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Opinion
The Grand Final’s now done and dusted, Mad Monday hangovers are fading quickly, and our focus is now on both the World Cup and our team’s prospects for next season. But before we move on, here’s a quick A to Z guide to remind you of what you saw in the 2022 NRL season.
A. Ashley Klein
The supposed leading referee in the game took the bunker to new depths when he presided over the worst decision ever to see the Cowboys defeat the Tigers after the bell in Round 19. He then backed that performance up some weeks later when he was in charge of the finals bloodbath between Souths and the Roosters.
B. Nathan Brown
Brown was the second coach to go in 2022 after his young children pointed out that Auckland wasn’t actually in Queensland. Every cloud has a silver lining, though, and the good news for rugby league fans is that Brown has declared his head coaching days are over. Not so good news for his replacement Andrew Webster, as he becomes the Warrior’s “lucky 13th” full-time coach.
C. Cowboys
So close and yet so far. The Cowboys had an outstanding season under Todd Payten, making it all the way to the preliminary final against Parramatta where they were narrowly defeated, some say unluckily, in front of a capacity home crowd. Their achievements in 2022 made a mockery of the many pundits who had them pencilled in for the wooden spoon.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
D. Dill
Raiders’ coach Ricky Stuart confirmed his dill status by breaking all the boundaries when he launched an unhinged personal attack against Penrith bench player Jaeman Salmon following the Raiders’ Round 21 loss to an understrength Penrith side. He became the first coach to be suspended for such an action and the most heavily fined coach in rugby league history.
The good news for Raiders fans is that he has another three years to run on his contract.
E. Eels
Brad Arthur’s team had one of their best seasons for some time, playing their first Grand Final since 2009, but they just couldn’t match the speed and intensity of the Panthers, losing 28-12. Has their premiership window closed? Will any of their fans live long enough to see another Parramatta premiership?
F. David Fifita
Does anything really need to be said about this overpaid and underperforming lemon? He must be the only able-bodied Queenslander not to get a game in Origin this year. Wisely though, they didn’t pick him.
G. Grand Final lotto
Peter V’landys got everyone hot and bothered when he suggested that the 2022 Grand Final would be moved to Queensland after his spat with the NSW government. It wasn’t moved after all, but watch this space as future Grand Finals could be coming to a city near you.
H. Hook
Surely Dragons coach Anthony Griffin will be the first coach to go in 2023? Please? When he goes, let’s hope he takes Moses Mbye, Andrew McCullough and Aaron Woods with him.
I. I hate the bunker!
Just in case you thought my position was mellowing.
J. Alex Johnston
The Souths flyer had another super season, running in 30 tries from 25 games including three trebles and six doubles. Sitting on 166 career tries, Johnston is now breathing down the neck of Ken Irvine’s all-time record of 212 tries.
K. Kevvie’s crew
After a very solid start to the season, the Broncos did the seemingly impossible, by being the first team in living memory to be in the top four with six games to play and then totally miss the finals. Some effort, that.
L. League
The greatest game of all, and bring on season 2023.
M. Michael Maguire
Madge just beat Nathan Brown out the coaching door when it was discovered that he was solely responsible for Wests’ poor showing over the last few years. That will come as a great relief to the playing roster who have obviously been playing their guts out every week. In good news for Tigers fans, Justin Pascoe is still running the club, so it’s onwards and downwards.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
N. NZ Warriors
Everyone’s second favourite team returned home to a packed Mount Smart Stadium in Round 16 after 1038 days away from home to shut the Tigers down 22-2. Great stuff, but a very disappointing season on a number of levels.
O. Obsolete
Peter V’landys was a man for the times but those times ended with the COVID lockdowns. He’s proved on more than one occasion now that he doesn’t have a feel for the game, e.g. with his latest effort being the Taylan May deferred suspension. Time to move aside, Pete.
P. Premiers
Ivan Cleary’s Penrith Panthers did it again, this time taking down local rivals Parramatta to win back-to-back titles. Some think the Panthers players are too arrogant for their own good, but I just think they’re too good, period!
Q. Queensland
Beautiful one day, 2022 Origin series winners the next. Queensland got away to a good start at Homebush, running out winners 16-10 in Origin 1, before NSW bounced back in Perth with a convincing 44-12 victory. The Maroons then had the last laugh, winning the series in front of their home fans at Suncorp 22-12 in a brutal game that saw three players out with injury before the game had barely got underway.
R. Rainbow pride
Manly’s attempt at a LGBTQI+ virtue signalling rainbow round turned a decidedly brown colour when seven of their players refused to wear the rainbow jersey and pulled out of their Round 20 clash with the Roosters. You can’t make this stuff up. Their season went down the toilet from there, they didn’t win another game and the fallout continues, with coach Des Hasler now firmly in the sights of club supremo Scott Penn.
Des Hasler walks onto the field during Anzac Round. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
S. South Sydney
Yet another visit to the preliminary final by the Rabbitohs but no joy this year, as they were overrun by the Panthers after jumping out to a 12-point lead. They still look like a team on the rise though, and if coach Jason Demetriou can get the best out of his star players next season, they’ll be a threat for the premiership.
T. Trent Barrett
Bulldogs maestro Phil Gould told anyone within earshot that “Barrett will be here as coach long after I’m gone”. Everyone except Barrett knew that when Gould has your back, you usually end up with a knife in it, and he was gone soon after.
U. Up, up Cronulla?
They exceeded expectations to finish in second place under rookie coach Craig Fitzgibbon but couldn’t maintain their form in the finals, bowing out with back-to-back losses. I’m sure they’ll come back even stronger next year.
V. Vale
Rugby league lost some greats of the game in 2022 – RIP Mark Shulman, Paul Green, Olsen Filipaina, Robert Laurie, Bill Noonan, Bill Ashurst, Tony Brown, Bobby, Keyes, Barry Muir and the legendary Johnny Raper.
W. Wooden spoon
After a horror season, Wests Tigers did the inevitable and took out their first-ever, and thoroughly deserved, wooden spoon. The result was never really in doubt, and the best thing that can be said about the Tigers’ 2022 season is that it’s over, and the only way from here is up.
X. Xcruciating
The captain’s challenge continues to be a blight on the game and the sooner it’s gone the better.
Y. Yawn
I’m looking at you, Gus. Do you ever get sick of yourself?
Z. Zero
That’s the number of tries Wests’ Alex Twal has scored in his 102 first grade games. He’s now way out in front on the try-less leader board and I look forward to him setting a benchmark that no one will ever reach. Go, Alex!
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