2014 Season Preview - By Hayley

It’s that time of year where NRL fans across the country begin to get really excited. The trials are fast approaching which is a reminder that the NRL kick off for 2014 is not so far away. With the World Cup and the Nines Tournament it’s really felt like the off-season has flown by this year.

It’s the time of year where hope and anticipation starts creeping in. You start to think about how your team might go this year. You dare to dream that it will be your club captain that’s holding up that Premiership Trophy come September time.

How will your team finish up at the end of the regular season in 2014? Here’s what I think:

Sydney Roosters – 3^rd

Whilst the Roosters were able to keep their 2013 Grand Final squad, I don’t think they’ll be able to go back to back minor premierships. I’m tipping they’ll still have a good year, just not as good as 2013. With a lot of rep players, they’ll need to be careful of player burnout this year.

South Sydney Rabbitohs – 5^th

Whilst I don’t know much about their 2^nd-teir squad, they do seem to have lost a lot of depth after the 2013 season. Any injuries to their first grade squad would make things difficult for the Rabbitohs this year if that’s the case. Providing Greg Inglis can get through the season without any major injuries, I think they’ll still be in the running come finals time. Let’s hope the disappointment in coming so close so many times hasn’t got too much for the Rabbitohs.

Melbourne Storm – 6^th

In my opinion, the “Big Three” are getting too old to keep up with the young, fast teams. Any team with Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk will do well; I just think they won’t do as well as previous years. On a side note, I think Ben Roberts will thrive in the Melbourne Storm system and we’ll see some great things from him this year.

Manly Sea Eagles – 1^st

It pains me to say, but I think Manly will be Minor Premiers this year. The Grand Finalists don’t have many changes to their squad which means they would have started the 2014 pre-season fairly seamlessly. Providing they don’t have any ASADA drama’s they’ll have a very good year.

Cronulla Sharks – 15^th

I’m tipping a difficult year for the Sharks this year with the ASADA investigations continuing. Whilst they did well to not let it affect them in the 2013 season, I think it will all get a bit too much for them in the 2014 season.

Canterbury Bulldogs – 2^nd

I can’t believe I have 2 of my team’s (Parramatta) biggest rivals as 1^st & 2^nd but I think the Bulldogs will have a better year this year. With the Barba drama behind them, a CEO who seems to be doing great things for the club and a coach who has the “winning touch”, I think things will fall back into place for the Bulldogs.

Newcastle Knights – 7^th

I’m tipping no change for the Knights this year. The only thing that’s made me keep them in the top 8 is Wayne Bennett. I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t make the top 8 this year though.

North Queensland Cowboys – 11^th

The Cowboys seem to have half the Australian Squad in their team and still managed to only just make the top 8 in 2013. Ok, I may be exaggerating a little about the Australian Squad but they do have a lot of rep players. On paper they should be doing a lot better than they are and I’m predicting that 2014 is not going to be the year they return to the top.

Gold Coast Titans – 9^th

Other than Jamal Idris, there hasn’t been too much first grade talent lost for 2014 for the Titans. This is why I’m going to sit on the fence and say they’ll finish in the same position as 2013.

Penrith Panthers – 8^th

I think the Panthers are heading good places. I think they’ll do well in 2014, however I think this year will be a stepping stone for them. There are a lot of changes to the squad and once they spend a whole season together they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2015.

New Zealand Warriors – 12^th

The Warriors have shown that they can play if they want to; the key part being “if they want to”. They don’t seem to want to play for Matt Elliot which could see them end up further down the ladder than last year.

Brisbane Broncos – 13^th

The Broncos are another team that seem to have lost a lot of depth. I think they are in a rebuilding phase and it will be a few more years until they are competitive then. If Ben Barba can just concentrate on football in 2014, the Broncos could prove me wrong!

Canberra Raiders – 14^th

This was a really difficult one to predict. If the Raiders buy into the Ricky Stuart culture it could spell great things for the Raiders. If they don’t…well we all saw what happened at Parramatta. I’m not saying this as a disgruntled Eels fan as I am actually ok with Ricky’s decision to leave; however I don’t think being a Raiders legend will be enough for Ricky to make the Raiders a success again.

St George Illawarra Dragons – 10^th

Given the Dragons have bought half the Raiders squad they may be a slightly better chance at breaking the hoodoo against the Raiders which will give them 2 extra points this year. Providing Dugan stays focused and keep out of trouble, I think the Dragons will do better in 2014.

