Season 2012 certainly has had its fair share of players who have far exceeded expectations. On the other side of the coin, however, here are some those who just haven’t lived up to their pre-season hype.
Fullback: Darius Boyd (Newcastle Knights)
Like a number of Newcastle’s offseason signings, a lot was expected of Darius when he donned the red and blue jersey. Despite being selected on the wing for Queensland, his form for the Knights has been less then impressive. Having chalked up a combined 41 linebreaks over the ’08-‘11 seasons, Boyd has only managed two so far for his new club.
If Newcastle has any plans of making a run at finals football, Darius needs to find the form that has made him one of the NRL’s better fullbacks in past seasons.
Honorable mention: Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)
Wingers: Manu Vatuvei (New Zealand Warriors)
Coming off a round one performance against Manly which saw him score two tries and make nine tackle busts, Manu’s season has largely been on the decline since. Every year Warriors fans hold hope that Vatuvei’s form will be more diamonds than rocks, but yet again our trans Tasman cousins have been disappointed.
Having already contributed 26 errors (equal first among outside backs) and turnstile-like defence that has resulted in 31 missed tackles so far can only be bad for Brian McClennan’s health.
Luke Burt (Parramatta Eels)
Usually a very consistent player who is no stranger at finding his way to the try line, Burt has struggled for form so far this season. The winger, who has been dropped to NSW Cup on two separate occasions, has only managed to record two linebreaks thus far, compared to 39 over the past three years. With only a couple of weeks left in his NRL career, I hope Burt is able to find some consistency and finish on a high.
Honorable mention: Akulia Uate (Newcastle Knights), Lote Tuqiri (Wests Tigers)
Centres: Jamal Idris (Gold Coast Titans)
Following a dismal 2011 that saw the Titans claim their maiden wooden spoon, the signing of Idris had hoped to lift the franchise to bigger and better things. Although the Gold Coast have improved as a team, Jamal has shown little of the form that saw him selected for Australia just over 12 months ago. In seasons ’10 and ’11, “the worlds biggest human being” amassed an impressive 222 tackle busts, compared to his paltry 46 this year.
Willie Tonga (Parramatta Eels)
In what was expected to be a big coup by the Parramatta club, Willie Tonga was signed for his experience in the centre position and to help develop the Eels inside backs. Coming off a strong 2011 in North Queensland, Tonga has been less than impressive at his new club, chalking up only 11 tackle breaks compared to his 176 over the past three seasons.
Honorable mention: Matt Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons), Matt King (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Five-Eighth: Jamie Soward (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Following the departure of “super coach” Wayne Bennett and a host of big name players like Darius Boyd and Mark Gasnier, a lot of weight was put on the shoulder of the halves pairing of Soward and Hornby. In Bennett’s three seasons at the Dragons, Soward notched up 40 linebreaks compared with four in the Steve Price era. Currently sitting in 10th position and outright last in points scored, the once menacing St George attack has been anything but in season 2012.
Honorable mention: Ben Roberts (Parramatta Eels)
Halfback: Chris Sandow (Parramatta Eels)
Ever since inking a huge 4-year, $1.7 million plus deal with Parramatta, ex-players and the media have been coming out of the woodwork, applying the blowtorch to the little number seven. Despite showing the odd splash of brilliance, his overall form has been very average, and a major contributing factor to the Eels being anchored to the bottom of the table. With a question mark always looming over his defence, Sandow has already racked up a league high 82 missed tackles in 2012.
Honorable mention: Ben Hornby (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Props: Kade Snowden (Newcastle Knights)
Coming off a couple of big seasons in the Shire, a lot was expected from Snowden when he announced he was taking his talents to Nobbys Beach. His form in season 2012 has been a far cry from that which saw him selected for NSW in game one of last year’s Origin series. His ability to make tackle breaks (162 from ‘09-’11) saw him demand the big dollars from Newcastle, but he has struggled so far, having presently only recorded 18 as a Knight.
Luke Douglas (Gold Coast Titans)
The other big member of the Sharks 2011 forward pack headed north during the offseason, with big expectations to go along with it. Douglas however just hasn’t looked as dangerous at the line as previous seasons in Cronulla. His number of tackle busts have dropped from 123 over the past 4 seasons to just 16 in season 2012, while he has yet to find his way over the line despite his five tries over ’10 and ’11.
