Slackboy72
Coach
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2016 has seen some pleasant surprises (Raiders, Panthers and Titans) but it has seen more than its fair share of disappointments. I was wallowing on how awful the Dragons have been this year but then I remembered just how awful the year has been for Souths and Easts. I started wondering if we were more disappointing than Souths who were expecting the return of Sam Burgess to return them to the top 4. Or what about the minor premiers the last three seasons in Easts? How did they end up where they were?
So because misery loves company I'll let you all choose from the losers of the regular round and give my pros and cons.
Feel free to add your own opinions on what went wrong for any team.
9th West Tigers
Against: People had this team tipped to compete for the spoon. Internal ructions were overcome.
For: After recovering from a 2-6 start they needed to win their last home game and ... and ... ugh.
Lowlights: Two 50+ point floggings to Canberra and the only team to lose to Newcastle.
10th NZ Warriors
Against: Warriors are perennial almost men it seems. Just missing out is sort of expected now.
For: New high profile recruits to an already talented roster promised so much for 2016.
Lowlights: Only winning 4 of their first 11 games really made finals a remote chance however they somehow found themselves in the 8 with four weeks to go.
11th St George Illawarra Dragons
Against: With such a terrible attacking record to be only 3 points off the 8 says something (doesn't it?)
For: 2nd worst attack in the comp. It was truly the most abysmal thing you could see from a team with Benji Marshall at 5/8. Support play was non-existent.
Lowlights: Only won 2 of their last 9. Getting poleaxed by the Roosters when only one team had something more than pride to play for. Oh and #oust_doust & #mcgrexit.
12th South Sydney Rabbitohs
Against: Were far more often than not having a red hot crack and they are still one of the more competitive and capable sides in the league.
For: They expected so much more especially with big Sam returning.
Lowlights: Lost 9 in a row. Had 50 put on them by the Raiders.
13th Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Against: Manly are clearly re-building
For: Some people tipped this team to be top 4 bound (I don't know why).
Lowlights: 7 losses in a row left them 4-11 at one stage.
14th Parramatta Eels
Against: They played the best football of all the teams on this list and if it wasn't for circumstances getting out of hand would have been in the finals.
For: Regardless of how it happened, to see this team dropped to 14th has to be disappointing. Would have made the 8 if not for losing points.
Lowlights: Losing 12 points, a hooker, a 5/8, a fullback, a winger, a board and a stadium. 2016 was hell for Eels fans.
15th Sydney City Roosters
Against: They were very competitive for a lot of the year and lost a lot of close games.
For: They were the minor premiers for 2013-15. Their roster is still very good compared to most clubs.
Lowlights: Mitchell Pearce's canophilic antics and the effect his absence had on the team.
16th and last Newcastle Knights
Against: The squad they had wasn't expected to do much.
For: The squad they had wasn't expected to do much but no-one expected this little.
Lowlights: Only 1 win for the year. Skill levels at times were atrocious.
So because misery loves company I'll let you all choose from the losers of the regular round and give my pros and cons.
Feel free to add your own opinions on what went wrong for any team.
9th West Tigers
Against: People had this team tipped to compete for the spoon. Internal ructions were overcome.
For: After recovering from a 2-6 start they needed to win their last home game and ... and ... ugh.
Lowlights: Two 50+ point floggings to Canberra and the only team to lose to Newcastle.
10th NZ Warriors
Against: Warriors are perennial almost men it seems. Just missing out is sort of expected now.
For: New high profile recruits to an already talented roster promised so much for 2016.
Lowlights: Only winning 4 of their first 11 games really made finals a remote chance however they somehow found themselves in the 8 with four weeks to go.
11th St George Illawarra Dragons
Against: With such a terrible attacking record to be only 3 points off the 8 says something (doesn't it?)
For: 2nd worst attack in the comp. It was truly the most abysmal thing you could see from a team with Benji Marshall at 5/8. Support play was non-existent.
Lowlights: Only won 2 of their last 9. Getting poleaxed by the Roosters when only one team had something more than pride to play for. Oh and #oust_doust & #mcgrexit.
12th South Sydney Rabbitohs
Against: Were far more often than not having a red hot crack and they are still one of the more competitive and capable sides in the league.
For: They expected so much more especially with big Sam returning.
Lowlights: Lost 9 in a row. Had 50 put on them by the Raiders.
13th Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Against: Manly are clearly re-building
For: Some people tipped this team to be top 4 bound (I don't know why).
Lowlights: 7 losses in a row left them 4-11 at one stage.
14th Parramatta Eels
Against: They played the best football of all the teams on this list and if it wasn't for circumstances getting out of hand would have been in the finals.
For: Regardless of how it happened, to see this team dropped to 14th has to be disappointing. Would have made the 8 if not for losing points.
Lowlights: Losing 12 points, a hooker, a 5/8, a fullback, a winger, a board and a stadium. 2016 was hell for Eels fans.
15th Sydney City Roosters
Against: They were very competitive for a lot of the year and lost a lot of close games.
For: They were the minor premiers for 2013-15. Their roster is still very good compared to most clubs.
Lowlights: Mitchell Pearce's canophilic antics and the effect his absence had on the team.
16th and last Newcastle Knights
Against: The squad they had wasn't expected to do much.
For: The squad they had wasn't expected to do much but no-one expected this little.
Lowlights: Only 1 win for the year. Skill levels at times were atrocious.
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