Stats Insider: Players facing the dreaded 'nudie run'
Stats Insider NRL.com Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:06:00
Did you see how excited Dragons prop Michael Weyman was when he crashed over to score against the Sea Eagles?
The smile was bigger than the Christmas Day feast his folks put on last year; and not just because it gave the Dragons a crucial cushion in a big game. Horse was brimming because with his first try of the season he had booked his ticket into the spectators tent and would no longer qualify for a specific end-of-year Mad Monday punishment the traditional nude run (conducted away from publics prying eyes, of course).
Its almost a cruel tradition in that the big forwards do all the hard muscle work during games but rarely get the reward of tries, while the fleet-footed backs like Weymans team-mate Brett Morris (17 tries in 19 games) take all the spoils and always steer clear of the birthday suit sprint.
But with just three games to go for half of the teams in the NRL, time is running out for those on the duck egg to get across the stripe.
It should come as no surprise if Kevin Proctor, Brett White or Aiden Tolman start trying to throw dummies when close to the line in Storm games these next few weeks, as the trio of forwards are all still tryless this year.
Scott Porter at the Sharks was obviously disappointed to be dropped for the match against the Roosters last week, as not only did it take away further chances for him to impress in the top grade, but it also makes it impossible for him to post his maiden try
Looks like Ports will be one of just a few Sharks to be bearing all.
The Bulldogs have 16 players who have played first grade this year but not scored a try, the most of any club meaning it could be a near Melbourne Cup-sized massive field for their punishment.
On the other hand the Warriors have just four guys who have played but not scored in 2010, making their end-of-year hijinks a more intimate affair.
There are 143 players who have played this season but not grabbed a meat pie. For some players, the chance to get on the board is over due to injury. Players like Luke Stuart and Scott Geddes at the Rabbitohs have already been assigned a place in the doghouse come end of season.
However, at least there was ample opportunity to get a four-pointer.
Spare a thought for the rookies, like Wests Tigers cub Sam Latu or Rooster Jason Baiteri who are amongst several players who have only had the one crack at the NRL yet still join the list of players to go without the small glory of scoring a try.
And what about Brett Stewart and Shane Shackleton? Two good first-graders who were ruled out for the year after injury in the opening round
tough break boys!
There is also Manase Manuokafoa, Antonio Kaufusi and Wade McKinnon. These three guys have been at two clubs this year and havent scored a try for either!
For some players, the nude run is getting all too familiar.
Nathan Cayless went 23 games without a try in 2008, 26 games without a try last season and it is at 21 games and counting this season. Bryce Gibbs was none from 17 in 2008, none from 21 in 2009
and is now none from 20
Newcastles Ben Cross has NEVER scored a try and he is now up to 92 first grade games. The record amount of games played in a first grade career which didnt herald a single try goes to Mark Brokenshire, who amassed 103 games in his top grade career without ever crossing the stripe. Having recently re-signed with the Knights, Cross could be the new record holder when he hangs up the boots!
There are 11 other active players in the NRL with 15 or more games to their name yet to ever score a try: Scott Porter from the Sharks in 19 games; Rabbitoh Jason Clark (19 games); Bronco Mitchell Dodds (20 games); Dragon Ricky Thorby (20 games); Eel Brendan Oake (22 games); Knight George Ndaira (25 games); Shark Broderick Wright (28 games); Titan Will Matthews (28 games); Cowboy Clint Amos (34 games), Bronco Scott Anderson (42 games) and Rabbitoh Garret Crossman (77 games).
If you are looking for big odds in the last few weeks, run your eye over this list and maybe have a flutter on last try scorer
their motivation is higher than usual!
Players Without Tries in 2010
DRAGONS
Matt Prior 17 games; Jon Green 17 games; Jarrod Saffy 16 games; Dan Hunt 10 games; Ricky Thorby 9 games; Michael Greenfield 7 games; Michael Lett 3 games; Jake Marketo 2 games.