Wests Tigers – 16^th

Sorry Wests Tigers fans but it’s got to be somebody! I think the Tigers will do a good impersonation of the Eels this year. I think they’re still on their way down and haven’t quite hit rock bottom just yet.

 Parramatta Eels – 4^th

You may all laugh at me but I truly do think that my beloved Eels will improve dramatically this year. The main reason is because of Brad Arthur; the players want Brad Arthur. A new coach can see massive improvements in a sporting team, the Australian Cricket team is a prime example of this. I don’t want to set my hopes too high but I do believe the Eels will be in the top 8 this year.

It’s hard to tell how teams are going to do before we’ve seen any football played so it will be interesting to see how my thoughts change after the first 5 rounds.

Be sure to let me know where you think I’m dreaming and where you think I’m spot on in my 2014 predictions!

Love,

@LadiesWhoLeague

Reflecting on Jon Mannah - by Mary

On Saturday, I spent some time reflecting on the life of Jon Mannah.  Jon passed away on 18 January 2013 from Hodgkin's lymphoma.  This weekend marked the first anniversary of his passing.
 
Jon started his NRL career at the Cronulla Sharks where he played from 2009-2011.  In 2011 he came back to the Parramatta Eels to join his brother Tim, who the next year would become captain of the team. 

However, the focus of this story is not on Jon's short lived NRL career, but simply on the tremendous individual that he was.

Jon was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009. His battle with this insidious disease lasted 3 and a half years.  Following his diagnosis in 2009, Jon managed to fight his way back to full fitness and even managed to play another 12 games for Cronulla.

 
However, he had another relapse in 2011 while he was playing for the Wenty Magpies, finally losing his battle in January last year.    

Everyone who met Jon (including myself on a number of occasions) was absolutely inspired by his tremendous joy for life and his courage as he continued to fight with dignity and grace.  He tackled his diagnosis with such a positive attitude and filled people with such joy, no matter his condition.

He was a true gentleman and a role model for our game and the NRL is a much sadder place without his fabulous smile.

 
So wherever you are today, spare a thought for a gentleman that we have lost and for his family. Jon was taken far too soon.

Love,

@LadiesWhoLeague

Freddie Fittler and the Nines - By Mary

Last week I read in fascination as the League world debated the return of Brad Fittler.

For those of you who have been hiding under a rock for the last week, it has recently been announced that Brad Fittler is planning a comeback to play in the first ever Auckland Nines Tournament in February.

Many were delighted by this news (particularly Roosters fans). Brad Fittler is a true legend of our game. In his illustrious NRL career he played for two clubs - the Penrith Panthers and the Sydney Roosters. He played for City, New South Wales and Australia and captained the Sydney Roosters to their 2002 NRL Grand Finals. He is also one of the most experienced first graders our code has ever produced, having played 336 games.

Whilst I had a bit of a giggle when I heard that Freddie was coming back, on further reflection it has made me even more excited about the upcoming Nines Tournament (whether this is actual excitement about the Tournament itself or whether I am just waiting for Rugby League of any kind remains to be seen).

In terms of Freddie's return, as long as he feels his body is up to it - I welcome his return. He was an amazing player and it would be great to see him lace up his boots one more time. The Roosters are also playing the Eels in Round 1 of the Nines, so he may get the opportunity to ease himself back in.

All the talk about Freddie's return made me think about the possibility of each team brining back one retiree from their Club to play for the Nines and who I would select for each team.   

Brisbane Broncos - There is absolutely no question about it. If I could select one player to come back for the Broncos it would have to be Darren Lockyer. Lockyer retired in 2011 after a mammoth seventeen seasons for the Brisbane Broncos. A very talented player with the ability to create 'something out of nothing', Lockyer was also a wonderful example of a true gentleman of our game.

Canberra Raiders - Perhaps as a strategy to get him out of the commentary box, I should pick Laurie Daley for the Raiders. Daley was such a key part of the Raiders success in the early 90's, is it so unfathomable that he could possibly be an important part of a potential Nines victors in 2014?

Canterbury Bulldogs - True to my consistent picking of true gentleman, how could I go past Hazem el Masri for the Bulldogs. One of my favourite Bulldogs of all time (and I can assure you, there aren't too many), the Bulldogs could definitely use Hazem's kicking capability for the Nines.

