The wooden spoon is that annual rugby league competition which no team wants to be a part of.
And it’s approaching an interesting stage with State of Origin Game 1 now almost upon us.
With last year’s titleholder, the Parramatta Eels, apparently out of contention, last year’s runners-up, Wests Tigers, also sitting pretty, the attention has focused to a new crop.
At the back of the current ladder, there are four teams who stand out at serious contenders for the wooden spoon.
Having temporarily given up on predicting results this season I am relying on the all-knowing bookies for a clearer understanding of the contenders odds.
Here are the current odds for each team’s hopes and aspirations this season.
| Team | Premiership | Premiership | Top Four | Top Eight | No Eight | Wooden Spoon |
| Dragons | 101 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 1.15 | 8 |
| Knights | 81 | 26 | 8 | 8 | 1.06 | 4.5 |
| Raiders | 151 | 34 | 9 | 9 | 1.04 | 3 |
| Sharks | 101 | 34 | 9 | 9 | 1.04 | 2.8 |
Cronulla Sharks
The bookies have the Sharks marginal favourites for the wooden spoon at this stage and they are currently sitting in the wooden spoon position. They have only four points from the 20 available and sit on a miserable for and against of 155 to 242 for a differential of -87.
No doubt some will say that it is early in the season and that the Sharks have injury problems, suspension issues and Origin commitments, which will all be overcome in time to climb out of the wooden spoon.
There may be some merit in this view, but the Sharks have a caretaker as coach for this season and they are starting to get used to losing games by close margins, which is not a good sign. I favour the Sharks, despite a tough game against the Rabbitohs coming up, to put the off-field drama behind them and climb out of wooden spoon contention. They won’t make the eight though.
Newcastle Knights
The Knights and Sharks share injuries woes, but the Knights have super coach Wayne Bennett, who bookies seem convinced will drag the Knights off the wooden spoon position.
The Knights are equal bottom of the ladder on four points, with a for and against of 148 to 219, for a differential of -71.
The Knights have had their share of close loses and off-field problems, which are ongoing with ownership and funding of the club still in issue. That may cause further distractions.
I favour the Knights with Bennett pushing hard to climb out of the wooden spoon position, but then Bennett could claim breach of his coaching contract to terminate and go elsewhere. Some Knights players may also be contemplating greener pastures if their contracts are not honoured.
So with the Knights problems yet to be resolved they have to remain in contention for the wooden spoon.
Raiders
The Warriors, who were considered by some to be in contention for the wooden spoon, have acted early to remove coach Matt Elliott and are considered to be out of contention for the wooden spoon, but the same cannot be said of the Raiders.
With two massive defeats in the last two games, Raiders fans are calling for the removal of Ricky Stuart and there seems to be some justification. They only have six points with a for and against of 182 to 284 for a differential of -102.
The Raiders have the worst defence in the competition and the largest negative differential and must remain in contention for the wooden spoon, particularly while the position of coach Ricky Stuart is unresolved.
Dragons
Well , what can you say about the Dragons? Competition leaders in Round 3 and now with the second-worst defensive record of the competition. They have just one win from the last seven games and sit on eight points with a for and against of 179 to 256 for a differential of -77.
Benji Marshall’s signing may well provide some hope for the Dragons, but he needs time to settle in. The Dragons’ next match is against Souths, followed by the Sharks, so the fate of Dragons coach Steve Price may depend on those two games.
If Steve Price remains as coach then they remain potential wooden spoon contenders. But they might have some hope if there’s a smooth transition to a new or interim coach. Making the eight is not out of the question.
Wooden Spoon
So, while there are still three serious contenders, I favour the Raiders for the spoon this season.
fishes
Guest
I know, I meant that they won't even make the finals for the next couple of years even with their good forward pack (because of the rule changes, they can't grind out a win like they used to). They need some good backs ASAP
Marldon
Guest
finals ??????, finals are well gone for the sharks. Its bottom two and if they do avoid the spoon, they will have Ricky Stuart to thank.
Marldon
Guest
Iknow that Cullen was pretty filthy about the way he was treated at the sharks and I beleve that he has criticised the sharks management structures but this is the first I have heard of him criticising the club over all (despite the fact that there is much to criticise). We all know that the sharks footballing financial model is fundamentally flawed and that they need this housing scheme to keep them afloat but I am curious as to what Cullens scathing attacks may have been. If you know more then please spill. I very much doubt that NRL HQ are waiting for the sharks to implode. If they were going to get rid of them, then last September was the big opportunity on the back of the Drugs investigation. Unless there is something I don't know about then I suspect that they will be dragging this great game down for some time to come.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Yep, its about targeting the right players for the club. Being a family club is what they should be aiming at, look at more country boys to bolster the ranks as well. If you can get the culture right at the club, everything else will follow.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
1938 was such a good year. Dragons wooden spoon, Bulldogs champs. Hopefully we can repeat the dose in 2014.
