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The season is almost upon us. We covered the first 8 clubs in the NRL in Report Card #1 – catch that here, if you missed it – and now it’s time to complete the set.
Here’s the second half of our trial reviews and previews of the 2022 NRL season.
Raiders
What we know: Canberra has to be better than last year: they went in premiership contenders and ended up missing the finals. Some of that was beyond their control, most notably injuries, but others spoke to a poor culture, such as the George Williams debacle. They have to improve in 2022.
What we don’t know: If the same problems will persist in the halves. The 2021 Raiders never recovered from losing George Williams, and his 2022 replacement, Jamal Fogarty, has just gone down with a long-term knee injury. Can Brad Schneider, a one-game rookie, step up, or will they have to return to Sam Williams or Matt Frawley as interim options?
Breakout star: Xavier Savage is all excitement, but as raw as they come. If Ricky Stuart has faith in him not to make mistakes – or budgets for a few – then there might be a huge upside to be had. If.
Key player: Jack Wighton was the biggest beneficiary of George Williams’ organisational and kicking skills, which allowed him to concentrate solely on running and playmaking. With no established half partner again, Wighton will have to strike it out alone and lead his team if the Raiders are going to achieve anything.
Roosters
What we know: Culture is everything in rugby league and the Roosters are the kings of it. Even last year, with a whole team out injured, that shone through. Now, their youngsters have been blooded and their superstars are back. This is where they can reap the benefits.
What we don’t know: How will Luke Keary return? He’s been one of the best in the business when fit, but missed almost all of last year hurt and has had concussions in the past. How Keary slots in alongside Sam Walker will be crucial.
Breakout star: Kevin Naiquama is hardly a newbie, aged 33 and with nearly 200 games of first grade behind him, but has been out of the NRL for several years. At St Helens he was superb and picked up the man of the match in the Super League Grand Final last season. If he goes well this year, it will replace some of the experience lost through the retirements of the Morris twins, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend.
Key player: James Tedesco is the obvious choice because he is the Roosters best player, but in terms of x factor, this could be the year in which Joey Manu goes from being a very good player to one of the top 3 in the world, especially if the Roosters’ system allows him to float around and play where he likes.
Sea Eagles
What we know: We know everything we need to know about Manly already. They’ve only signed one player, Ethan Bullemor, and seem to be playing exactly as they did last year. Which is to say, pretty bloody well.
What we don’t know: Can they stay injury free? Manly has a lot of money sunk into key positions, and thus are more vulnerable than most to injuries. Their top 13 is elite, their top 17 is quite good and beyond that lies darkness.
Breakout star: Haven’t you heard? The Usain Bolt of the NRL is coming to the Northern Beaches. It’s easy to joke because they mentioned it on commentary every time he touched the football, but Tolutau Koula is absolutely rapid and could bolt (geddit) onto the scene if given the chance this year.
Key player: Anybody other than Tom Trbojevic would be a lie and I don’t even need to explain why. Manly isn’t a one-man team but one of their men is vastly better than the rest of their team.
Sharks
What we know: The Sharks will be better than last year. It took points differential to keep Cronulla out of the finals in 2021 and, with a new coach, Craig Fitzgibbon, from an exceptional system, a gun half in Nicho Hynes and fresh faces blooded, they should make the step up in 2022.
What we don’t know: Who is going to accompany Hynes in the halves? Brayden Trindall was useless in the Sharks’ first trial and got himself suspended for round 1, but was much improved in the second preseason game. Matt Moylan has played roughly half of Cronulla’s matches in the last 3 campaigns and missed both trials this time around. Fitzgibbon has a big call to make.
Breakout star: Franklin Pele was pure box office last season if you were hipster enough to turn up at Henson Park and watch him go around for Newtown. On Monday night, some of the biggest cheers accompanied his charges into the Bulldogs defensive line. He’s a proper off-the-back-fence merchant, so watch out.
Key player: Nicho Hynes has waited for years to get a go at a starting 7 jersey in the NRL, and this is his big chance. With a new coach that backs him and a decent pack to play behind, it’s on Nicho to come up big this year.
