We’ve all got a story that could define a heartbreaking moment for us. In the sporting realm heartbreak comes in many shapes and forms. It could be an injury to a key player or a crushing defeat to a formidable rival. Maybe that’s why we love sport so much.
In sport we bear witness to heart-wrenching stories and it’s something that can be shared. That said though, sporting heartache can be cured using a simple five-word remedy: “There is always next season.”
Yes, these five magical words have saved many a fan from the downward spiral of shame after losing a grand final or bowing out of the season early.
That’s what’s great about sport – no matter the score at the end of the game, your position on the ladder or the way you competed in the finals, these things won’t matter come next season.
Nobody ever remembers the losers like they do the winners, and even for the winners there is the dread of knowing you could have been heartbroken if not for some luck and a small amount of talent.
So how does this make the 2012 NRL season better? Well, if you are a Warriors fan then you’ve only had a short amount of time to deal with your despair. You were so close but honestly so far away.
The Warriors rode the luck wagon all the way to the grand final last year and came up short against a Manly outfit who were clearly the better side from the beginning.
Although just because you are a Manly fan doesn’t mean you are a stranger to our friend ‘despair’. After winning the grand final you celebrated only until the best coach you’ve ever had was kicked out by a management team who were so caught up in their own paranoia they didn’t realise the consequences of their actions.
This left most of your players wondering how it will work in 2012. Being last year’s Premiers means nothing this year.
Some teams deal with heartbreak using change. Penrith blew up everything and started again with a new sponsor, a new general manager and a new coach.
In the madness of these dramatic changes they forgot that come round one this year they will be fielding the same players who were heartbroken from round 26 last year. Will they be hungry enough?
Other teams, like the Tigers and Storm, live and die knowing there is always next season. Both these teams know what they had last year was good and if not for some bad luck they might have gone further, which means dramatic change isn’t necessarily the way.
The end of the season doesn’t have to be an automatic disappointment if you don’t make the finals. Look at the Bulldogs.
They went from having a second-rate coach in 2012 (Jim Dymock) to having the 2011 premiership-winning coach (Des Hasler) less than one month after the season finished.
It’s true the side hasn’t changed much but there’s still reason for optimism. Dessie’s known for turning chicken feed into chicken salad.
For most of the teams who crowded the basement of the ladder, last season’s heartbreak lasted the longest. Teams like Canberra have been dealing with this depression for a long time.
Even the promise of a new season doesn’t bring light to any tunnels, especially knowing your dreams ride on your fullback Josh Dugan and five-eighth Terry Campese, who are top of the list for injury-related heartbreak.
Another team who are looking to shake off the 2011 black dog has to be the Roosters. They’ve gone out and signed, well, nobody really. Which means their upper management are already saying the five word remedy before this season has even started.
Although just because you sign a bunch of big name players, like Nate Myles and Jamal Idris, doesn’t redeem you of a woeful season, especially when you don’t have a five-eighth and your halfback was statistically the worst in the competition last year.
The Titans went and bought plenty of speed and size but forgot about playmaking. That’s heartbreaking in itself.
Some teams deal with heartache the way they have every year – by gambling. South Sydney and Parramatta are gambling in 2012. Both teams put their bets on small halfbacks, rookie coaches and a combination of players that have continually let them down. Gambles like this will only lead to mid-table heartbreak (at best).
What’s better, knowing your season is dead before round 26 or having to wait until the final round just to get confirmation?
What about teams who constantly tease you with a finals berth only to never deliver? That’s what the Cowboys have been doing since 2005.
We have to hold off saying JT is the best halfback in our game until he can take his team the whole way and not be a huge part in their elongated heartache for any given season.
Speaking of elongated heartache, this year Cronulla are doing everything to prevent another basement party. This includes signing a player who gets a tattoo every time he is in the newspapers no matter the reason.
Let me ask you this question Cronulla, why do you continually pick up other teams’ scraps?
Nobody wanted Todd Carney. Canberra and the Roosters didn’t want him, why did you? Do you truly believe he will be the defibrillator to your constant heartbreak?
In saying this not all teams were heartbroken at the end of 2011. One team in particular had more to celebrate at the end of the season than they did while they were playing it.
After every loss last year and their elimination from the semi-finals, every Novocastrian had one thing to say. “Just wait till next year.”
Now, the wait is over and it comes down to this – will 2012 be another year where Newcastle fans are waiting patiently for the next season, or will it be their time to smile?
As far as St George and Brisbane go, I believe they have the biggest reasons to mourn the 2011 season. This was their chance to do something that nobody could believe possible.
For one team it included the fairy-tale ending for their longest running player. For another it was a chance to go back-to-back and be part of history.
I couldn’t imagine a more heartbreaking scene than having these two desperate teams face off against each other like they did last year in the finals. I’m not saying these two teams aren’t finals-worthy but I believe they will be struck again by misery come September.
Sporting heartache can make or break teams. Rugby league is so unpredictable and no team should ever been written off until the final whistle.
No matter what the outcome though, some form of misery will eventuate, even for the winners who know they have to work harder the next season to defend their happiness.
onthetryline
Roar Rookie
Haha well I dont know if it helps but I'm a Bunnies supporter and I wrote this article. I honestly cant say for sure that the Rabbits are a Top 8 side. I think they may fall short this year...unfortunately.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Inglis is a finisher - a good player in a good team, but not someone who can lift an average team by himself. Im not happy Souths lost Sandow to keep him. Carna Bunnies.
