A brand new year and another batch of colourful rugby league headlines from our battalion of print and electronic media outlets.
So what can we look forward to as the code prepares for an exciting NRL competition, a much-anticipated State of Origin series and a season ending, 14-nation World Cup tournament, co-hosted by England, France, Wales and Ireland?
Here are some of the headlines we might see at some stage of 2013:
Sonny Bill sent off for shoulder charge
I wonder if this man mountain can change his ways to conform with the ARLC’s new edict. Well, he was pretty much the best in the business at the shoulder charge caper and old habits often hang about.
Dragons to win the wooden spoon
St George-Illawarra has lost of heap of established players and has had only marginal success in the recruiting department.
They failed to make the eight last year and there seems little to inspire confidence they will finish anywhere near the finals in the up-coming campaign.
Phil Gould tries to sell the three sisters
Aiming up for his second term as the Panthers’ El Supremo, Gus has assembled a brand new team for coach Ivan Cleary but the tom toms keep beating that he’s keen to offload star centre Michael Jennings.
The word is that MJ is going nowhere, he likes the joint, and has a very talented kid brother rising through the Panther ranks.
Sharks, Rabbitohs eye grand final berths
This headline could definitely appear. Both clubs have excellent rosters and the hunger and ability to achieve great things.
Baby Broncos hail grandpa Prince
Veteran No 7 Scott Prince was signed by Brisbane to give their burgeoning youth some Lockyer-like guidance. I won’t put it past him, he still has a lot to offer.
Matt Elliott learns the Haka
This could be the only way the Warriors’ new coach arrives on the same page as his new players who did more tickling than tackling in a miserable end to last season.
Ricky blames Izzy for Eels slow start
Folau has been slammed for everything under the sun, his honesty and business practices have been sorely questioned but the fact remains that Stuart and co made promises they failed to deliver upon and their prime target trotted off to rugby union.
Tigers adopt a ‘take no prisoners’ philosophy
Pre-season training has been ultra-physical under new coach Mick Potter. Rest assured, the Tigers won’t be kittens in defence in 2013.
Knights playing for the love of the club
Nathan Tinkler’s chronic money woes cannot be sorted in a moment. Watch for stories to appear about late payment of monies owed by the big man of the Hunter. The man was hailed as the club’s messiah but now things are getting a tad messy.
Bellamy to stay in Melbourne
It’s sound business to walk away from a multi premiership-winning team containing Slater, Cronk and Smith and sign on for big brass at St George-Illawarra, right? Wrong. I reckon he will stay in the city of storms.
Dan’s the man
The appointment of ex-Parra coach Daniel Anderson as high performance director of referees looks to be a good one.
Anderson is widely respected in the game and after his recent stint in the ABC commentary box, I suspect he’ll solve many more problems than his men create. I also like the fact he doesn’t carry a giant ego around as extra baggage.
”We’ll get them next year” – Laurie Daley
The latest NSW coach has two home games to see off those Maroon marauders this year and there’s no risk, the Blues are improving. But …
We stand by our game scheduling – Channel Nine
Of course they will. They don’t give a toss about what the fans think or want.
Well, there’s a little food for thought, a couple of months from the start of hostilities.
I’ll now hand the headline writing caper over to you league-loving Roarers. What banners will be screaming over stories in our newspapers or introducing what they love to call breaking news on the box in 2013?
Bigjohn
Guest
Manly lose every game...... I win lottery and get job as video ref.
Godfrey
Guest
Holmes a Court hasn't said what he's doing with his stake in Souths. He said he'd make an announcement before the end of 2012 but hasn't.
Doghouse
Guest
AS discussed in ealier posts they are changing the order to suit NSW. I wish I could find these posts It is impossible to deny this. The reasons given are spuious - Qld didnt have 2 games at home for 3 years 2007- 2009 I think just like NSW were facing which was the reason given for the change. The Qld RL agreed maybe so they will get a deal somewhere else like more Test matches...
Tim Prentice
Expert
I sure do Planko. Nowadays nos 2 and 5 are RL wingers, huh? Happy New Year to you and all of the Roarers - even the daily baggers.
planko
Guest
More like Sonny Bill the new Tampon in 1 week out for 3.....
planko
Guest
Storm to fall in a heap with Belly Ache cashed in and Cam Smith signed with new Perth Franchise....
planko
Guest
Will Central Coast Bears Get in.. Does Sony Bill pay the Bill.. Belly ache cashes in at the Crown and leaves Warriors show inconsistent FORM Perth RL and "Possible Franchise Owner" fight in media. Russell has to stew with Rabbits .... (No buyers come forward) Thurston leaves FNQ Tim Prentice best writer in Rugby League. Remember Timbo love the squeeze boxes
Ronald M
Guest
Sorry I don't see the logic there. Surely if Bellamy wanted to fill his remaining years with premierships then the Obvious answer is Melbourne not the dragons. Look how they have performed this last decade under him verses the dragons. Even after the Salary Cap debacle they bounced back to a minor and then a full premiership in quick succession. At Melbourne he has everything in place and only really needs to worry about maintenance, at the dragons he would be starting again. No, if its premierships that will drive Bellamy's decision then it will be another Melbourne contract. In the end, the cash difference in the offers will be meaningless, the wild cards could be 1 Family concerns 2. Remaining bitterness over the Salary Cap issue.