Storm
What we know: They’ll keep on keeping on. Never back against Craig Bellamy’s men in any situation, because even when they’re rubbish, they’re still better than most.
What we don’t know: Will better than most be enough? Melbourne will beat enough rubbish teams to make the finals at a canter, but they’re not about making finals, they’re about winning them. It’s not clear if they’ve improved much and other teams might have.
Breakout star: Tyran Wishart comes with one of the biggest names in the NRL – that of his father, Rod – and so far, looks to be living up to it. He’s a hooker in a side that has seen Brandon Smith and Harry Grant rotate the role between them, but with Smith almost certain to move to lock permanently and then leave in 2023, there’s a spot to be had.
Key player: Cam Munster, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grant, Brandon Smith…and yet, Jahrome Hughes might well be the key man. He links everything together and perhaps doesn’t get the appreciation he should for it. He’s the cog that holds the whole thing together and probably the least replaceable of their many stars.
Tigers
What we know: The pressure is always on at the Tigers, with one of the most activist fanbases around, but after last year’s performances (both on the field and on the telly) the pressure is really, really on. Especially if you’re coach Michael Maguire, currently leading the sack race at the bookies.
What we don’t know: How much can Super League players cut it in the NRL? Wests Tigers has invested in Jackson Hastings, once MVP in Super League, and Oliver Gildart, England international centre, and if they go well it represents great value and shrewd recruitment. But if the pack gets battered and Hastings and Gildart never touch the ball, then things could go south quickly.
Breakout star: Wests Magpies were one of the standout sides in the NSW Cup last year, led around the park by Jock Madden. He’s off contract at the end of the year and Manly is sniffing around. At 21, Madden should be battering Michael Maguire’s door for more chances in first grade. He impressed in trials and you can expect him to be given more opportunities this year.
Key player: If the Tigers are going to fire, then their forwards have to win more battles than they did last year. The collective efforts of Stefano Utoikamanu, Luciano Leilua, Joe Ofahengaue and James Tamou have to improve. If they do, then the actual star man could be Luke Brooks on the back of the sort of good ball he’s rarely received of late.
Titans
What we know: The Titans are going to be very fun to watch in 2022. Last year they scored plenty and conceded plenty, and their one trial, in which the Titans drew after leading by 18 points, suggests that the trend will continue.
What we don’t know: Is their young spine going to be up to it? On paper, the combination of Jayden Campbell at 1, AJ Brimson at 6 and Toby Sexton at 7 should be exciting, but it is also very inexperienced. This might be a year too soon for them.
Breakout star: AJ Brimson is hardly a breakout star, as he’s already played Origin, but he could be a revelation in the halves. If he can replicate his flair from fullback while defending in the front line and, crucially, involve David Fifita on the edges, then the Titans could shoot up the table.
Key player: David Fifita scores an awful lot of tries on his edge, often through sheer physicality and force of will, but has rarely dominated against elite opponents. If the Titans are to beat teams better than them, their most expensive player has to justify the price tag a little bit more when it really matters.
Warriors
What we know: In terms of draw, the Warriors start quite softly and could easily build up a head of steam before their emotional return to New Zealand in July. If they are in any form of contention by then, expect a big push towards the finish line.
What we don’t know: Usually the Warriors are tipping kryptonite, resistant to any predictions. This year though, they have a relatively settled squad, a big returnee in Shaun Johnson and one more year together – under trying circumstances – in the books. They know each other, that’s for sure.
Breakout star: Junior Ratuva impressed in the Warriors’ only trial and could well be the biggest, fastest winger in the NRL if he got a game. The kid has everything in terms of his body and was a superstar in Kiwi rugby union. Should injuries strike, Ratuva is in and we’ll all be watching.
Key player: Reece Walsh was a superstar from the moment he debuted last season. Now, everyone has film on him, has played against him and knows what to expect. If he can back it up, with Shaun Johnson feeding him ball out the back, he could be one of the best players in the comp.