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Thursday, March 3, 2016. I turned 27 years old and the NRL decided to give me a gift by scheduling the season opener – one of my favourite days of the year – on my birthday.
At that point of the season, the slate is clean. Anything can happen and we allow ourselves to believe that our team can take out the title.
Now, for eight teams it’s time to start saying “there’s always next year”, but for the other eight the dream remains alive.
As I look back over season 2016, the word ‘dramatic’ comes to mind – both on and off the field.
So here are my ten biggest moments from season 2016.
1. Parramatta Eels salary cap breaches
Certainly not one of my favourite moments but definitely the biggest. The Eels gave their fans reason to hope with big early wins over the Cowboys, Bulldogs, Raiders and Sea Eagles, but then it all came crashing down with the announcement of significant salary cap breaches in five of the last six seasons.
With $1-million fine, the de-registration of five board members, the stripping of the 2016 Auckland Nines title, and the loss of 12 competition points, Parra were relegated toward the bottom of the ladder, where they stayed.
2. Teddy makes his Origin debut
For Blues fans, it was another disappointing State of Origin series. Queensland towelled us up (again), but it wasn’t all bad news, with several debutants finally getting the call-up for NSW, including Tyson Frizell, Jack Bird and Adam Reynolds.
The most exciting by far though was James Tedesco, who finally got his opportunity in Game 3. That night, a future Origin star was born.
3. Canberra Raiders’ winning streak
“We’re the bad and mean Green Machine, fearsome men from the ACT”. When did everyone learn the words to this song?
The Raiders are one of the fairytales of the 2016 season, and head into the finals having recorded 11 wins in a row.
With firepower all over the field – including Jarrod Croker, BJ Leilua (that pass on Sunday afternoon to Rapana was magic), Josh Hodgson and Jordan Rapana – you would be a fool to write off Ricky Stuart’s Raiders to win the title. You had better hop on the bandwagon, seats are filling up quickly! (Click to Tweet)
4. Some doggy to love
Credit to Denis Carnahan for the title. It had been a very quiet offseason until Mitchell Pearce decided it would be fun to drink too much and bounce a pooch on his lap on Australia Day. As a result, he went to rehab, was fined significantly and the Roosters started the year with Jackson Hastings in the halves.
The way Easts have played in the last few weeks will have fans wondering what might have been had Mitch decided to call it a night at 10pm.
Remember, nothing good happens after midnight.
5. Nathan Ross’ try
It’s been a disappointing year for Knights fans, ending the season with one win and one draw, but at least Nathan Ross singlehandedly scored one of the most amazing tries of the year.
No words really do this try justice, but let’s just say that Nathan’s background in aerial acrobatics certainly came in handy that afternoon. Newcastle lost to the Dragons that day, but ‘White Lightning’ walked away with plenty more new fans.
6. Robbie Farah and a tinny of beer
Is there an image more rugby league than Robbie Farah skolling a can of beer, sitting atop the scoreboard at Leichhardt Oval? After a troubling year for the former Tigers captain, being dropped to NSW Cup, Robbie’s days in stripes are over, supposedly off to the Bunnies next year.
No one was left wondering who won the battle between Jason Taylor and Robbie, but the fans finally had the opportunity to farewell one of their favourite sons.
7. Hayne Plane lands
First he dreamed of playing NFL, then he dreamed of playing rugby sevens, then he just wanted to be closer to Dreamworld.
Make no mistake about it, Jarryd Hayne’s return to the NRL was one of 2016’s biggest moments. Expect this to do big things for the Gold Coast next year, including – for the first time – getting bums on seats to Cbus Super Stadium.
9. Peatsy, Peatsy, Peatsy
It wouldn’t be a top ten without a moment that made me cry. I’ll never forget the game between the Eels and Souths, merely one day after Nathan Peats had been shipped off to the Gold Coast, with Eels fans standing, applauding and chanting “Peatsy, Peatsy, Peatsy” at the ninth minute.
A touching tribute for a player still missed in the blue and gold.
10. Women’s rugby league is the real deal
This was a personal highlight this year. When I heard that the Jillaroos would be playing the Kiwi Ferns and the Kangaroos would be playing the Kiwis in a double-header, I knew that women’s rugby league was finally beginning to be taken seriously. No more curtain-raisers – the men and women’s game were seen on par, and with the likes of Allana Ferguson, Sammy Bremner, Ruan Sims and Kezie Apps on show that night, the Jillaroos certainly did not disappoint.
Honourable mentions to the Origin debut of Gavin Cooper, the Sharks’ winning streak in the middle of the year, the emergence of rookies Ash Taylor, Bevan French and Suliasi Vunivalu, Greg Inglis’ field goal when Souths were behind on the scoreboard by two, and Cam Smith’s tumble while taking a conversion.
What have I missed?
This is @mary__kaye from @ladieswholeague