It has been a jam-packed year in rugby league, starting way back in February with the World Club Series and All Stars match, and finishing in December with the Rugby League World Cup final.
There have been highlights, lowlights and everything in between. Let’s look back at the year that was in the greatest game of them all.
NRL
There was never any real doubts about who was winning the 2017 NRL premiership. The Melbourne Storm dominated from start to finish, having the minor premiership wrapped up with a few weeks of the season to go and barely looking challenged.
In the end, they racked up 44 competition points and a ridiculous for and against of +297.
They got a scare from the Parramatta Eels at the start of the finals but ended up cruising home in convincing fashion, smacking the Broncos and then Cowboys in the big one.
Despite North Queensland’s grand final loss, they are the story of the rugby league year. No team with talent to the equivalent of Matt Scott and Johnathan Thurston sitting on the sidelines would be expected to do well.
Making the finals alone was never likely, but they qualified in thanks to a capitulation from the St George Illawarra Dragons, then set about ruining some top contenders’ seasons.
Their elimination final against the Cronulla Sharks proved exactly what North Queensland were all about. They were behind the whole game but managed to force extra time, before taking the lead in the 85th minute and hanging on for dear life.
They then ran riot over the Parramatta Eels, before turning their attention to the Sydney Roosters and picking up a 29-16 victory.
On the whole however, the regular season was a disappointing.
Melbourne were so far ahead that the end result never felt in doubt. The Broncos and Roosters, who finished second and third, were never seriously in the hunt, while Parramatta scrapped into the top four.
Manly and Penrith were the other teams in the top eight, while the Dragons stumbled, fumbled and bumbled their way from the top of the table at the halfway point to missing the finals. They lost to the Knights, Rabbitohs and Bulldogs over the second half of the season, leaving plenty of competition points on the field.
The Raiders were disappointing, finishing tenth, while the Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Tigers, Titans and Knights all put their fans through another hellish season – even if the Knights finally showed some positive signs for 2018.
Referees were again like deer trapped in the headlights as inconsistencies stemmed throughout the season. From penalty tries to sin-bins and the obstruction rule, everyone had something they wanted to complain about.
Coaches also found themselves in the firing line. Jason Taylor was sacked after just three weeks of footy, and Neil Henry went from the Titans after a fall-out with Jarryd Hayne. Des Hasler was controversially re-signed and then shown the door at the end of the season, while Michael Maguire joined him walking out the door at South Sydney.
In the end though, season 2017 belonged to Craig Bellamy and his Storm cohort. Cooper Cronk joins the Roosters in 2018, but he left Melbourne a winner.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
State of Origin
Three in a row and 11 out of the last 12. It’s scary just how good Queensland are at State of Origin.
New South Wales’ solitary series win in the last decade seems like a lifetime ago, yet this may have been the scariest year of the lot for the Blues.
They were the far better team in Game 1. Sure, there was no Johnathan Thurston and the Maroons selectors controversially overlooked Billy Slater, but the Blues played a style of rugby league that made you sit up and take notice. If the style didn’t, then the 28-4 victory at Suncorp Stadium sure did.
NSW were better by the length of the straight, and a changing of the guard without Paul Gallen and Robbie Farah appeared to have occurred. James Tedesco was a standout, Mitchell Pearce played his best ever Origin game, and new hooker Nathan Peats looked like he was made for the cauldron.
But talk of a Blues dynasty came to an abrupt end just three weeks later.
Slater and Thurston were back and Laurie Daley’s side went into their shell at home. The free-flowing, attacking style we had seen in Brisbane disappeared and they gave up 12 unanswered points in the second half to concede victory.
The scene of Thurston running around and playing with one arm will live long in the Origin memory bank. That’s before he stepped up to ice an 18-16 win with a conversion from the sideline, just three minutes from fulltime.
It was an injury which ended Thurston’s season. Anthony Milford had played Game 1, but was also sitting injured, so Kevin Walters called upon youngster Cameron Munster. Michael Morgan was also called up to play centre, and the pair were pivotal in the eventual series victory.
Valentine Holmes would score a hat-trick as the Maroons ran out 22-6 winners on home soil and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Blues were again left to lick their wounds and wonder if they will be ever able to stop the Queensland juggernaut, having been given a look into the future, led by Munster and Morgan.
