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We are on the cusp of a sparkling new rugby league season and there’s no betting – I’ll get to that later – there will be another colourful scrapbook of headlines from our battalion of print and electronic media outlets.
So what can we look forward to as our favourite code launches into 2016?
I’m tipping these will be some of the headlines we’ll see between now and grand final day on Sunday, October 2.
NRL won’t appoint new leader until end of May
That’s way too long for any football code to be leaderless (Dave Smith left on November 30) and all I can hope is that the incoming CEO knows and has a genuine love of rugby league.
Wests Tigers roaring after six weeks – Jason Taylor escapes the axe
If the Tiges can stay injury-free for a month and a bit, they can be finals contenders. Maybe playing without Robbie Farah early on will be a bonus.
Foran struggles to make his mark at Parramatta
Foran is a very good player, but no Messiah. If Parra are struggling after six to eight weeks, Keiran Foran will cop flak like he has never known and could lose the captaincy.
‘Bring Back Toovs’ signs at Brookie
Thousands of Sea Eagles fans are still seething over the axing of favourite son and premiership-winner Geoff Toovey. Head coach Trent Barrett will need to be good – very, very good. If the right results aren’t happening by June, Barrett will need much more than Bob Fulton’s magic wand to keep the Manly supporter base.
Broncos blitz them all for Bennett’s seventh premiership
Well, that’s my tip for title honours in 2016. I have tipped the Cowboys and Rabbitohs at this time and all the ducks are aligned for Brisbane to right their wrongs of 2015. Star half and playmaker Ben Hunt will be a man driven by much more than demons.
Roosters will struggle to make the finals
No team losing the players this side has can maintain the rage. They might be competitive for a while but it will be a week-to-week thing to make the playoffs at the back-end.
Cowboys’ defence not good enough to go back-to-back
If the premiers can’t stop leaking points, they will be spectators in September.
Hang onto your hat Andy McFadden!
The New Zealand Warriors have a team that can do plenty of damage but is the current coach up to the challenge? He’s okay, but the available Ivan Cleary is a better option.
Canberra Raiders to power towards sixth spot
The signing of Aidan Sezer was a beauty. This guy was out of sight and out of mind at the Titans, but he can really play. His combination with Blake Austin will excite everyone. They should be the NSW Origin halves pairing and they will give Canberra great hopes for success this year.
Sharkies superkids to excite
Jack Bird, Valentine Holmes and Penrith import Myles Taueli will be weekly stars. Cronulla will enjoy a big year, with James Maloney providing many missing links.
Be wary of betting sites
Release cash at your peril. These guys aren’t out to help you, fleece is a much better verb. Think about the word ‘fleece’ before betting a single dollar.
NSW take Origin victory
The Blues will do it this year. The Maroons will miss Mal Meninga. NSW missed by a lousy field goal last season, and the hurt is palpable. It’s the Blues’ turn and I’m backing them, big time.
The NRL’s new bunker will be genius early, but a galoot later
There will be an understandable honeymoon for a few months, but when the bad calls start coming, all hell will break loose.
There’s just one more headline we will see. Please remember and tell everyone you know where you saw it first. The Roar is No.1 for rugby league.
Well, in my mind it already is, and when you tell all and sundry, it surely will be the very best in the business. I look forward to another year of your sports opinion!
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