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As a full-time pharmacist, part-time Roarer and fair-weather Newcastle Knights fan, Tom doesn’t leave anything on the field. He always gives 110% and never forgets to give full credit to the boys. But in a game of two halves, it’s important not to look too far ahead, so Tom’s just taking it one week at a time. Follow Tom on Twitter @_TomRock_
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Putting aside the crippling financial pain being felt across the great game of rugby league, it’s clear that some players and clubs will fare far better than others if the 2020 NRL season is suspended.
Here are a few things I think about Round 2 of the NRL season.
Here are a few things I think about Round 1 of the NRL season.
The footy is back! And nothing signals the start of a new NRL season quite like preseason predictions. So strap yourself in because we’re about to kick off another season of the greatest game on earth.
I’d like to believe that New South Wales were narrowly edged out by Queensland in Game 1.
Half of you may be wiping tears of laughter from your eyes right now while the other half are probably screaming abuse at their screen, but please hear me out.
Depending on who you listen to, up to six coaches entered the 2019 season under significant pressure to keep their jobs.
Part 1 of my 2019 NRL season predictions proved two things.
Winter is coming. And thank the good Lord! Because if there’s one thing we’ve learnt over the past three months it’s that summer and rugby league don’t mix.
I’ve got a confession to make – I’m not excited about the NRL finals.
This has historically been a dangerous time of year to be a New South Wales supporter.
As an NRL coach, you’re only as good as your reputation. When you agree to mentor a side, you’re staking that reputation on the performance of your team.
Manly playmaker Jackson Hastings will likely see out the remainder of the 2018 season playing for the Blacktown Workers.
The NSW government’s decision to invest over two billion taxpayer dollars into stadium redevelopment was met with a tidal wave of criticism.
Like a snowflake or a Blake Austin haircut, no two NRL seasons are the same. After three rounds of the 2018 Premiership, let’s take a look at what’s trending this season.
What a magical start to the season for the Newcastle Knights.
Mercifully, another torturous preseason is almost over. And although every team has been training the house down all summer, it’s about this time each year that optimism begins to wane.
There’s something special about a new coach. Like a freshly painted room or the upholstery of a new car, they have the intoxicating aroma of change.
Ever wondered what it feels like to support Everton in the English Premier League? To watch your team try hard, play well, but with no real prospect of winning anything? Well, for the fans of four NRL teams, you’re about to find out.
The waiting is the hardest part. Like many of you, I find this time of year particularly challenging.
I think it’s a bit harsh to judge Madge’s stint at the Tigers after only one season with a roster he inherited. If he can’t push them into the finals over the next couple of seasons, then fair enough. But give the bloke a chance.
He may have had a good roster at South Sydney, but that doesn’t always guarantee success. Just ask Brian Smith!
The winners and losers of abandoning the 2020 NRL season
Morning Superspud – good point about Croker! I forgot about the record breakers. He was (and probably still is) in line to give that points scoring record a good nudge. A missed season will certainly hamper his chances.
And I wish I shared your optimism around the season going ahead….
The winners and losers of abandoning the 2020 NRL season
The reality of club politics and fan fanaticism went out the window for this exercise Paul. Just a bit of Blue Sky fun.
What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?
Morning Nat. I’m still not sold on the Perth idea. I get that there are some fans over there and that they have existing infrastructure, but I would double down on rugby league strongholds before I put another team in Perth. But that’s just me.
And I’m really keen to see Harry Grant get a run somewhere. I’ve heard so many good things, but not seen him play. He’ll certainly have a lot to live up to. No pressure!
What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?
I take your point Albo. Had to draw the line somewhere, and Western Sydney was probably the hardest hit by my brave new world.
What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?
Perth and Adelaide are both AFL strongholds. Why beat a dead horse when we could instead claim areas which the AFL have yet to claim?