Ronald M
Guest
Sadly, I think that Eels fans are in for a hard time. There will be some improvement in 2013, might even make the eight but after that - its all downhill. Stuart is highly destructive, he is dangerous, he alienates people and has little idea when it comes to building an effective team from the bottom up. Stuarts bullying tactics works over short time scales which is why Origin was probably the coaching job that suited him best however the only reason he is still a coach is because he has friends in high places. On his own and in a club like the Eels he will do more harm than good. Even Cronulla had the good sense to kick him out I genuinely feel for Eels fans having this fool foisted on them.
Ronald M
Guest
I wanted to see them move to Perth. Thought that it would be good for them and the game especially if it involved a clear out of personnel at the same time. Reckon it might have happened as well but for this damned land deal.
Kasey
Guest
The Nats only moved from Montreal to DC in 2005. this last season was the first time they made the post season eventually being eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in a heartbreaking game that they lead 7-0 at one stage and were only one strike away from winning the game until the cards went on a roll and prevailed 9-7. I watched it with a close friend who is a Nats fan and she cried.. I was there in Sept2012 and it seemed the whole of DC caught Nats-fever (Natitude) and were devastated to lose out after recording the best regular MLB season W-L record. The Nats winning the NL East Pennant means they are already ahead of the sharks..they have won something.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
NRL to dump referees & linesmen in favour of penguins. Manly Warringah win "most loved team" poll. Newcastle shafted by miner as sponsor pulls out. Panthers board top heavy when Gould attends. Antipsychotic medications ~ Bellamy response muted. North Sydney Bears seen in Antarctica. Warwick Capper new Souths owner. Tasmania challenges NSW to State of Origin Rugby League game. NZ sports ground erupts ~ built on volcano.
Renegade
Guest
"FINALLY, harold comes home...the sharks are premiers!"
Renegade
Guest
Dragons will finish bottom 4.
db swannie
Guest
Qld SOO team "Hit the Pearce" after M.Pearce gets NSW No 7 jesey again.
p.Tah
Guest
Channel Nine TV viewers complain after a 30 second snippet of a delayed Rugby League game was shown during a screening of Australia's 'Greatest' Commercials.
Allanthus
Guest
"Knights fold as Tinkler goes belly up. Newtown Jets to play off with North Sydney Bears for vacant spot. Harrigan to referee."
Jeff Cook
Guest
I can not agree more with your observations in each topic. But if i may add a bit to each. A look back at the Dragons season 12. Missed the eight by two points,lost two golden point games. There were five rookie ( first year first grade ) coach`s last year compare their years basics.W/L % and POT age Toovey 63% 4th 45y,Price 46%9th 35y, Arthur 33%( 6 games)16th y? Kearney 22% 16th 40y.My argument is Steve Price has done well following Wayne Bennetts exceptional efforts at the club.Every one has to have first year.And to look ahead , a new local captain ,NZ number 1 at fullback,best young 7 NSW CHS ,a mongrel pack and a flash backline. Channel 9 a going to do what they want to ! They told us up front . I`m trying/ going to get up each ad break this year,by end of season should be fitter enough to play E grade. If as quoted Craig Bellamy last contract required.Stay or go we`ll have to wait until the WCC at least.If go, how does this bloke want to fill in his last professional years ? Winning premierships the obvious answer, only option i can see Dragons.
Tim Prentice
Expert
Thanks Roarlord. Happy 2013 to you as well. I have loved a headlne from the first time I started reading newspapers. It is quite an art - and some sub-editors actually win coveted Walkley awards for their excellence. Come on Roarers! We don't even need your accompanying comments. Just the headlines. Lift your collective game and fire them in! It's early 2013 - have a stab, have a bit of fun. I will offer one more: ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK IS TALK OF THE LEAGUE
ThomasCrown
Roar Rookie
He has no right to complain cause the QLD gov agreed. Wally Lewis had the right idea and slammed the Qld gov. Qld have had more games at home than NSw so i dnt see what the issue is.