With the Brisbane Broncos winning the women’s NRL Premiership by 34-12 over the Sydney Roosters and the Sydney Roosters being crowned Premiers in the men’s competition, the NRL season is now at a close for another year.
2018 was a year that personally, I’ll never forget particularly due to some of the amazing strides made in relation to women’s footy.
Here are some of my most significant moments from the year.
Wests Tigers go 4-1
Very few experts predicted that the Wests Tigers would make the top eight this year, but after the first five rounds of the competition, some began to eat their words.
Despite having one of the toughest draws to start the year with games against the Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm (twice), Brisbane Broncos and the Parramatta Eels, the Tigers shocked everyone by winning four of those games.
Unfortunately, the Tigers could not keep up this momentum through the year and ended up just missing out on a top eight spot.
Robbie Farah returns
Whilst we are on the Tigers, as if it wasn’t enough that Benji Marshall returned to the club this year, but in even more of a walk down memory lane, he was also reunited with former team mate Robbie Farah after the South Sydney Rabbitohs granted him a release.
Both players have signed for an additional year and look likely to finish their careers together, in the place where it all began.
The Tigers’ Robbie Farah in action during the Round 19 NRL match against the Rabbitohs. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
The New South Wales Blues win State of Origin
Finally… after a four-year drought the Blues won State of Origin, let by new coach Brad Fittler. Brad absolutely reinvigorated the Origin series this year with 11 debutants named for the Blues in the first game.
New coaching methods including barefoot walks and a ban on mobile phones at the dinner table, but most importantly an open and accessible media policy which meant that some wonderful content was produced during this period.
It’s too early to say whether this will be the start of a dynasty for the Blues, but I have every confidence with Brad leading the way.
Women’s State of Origin
Probably my favourite moment of the year – the inaugural women’s State of Origin played in front of over 7,000 people at North Sydney Oval.
This was a moment in time for our game and whilst the result was a pleasing one for NSW fans, what I’ll never forget is the fans storming the crowd after the game for photos, autographs and hugs with the players who were all too happy to oblige.
It ended with security having to escort us all off the pitch.
Coaching sagas galore
One of the most bizarre moments of the season was when just five weeks out from the finals, the Penrith Panthers decided to sack their coach Anthony Griffin because they didn’t think the team could win a premiership with them.
The Panthers very quickly showed their hand though and made it clear that their man was Ivan Cleary. With Nathan now having signed a monster deal to remain at the club till 2023, it’s still unclear whether his dad will join him.
Add to that the news that Wayne Bennett won’t be coaching the Brisbane Broncos beyond next year and I’m sure that drama around coaches will continue well into next year.
New Zealand make the eight
I tipped the New Zealand Warriors to win the spoon this year. How wrong I was.
Let my new recruits Blake Green and new techniques employed by coach Stephen Kearney (including meditation), it was wonderful for the competition to see the Warriors make the eight this year.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck winning the Dally M Medal and seeing his team mate Isaac Luke lead a Haka in his honour was a very special way for the Warriors to end season 2018.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Warriors (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The fans reject the Daily Telegraph
The Canterbury Bulldogs impressed everyone in the back end of the year with some solid wins and the emergence of young players like Lachlan Lewis.
However, then the Daily Telegraph took some photos of the players at their Mad Monday function and Twitter melted down. It was one of the first times though that public sentiment really sat with the players and saw the use of long lens cameras by the Telegraph as an invasion of privacy.
There is a push from the players and the fans for more positive stories – the big question is will the media write these stories and will the clubs give the media access to write these stories?
After Josh Dugan broke down in the media just a week after that incident, it’s clear that work needs to be done to improve player-media relations.
Josh Dugan takes aim at the media in an emotional press conference
Hilda Mariu makes history
If you love rugby league trivia, remember the name Hilda Mariu. Hilda made history when she became the first try scorer in the inaugural NRL Women’s Premiership in the very first game between the Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors.
The women’s competition may have been short, but its quality has left NRL fans hungry and wanting more. With the quality and sustainability of the competition being the two key drivers for the NRL I am confident that the product will continue to go from strength to strength.
Three field goals for Adam Reynolds
With three minutes to go in the semi-final between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Rabbitohs, the Dragons looked to have the game all but won. But then Ben Hunt made an error, Souths got the ball back and Adam Reynolds kicked his third field goal of the night to get Souths the win.
It was the first time since Jason Taylor in 1997 that a halfback had kicked three field goals in one night and the Burrow absolutely exploded.
#FreeBilly
I can’t remember a grand final week with so much controversy. The beginning of the week was all about Billy Slater and whether he would play following a shoulder charge on Sosaia Feki in last weekend’s game.
After Slater was cleared then the focus moved to Cooper Cronk and whether he would be fit to play following a shoulder injury sustained in the Roosters win over the Rabbitohs. And play he did – apparently with a broken scapula, Cooper acted like a coach on the field and helped lead the Roosters to their first Premiership since 2013.