And mark my word, the AFL are pushing hard for country NSW. AFL posts are replacing rugby league posts all over the place, and they run such successful school programs. If the NRL don’t do something to halt their progress, they could lose a traditional heartland.
What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?
Having 2 teams in NZ would be about growing the game in that region, which I believe has more overall potential than Perth.
Super Rugby has proven that multiple sporting franchises can survive in New Zealand, and that there is enough fans to support them. Perhaps splitting them into North and South is not the best way, but the overall concept is feasible.
What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?
All perfectly reasonable questions. And I purposely didn’t include them when writing this as there is just too much uncertainty to know where to start. Plus it would have spoiled my fun.
What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?
Atrocious? Really? Terrible yes, awful maybe. But atrocious??
Give it to me Max – what would be your list. I’m here to learn,
What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?
They miss the cut. I didn’t think they had a better claim than any other side on my list. Maybe they can be included in the next round of expansion in 2075?
What would the NRL look like if we hit the reset button?
Yeah I take your point. The Storm were definitely below their best. But they just seem to be able to do what’s necessary to get the win where a lot of other teams fall short.
Ill-disciplined Eels can’t be considered competition heavyweights
I don’t think the game would survive the cancellation of Origin from a financial perspective.
Ill-disciplined Eels can’t be considered competition heavyweights
Pearce or Ponga for Dally M? I reckon they give it to both of them.
Ill-disciplined Eels can’t be considered competition heavyweights
Thanks for the comment Jim. I’ll head straight for my rock.
2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season
So that’s why the New Zealand roster looks so thin – Coronavirus! Here was me thinking it was poor recruitment decisions, but it all makes sense now.
2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season
I was tempted to put Levi as buy of the year. He could have a special year at Manly.
2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season
Mmmm, I remember that. If I remember correctly, it was just the editor who messed things up. I actually wrote that the Storm would blitz the Dragons based on an amazing performance from their back 5. Simple mistake.
2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season
Morning Geoff.
A Storm v Raiders GF would be a cracking game, although the NRL marketing team probably wouldn’t agree.
I know people are all in on the Raiders this year, but I just worry about their ability to back up the success of last year. They haven’t been strong in that regard over the last decade.
2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season
Cheers Walter. And you are probably wise not to agree with many or any of my predictions!
2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season
Good to be back KK. Bring on the footy.
2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season
Morning Baz.
The Broncos injuries rattled my confidence in them a bit as well, but they have some ridiculous young talent across the whole squad. Especially the forwards. If they can just focus and buy in to Siebold’s plan, they could be anything this year.
Agree about the Knights. Just too reliant on Pearce remaining healthy and Ponga remaining interested. Makes me nervous.
I love the Shark’s roster, particularly some of their young forwards, but their best 17 on paper is always vastly different to the team they put on the park. Injuries are already impacting Fifita, Moylan and Dugan, and Wade Graham and Shaun Johnson are always good for a few hamstring tears every year. I reckon this could be the year it all comes undone for Cronulla.
2020 vision: Predicting the upcoming NRL season
I actually like this team. It’s stronger than the one we fielded at Suncorp Stadium.
And while people are freaking out about wholesale changes and panicked selections, keep in mind that 3 of the 7 changes were forced through injury, another (Latrell) seems like it was forced through other factors, and Tom Turbo was only omitted from Game 1 through injury. So really, we traded out a half who was ineffective in Brisbane (Walker) for a proven winner in Maloney, and we jettison Angus Crichton for a forward with more mongrel (Sims) or more talent (Graham).
Queensland took a similar approach in 2017 after losing Game 1, and they ended up winning the series. What’s to say we can’t do the same??
Mitchell axed, seven changes for NSW Blues Origin 2 team
Morning Nat. Interesting idea about pushing the contracts back. Unfortunately it would take agreement from the participating clubs, and that’s as unlikely as Robbie Farah and Jason Taylor going for tandem bike rides.
The winners and losers of abandoning the 2020 NRL season