2020 will go down in history as a very strange and unique year.
People around the world will eventually remember this time period for the global pandemic that hit, causing worldwide chaos and tragically costing thousands and thousands of people their lives.
Against this backdrop, it does seem trivial to talk about COVID-19’s impact on sport, but it’s also undeniable that the return of the NRL has been a welcome distraction for footy fans.
The reality is we’d all much prefer to be talking about the Trbojevic brothers, Parramatta’s premiership odds, and the Warriors’ inexplicable firing of Stephen Kearney, rather than flattening the curve, social distancing or the Ruby Princess.
However, the coronavirus has indeed impacted the NRL season, halting it for over two months, while also leading – directly or indirectly – to some changes to the game; most notably a move to one referee, rather than two.
Given the disruptions to the season and the changes to the game, there have been a number of people suggesting this season’s competition has been compromised and that the eventual winner will have a big fat asterisk next to their name, denoting that there were extenuating circumstances that led to the premiership win.
Even the rugby league GOAT himself, Andrew Johns, admitted that much like his 1997 premiership with the Newcastle Knights, “Unfortunately, there will always be that asterisk against the team that wins the competition.”
(Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Far be it from this nobody to disagree with Joey, but my thoughts are diametrically opposed, and fairly emphatic: I believe that line of thinking is absolute bullshit.
My sincere apologies for the language… but I did feel the need to be emphatic!
For starters, the reason some people have an asterisk against the Knights’ premiership in 1997 is because they didn’t play half the competition, nor face the best team. The Brisbane Broncos won the rebel Super League that year, and then dominated the merged NRL the next season, taking out the minor premiership and winning the grand final by 26 points.
So while personally I don’t think the Knights’ premiership is tainted in any way, it’s nonetheless extremely problematic to proclaim Newcastle were the best team in 1997, hence the metaphorical asterisk next to their name.
In contrast, this season’s premiers will have played every opposition, and have gone through a finals series against the best teams from the regular season. They won’t have dodged anyone, so I fail to see the comparison with 1997.
All the other changes that have been implemented this season – the shift to one referee, the six-again rule, no crowds, living in a bubble – are actually difficult factors that teams have had to adjust to, rather than anything deserving of the dreaded asterisk come the end of the season.
Plus, the impact of these changes is all but negated when you remember that every team is playing under the same conditions. Some travel irregularities aside, all teams have had to adapt, and those that have done so quicker shouldn’t be punished – they should be celebrated. It’s actually impressive, rather than some type of unfair advantage.
In fact, contemplating all that this year’s premiers will have gone through, I’d make the case they may be the most impressive NRL premiers we’ve seen, due to the on-the-fly adjustments they will have had to make, both tactically and mentally.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
After Melbourne defeated Newcastle in Round 5, a post-match interview with Cameron Smith revealed the shift in playing style the Storm were forced to adapt to.
The speed of the game now opens up opportunities that Melbourne’s strict discipline and structure traditionally wouldn’t see them take.
Yet Smith said they wouldn’t be maximising their chances to score if they didn’t loosen up and adapt to the “new game”.
So they have.
Think about that for a second: teams have had to completely change the way they approach the game during the season.
I’d also argue that the mental toll of this year is not something to be underestimated. A stop-start season, a lack of preparation, fears of not getting paid, being away from friends and family, constant uncertainty, and perhaps the biggest issue of all – a global pandemic looming over everyone – have all created an unprecedented set of circumstances for players to overcome, and something previous premiers simply haven’t had to deal with.
And yet people think this year’s premiership will come with an asterisk?!
Absolute rubbish. The premiers will have truly earned it, and then some.
Unless Parramatta wins. Then we should actually bold that damn asterisk.
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
That argument runs both ways though surely. This will be the first season in decades that top flight teams don't have their players over-committed with the mid-season Origin series. In a sense Origin artificially increases the competitiveness of the lower ranked or non Origin represented teams and so you could argue that this season will actually be fairer in some ways.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Cheers mate - now that there's some actually footy, it's (ironically!) a bit easier to find some time to write!
