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.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
The problem was the fixture was set-up to fail, and then under-delivered on the reduced expectations. But throw in the Kiwis at Eden Park and a Suncorp game or two and things will look a lot better.
Hayley Wildes
Roar Pro
James, I simply disagree. Rabbitohs v Roosters should've pulled a crowd much larger than it did. I think if crowds aren't big in round 1, there is very good reason to believe they won't improve in a few more months.
Tony S
Guest
Exactly Sean !!! Where in the far reaches of the Universe does all of that stuff come from. Ah well, where does the apology come from now. Ummm, interesting. I guess if I was an "expert writer ????????" I wouldn't trust the ball boy, the cheer girl, the groundkeeper, the jersey washer, the canteen lady, the bloke on the door, the security guard, or the guy who puts the pads on the post, as my "trusted inside informant"....... :-) The best info always comes from the player on the day he organises a media conference. Even relos are great at keeping a secret. Anything else is sheer speculation.
Sean
Guest
Totally get where you’re coming from Tony. Here’s a few pearlers form Scott Woodward’s article about Smith leaving for the Broncos: “When Cam returns to Australia with the Kangaroos after the World Cup, he will sign with the Broncos.” “I don’t write ‘fluff’. I will expect a full apology in 2 months.” “He has to decide between his wife and AAMI. As I said, he turned up at the DallyMs with no wife so you work it out. The deal is done verbally IMO.” “u r not listening mate. Cam is GONE! 2014 is his swan song for the Storm.” “Call me disrespectful then but Smith will be there in 2015.” “I have no problem with you having a go at me but get your facts right next time.” http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/10/14/review-detailsis-the-cameron-smith-broncos-deal-a-coup-or-crazy/
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Ryano, pleeeaaasse no more hype ! The Bunnies get way too much. Can we not fly under the radar this season !
Mike from tari
Guest
Chucky boy it's not Souths who dish out the penalties it's the clowns in the opposing team, the Refs then penalise the clowns, Toovey & Hasler Coach their teams to play right to the edge of legality, when teams play like that they get penalised more than the opposition.
Tony S
Guest
No Ryan, not you. You have never commented about the topic. Good to read your comments.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Just to be clear, you're not suggesting I ever said I knew where Cam Smith was going are you? Because I've never said a word about!
Tony S
Guest
Hahahaha, that's a great comment Sean - "No need to yell"....spot on. Yep, a bit loud.:-) Just emphasising a point that needed to be made. Thanks
Sean
Guest
No need to yell, but fair point.
Tony S
Guest
THE BIGGEST OVERREACTION OF THE PAST 12 MONTHS, AND NOT JUST THIS SEASON, IS " THE STORY OF CAMERON SMITH ". TO THE COUPLE OF SO-CALLED, SELF PROCLAIMED EXPERTS ON THIS SITE WHO INDICATED THEY WERE "IN THE KNOW" AND HAD " GOT THE WORD THAT CAMERON SMITH HAD SIGNED A BRONCOS CONTRACT", YOU CAN NOW GO AND WASH THE EGG OFF YOUR FACE. THEN TAKE THE LABEL" EXPERT " OFF YOUR PHOTO AND NAME. I DON'T THINK EVEN CAMERON SMITH KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING WHEN THESE COMMENTS WERE WRITTEN. SO MANY PEOPLE WHO, NO DOUBT LOVE THEIR SPORT, TRY TO GAIN SOME KIND OF NOTORIETY BY PRETENDING THEY ARE A SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS EVERYBODY JUST TO GET ATTENTION. AH WELL, THE MORE WE GET TO READ COMMENTS ON THIS GREAT SITE THE MORE WE GET TO KNOW WHO TO BELIEVE AND WHO NOT TO BELIEVE. JUST A WORD OF ADVICE TO OUR "SELF PROCLAIMED EXPERTS" OUT THERE EVERYWHERE, TAKE A DEEP BREATH, SOME TIME OUT, AND THEN REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. THE WORLD IS TOO TRANSPARENT THESE DAYS TO GET AWAY WITH WRITING RUBBISH.
James
Guest
as below. thanks for proving my point. massive overreaction.
James
Guest
cheers for proving my point. if you looked at round 1 draw objectively you could tell that it wasn't going to pull huge crowds. no need to be concerned unless crowd numbers don't improve in few more months. it isn't an issue that justifies the air/print time that it has gotten.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
The article - much like overreactions - shouldn't be taken too seriously, Rodney.
Tim Prentice
Expert
What, didn't everyone get 4 or 5? Tsk, tsk. Looked a pretty orthodox opening round to me. LOL.
The Doctor
Guest
Careful. NSW don't have a bad record of using players from other countries. Currently there is Tamou, Uate and McManus. :)
Ryan O'Connell
Guest
Depends how much money they have left!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
It's probably best I don't even reveal what I tipped for round one. I'd lose whatever smidgen of credibility I might have.
JGK
Roar Guru
I did terribly in my footy tipping comp (2/8) but when the Dragons score 40+, Manly lose in extra time at Brooky after being 20 ahead, the the Roosters get thumped and Ricky Stuart continues to get shown up as a rubbish coach the, all in all, it was a very satisfying first round.
Linedropout
Roar Pro
Although I'm confused by you alluding to Reynolds being a reason souths will win the premiership after saying blues should forget about him.