Bearfax
Guest
No rant and I'm not a Souths player. But I pick Souths doing well this year because their playing personel has some fo the best players in the League. You're justified in being negative about them given their efforts in the past two years...real underachievers. But there is apparently a new spirit in the club with the new coach. But most importantly a point to note is that last year almost their entire forward pack and Ingliss were out for extended periods through the year. They were devastated by injuries more I think that any other team in the comp. Look at Manly who won it. They had injuries but their keys players were there for almost the entire season. Injuries can kill a teams chances no matter how good they are and Souths really copped it bad last year. But with a forward pack left intact, Ingliss, McQueen and the brillance of Merrit, I believe they are a big chance. But as I said, injuries will determine their fate more than anything else.
Pete75
Guest
Anyone seriously contemplating the Rabbitohs as top eight contenders needs to fair dinkum check themselves into a sanitarium. What is it with the Rabbitohs that they're continually tipped to make the eight with second rate sides? John Sutton is still in the team, Chris Sandow isn't. How is that a better halves combination than last year, when it was one of the worst in the comp. Sure, they've got a decent, if somewhat aging and overrated pack, but seriously? Seriously! No really. Seriously. Anyway, that's my rant over. I'm looking forward to some angry replies from Bunnies supporters!
Paul
Guest
I think the Biggest heart ache to take would be like the dogs last year when Idris signed with the titans. He wasnt the same player after that and now Dave Taylor from the Rabbits is talking contracts before a ball has been kicked and the warriors have to watch the player who was imo the most instrumental to thier succes last year knowing hel be playing for the Roosters next year. If the latter two teams misfire well then that is a heartache no fan should have to endure.
Ticker
Guest
"Teams like Canberra have been dealing with this depression for a long time" Oh so true. 2011 was terrible. A football season is a long, lonely road when your chances are over by round 8. I know every team talks it up in the off-season, but the news coming out of Raiders HQ has been very positive. The squad is fit, focus is on attitude in defence, and the players really seem like they owe it to each other to compete and compete well in 2012. Have to say I've been impressed by the Roosters and their strategy over the last couple of years. They've had a real crack at developing their young squad and they have some talented players coming through. For a long time they've been my most despised team, however their attempt to cordon off the transit lounge is admirable in my book.
NF
Guest
Cowboys got the potential to make the 8 it's all about the consistently and I'm liking there chances this year it certainly be better than the past few years for sure the depth is there along with the young, raw talent.
Bearfax
Guest
The Cowboys are a big unknown. They have some champion players as mentioned and of course the Sims brothers. But they have been sooooo inconsistent in recent years. I personally didnt think they would make the 8 but yes they have the potential of winning the comp. Much will depend on an injury free season for Thurston and Bowen. Not quite so reliant on these two as they were but still without them I doubt they've got a chance.
Bearfax
Guest
Amen.
Boomshanka
Guest
Yep, the end to Channel Nines hoarding is nigh. Looking forward to the day when I can finish the working week and watch some quality football at a decent hour.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
Cowboys are better than most of the clubs mentioned in the comments. Bowen still has it, Thurston is a better five-eighth than he is a halfback, Thompson has a full season under his wing and is in fine form, Lui is waiting in back-up. I cannot see the Cowboys not making the top four.
Bearfax
Guest
Storm will be there in the top four, probably with Wests, Souths and Auckland or Newcastle. I suspect Cronulla and Canberra will surprise this year, but I think it will be one of the top four (or five) I mentioned who'll take the crown.
Jammy
Guest
Very harsh to call Jim Dymock a second rate coach. Sure, he doesn't have the credentials of Hasler but he will coach an NRL team again and do well. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Gaz
Guest
And with the new commission, new TV deal with channel 10 now interested Storm supporters may get to see the games at a decent hour like Qld and NSW.
Blazza
Guest
Best comment ever.
Andy
Guest
The team to beat is the storm, they won the minor premiership last year and were one step away from the grandfinal. They have a good coach, best fullback, best dummy half, quality halves and the rest of the team overall are not too bad either. They will be fueled by the fact they came so close and stumbled late in the season. I do not think they will suffer the same misery as last season.
Bearfax
Guest
Perhaps to avoid the heartache of injuries, loss of form, behind the scenes management disruptions etc, we should assess each players strengths and weaknesses, their likely combinations with other players, the strategic concepts of the coaches, then throw in a few variables such as weather, referring style, ground condition etc and play the game by computer. That way the players would never be hurt, the best combination of player talent and coaches strategies would be seen at their peak, no one would leave the field injured or sent off, and we would be served with the best possible performance of the two teams. Logical I say.
Gaz
Guest
Lighten up. It's the start of the season and your talking "mourning, despair and heartbreak" The Dragons faithful knew their coach was going elsewhere and the teams heart wasn't in it towards the end and the Bronks started with an untried coach and a bunch of kids so not many expected them to go so far. Carney may not have been wanted elsewhere but the reports from the Sharks are that he is tearing the place down and lifting the troops. With all due respect maybe you should push the valium aside knock back a Heineken feel the excitement about to explode. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
oikee
Guest
Broncos St George final this year. Got Mark Geyer's Crystal Ball. I said it last year and i will say it again. I am just happy to see my team make the top 8. The comp is such these days that once the finals begin, it seems like you have gone through ell and back to get this far. At least their wont be any confusion about who plays who and waiting to see who is eliminated. 2 teams to beat are the 2 finalists from last year. Manly Warriors.