Daniel John
Roar Pro
100% agree with this. The beauty of this season also is origin doesn’t affect anybody, probably making it more credible if anything.. and like others have said in the comments thread, it is still 20 games - meaning 4 less games, and 5 less rounds - so there shant be any asterisk next to the premiers in 2020, no way
The Barry
Roar Guru
Sorry about the delayed response But the challenges aren’t the same for every club The two obvious examples are the Eels and the Warriors. The additional challenges they’re facing as a result of COVID aren’t remotely the same People keep attributing “the premiers wont be deserving” to me, but I’ve never said that It’s still a massive achievement to win a comp but there’s a massive artificial imbalance in the competition this year that for mine has to have it considered differently to those around it... Anyway great to see an article from you...even when we disagree I respect your opinion and enjoy your writing. I’d love to see it more regularly...
Dutski
Roar Guru
Hey Dexter... PIN Number!
Wait, what??
Roar Rookie
Sorry goey but 97 is tainted by newcastles steroids use that was swept under the carpet due to the superleague war.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
its a virus..
JGK
Roar Guru
Agree that it isn't uncommon but this year seems pretty unprecedented. Anyway, let's hope we can get a GF like the Parra-Roosters match.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I don't disagree that it's (potentially) unfair; but the concept of unfairness during the course of a season is not uncommon. We could rattle off a number of things that have happened to teams over the years that was "unfair", but we don't give the resulting premiers an asterisk because of it.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
An asterisk GF, really. Did anybody see the chooks v parra the other week? Possibly one of the games of the decade. So one of those teams holding up the trophy deserves an asterisk. What about 2 of the most disadvantaged teams ,travel wise taking out the trophy. Melbourne ( soon to be relocated) and Canberra ,so many hours on the road. Would they deserve an asterisk? What about the sacrifices of the warriors, what they have been put through to keep the comp running, how would they feel if the 2020 GF was given with an asterisk. The winning club will be the best club if the year, if the chooks make a 3 peat they will be the best club if the decade. If another club takes the trophy they will be the club who stopped the 3 peat. Bring on the GF.
Nick
Roar Guru
If the Dragons win the comp, then really, the integrity of every single individual associated with professional rugby league would need to come into question. Even more than the salary sombrero Roosters.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Think of this whole asterisk concept as 'sour grapes in advance' by pessimistic fans who don't think their own team can win it.
Paul
Roar Guru
exactly
JGK
Roar Guru
The crackdown was the first change (at the start of the season) which was reversed. This year we have rule changes which render some players far less valuable than they were expected to be. Hence the unfairness on some clubs.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
It is quite different, but only in the specifics of what is actually different. The fact is, teams had to adjust in both seasons, in mid-season, to changes in the way the game was officiated. And that advantages some teams and disadvantages others. (And it's happened before: the shoulder charge rule came in mid-season, for example. Not sure how much that would advantage some teams or not, but it's still and adjustment players needed to make.)
JGK
Roar Guru
The "crackdown" was the anomaly and was reversed to the previous status quo. Until they get rid of (or amend) the 6 to go and maybe even bring back the second ref, it is quite different this year.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
But is that any different to the crackdown on the ruck last year? Which they then reversed halfway through the season? Penalties decreased by 20% or more at one stage. Didn't that advantage/disadvantage teams last season in much the same way?
astro
Roar Rookie
Completely agree with this. I'm actually amazed that more isn't being said about the mid-season rule changes and how they unfairly impact the construction of a squad. Players were signed and teams were put together based on a set of rules, and to have those change during the season gives some teams a definite advantage or disadvantage - and not by design. Doesn't put an asterisk next to the winner's name, but its something that should be looked at.
JGK
Roar Guru
I don’t think there should be an asterisk (officially or unofficially). But that doesn’t ignore the fact that it is an unfair season with significant rule changes being put in place with no notice. Clearly some squads were not compiled with new rules in mind and some squads have lucked into the rule changes fitting their team quite well. Also, the Raiders’ tactic of picking Englishmen won’t be as effective this year in the absence of SOO whereas the Roosters, Storm, Knights, Eagles and, bizarrely the Dragons (for instance) will do well out of that.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
The asterisk will be used by those with a little touch of green methinks (from envy, not the Raiders). If Roosters three-peat, it will be - "well its tainted" If Parra break the drought, it will be - "well its tainted" If St George win, its will be - "how the hell did that happen" If Canberra gets revenge for last year, it will be - "well its tainted" Will be used by rival fans to diminish the achievement, which will be sad and a poor reflection on them, but I can see it happening.