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Last week I wrote about some massive overreactions after just one round of the NRL.
While I’m not suggesting two games of football for each club is suddenly a statistically significant sample size of rugby league to over-anaylse, it is enough football to pose one burning question facing each NRL team.
In a two-part special, today we’ll start with the first eight teams – in alphabetical order – and finish with the final eight tomorrow.
Brisbane Broncos – Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
Ok, so technically that’s two questions, but you can blame Freddie Mercury for that.
What Broncos fans are dying to know is if their team is really as good as they’ve shown across the opening games of the 2014 season, or if the team’s early season form is all just a little bit of a tease.
Canberra Raiders – Are you sure you want to go, Milly?
Every time Anthony Milford does something amazing – which has been often so far this year – it leaves Raiders fans feeling like they’ve drunkenly hooked up with their attractive ex who dumped them.
Sure, it’s fleetingly awesome. Until you realise there’s still no future in the relationship, and any excitement you’re feeling should be eviscerated immediately.
Canterbury Bulldogs – Another forward? Really?
Andrew Fifita is a fine player, and established himself as an extremely damaging forward last year, particularly in his debut State of Origin series. Any club would love to sign him.
But did the Bulldogs really need another prop, especially one that came at an estimated $850k price tag?
It’s an especially pertinent question since ball players seem to be where the Dogs really need an upgrade, even allowing for last night’s impressive attacking display.
Cronulla Sharks – What else can go wrong?
It’s hasn’t been a happy start to the season for the Sharkies. A $1 million dollar fine for the supplements saga, the suspension of head coach Shane Flanagan, injuries to star players, the defection (and suspension) of boom prop Andrew Fifita, and two losses, including a 42-4 hammering by the Bulldogs last night.
Sheesh, did someone break a mirror in the Shire, while walking under a ladder, as a black cat crossed their path?
Gold Coast Titans – Is it sorry to say sorry?
Colleague Chris Chard wrote yesterday about Titans coach John Cartwright apologising for his team’s play, followed by the club’s CEO apologising for the oppressive heat in which the game was played in.
While I always appreciate honesty and people putting their hand up for a mistake, does either gesture really mean anything to Titans fans? Serious question for any Gold Coast supporters out there.
Manly Sea Eagles – Does Geoff Toovey have life insurance?
Every time the television cameras turned to the coaching box on Friday night, it appeared as though Geoff Toovey’s head was about to explode.
As red as a tomato, with veins popping like a steroid-munching wrestler’s biceps, ‘Tooves” face was the evidence of a man who rides every minute of his team’s roller coaster 80 minutes of football.
You could certainly never accuse the Manly coach of not caring, but I am starting to worry about his health.
Melbourne Storm – Is Cameron Smith’s contract extension dodgy?
There are reports that part of Cameron Smith’s deal to remain at the Storm includes a promise to take over from Craig Bellamy as coach of the Melbourne franchise.
On the surface that seems perfectly legitimate, and smart planning from both the Storm and Smith. However, is it a form of salary cap cheating?
Isn’t promising a player certain things after their playing career has finished a little bit dodgy? What if a team promised a player a cushy office job – say, on $500k a year for five years – after said player’s playing career was over.
Isn’t that cheating the cap?
Newcastle Knights – Is Nathan Tinkler in for the long haul?
There are disturbing reports out of Newcastle that Nathan Tinkler’s Hunter Sports Group – who own the Knights – are yet to pay a bank guarantee of $10.3 million. If the Group fails to have the guarantee in place by March 31st, the Knights members can take steps to assume control of the club.
The deadline is still some two weeks away, so there is no real need to panic just yet, but it’s not the first time we’ve heard of financial concerns involving Tinkler and the Knights.
And considering the club’s woes on the field, there are rightfully some nervous Novocastrians at present.
Check in tomorrow for the remaining eight team’s burning questions.