Honorable mention: Brett White (Canberra Raiders), Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
Hooker: Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
While some people may argue Farah’s inclusion, statically he is having one of his worst seasons in a number of years. While Robbie has missed game time for a number of reasons (suspension, Origin, injury and personal reasons), his numbers still don’t stack up to those of previous campaigns. Over four seasons (’08-’11), Farah recorded 195 tackle busts, while in season 2012, he has only managed 15.
Honorable mention: Shaun Berrigan (Canberra Raiders)
Backrow: Adam Blair (Wests Tigers)
Regarded as one of the biggest buys in the off-season, Blair’s form to date for the Tigers has not lived up to the hype. His ratio of tackles completed to missed tackles is much higher than in his previous seasons with Melbourne, while his tackle busts have dried right up, having only 10 compared to 96 over the previous three seasons.
Chris Houston (Newcastle Knights)
Having come off a suspension that saw him miss all of the 2010 season, Houston bounced back to have a stellar 2011. However, this year, his form has not lived up to expectation, leaving Knights supporters wondering where it all went wrong. Having already conceded 11 penalties over his first 16 games, he is on track to well eclipse his total of 12 from last year.
Chris Heighington (Wests Tigers)
An integral part of the Wests Tigers’ successes, Chris Heighington has had a particularly quiet 2012 by his standards. Despite missing four weeks with a broken left hand, Heighington’s numbers still don’t stack up to those of previous years. Having only cracked the line once this season compared to 17 over the past 2 years, Chris has only make 14 tackle busts in comparison to 173 during the same period.
Honorable mention: Scott Bolton (North Queensland Cowboys), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers), Bronson Harrison (Canberra Raiders)
What do you think Roarers? Who would you include into this this, and who would you leave out?
Blaze
Guest
That's cool NB, but I think if your looking for a number 9, go no further than ennis.... If not for his team performing he would stand out like dogs balls.
JazzyJase
Roar Pro
Dave Taylor in Origin was disapointing, still didn't stop them rednecks winning though. Matt Cechin's decision to award Inglis try in Origin 1 and the video ref giving Hodges try in Origin 3 was also disapointing
JazzyJase
Roar Pro
Fair call Nathan - another good read and hot topic mate. And Parra are a farce of an outfit
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't think Luke Burt is a 'great'
The Barry
Roar Guru
Rubbish Will. Ennis is no longer overplaying his hand and trying to do everything out of dummy half. He's directing the team around the park, choosing the right moments to run, getting out of dummy half and off loading well. He's playing great, understated, selective dummy half play. What are these so called disastrous decisions he's been making ? For what it's worth I think Farah is a shocking selection in this team. Who would you pick at 9 though ? I don't think there's been a disappointing hooker.
john
Guest
pearce is not the biggest disapointment cause he has always been crap
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
I was going to add a coach but I figured Bennett was an obvious pick. Can't take anything away from what he has done in the past, but anyone who had the talent pool he had in Newcastle at the start of the season, and to struggle that much obviously isn't doing something right. Its not like he decided in January this year that he was going to coach the Knights and he was stuck with the playing roster he had. He was recruiting players during last season while at St George.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
I think people in Parramatta had high hopes for him. I'm sure they would have found a way to overpay him. Anyone who is $550,000 a year is bound to bring high expectations. He would have to be the worlds most expensive shoulder charger. He can't tackle anyone traditionally so a couple of times a game he just shoots out of the line and trys to knock someone over with a flying shoulder. Mind you, have the time he misses and exposes the defensive line.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
BA Sports. Thats not the only area of his game that he is struggling in in 2012. It was just the only one I quotes because I wanted to limit each paragraph to a couple of lines. Over the past 3 years, he had racked up 62 try assists, where as this year he has only contributed 5. 44 forced goal line drop outs from '09-'11 compared to just 2 this season. Yes i realise that he was missing for a number of games for varying reasons, but that is still a considerable drop. Look at all the tries and repeat sets he isn't contributing to the team compared to years gone by. You could also definitely make a case for Buderus as well, but what was expected of Farah was not at the same level as Farah.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
