Will EvansMore Bird shit on the NRL's Centenary windshield
August 26th 2008 11:04
The fallout from Greg Bird’s alleged assault of his girlfriend has more far-reaching consequences than robbing Cronulla of one of their strike weapons on the eve of the finals. It is yet another black eye for the NRL in what was supposed to be the game in this country’s crowning glory – the centenary of Rugby League in Australia. But the myriad of ‘Teams of the Century’ – a feature of the season historical Rugby League nerds such as myself have been salivating over since last year – and other innovations such as the Heritage Round have been grossly overshadowed by a spate of off-field incidents. Starting with the Jarryd Hayne shooting incident in the pre-season, to SBW’s clandestine departure to France, Todd Carney’s sacking from the Raiders for another misdemeanour, dozens of other less serious off-field indiscretions (one of which Bird was involved after Origin II), and now culminating with Bird’s assault charge and destined-to-be-lengthy court case – it has been one of the worst years yet in a bad decade for the game’s reputation. A worrying aspect of this year’s trend has been the involvement of some of the NRL’s best and brightest young stars. While Hayne bounced back to retain his NSW spot, Bird, Carney and Sonny Bill Williams were meant to be the future of our sport – marquee players at their respective clubs who are now almost certainly lost to the game. David Gallop must be on the verge of a breakdown wondering how he can fix this cancer on Rugby League – there’s only so many alcohol awareness seminars he can send young players to.
Putting the seriousness of Bird’s situation to one side for a minute, the big on-field question at the moment is whether the Sharks can hold their composure and form to mount a serious challenge for the first premiership in their 41-year history. For a club desperately lacking in attacking firepower and thrust, the loss of one of the most robust ball-playing back-rowers in the NRL could be an insurmountable hurdle. Ricky Stuart has admirably come out in the media and said he will pull the club together like never before, and that it will be an experience they will never forget – I’m looking forward to how the boys from the Shire respond. No doubt if they go down, they’ll go down fighting.
Lets reflect on some of the more positive aspects of 2008 with the TOP TEN MILESTONES OF THE SEASON
1. Ruben Wiki – The Test appearance World Record-holder brought up 300 first grade games this season, the first non-Australian player to do so. Starting out as a centre for Canberra, Wiki won a premiership playing alongside Mal Meninga and played over 200 games in the lime green. He will hang up his boots at the end of the year after four productive seasons with the Warriors.
2. Steve Menzies – Indestructible ‘Beaver’ moved into second place on the all-time first grade appearance list in 2008. The Bradford-bound Manly legend is already the second-highest tryscorer in premiership history.
3. Terry Campese – Canberra five-eighth Campese amassed 36 points from four goals and ten goals in the record thrashing of Penrith, the most points in a first grade match since Mal Meninga in 1990. Campese’s haul was also the fourth biggest of all-time.
4. Jordan Rankin – 16-year old Gold Coast halfback Rankin became the youngest first grader in 72 years when he debuted against the Knights recently. He was also the youngest half in the game’s history and handled his spell on the field with confidence and poise.
5. Hazem El Masri – ‘El Magic’ broke Steve Mortimer’s 20-year old appearance record for the Bulldogs when he played his 273rd match in the blue and white early in the year. The diminutive winger stands as a colossus in the club’s record books, setting marks for most tries and points as well. He is also just 20 points away from becoming the highest pointscorer in history and has moved into the premiership’s top ten tryscorers of all-time.
6. Danny Buderus – The retiring Knights’ institution broke Paul Harragon’s NSW record for consecutive Origins in his 21st and final match this year, which was also his 15th as captain – one more than Brad Fittler’s mark for the Blues.
7. Amos Roberts – ‘Famous’ Amos brought up 100 first grade tries this season. One of the game’s most graceful movers and a genuine entertainer, Roberts was the NRL’s leading tryscorer in 2004 with Penrith. He also holds the premiership record for most points on first grade debut, with 22 for the Dragons in 2000.
8. Jordan Atkins – While the Titans winger has been plagued by injury in his rookie season, Atkins scored four tries in his first grade debut, equalling the premiership record.
9. Steve Price – The Warriors workhorse played his 25th match for Queensland in 2008, equalling Maroons’ lock Bob Lindner’s record for most appearances by an Origin forward. Price is also closing in on 300 first grade matches.
