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Showtime: who will star, who will flop?
PHIL GOULD
March 7, 2010
How many times have you heard someone say, "This is a big year for rugby league"? Gee, thanks scoop. Talk about stating the bleeding obvious. Of course it's a big year for rugby league. Every season is important.
As a code, rugby league needs to keep improving and establishing itself in the marketplace.
Our NRL clubs are constantly in search of improvement. So, too, are the individual players and coaches.
Professional sport is about winning - end of story. You can dress up the rest of it anyway you like.
I know we hear plenty of warm and fuzzy talk about welfare and community services; or lectures on behaviour and social evils. All this stuff has seen the creation of a whole new workforce in our game - politically correct but awfully time-consuming and expensive.
I'm not downplaying the value of all this education stuff, however, the point should never be lost that as pro sportsmen, footballers and coaches are paid to win. Ultimately this is where everyone will be judged.
The pressure of winning means off-season preparation is vital. Most of your improvement as a team and as an individual is gained during the summer training program. You need to make deposits in the bank if you want to draw on these assets later in the season.
As we mere mortals enjoy the beach, the cricket and the festive season, players from all clubs push each other to tremendous limits to steel themselves for the arduous 30-week examination ahead. Strength, speed and skill will be high on the agenda for all coaches during off-season training. Defence and wrestling coaches will be working overtime.
They will also look to build up a style of play and group of individuals that will stand up under pressure. Constant repetition of basic plays and skills helps develop confidence in combinations. Performing these skill drills under fatigue produces players with the mentality to execute in tight games and tense finishes when they need it most.
However, as hard as you might train, or as good as you might look in practice, you never really know how you're going until you are put under the blowtorch of premiership football. Training takes you so far. Trials only give you so much.
Next week we really see which teams have done the hard work.
ALL EYES ON
Having established that every year is a big year for rugby league, let me suggest 2010 is a really big year for a number of individuals and teams in the NRL.
Some have to prove themselves; others have a point to prove. Some are on the verge of greatness. Others are trying to avoid disaster.
I will be very interested in the performances of the following this season.
1 . The game's leaders - It's nearly two months since the 16 NRL clubs voted unanimously for an independent commission to run rugby league. As yet our game's leaders have been unable to deliver what everyone believes is in the best interests of our game. I'm told they are working towards a solution and I must take them at their word. I've had a fair say on this subject in recent times and I've been asked not to comment any further to give the negotiating parties some breathing space to work out a deal. I can do that but time is ticking, gents - and everyone is watching.
2 . Jarryd Hayne - There's no doubt this young man is now the face of rugby league. The NRL is reluctant to give any one player this tag after previous inductees to major promotional duties have blotted the copybook with behavioural issues. But you can take it from me everyone is on the "Hayne Train" when it comes to promoting our code this season. Hayne lit up the competition last year with his amazing talents and deserves his superstar status. His standing in the game now comes with a big responsibility. Hayne still has more mountains to climb. He is wasted playing on the wing for NSW and Australia but has to rise to another level if he is to oust incumbent fullbacks such as Kurt Gidley and Billy Slater. He is capable, though.
3 . Parramatta - The big story of 2009, but what story will they tell in 2010? They showed their true talents last year with the late season surge to the grand final after two years of mediocre under-achievement. This is a great chance for the Eels to win their first premiership since 1986. I expected them to be bristling with power and enthusiasm when starting this year's campaign. Instead they displayed terrible trial form and have now delivered us the predictable throw-away line, "She'll be right on the night!" As I say - I'm watching with interest.
4 . Matt Elliott - I just can't get a read on the Panthers or their coach, Matt Elliott. Maybe it's just me but he reminds me of that Katy Perry song called Hot and Cold. You know the words: "You're hot then you're cold, You're yes then you're no, You're in and then you're out, You're up and then you're down, You're wrong when it's right, It's black and it's white, We fight, we break up, We kiss, we make up." I've always thought Elliott is a quality coach but his Panthers team keeps throwing up rubbish. C'mon boys - get it together. You're better than you think.
5 . The Broncos - I think this is the year they miss the top eight after 18 consecutive seasons of finals football. They're starting to look worn around the edges for mine. I hope they can lift but I have my doubts.
6. Jamie Soward - Breakthrough season last year where he really proved his worth. He needs to back it up this year. I would like to see him show more confidence in his ball-playing. He is still tentative. However, he's a wonderful opportunistic player and the kids love him. Great for the game.
7 . South Sydney - People say this is their best pack of forwards of all time. Please. John O'Neill, Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote, Paul Sait Ian Roberts, Les Davidson, Mario Fenech, Tony Rampling, Wayne Chisholm, Michael Andrews short memories, some people. Yet there's no doubting this is the Rabbits' best chance of a high finish in a long time. Let's see if they can handle the expectation.
8 . The NSW Blues - Having lost four Origin series in a row, the Blues are now really under the pump. Queensland look vulnerable this season and the Blues have some good young players on the rise. Coach, selectors and players have to get it right this year.
9 . Mitchell Pearce - Champion coach Jack Gibson once said: "The beaches are polluted with potential." Well, young Pearce had potential the first time I ever saw him play five years ago. He still has potential today. During that time, however, the advancement has not been as rapid as I'd expect. Young Mitchell has the talent. He just needs to understand what being a good footballer really means. I expect better this season.
10 . The Warriors - I fear for the Warriors. They are so important to the NRL and to the development of rugby league in New Zealand. I don't know the footy politics in that country but I don't see much teamwork over there in getting things done on a national scale. If the Warriors fail badly this year (and there's every indication it could be bad), then their future must be in jeopardy. That would be a tragedy for the game.
11 . Benji Marshall - I thought Benji had a great season last year and I love watching him play. In fact, of all the players and teams in the competition, I must say I always get excited when I get the chance to attend a Tigers game - whether they win or lose. Benji looks to have come of age for mine. This year could be a beauty for him. I hope so.
12 . The Australian government - Rugby league fans, indeed all sports fans, should be watching intently over the next few months as the government looks to introduce changes to anti-siphoning laws for sports coverage on free-to-air and pay TV. Pay-TV has now become a huge part of the entertainment landscape and as such its role as a sports medium should never be underestimated - particularly as it also provides millions of dollars of funding to major codes. However, it should never be forgotten that free-to-air networks pay more money for broadcasting rights, especially when you consider they deliver fewer games and less air time than do pay-TV providers. They also broadcast to more people than the cable networks could ever hope to reach. Quality product on free-to-air networks is a must for the promotion of sport to the masses. I am employed by free-to-air network Channel Nine - however, my opinion on this issue is not influenced by who pays my wages. I'll find another job if I have to. What I do stress is that our sports leaders need to ensure the best games are being seen by the most people. Watch this space.
IN CONCLUSION
Only five more sleeps and the footy is back - you bloody beauty!
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ho-will-star-who-will-flop-20100306-ppmb.html
i posted this in the Warriors forum but i thought it was important enough to be an NRL issue...
wheres is gus coming from?? are there problems with the Warriors NRL licence?
even if the Warriors have a tough season... i would think there future is very secure.
with the TV money generated by them i would say they would be one of the most secure clubs going around.