(AAP Image/Darren England)
Rugby League World Cup
The international game continues to expand at a rapid pace, with more than 30 nations playing official Test matches this year.
The year for international footy continued as the Rugby League World Cup got underway. For the first time, the women’s event was played alongside the men’s (but more on this later) and it was a roaring success.
What didn’t happen for the first time was Australia crushing everyone in their path. They conceded just two tries across their six games for the tournament, dominating even without the injured Thurston.
But the real story was that of the Pacific Island nations. Tonga became a genuine dark horse weeks before, when Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo joined their cause. They got all the way through to the semi-final as well, almost beating England if not for a controversial refereeing decision.
That came after Fiji, complete with Hayne, knocked out New Zealand in a stunning upset victory with no tries scored in the match. The Bati went on to be thumped by Australia in the semi-final.
Samoa were a disappointment, but the passion on display from all three nations – which was typified by their pre-match rituals – brought the World Cup to life. Tongan and Samoan fans in their grudge match created an electric atmosphere and showed exactly what the sport of rugby league means to those nations.
While there were plenty of blowout games, there were also moments which made the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
And how can we mention atmosphere without talking about Papua New Guinea? Hosting three games in Port Moresby was the best decision the tournament could have made. Three sell-out crowds, three incredible atmospheres and some amazing footy was played by the Kumuls.
Sure, they got soundly beaten in the quarter-final against England, but there were so many positives for international rugby league this year.
(NRLPhotos/Dave Acree)
Women’s Rugby League World Cup
As mentioned, for the first time, the women’s tournament was played alongside the men’s. Three triple-headers at Southern Cross Group Stadium in Cronulla, before the semi-finals at the same location.
Then the final, played before the men’s final in Brisbane. It was a monumental day for the sport, with the Jillaroos running out winners over the Kiwi Ferns in the big game.
While the tournament itself was sometimes played at a low standard, it was hardly a surprise. The Canadian team were playing their first ever games of rugby league, and the Cook Islands squad had only got together for the first time a handful of days before the tournament began.
The Cook Islands showed their class though, pulling off what was the upset of the tournament when they beat England in the third pool game.
The Jillaroos would go on to beat Canada in the semi-final, while New Zealand beat England.
The final was a hard-fought affair, Australia eventually winning 23-16. Up 22-10 with 15 minutes to play, the Ferns went on the attack and were rewarded for their efforts with Raecene McGregor crashing over to make it a six-point game.
Caitlin Moran, who was one of Australia’s best all tournament long stepped up and slotted a field goal on the fulltime siren though, leading to the seven-point win for the Jillaroos.
The big moments kept coming for, with the announcement of a women’s national competition next year. It will feature six teams, with the grand final to be played on NRL grand final, which is one of the biggest days on Australia’s sporting calendar.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
All the winners
NRL premiers: Melbourne Storm
NRL minor premiers: Melbourne Storm
Dally M Medal: Cameron Smith
Rugby League World Cup winners: Australia
Women’s Rugby League World Cup winners: Australia
New South Wales Cup premiers: Penrith Panthers
Queensland Cup premiers; Papua New Guinea Hunters
State Challenge winners: Penrith Panthers
NSW Women’s Premiership premiers: Redfern All Blacks
South East Queensland Division 1 women’s premiers: Burleigh Bears
English Super League premiers: Leeds Rhinos
English Challenge Cup champions: Hull F.C.
Roarers, what did you make of 2017 in rugby league? Drop a comment and let us know.
BA Sports
Guest
The Storm were too good, and I am one who enjoys watching the best play like the best, so I enjoyed watching them play. The negative was In years past even the poor teams would be watchable more often than not and could provide some entertainment, but teams like the Bulldogs, Warriors and Tigers and Souths were at times unwatchable this year. The World Cup was great, though disappointing it couldn't be covered in simulcast on Fox where we would have got better commentary and accurate stats etc. Would love to have seen PNG get a home final and the Sydney games played at grounds like Penrith (Parra would have been ideal, but the powers at be decided to knock it down - nice timing) The allure of Origin still escapes me. I watch it, I acknowledge the skill level on display, but the games are not entertaining if you don't have a runner in the race.
