The NRL is back, and back with a SONIC BOOM!
What a fantastic weekend of football starting with the Broncos and Eels showcasing the new rules, and, new game speed to the new world.
And what a difference real leadership makes to the NRL.
For over a decade, the NRL has been the perennial bridesmaids to the AFL. COVID19 has highlighted the gap between the codes’ ability to adapt. The AFL invested their broadcast deals into assets while NRL leadership spent “our” money on… reacting to make everybody inclusive and happy.
Forgetting what this game is essentially about.
Rugby League. Rusted on fans. Tribalism. And respect for all. New and old fans from all tribes. We are already inclusive.
Enter Peter V’landys, the head of Racing NSW and part-time NRL Chairman.
Yes, we all know who he is. He has done more for the game than many others in charge.
Here is a quick glance of where our game stands today:
- Successfully restarted the competition on 28th May
- The only professional body contact sport currently being played in the world
- The NRL is being broadcast globally to Sports Channels wanting live content. That’s a potential 300 million new fan base
- Extended the broadcasting rights
- Introduction of the six again rule to eliminate wrestling tactics.
- One referee. Finally an action after the GF debacle (Sorry Raiders fans)
- Planning the return of crowds by end of June 2020
The Dragons
Paul “Mary” McGregor is always the coach named in the dreaded “1st to be sacked list”.
The Dragons are 0 – 3 this season and have only won 2 from the last 13 games and that was against wooden spooner’s Titans (play them every week I say).
But Mary’s players and Club haven’t done him any favours.
The Dragons were expected to defeat the disrupted Warriors team over the weekend. Experts talk about the near perfect display by the Warriors, but the Dragons stats were equal or better in other aspects of the game.
The Dragons team lacked everything in attack and looked disinterested.
To compound this, the Club had already appointed former NRL Premiership winning coach Shane Flanagan as an assistant, NSW Rep Tyson Frizell signed with Newcastle to chase a Premiership dream and there are no lower grades to draw from.
The Dragons play the winless Bulldogs on Monday, followed by the winless Sharks and Titans.
Time is ticking for Mary, the players and fans.
The Titans
If you think the Dragons have a problem, who would want to be a Titans supporter?
Having only won four games last season, could the Titans be staring down a big duck egg for 2020? They have 17 more opportunities to rack up a win but let’s put this in prospective.
This weekend’s match against the Wests Tigers, is one day shy of a full year since the Titans last sang their team song.
Good luck Titans!
The New Contenders
Eels and Raiders fans have the right to be getting excited with their respective teams’ start to the season.
They say you can’t win a competition in May … It’s a long season… Beware the Origin impact and hangover…
Hang on wait. Not this year. Plus, our exclusive Footy Tipper Virtual Competition had both teams undefeated after nine rounds. Now that’s an omen!
Enjoy the ride supporters and I will cheer along with you.
Exciting teams. Exciting times.
The Sea Eagles got robbed again !!!