I'm not doubting for a second how inspirational Farah was to the Blues in Game 2. He was one of the big factors that helped them get over the line. I'm only referring to the club level. After reading how much flak I got for including Farah and peoples reasons for why he couldn't have been selected, I realise maybe I could have looked elsewhere, but as I said, picking the number 9 was the hardest position by far. In no way am I discounting how much affect the illness of his mother had on his performance. I am merely just saying that the gap of what was expected to what he has produced in my opinion was the greatest. As shown by the comments, people don't agree with this opinion but thats just my view.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Haha thanks Mark. Had to fit a LeBron reference in there somewhere. Was hoping it didn't go unnoticed haha. Must admit, I like a number of other fans of the game were expecting a lot of Blair when he moved north to the beautiful state of NSW, but he just hasn't lived up to expectation, much like the West Tigers as a whole.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
Thanks JazzyJase. I've always liked Farah. He seems like a nice bloke and in years gone by he has had some stand out performances. I realise that his mother being sick may have played a part in his lack of form (although some people will argue that he is still in fine form). Maybe I was a bit harsh in my assessment but I just feel behind Smith, Farah has been possibly the best number 9 over the past couple of seasons. This year, I don't feel like he has lived up to his reputation. Steve B. I don't know anyone in the Parramatta club, but I find it hard to be believe that a club that has only won 9 games over the past 2 seasons, had both of the greatest and most loyal players in recent years in Hindmarsh and Burt being threatened to stripped of captaincy and being dropped to NSW Cup didn't cause any division in the club. Not to mention the whole Stephen Kearney fiasco. How he still has a job I don't know. I agree, stats may not tell the whole story, but they certainly don't lie.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
As I just said to "The Barry", I could have just have easily have selected Ennis but I decided to go with Farah. I just feel with all the hype surrounding the Tigers to win the comp before the season, expectations for Farah were much higher then Ennis. Although some may view Robbie has played better then Michael, his expectation was higher. I wasn't naming the 13 worst players in the NRL. It was the 13 most disappointing. Once again though, your entitled to your opinion. Giving myself an uppercut is proving much more difficult then first thought.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
I did take injuries into account when selecting these players. When supporters of a team like Canberra are thinking about how well there team will go in 2012, they are expecting a fully fit Terry Campese (a rare sight) to lead them around the park. Anything less then that is a disappointment. I realise that injury reduces minutes, but it is still disappointing when players like Ellis don't live up to the fans expectations. To be honest, choosing a number 9 was the toughest position to choose. Unlike with other positions, there wasn't really a big standout. Yes someone like Ennis could have been considered, but even with injury, Farrah struggled at the start of the season. You only have to look at the Tigers performances as a whole and realise that the core players (1,6,7,9) aren't at the top of their game. Only my opinion, I could just have easily have left him out.
Hoy
Roar Guru
In defence of Wayne, all coaches call for their players to be first picked. I don't know why. Lets face it, if Toovey was honest, he would get into a media conference and say publicly that he was astounded Buhrer got selected.
Adam Vaughan
Roar Pro
You might be right there Will. He looks like he's lost a step in pace for sure. He would still be an asset in the Super(annuation) League though. If he wins a Grand Final over there, I wonder if he'll have the same kind of post Grand Final interview in him as he did in 2005? Live TV gold. Do yourself a favour and You Tube it (just make sure there aren't any kiddies around).
Johnno
Guest
Dallas Johnson and Justin Hodges and Matt Cooper and Jamie Lyon and Jarred Mullen and then there's Wallace. And big Joel Sutton and Terry Campese.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Mitchell pearce is the biggest disapointment for me, As bad as Sandow has been i think Pearce is worse, He plays behind a forward pack that goes forward and he cant even get involved, He touched the ball 5 times in the whole match against cronulla on tackles 1 to 5. on tackle 6 he just put in crap kicks
Will Sinclair
Guest
I think it'll be Heighno getting the old tap on the shoulder Adam. A great servant of the club, but it's time for him to head for the Superannuation League in the UK.
Damn Straight
Guest
C'mon mate, that spot would surely be taken by Steve Kearney. But then again the knights were expected to be finalists i suppose. Not even the most most cock-eyed optimist would have tipped Parra to make the finals.