BA Sports
Guest
So a highlight for the season was the quality of the grass... lol :) Sadly, I kind of agree. The lack of players cable of taking over a game is disappointing and probably not something we can hope to see change much in 2018. I am hoping that with another year under his belt, Barrett will continue to grow as a coach and that guys like Brennan will successfully make the next step. New ideas and more creativity from the younger brigade of coaches to rival the Bellamy's Green's and Arthur's and hopefully we can filter out the guys who haven't achieved anything - and don't look like being able to do so - i.e the McGregors and Griffen's, and move on some of the old coaches - like Stuart and Bennett, and the game play will start to progress
Peter Phelps
Guest
Last year, roosters were the only team to seriously worry a full strength storm. it will be interesting to see how they go in 2018.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Sea Eagles 1st spoon coming up? struggled to get a spoon in the Northern Eagles days and soon after with some pretty average rosters. Haslers Eagles were in the GF in their 3rd year and that is a possibility again but who knows Well under the radar again , great news
Tim
Guest
The Roosters were always in it ! Every team has an off day, the Bondi boys just left theirs till the second last week.
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
2018 predictions: SOO: NSW will win with Freddy in charge (Daley, while a super nice guy...... can't coach/man Manage). The timing of his subs was so so bad and cost the blues at least 2 series. Roosters: will miss the 8; NO FORWARDS. hargraves... hopeless since knees gone, Napa.... played one good game his year (in origin); Cordner... injured, No go forward..... lets see how good Cooper really is. If he gets them to the premiership... then this man is in deed a genius. Wests Tigers: Will make the 8; I see this team as the biggest improvers; great coach!, and a team that wants to play for him. We win a lot of close ones and sneak into the 8. Manly: not hearing great things out on the beaches.... will miss the 8. Gold coast: I wonder how they will play without Hayne? because they were rubbish with him in there. I think they all thought all was a superstar..... well hes no Wally Lewis! hes a handy first grade player, and the players took their foot off the pedal. If the coach can convince them that they indeed are a good team; then they could be smokees for the 8. Brisbane: changing of the guard this year: Walters in; Bennett out. They will probably wait until the end of the year; broncos will be there abouts... but could miss the 8 right at the end of the season. Finish the season with a few losses and miss the 8. Storm: too good to miss the 8; will again finish top 4; need a few of the younger guns to step up; but thats never been a issue! Cooper will be a loss; but they will be Ok without him. Parra: Played there GF against the Storm and nearly beat them; 2018; what does it hold: signing of Hayne... at first I thought at the price it was a good signing.... but with the court case coming up; this will affect the teams changes big time (they will say it wont etc, etc), but it will and be a huge distraction. due to this, parra to miss the 8. Saints: wow, everyone picked them to get the WS this year and were top 2 for over half the year... then fall in a heap. Still not convinced that Mary is a good coach, he just doesnt blood the younger guys; he needed new blood in that team towards the end of the year.... but kept picking players that dont deliver. HUNT is a huge signing. If Mary can grow some b@lls and pick his team on form.. Saints will go ok in 2018; easily make the 8. Also remember they now have one of the best front rowers in the game as well. Graham and Hunt; could be the signings of the year Warriors: wow, what a disappointment 2017 was; promised so much.. delivered less then 0. Newcastle should so have beaten them in round 1!; Foran was a huge reason why; did nothing and by all reports didnt want to be there. I wonder what attitude he will bring to the dogs? signed no one of note. i wonder if Roger will leave them, he should never have left the Roosters, went from one day being a future immortal... to a handy first grade player. His manager should be sacked for letting him go to the warriors. Dogs: Graham leaving leaves a big hole; Hasler should have been sacked during the first half of the season, and the Dogs maybe would have made the 8. I think they will have a big year; but they need Foran to pull his finger out and own the team... lets see if he is up to this; if he is, top 8 easy and maybe top 4. Woods is a good signing; him and his bro-mate will love playing together, and its all about being happy!! Penrith: Not sure what to make of their year; so much disappointment, but they still made the 8; big bad Josh was the reason why; as soon as he got back in the team, the team changed directory. Yes, Cleary was great; but you need go-forward! Moloney... will be a great signing; he's a guy that players love to play with; he will be a burst of energy around the place. Again will make the 8 easily. Sharks: Again the sharks showed why it is so hard to win back to back premierships. The mental energy required is huge and the sharks were never going to do it; The lose of moloney is huge; They have the talent to win the premiership, but do they really want it; will make 8, but cannot see them winning the flag. Knights: Interesting signings, Pearce will be massive for them and for the first half of the season they will win a few games and be around the 8th spot... but I cannot see them keeping this up; will finish 12/13th; which will be ok. They wont get the WS. Gagai was a huge loss Souths: Gagai is a huge signing and along with GI back they have a great team on paper. Those Burgress Bros need to find their