After an off season that seemed even more controversial and tedious than usual, finally the action returns this weekend. Hopefully, the Rugby League will do the talking for the rest of the season, or at minimum a few months.
We list below the things we’re looking forward to, players we’re tuning in for, coverage we’re tuning in for (and it’s not Channel 9), and a few predictions that will seems rather hopeless when reviewing them at the end of the year.
Don’t forget also, that the Intrust Super Cup aka Queensland Cup also blasts off this weekend, and we a preview here.
QUESTIONS FOR THE 2016 SEASON
- Why did Channel 9 have such hype about Sonny Bill Williams’ return to League but barely seem to care about Sam Burgess? including that embarrassingly cringe worthy thoughts in SBW’s head before he went on the field over the top of the commentary. Burgess left League under better conditions than SBQ.
- Will Ben Hunt recover from horror GF drop?
- Standard annual question – can the Cowboys go back to back?
- Who will be the big Supercoach bargains early?
- How will the Ratings look for Channel 9 v Fox Sports?
- Which round will the NZ finally disappoint their fans for the season?
- Who is this year’s Top 8 bolter?
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO
- Fox Sports coverage of the NRL season and saying goodbye to Channel 9 – as we bitched about earlier.
- 1st Brisbane v Cowboys rematch
- Semi Radradra scoring many tries and exciting Warren Smith in the process
- Thursday night football instead of the two Friday night games.
- The International break games featuring Tonga, Samoa, PNG, Fiji
- Did we mention the coverage of Fox Sports?
- The term “Origin Bolter”.
- No State of Origins outside of NSW and QLD.
A FEW MORE THINGS WE’D LIKE TO SEE
- More Ipswich Jets inspired tactics including the short kick off and worm burner kick off. Enough every time.
- State of Origin kickoff of 8pm to be enforced with minimal (read none) artist entertainment soaking up the minutes.
- Banning of signing players to another club before the end of the season. This off season proved players can move with less notice than they claim they need. Should South’s Chris Grevsmuhl can sign for another club for next year before the season starts. Of course not.
- Draw revamp including fewer games. Less is more (see NFL season in comparison). I’d rather have fewer games of better quality, and fewer games mean fewer injuries so player and could make standalone Origin work.
- Stand alone origin.
- Further to above two points, more talk of expansion. With fewer games, an extra two teams would make up for that shortfall of games for TV.
POSSIBLES VS PROBABLES
Possible – Parramatta to have best Non Hayne season in a long time after recruitment and Nines win.
Probable – Parra will find a way for someone involved with the club to stuff things up or key injuries.
Possible – Loads of Queensland Cup recruits – after fanfare of off season.
Probable – Matt Parcell looks the only starter of the graduates, and that will probably remain.
Possible – Semi Radradra to score 40 tries.
Probable – It’ll be high teens at best as he’ll never get the ball off Michale Jennings.
Possible – Townsville PNG star Willie Minoga to break into the NRL.
Probable – He’ll lead the Blackhawks to the Premiership in Queensland.
Possible – NSW to win Origin
Probable – Mitchell Pearce will work his way into team and history will repeat.
Possible – NRL will get a big name like ACDC for Grand Final Entertainment.
Probable – Jet or Noiseworks reunion.
Possible – NRL scandal free until end of season, therefore away from the talking heads garbage that is morning TV news who usually ignore the sport.
Probable – give it two months.
GURGLER’s FAVOURITE PLAYERS TO WATCH or to LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING
- MATT PARCELL
- SEMI RADRADRA
- ANTHONY MILFORD
- SAM BURGRESS
- GREG EDEN aka British Billy Slater
- A FIT GREG INGLIS
FEARLESS PREDICTIONS
Here’s our take on the who’s going to do what this year.
LADDER
Brisbane
Cowboys
Manly
Melbourne
Roosters
Bulldogs
NZ
Penrith
Parramatta
Souths
St George-Illawarra.
Cronulla
Canberra
Wests Tigers
Newcastle
Gold Coast
PREMIERS
BRISBANE
FINALIST
COWBOYS
TOP 8 SURPRISE
PENRITH
ORIGIN
QLD
DALLY M
ANTHONY MILFORD
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
MATT PARCELL
But there’s always more League at Nothing But League, and the team there have everything you’ll need.
