At the dawn of another NRL season, sports fans everywhere can be heard cursing the loss of summer, but welcoming the retreat of cricket. “No more Ian Healy!” goes the uniform cry of the jubilant masses.
For while we are a nation of cricket-lovers, obsessing over it to the point of deep and sometimes creepy obsession, I can’t shake the feeling that every cricket summer ultimately leaves many of us feeling cold and underwhelmed.
I’m not sure if it’s the commentators we are forced to endure day in and day out that makes me feel this way, or whether it’s the sport itself, but every year when the coloured clothes come out my interest tends to recede.
Some years it doesn’t even last that long. In the worst of summers, such as last year’s Ashes series, my Christmas dinner will not have finished digestion before I start screaming “Bring on the rugby league!” The ACB certainly wouldn’t like to hear it, but I feel I am not alone.
So while Sachin Tendulkar continues to apply the word “futile” to his ongoing pursuit of 100 international hundreds, and David Hussey continues to prove that limited-overs internationals are only important to the careers of mediocre cricketers, we must all sit and wait.
The All Stars was a start, and I know the Charity Shield and the World Club Challenge are both close at hand, but it’s not enough. It’s never enough.
I want Friday night double-headers, followed by Super Saturday triples, followed by the Sunday game, followed by Monday Night Football! I don’t just want Gallen, I also want Bird, Asotasi and Thaiday! I want my rugby league!
However, despite the footy-less emotional turmoil which is currently destroying me from the inside, I am thankful for one positive, life-affirming indulgence pre-season allows: the glorious pursuit of making predictions.
So here they are, my predictions for who will claim the prizes that matter in the coming year of rugby league.
NRL
Premiers: New Zealand Warriors
Minor Premiers: Newcastle Knights
Wooden Spooners: St George-Illawarra Dragons (Flame on, Dragons fans!)
Dally M Player of the Year: Darius Boyd (though I despise him)
State of Origin
New South Wales 2-1 (I am a Queenslander full of self-loathing right now)
ANZAC Test
New Zealand
Super League
Premiers: Warrington Wolves
Minor Premiers: Les Catalans Dragons
Wooden Spooners: Widnes Vikings
Man of Steel: Leon Pryce
Bearfax
Guest
I like a man who can maintain a sense of balance and impartiality in these forums. Problem is Newcastle, England, doesnt play Super League so I guess you can only be right in 7 out of 8 of your points, Toddm. Congrats for your effort. though. You obviously put a lot of time and effort into your assessments and I certainly like someone who can think outside of the box.
toddm
Guest
and im a newcastle supporter Premiers : Newcastle Minor premiers : Newcastle Final 8 - Newcastle,Newcastle,Newcastle,Newcastle,Newcastle,Newcastle,Newcastle,Newcastle Wooden Spoon - everyones a possability except Newcastle Dally M player of the year - split decision - Gids,Boyd,Bedsy,Mullen,Bennett State of Origin - NSW - 0 QLD - 0 NEWCASTLE - 3 Anzac Test - Newcastle Super League - Newcastle
Bearfax
Guest
I predict 'Another Martin' that your prediction will be the one prediction found to be right. Pull this article out at the end of the yearfor confirmation. Two can play that game
Another Martin!
Guest
Predictions are all the rage this time of year but I will make a prediction. Most of these predictions will be wrong! Pull out this article and all the replies in the first week of October.
Ken
Guest
I'm another Dragons fan a bit mystified by the seemingly common perception that they won't even make the eight (and are even favourites for the spoon in some eyes). Not worried or 'ready to flame' anyone, it's a tight comp and someone's got to fill those spots but I'm confident the Dragons will be proper contenders again. We've lost a few but there's still a very solid football team there with lots of big game experience (best starting side only contains a handful of players without test or Origin experience) and some great young players coming through. You've named a couple, I reckon King and Kyle Stanley are going to be stars.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
A Cowboys team without Thurston just beat the Dragons.