form from a few seasons back; if they do watch out. Also new coach, I must admit, I know very little about him, but I do believe they needed a new coach; Maguire did an awesome job to win them that premiership! but his time was up; I'm tipping a huge improvement in the Rabbits this year; top 8 Raiders: Ricky..... when he won the premiership with the Roosters... my grandma could have coached that team to win. First year at the Sharks; he should have won that, but thats when Birdy went out of control... cost them a premiership. So Ricky is great in the first few years as a coach and thats it.......... Ricky you need to change the way you coach; you have a team that was born to attack!!! let them off there leash, ok they will let a few tries in and they will lose a few games because of it........ but the only way they can win matches constantly/consistently is to let them attack! If you do this, they will easily make the 8 and be a chance to win the premiership (happy team) if you dont and continue to try and make them defend...... then its WS time and you will be sacked. Its that easy. Cowboys: wow what a 2017; came second, but by all rights should not have made the 8; I bet the whole team sat around watching the siants/dogs game having a beer and having fun; but wit 5 minutes to go; i bet they were all glued to the TV and thinking.... we could still make the 8........ lets give this a shake if we do!! and they did. The difference in the playing ability in most teams isnt much, the difference is in the head space (melbourne show and know this) and the cowboys showed it this year. If you believe, miracles can occur!! The team is so full of talent, they should again make the 8, need JT fit though! If i was running a book; these would be my odds 5/2 Melbourne 8/1 Cowboys 9/1 Roosters, Dogs, Panthers 14/1 Saints, sharks, Eels 15/1 Raiders 17/1 Rabbits 25/1 Tigers, 33/1 Broncos 50/1 Titans 80/1 Warriors, Knights 100/1 Sea Eagles
Albo
Guest
Thanks for all your contributions throughout the year Scott ! Whilst it became very obvious early in the season that the Storm were just too good for the rest of the competition, it was still another good season for us footy fans. The Storm again underlined the vital requirement to have a consistently high performing spine if you are to be any chance in taking out the premiership. They had a bunch of future immortals in their spine still playing at the top of their game and a bunch of consistent tradesmen and flying wingers augmenting their make up, and it was this sort of make up that ensured both a premiership and another QLD victory at State of Origin. Whilst they have lost Cronk for 2018, they have a capable replacement ready to step up and they will surely be favourites to go back to back in 2018. Looking ahead to 2018 season, again you need to look at the teams with the complete "spines" to be the serious contenders for the title. For me it looks like there are three of them, the Storm, Roosters & Cowboys. Likely making up the 8 will be the teams with the next best 'spines" and I suspect they will be the same as in 2017, Cronulla, Penrith, Manly, the Broncos & Parramatta. I can see the bottom 8 remaining the same with varying positional changes, like an improving Newcastle and a dismal year for the Titans. Predictions : Premiership - Storm Wooden Spoon - Titans State of Origin - QLD
Peter Phelps
Guest
This year was fantastic and I certainly did not find the NRL season boring. There was some of the finest rugby league skills on display throughout the year and a pure joy to watch. The Storm were simply fantastic this year with Slater's comeback a real thrill. He is possibly better now than before he got injured. Rekindled the hunger perhaps ? Great 2017 and I look forward to an equally thrilling 2018. My prediction - Roosters minor premiers, roosters v storm GF with the Storm being the first team to go back to back.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Super League was a joy to watch this year with so many teams challenging the traditional big four. Leeds, Wigan, St Helens and Warrington all struggled for major parts of the season with Warrington really falling by the wayside. Castleford won the the League Leaders Shield (minor premiers) for the first time in their 91 year history playing an exciting brand of rugby league. Unfortunately for them, they limped through the finals and then got blown away by big game specialists Leeds. Wakefield, despite their off field stadium woes seriously challenged for top four honours as did fan favourites (sic) Salford who displayed grit and tenacity for the first half of the season to see them comfortably heading for the finals before losing a zillion games in a row in the back end of the year. Warrington found themselves entrenched in the bottom four after a stirring win against the Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Series. Wigan took out Cronulla in an equally impressive performance but unlike Wigan, Warrington weren't able to rebound from that high and were in the doldrums the entire season. The RFL admittance of the Toronto Wolfpack was a stunning success which saw the Canadian-based team take out their division and be promoted to the second division in their first season. The Balkans Super League tournament has grown to now feature 15 club teams from five European domestic competitions, including Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria. Anyway, just a reminder that rugby league isn't just NRL and its immediate confines. Merry Xmas all.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Nice review Scott. My highlight for 2017 was being able to watch every NRL round game and the finals without tuning into Nine once. I know not everyone can afford to pay for it but for me it is money well spent, well done Foxsports. And another highlight was that I won my Supercoach League.