Cronulla Sharks - While he would have to put off production of 'Escape with ET' for a little while, wouldn't it be wonderful to see ET's golden locks back on the playing field? One of the most celebrated players to ever play for the Cronulla Sharks, it would be interesting to see how much of his old pace he has maintained since leaving the NRL in 2000.

Gold Coast Titans - This was a little bit harder. As a newer club, the list of 'retirees' from the Titans isn't as long as that of many other clubs. That said, the player I would pick would be Mat Rogers. Not only was Rogers a dual code international, but he was an extremely entertaining player as well - perfect for the inaugural Nines competition. Unfortunately, the injury which plagued him in his very brief participation in the 2011 season might prevent him coming out of retirement for the Nines.

Newcastle Knights - Andrew Johns. Is any explanation really needed here?

New Zealand Warriors - Who better to captain the New Zealand Warriors in the Nines than Steve Price?

North Queensland Cowboys - Another player who might have their imaginary return to the Nines hampered by injury would be Ash Graham (another favourite of mine from his Parramatta Days). One of North Queensland's favourite sons, his career took on a new life once he left Parramatta to move up north. Another extremely entertaining player, it would be wonderful to see him flying high for the Nines Tournament.

Manly Sea Eagles - Could I pick anyone but Steve Menzies for the Sea Eagles. Probably one of the only Sea Eagles to be universally loved and respected, he was always renowned for his try scoring ability. I know he is still playing in his final season for Catalans, but he has technically retired from the NRL… right?

Melbourne Storm - Definitely Glenn Lazarus to add a bit of strength up front.

Parramatta Eels - As a Parramatta fan this was a difficult choice. I can think of so many players I would love to bring out of retirement (with Sterlo probably being too old to help solve any problems we might have in the halves). On closer reflection though, there is only one player I could choose - Nathan 'Hindy' Hindmarsh. Hindy is probably the most loved Parramatta player in history and there was genuine shock when he announced his retirement at the end of Season 2012, with many Parramatta fans hoping the old boy would have one more year in his tired, old legs. Hindy was brilliant in defence and always there to clean up a mistake or chase down a ball when Parramatta needed him. It would be great to see the old boy lace up the boots on more time.

Penrith Panthers - This selection is one for all the ladies out there. How could I go past Ryan Girdler for the Panthers?

South Sydney Rabbitohs - Another player whose return might be hampered by injury would be Mick Crocker. His return would certainly add some fire and a bit of mongrel to the South Sydney forward pack.

St George Illawarra Dragons - Matt Cooper. Again, one of my personal favourites. A very tough choice between him and Mark Gasnier.

Wests Tigers - Although technically not retired from NRL, I would love the opportunity to see Benji Marshall play for the Tigers one more time. There was genuine disappointment when Benji announced he was moving on last season, however he was undeniably one of the most talented players I had the pleasure of watching. His dynamic play would certainly only add to the Nines Tournament.

I've had a lot of fun writing this article. I would love to know who you would bring out of retirement for the Nines.

Love,

@LadiesWhoLeague

Footy season is on its way back! - By Mary

Here we are friends - 2014.

This is one of my favourite times of the year. Summer in Sydney is magic to start off with. The weather is magic, the cricket is on and the whole of Sydney shines for the Sydney festival.

It's also when the new year ticks over that you start to realise that the NRL season is not very far away. I was even more so reminded of this fact when my Parramatta Eels membership pack arrived today.
 

When I tore off the packaging of my membership pack (all with a ridiculous grin on my face), I felt a couple of feelings, but mostly an overwhelming sense of anticipation. Footy is on its way back.

While you could be forgiven for thinking that I wouldn't be looking forward to the 2014 season because of Parramatta's dismal results last year, you couldn't be further from the truth.  When I remember back to Season 2013, it is all beginning to become like a distant memory. I remember something about troubles at a board level, sackings and mass player movements…. but that was all so 2013.

 

It is a new year and a new season and with a new season come endless possibilities. While Parramatta might not be Premiership favourites, at this stage, anything is possible. Parramatta lost a lot at the end of last year, including some of my favourites like Matt Keating and Matt Ryan however, we go into Season 2014 with lots of new as well. This will be our first year with a new board, a new coach and new players like Will Hopoate, Nathan Peats and Liam Foran.

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting more stories, giddy with excitement that NRL is returning.

I am perhaps most excited about this blog though. We will have a new website by the time the new season rolls around and this will be our first year where we will be blogging from season beginning to season end.

I hope you'll be there with me, every step of the way.

Love,

@LadiesWhoLeague