jcvd
Guest
I think the tigers are a very over rated team. Provided benji stays fit he will carry them close to the top 8. I thought they were lucky in a few games last year when they had their winning streak. But I have them coming 9th or 10th
Blazza
Guest
I don't think Melbourne have missed the finals since Bellamy took over as coach (excluding 2010). And after what happened last year i don't think Bellamy will let our forward pack get dominated like that again. Have you seen our team ? we have probably one of the deepest backline's in the NRL and we have brought up a few young backrowers. I just can't see a team with 3 superstars in Melbourne not making the top 8.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Not kidding Blazza - I've even backed Melbourne to miss the Top 8 at $3.50. I should say, I consider them to be a fringe finals team in 2012... but I reckon we might see them miss the Finals. It's not only the Blair factor, but I reckon their squad looks very thin and a long season will find them out. Anyway, I've put my money where my mouth is!
Blazza
Guest
Your kidding right ? Melbourne to miss the entire top 8 because of no Adam Blair ? righteo. So having 3 of the best players in the world with one of the best coaches in the world doesn't mean anything cause we will miss Adam Blair. Our big 3 will carry us again to the finals but the rest of the team need to step up and help them win the premiership. Tigers will come close again and Benji will be the reason for that so no real argument with him being Dally M player of the year. I can't see Manly doing great again this year without Hasler. All the other points i agree with.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Alright - a few bold predictions: 1) Melbourne Storm to miss the Top 8 (the end of last season showed how much they miss Blair); 2) Parramatta Eels to make the Top 8; 3) QLD to win their seventh straight Origin series (but their last for a while); 4) Brisbane Broncos to start the season on fire, but fade badly; 5) Wests Tigers to win the Grand Final, beating Manly in the big one; 6) Benji Marshall to finally win a much deserved Dally M for best player in the game; 7) Gold Coast Titans to finish last again (you can't buy culture).
Will Sinclair
Guest
You have the Tigers missing the Top 8? Brave man!
B.A Sports
Premiers: Melbourne Storm (other grand finalist Wests Tigers) Minor Premiers: Melbourne Storm Top 8: Storm, Tigers, Cows, Knights, Sharks, Warriors, Dragons, Broncs Wooden Spoon - Gold Coast Titans My tip for the Premiership is that if Manly are 3+ games out of the eight with about 6 games to go, they could lose out and finish near the bottom, if they are around 7th-8th they will make it Dally M Player of year: Cronk Origin: QLD 2-1 Anzac test: Aust. Super League: ?
B.A Sports
The Townsville Cowboys also rely heavily on Matt Scott. When he doesn't play it impacts their go forward big time.
B.A Sports
Agree. It is far more logical that the team with the best record should be considered the "best team" that season, but as we all know the finals are exciting and you need a big last celebration day to tie things off and often the team who wins that is the team who got hot toward the end of the year. You only have to look at this NFL season which just finished. A team that finished what 9-7 won the Superbowl while a team that finished 15-1 didn't even make it. Ideally you take the "minor" out of "minor premiers" and call that team "premiers" and then the Grand Final can be the Championship game with the winner crowned "Champion" (or something). But that would just confuse everything in the record books i suppose.
Blazza
Guest
Why is everyone picking Melbourne to get the minor premiership again ? I've got them in the 4 but i think they'll put more into finishing the season strong and not go for the minor premiership. Kinda like what happened in 2009/2010. Premiers : Melbourne Minor Premiers : Tigers Wooden Spoon : Dragons Origin : Qld 2-1 Dally M: Boyd Anzac : Aus
Rabby
Guest
I am not concerned at the league system, I think what we have works pretty well. What I think we need to get away from is the idea of winning the league as somehow minor. We need to change the idea and the mentality. In many ways, it could be argued that it is harder to win the "minor" premiership than it is the full one. Maybe this is something the commission should look at after it has sorted out all the bigger issues ?
Bearfax
Guest
Reliance on an aging though brilliant Thurston and Bowen. Cant see these guys continue to dominate other teams like they have and injury is likely to
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
And you're all overlooking the Cowboys to make the top 8 because...?
Das Boat
Guest
Cleary was a good development coach, but you have to admit he was fortunate with the McIntyre system being the way it was. After the Brisbane belting he was one upset away from being remembered far less fondly. Full credit to the Warriors though, beating Tigers and Storm away in consecutive weeks was a stellar effort. Hope they can win it this year! Manu do good