Other notable moments include Cameron Smith being sent to the sin bin in a game against the Cronulla Sharks, also Cameron Smith announcing his international retirement just weeks out from State of Origin and the genuine joy surrounding the retirement of Johnathan Thurston and his farewell tour across the country.
See you all in 2019.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Time for a new ID.
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
Preferred Cameron Smith being whacked in the goolies by Jeremy Latimore as highlights go.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It wasn't a Ben Hunt error but a bizarre referee ruling that allowed the 3 field goals. The Dragon dummy-half was penalised for exposing an off-side Souths player's obstruction run. I know the refs were just following a new rule interpretation but it only encourages obstruction runners who now have a new way to milk a penalty.
Lee Oliver
Roar Rookie
#1 - Cameron Smith sin-binned. Will never forget that!
Peter
Guest
In what way is it Mary's fault that you are easily confused? She didn't use very many big words.
Adam Elliott
Roar Rookie
Big tough Josh Dugan having a sook was my highlight. Imagine if he played a big sport
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
2018 was a brilliant year for so many reasons. Not only did we see the closest season in years but we were introduced to a number of young stars including Kalyn Ponga, Victor Radley, Jamayne Isaako and Lachlan Lewis to name a few. The future is in safe hands and I must say that the 2018 retiring class was outstanding - Luke Lewis, Johnathan Thurston, Ryan Hoffman, Billy Slater, Simon Mannering, Jason Nightingale, Jason Clark. So much class. The greatest part of 2018 however has been the rise of women's rugby league. The Women's State of Origin was a great experience to be apart of. The on-field product was outstanding and it was great to see so many young girls representing their junior clubs in the 7,000+ crowd. The NRLW exhibited just how far the game has come. Four weeks of tough football, every game was extremely close. I must also comment on the way the girls act off the field. There has not been one negative story. They are extremely well-spoken and willing to chat, very approachable whether after a game or attending a grassroots rugby league game and professional. The NRL women's players are wonderful role models for girls and boys alike, it is having a knock-on effect and will be evidenced by positive growth in junior participation over the coming years. Not only that but also some of the other events around the game. The PDRL World Club Challenge was a nice touch. Junior participation numbers are up. The NSW Cup Grand Final was outstanding. Media coverage was mostly positive. And there is plenty more to come - this weekend's Koori Knockout has been a stand-out. The Emerging Nations World Championship kicked off earlier today and will continue until the end of October. Australia play New Zealand and Tonga. New Zealand tour Europe versus England/France. Rugby League World Cup qualifiers take place. France play Serbia in Belgrade. England A tour PNG. And either Toronto or London will enter the Super League in 2019, decided by next week's MPG in Canada. Excited for the rest of 2018 and next year.
Avatar
Roar Guru
What a massive year 2018 was for rugby league. Didn't think I'd be involved in the sport more than I ever have. Some of my highlights include: * Attending the season launch in the city * Attending the final Anzac Day game at Allianz Stadium and watching the Dragons beat the Roosters by 24-8 * Attending the inaugural women's Origin and then Origin II two nights later, and watching the Blues win both times * Meeting and greeting the Dragons' women's players outside Kogarah Oval * Attending the Roosters vs Sharks qualifying final at Allianz Stadium after watching the Giants smash the Swans in the AFL final next door * Attending the NRLW match between the Dragons and Warriors before the men's semi-final between the Rabbitohs and Dragons * Attending the NRL Fan Fest during Grand Final week. If the inaugural women's season has taught us anything, it's that the Brisbane Broncos have clearly set the benchmark for the competition as they went through the whole thing undefeated, culminating in them beating the Sydney Roosters convincingly in the Grand Final. The other three teams are going to have their work cut out trying to dethrone them next year. It was also great to see so many female players live their dream of playing professional rugby league, something we didn't think was possible as recently as 18 months ago. Can't wait to see what the 2019 season brings us!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Nice read Mary. On the footy show on grand final day there was a panel with three journos. When asked what they’d change about the NRL they said we need better media access to players. I sort of agree but is it any surprise players don’t want to work with muckrakers that throw them under the bus at each and every opportunity. Why would they?
BennO
Roar Rookie
I enjoyed that walk back through the season. For me this year didn't have too many standout moments, maybe because I was distracted by life more than usual. But what I did really like was just how close the top eight were, right to the end. Such an even competition towards the end made for a great finish. Next year will be a good one even without JT, Slater, possibly Smith and maybe even Bennett?
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Mary are these ranked in order or just random?? I was a little confused there, surely you have read enough of my cousin’s articles (bigJ) to see how a top ten list is done. Plus I would think the number one would have to be Cronk going back to back premierships with different clubs. Enjoy your day, nice read
peeeko
Roar Guru
number 1 has to be the rejection of the DT