We are currently told there’s no I team. Well there is in our NRL Finals Smackdown Best XIII from Non Finals sides. In fact there’s three of them thanks to our insistence of using wanky Roman numerals. Could be worse, we could have used 13.0 like in cafes. For some reason we have become a society that is far too busy for the second decimal place.
But sometimes some team members are better than the team. That is the basis of our first NRL Finals Smackdown.
The fact that the players we have nominated are not to blame for their team’s non appearance in the September action. In fact most of the sides would have been a complete busted arse without them.
For those who didn’t make our list, one could argue that someone’s else opinion might say they belong in our top XIII. Or that your fans are very disappointed in you.
This is the first in a series of four NRL Finals Smackdowns. Instead of providing any meaningful insight into the finals, we’re going to highlight four more obscure or pointless statistics and opinion from the 2016 and rugby league in general. What better way to give our many fan something to read through as the NRL Finals progress.
If you don’t have Foxtel then you would have seen plenty of the below players throughout Channel Nein’s wonderful coverage of the 2016 NRL Season. Since the bottom 8 sides featured in more games in the last 6 weeks of the year than the top 8. Including zero games for Sharks and Canberra.
So, enough intro, if you have stuck by us to this point you probably want to see our Top 13.0 thoughts. Or you have skipped this part to go to the side and missed the joke to the left with the decimal. Or you have already gone back to another website to find out 14 of the 34 things you didn’t previously know about Love Thy Neighbour.
GURGLERS NON NRL FINALS PLAYERS THAT WILL BE MISSED
1 – James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
Wins best fullback in one of the more hotly contested positions out of the teams who didn’t make the finals. Made the switch to NSW Origin no worries.
2- Latrell Mitchell (Roosters)
A young gun who gave all and showed plenty in his first year. A full season with Mitchell Pearce will be a good education.
3- Solomone Kata (NZ)
Dangerous, and one of the Warriors best. The fend in the Titans clash was a season highlight.
4- Tom Trbojevic (Manly)
Moved to Centres here to accommodate a brilliant season, a must include. Will be interesting if Brett Stewart ever comes back.
5- Bevan French (Parra)
Try scoring machine, and his move to fullback has allowed him to wow the fans. A warning to players holding clubs to ransom and threatening to leave for Freonch Rugby. The next superstar is just waiting to take your place.
6- Cody Walker (Souths)
Should be Rookie of the Year in my opinion. Has been outstanding in a very ordinary Souths side, and appeared to be one of the very few players trying during the mid season slump. Would be a great story if he won Rookie of the Year, it means that things can still happen in the NRL after you turn 21. Might stop some younger players who don’t make it immediately being lost to the game or life itself.
7- Corey Norman (Parra)
Before his enforced break was on fire and a shame he added to the Eels off season woes. Will be someone worth building a side around.
8- Jake Trbojevic (Manly)
Solid performer each week, and looks a good foundation for Manly in the years ahead alongside his brother.
9- Vacant. Maybe it is no coincidence that we couldn’t think of one hooker out of these teams who has been outstanding. Maybe the position is more important than we think. Or maybe we’re not very good form students.
10- Martin Taupau (Manly)
Plays the game hard, and that’s just the way we like it. Tendancy to go over the top, but that’s not always a bad thing.
11- Manu Ma’u (Parra)
Has been one of the Eels best in an impressive season against all odds. A shame they wasted money on ex Manly duds and didn’t fill the boots of players like Ma’u who have done the club proud.
12- Simon Mannering (Warriors)
Another quality season from a Warriors favourite. Always good for a Supercoach add.
13- Sam Burgess (Souths)
Was he worth the hype, money and loss of players to accommodate. Yes to all. Whilst not at 2014 Vintage all year, Souths would have been completely embarrassing this year without him.
INTERCHANGE (Yes we know we said 13 but you tell the gents below they can’t be here)
14- Shaun Johnson (NZ)
Like the Warriors, at his best is unstoppable, but doesn’t happen enough for the Warriors or their many fans.
15- Jack de Belin (Dragons)
Token Dragon, but was a shining light all season in a fairly ordinary 2016.
16- Brad Takarangi (Parra)
Underrated, and had a quality season in a very difficult year for the Eels.
17- Mitchell Pearce (Roosters)
Could be blamed for Roosters not making the eight. Given his sparkling end of season form, his early season absence for his canine party tricks seems an even bigger waste of a season. At least he’s played himself into a NSW jersey again for Qld.
FOX SPORTS NRL TEAM OF THE YEAR
1 – 17 Jarryd Hayne.