Opinion
Recently I have been really fascinated by what-if history or alternative history.
This what-if history is a rabbit hole and you can just keep going in new directions with it depending on the event.
Anyway, the new NRL season starts this week and I started applying what-if history to some NRL stories. So here is a list of some what-if history NRL moments and what may have been the consequnce.
JWH never leaves Manly for the Roosters
First one is pretty simple: what if Manly in one of the golden runs for the club were able to hang onto Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. First off, I think that the Roosters fail to go back to back in 2018 and ’19. They may have won one of the premierships just not both.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
I also think that Manly would have gone on to win at least one more premiership. They probably win in 2013 if JWH is wearing maroon and white and may have won more later in the decade. Perhaps Manly hold onto Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough a little longer because they are still competing?
Ben Hunt catches the kick-off
This one is probably a bit cruel, but oh well. The 2015 grand final may have the most famous finish in NRL history but what if Hunt had simply just caught the kick-off – something he had done probably thousands of times in his life.
I think if he does, Brisbane may well have gone on to win. Both teams were out on their feet by this stage so I think getting first use in extra time would have been a big advantage. If the Broncos work it to their 40 metres or slightly better and then have a good kick, they now hold the advantage.
Even if the Cowboys still go on to win the 2015 premiership, I don’t think that Ben Hunt would have left Brisbane for the Dragons a few years later.
Sonny Bill Williams never plays union
What if SBW had never left the Bulldogs in 2008? Would he now be regarded as possibly a top five player of all time? Do the Bulldogs win one or two premierships? Does SBW have any reason to go to the Roosters?
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Melbourne Storm’s salary cap breaches are never discovered
This is a big one! It is hard to imagine that anything is the same if the Storm hadn’t had the whistle blown on them and their cap activities. Do the Dragons win in 2010? Maybe. Perhaps the Storm knock them out of the finals. Maybe Greg Inglis doesn’t go to South Sydney and they don’t win in 2014? Maybe Cronk retires after 2017 having won four premierships and rides off into the commentary box? Maybe the Storm win in 2013 or 2014 and maybe even 2015?
It is impossible to say who would have won the last ten or so premierships if the Storm had never been caught, or how players would have moved between clubs or which coaches might have which job.
There are just a few NRL what-ifs. I would love to hear from you of some possible what-ifs or even why you think I may be right or wrong with my guesses.
Bring on the footy!
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Some of the best TV we'll see all year!
The Roosters coach wasn't happy after a number of controversial calls went against them in their loss to the Storm - does he have…
Spudd hitting Kenty right between the eyes!
Darcy Lussick and Cook Islands player Anthony Gelling found out on SENZ the Panthers star will be crossing back to New Zealand.
Death, taxes and the Storm defying pre-season predictions that this year will be the one when they slip down the ladder. Inevitably, seven rounds…
The Melbourne prop cracked up Storm great Cam Smith in his post-game interview as the Nine pundit ribbed him about his nickname.