Rupert
Guest
go on then, put your money where your mouth is.
fiver
Guest
Sorry but I completely disagree with this. I think it's a cop out the whole Canberra is an undesirable place to live and therefor will never get good players. If the Raiders had a great culture and were finishing top 4 in consecutive years they could attract some decent players at their market value. That is players who were serious about their footy careers, not the Willie Mason's of the NRL who are more serious about getting on the grog after the game. I accept there are some players who will just never go to Canberra cause its too different for them, but this is the same for North QLD or New Zealand. The Brumbies attract the cream of Australian Rugby cause they are the most professional and proudest Super 15 franchise in the country and the only Australian team who has won the competition.
fiver
Guest
Wasn't it the players who revolted against Furner? shows what a coach he was that he didn't have the support of half his players.
turbodewd
Guest
Canberra will not finish last. They get plenty of free winter wins at home.
fishes
Guest
The sharks have been completely blindsided this season in so many ways. Firstly, the coaching situation. Peter Sharp seems to be aiming for the wooden spoon as he just missed out with the Northern Eagles. Secondly, the injuries have been absolutely horrendous. But no one has mentioned the rule changes- I think this has really affected the sharks ability to win. They had perfected a grinding style over the last few years and this is just not effective anymore. The sharks backline a just not good enough with the new rules. I think the Sharks can kiss finals goodbye until they get some speedy backs in their lineup and learn to adapt.
fishes
Guest
In what way was Bruno Cullens report scathing? And what evidence do you have, just wondering. Cullen told the media that the Sharks books were fine.
Matthew Buxton
Roar Pro
I'm going to go with Canberra. I think Cronulla have enough in that squad to just avoid the spoon.
George Walton
Guest
As long as it's White, TLL or Tilse, who cares. Better not be Shannon Boyd or Vaughan.
AJL
Guest
Elliott was never sacked by the Raiders, he left for Penrith when his contract expired. Penrith sacked him in 2011. Furner is the only Raiders coach to be sacked in our history, others have been recruited by other clubs or haven't had contracts renewed. Regardless of whether he can coach, Stuart is going nowhere.
George Walton
Guest
As long as it's White, TLL or Tilse, who cares. Better not be Shannon Boyd or Vaughan.
Sid
Guest
I think it would be the Sharks or Newcastle. Canberra and St George still have some promise. Canberra have a rubbish coach in Ricky Stuart. Even in his success at the Roosters 61% win isn't great. After that 21% win at Parra and 33% at Canberra. I actually think NSW could of won a couple of SOO if it wasn't for Stuart. Losing the WC 2008 to NZ with one of the greatest Kangaroo sides ever was the cherry on top for how useless he really is as a coach. He refuses to take the blame and blamed ever body including the ARL executives and referees for the loss. He has a very good reputation of taking a great team and turning them into rubbish. I think off field things are really impacting on the Sharks and Newcastle The Sharks still have the ASADA investigation and the salary cap scandal that hasn't yet been resolved. Bruno Cullen was sent into the Sharks to review the club and his report back to the NRL is scathing. I think the NRL are sitting on it hands and waiting the club to implode so that they have a good excuse to relocate to Perth or SEQ. Newcastle are internally a mess with player and staff not getting paid they are also struggling off the field. Alex McKinnon injury also hasn't helped the situation and the club is walking a fine line. I think if the of field situation is right the player can focus on the job at hand and not worry about the future,
George Walton
Guest
Too much love for Ricky at Raiders HQ for him to be sacked. By Round 12 I'd like to see a conglomerate of nonplaying coaches replace Sticky: maybe Campo, McCrone, Buttriss, Tilse, White and Bill Tupou could take over (at least they wouldn't have to coach themselves).
Parrafan
Guest
Did bugger all but lower player moral to new found lows. The change has come from a new board during last year and a coach who actually knows what he is talking about. As well as some promising juniors. On player recruitment Corey Norman has been average (especially when we are paying a reported 500K a season for him), whereas Peats may be the buy of the year. As I've said previously anyone other than the Broncos water boy (Stephen Kearney) knew that Roberts, Matt Keating and Reni weren't up to 1st grade standard. Other than that RS did nothing and is not deserving of any praise.
George Walton
Guest
The Raiders won't win a Premiership again until there's a level playing field in the salary cap. The swans get (maybe got) an extra $1m to cater for the high cost of living in Sydney. The Raiders can't compete with clubs in bigger populations as the millionaires mainly live in the big cities. You could say that Canberra is cold, but it doesn't stop billions of people living in colder places across the world. Third party agreements enable some clubs to prosper while others get players no one wants, and have to pay overs for them. The Raiders need extra salary cap to attract a decent roster, as do some other teams. If no extra salary cap is possible, how about concessions for juniors. Funny how Milford and his family have been supported for 6 years by the Raiders, yet the papers praise him for honouring a contract to bugger off to the Broncos now he's a star. He'll get about 40% of what the Raiders offered too - that's a joke.... B. Ferguson will be a reformed man now that he's going to the Rorters, he'll carry little old ladies across busy streets. A few weeks ago some program was telling us that Dugan is a changed man now that he's a father. At least Dugan had the humility to say that his child lives over a 1000km away, so a model dad he ain't. Mind you, he could say he needs to join the broncos for family reasons. Sound familiar? Why don't drongos who effectively walk out of contracts (dugan, carney, fergo) have to sign on minimum wage with the wooden spooner of the year before? Maybe it'll be good to win the spoon then.
danwain
Guest
I could not agree more. The halfback on one side and the five eighth on the other side just does not work for the Dragons. I know Manly do it to some extent but they have threats everywhere. The Dragons revamped attack is awful.