward find the confidence that brought him a premiership ring, or have a holiday with the Windsor Wolves.
Thank the lord, religion is back on folks, the religion of rugby league. Clear your schedules, fill your fridge, sign-up to your tipping comps, run your errands.
Thursday night your year begins. 26 beautifully packed weekends, three Wednesdays each with more hype than the turn of a century and a finals series sprinkled on top where if your team makes the eight, anything truly is possible.
Enjoy!
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