Justin Kearney
Guest
Agree Scott. Great article. Storm were clearly the best team and SOO 2 was terrific. The World Cup was a lot of fun and the final was a classic. The other exciting thing is the potential for growth in new markets. North America / Canada in particular. As usual the only thing that holds back the game is its officials. Next ten years will be interesting particularly if australia loses its stranglehold on the game bit by bit.
Concerned Observer
Guest
I think the more disappointing part was that no other team was answering the call to play as consistently as they did. Some would say that Cronulla might of beaten them but their games against the storm were some of the few where they actually turned up to play seriously. Towards the end of the season it was becoming clearer they’d lost the ability to do that and by the time of their final against the Cowboys, Newcastle would’ve given them a serious push No, the storm were good to watch because they would always turn up, whether it be a Top 4 “rival” or the bottom 4 they turned up with an attitude of playing to win Also agree with you, that the WC host nation didn’t get a home final felt wrong, would’ve been an amazing atmosphere
Charles Brandling
Roar Rookie
Looking back on the 2017 I think you are right in saying it was never really close. Everyone bags the Roosters for trying to buy a premiership and what not but at least 2018 is looking a lot more open thanks to heavy player movement. You'd have to be a genius to know what the top eight will look like next year.
MAX
Guest
Hi Scott, Thank you for a rewarding reminder of season 2017 reality and for all your articles during a long and exasperating season. Fewer tipsters than ever got it right and if 144 of the 192 games (75%) be deemed a pass mark, the room was full of duds. I got a worst ever 119. Watching Iconic Replays on Fox 502 there were two standouts. Player size and the improved playing surface of arenas. I expect the competition to be closer in 2018. The Cowboys to win and Canterbury to make the 8. Rugby League is still the GGoA.
paul
Guest
Scott, the impression I have of the 2017 regular season is a lack of consistency, with the exception of the Storm. I don't think any side could be happy with how it played week to week, especially those sides that finished from about 7 to 12. I'm not sure what it should be put down to, but for sure it's not the evenness of the competition, more about sides turning up to play one week and MIA the next.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hi Nerval, Thanks for that. 100% correct as well. I have no idea how that got mixed up because I definitely had it right in the first draft!
nerval
Guest
A good round-up, Scott and thanks for your work throughout the year. In the NRL, I appear to be one of the few non-Storm fans to enjoy watching them play. Or at least to admit to it. I don't think their superiority makes the season disappointing. Their back three of Slater, Vunivalu and Addo-Carr, in particular, was an absolute joy. Re State Of Origin - this was all about Game 2 and a severely injured Thurston exemplifying everything that's made this annual contest such a feature of the sporting year. The World Cup was great when centred around Tonga and PNG's maniacal followings, but the latter not being given a chance to host the quarter-final was one of many curious decisions that hobbled the competition just when it might have advanced further. There was, alas, very little buzz around the vast majority of games hosted by Australia. There were glimmers of just what this World Cup might become but I remain unconvinced either by the international's board's power or vision to be able to take advantage in any meaningful or consistent way. Just one thing, it was Leeds who won Super League and Hull FC the Challenge Cup - not the other way around.