10. Denan Kemp – New Zealand-bound Kemp etched his name into the Broncos record books with his stunning four-try haul against Parramatta. He equalled the mark set previously by Steve Renouf (five times), Wendell Sailor, Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges.
Honourable mentions for other milestone men: 250 games – Brett Kimmorley, Matt Geyer (who also brought up 250 games for the Storm).
200 games – Brett Finch, Andrew Ryan, Preston Campbell, Matt Orford (this weekend).
200 games for one club – Nathan Cayless (Eels), Tonie Carroll (Broncos), Tony Puletua (Panthers), Corey Hughes (Bulldogs), Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
Putting the seriousness of Bird’s situation to one side for a minute, the big on-field question at the moment is whether the Sharks can hold their composure and form to mount a serious challenge for the first premiership in their 41-year history. For a club desperately lacking in attacking firepower and thrust, the loss of one of the most robust ball-playing back-rowers in the NRL could be an insurmountable hurdle. Ricky Stuart has admirably come out in the media and said he will pull the club together like never before, and that it will be an experience they will never forget – I’m looking forward to how the boys from the Shire respond. No doubt if they go down, they’ll go down fighting.
Lets reflect on some of the more positive aspects of 2008 with the TOP TEN MILESTONES OF THE SEASON
1. Ruben Wiki – The Test appearance World Record-holder brought up 300 first grade games this season, the first non-Australian player to do so. Starting out as a centre for Canberra, Wiki won a premiership playing alongside Mal Meninga and played over 200 games in the lime green. He will hang up his boots at the end of the year after four productive seasons with the Warriors.
2. Steve Menzies – Indestructible ‘Beaver’ moved into second place on the all-time first grade appearance list in 2008. The Bradford-bound Manly legend is already the second-highest tryscorer in premiership history.
3. Terry Campese – Canberra five-eighth Campese amassed 36 points from four goals and ten goals in the record thrashing of Penrith, the most points in a first grade match since Mal Meninga in 1990. Campese’s haul was also the fourth biggest of all-time.
4. Jordan Rankin – 16-year old Gold Coast halfback Rankin became the youngest first grader in 72 years when he debuted against the Knights recently. He was also the youngest half in the game’s history and handled his spell on the field with confidence and poise.
5. Hazem El Masri – ‘El Magic’ broke Steve Mortimer’s 20-year old appearance record for the Bulldogs when he played his 273rd match in the blue and white early in the year. The diminutive winger stands as a colossus in the club’s record books, setting marks for most tries and points as well. He is also just 20 points away from becoming the highest pointscorer in history and has moved into the premiership’s top ten tryscorers of all-time.
6. Danny Buderus – The retiring Knights’ institution broke Paul Harragon’s NSW record for consecutive Origins in his 21st and final match this year, which was also his 15th as captain – one more than Brad Fittler’s mark for the Blues.
7. Amos Roberts – ‘Famous’ Amos brought up 100 first grade tries this season. One of the game’s most graceful movers and a genuine entertainer, Roberts was the NRL’s leading tryscorer in 2004 with Penrith. He also holds the premiership record for most points on first grade debut, with 22 for the Dragons in 2000.
8. Jordan Atkins – While the Titans winger has been plagued by injury in his rookie season, Atkins scored four tries in his first grade debut, equalling the premiership record.
9. Steve Price – The Warriors workhorse played his 25th match for Queensland in 2008, equalling Maroons’ lock Bob Lindner’s record for most appearances by an Origin forward. Price is also closing in on 300 first grade matches.
10. Denan Kemp – New Zealand-bound Kemp etched his name into the Broncos record books with his stunning four-try haul against Parramatta. He equalled the mark set previously by Steve Renouf (five times), Wendell Sailor, Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges.
Honourable mentions for other milestone men: 250 games – Brett Kimmorley, Matt Geyer (who also brought up 250 games for the Storm).
200 games – Brett Finch, Andrew Ryan, Preston Campbell, Matt Orford (this weekend).
200 games for one club – Nathan Cayless (Eels), Tonie Carroll (Broncos), Tony Puletua (Panthers), Corey Hughes (Bulldogs), Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
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Comment by Shirehawk