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With the opening round of the NRL now in the rearview mirror, it’s time to read way too much into the first eight games of the season.
There is nothing quite like the hyperbole and ridiculousness that surrounds fan’s opinions after watching just 80 minutes of their team’s season. So without further ado, let’s discuss five massive overreactions from Round 1 of the 2014 NRL season.
Just a slight caveat beforehand: I actually don’t believe that two of these are an overreaction . . .
The Bulldogs don’t have the playmaker required to win the competition
Regular readers will be aware that I’ve made this point before, but I firmly believe that to win the premiership you need at least one – if not more – of your key positional players to be an elite-level playmaker.
In other words, your hooker, five-eighth, halfback or fullback should be exceptional with the ball in their hands.
Sadly for the Dogs, they simply do not have the required playmakers in those positions.
Michael Ennis, Trent Hodkinson, Josh Reynolds and Sam Perrett are all fine footballers, but none of them are great ball players, and asking them to try to be is not the answer. It’s simply not in their skill set.
Therefore, the Dogs are going to struggle to put points on the board, and regardless of how good their forward pack, defence and coaching is, you can’t win the premiership without scoring points.
Luke Brooks should play Origin for NSW
Get rid of Mitchell Pearce. Forget Adam Reynolds. Select Wests Tigers rookie halfback Luke Brooks for the Blues.
Brooks played one game for the Wests Tigers last year and was extremely impressive. Though he didn’t dominate Sunday afternoon’s game against the Dragons, he again showed all the hallmarks of a quality No. 7: a good kicking and passing game, with a little bit of attaching flair.
Forget the fact he’s only played two games – or less than 161 minutes – of first grade football, and get him fitted up for that sky blue jersey now.
What’s that? He missed seven tackles? He didn’t really take control of the game? And his Tigers lost by 20 to a team they’re expected to battle for the wooden spoon?
Whatevs, man!
The Newcastle Knights should just give up on 2014
You know those days when from the minute you wake up, you have a sense that it’s just not going to be your day? The Newcastle Knights’ 2014 season kind of feels that way already.
Russell Packer’s jail sentence. Dane Gagai going missing from an emerging Queensland Origin camp. Willie Mason’s drink driving charge. Jarrod Mullen’s injury. Darius Boyd’s hamstring strain. Kurt Gidley’s concussion. Tyrone Roberts’ head clash.
A 22-point hammering from the Penrith Panthers.
After just one round of the NRL season, it feels likes it’s going to be one of ‘those’ years for the Knights and their fans.
Perhaps Novacastrians should just stay in bed this season?
The Rabbitohs will win the 2014 NRL premiership
Greg Inglis is the best player in the NRL. Halfback Adam Reynolds now has two full seasons under his belt. John Sutton seems to really – no really – have shed his reputation for inconsistency. Dylan Walker looked sensational on Thursday night.
The Bunnies also have a massive, intimidating, skillful, metre-munching forward pack.
Plus they’re well coached, and have now experienced the pain of finals football losses and are therefore battle-hardened.
Not convinced yet? Well, the Sydney Roosters are the defending premiers, and were the favourites to win the 2014 NRL premiership.
And the Bunnies absolutely smashed them.
Ergo, South Sydney will win the premiership this year. Simple.
Queensland will win their ninth Origin series in a row
Considering the form of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen, Corey Parker, Billy Slater, Daley Cherry-Evans, Matt Scott, Josh Papalii and any other bloody Maroons player you want to mention, another year of pain for New South Wales fans is on the cards.
Even a rugby league novice could tell you that if a team has won eight straight series, it stands to reason that they should start favourites to win once again.
When you also factor in the form of the players most likely to represent Queensland come State of Origin time, it should come as no surprise if New South Welshmen across the state are feeling a little nervous.