Well, it's been an exceptional season. We started League Blog with high expectations, and surpassed them before we even started. Then we really hit a purple patch and in doing so wondered why no one ever makes that pun about the Storm. But all good things must come to an end, and League Blog is no exception.
Don't worry though, we're not retiring with a fairytale finish. We're just taking a short break, to refresh ourselves, recharge our batteries, and put some new structures into our attack. Some time soon, League Blog will be back - bigger, stronger, wiser and ready for another boozy season launch.
In the meantime we may duck in occasionally, perhaps to comment on what looks to be the most thrilling TriNations in the history of rugby league, perhaps to get a quote from league powerbroker and soon to be NRL Commissioner Tooley Daley. And as alluded to earlier we'll be counting down the *real* most valuable players in league today.
If you're too impatient to wait for new stuff, there's never been a better time to delve through the archives and relive some of the greatest posts in the history of rugby league. Speaking of history, does anyone remember the 2004 grand final? What a game...
For now, League Blog would like to sincerely thank you for reading and commenting. See you soon.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Year in Review XVI of XVI
Riding on a wave of Bellamy's spit after a typical spray, the Storm romped in to win the comp. Which brings us to our final season review.
Melbourne Storm or Bellyaches all round…
Steve Turner's bigger, faster, and stronger replacement.
Season Highlight: Much more pleasurable than watching the Storm win the comp, was watching Greg Inglis repeatedly tell everyone not to argue with him... You think they'd learn...
Season Lowlight: Picking up Brett Finch early in the season. He is the player that everyone loves to see lose, and his team-mates' conflicting desires were apparent in their mid-season win-one, lose-one form.
Most Valuable Player: Dallas Johnson. He does nothing exceptional during the regular season, but everyone knows he is a big game player. Before the GF, I picked him to get the Clive Churchill medal but only if he was concussed in the first 5 minutes. It took about 10 - which gave Billy a headstart that Dallas couldn't catch up.
Least Valuable Player: Brett White. League Blog just doesn't like him.
Telling Statistic: Both Cameron Smith and Billy Slater were both born on 18 June 1983. Interestingly, Superman III opened on exactly the same day.
Quote that sums up their year: "No comment", by Greg Inglis
2010 Outlook: Most of the Storm's senior players are in their mid-20s (Johnson 27, Smith 26, Slater 26, Cronk 25, Hoffsman 25, Inglis 22) so unless the salary cap gets in the way, we are in the middle of a dynasty. Also, winning the Under 20s is a good sign, and they have in the wings Pulou Vaituutuu, who looks like moving ahead of Frank-Paul Nuuausala in the most-unlikely-preponderance-of-the-letter-U-in-a-name stakes.
Melbourne Storm or Bellyaches all round…
Steve Turner's bigger, faster, and stronger replacement.
Season Highlight: Much more pleasurable than watching the Storm win the comp, was watching Greg Inglis repeatedly tell everyone not to argue with him... You think they'd learn...
Season Lowlight: Picking up Brett Finch early in the season. He is the player that everyone loves to see lose, and his team-mates' conflicting desires were apparent in their mid-season win-one, lose-one form.
Most Valuable Player: Dallas Johnson. He does nothing exceptional during the regular season, but everyone knows he is a big game player. Before the GF, I picked him to get the Clive Churchill medal but only if he was concussed in the first 5 minutes. It took about 10 - which gave Billy a headstart that Dallas couldn't catch up.
Least Valuable Player: Brett White. League Blog just doesn't like him.
Telling Statistic: Both Cameron Smith and Billy Slater were both born on 18 June 1983. Interestingly, Superman III opened on exactly the same day.
Quote that sums up their year: "No comment", by Greg Inglis
2010 Outlook: Most of the Storm's senior players are in their mid-20s (Johnson 27, Smith 26, Slater 26, Cronk 25, Hoffsman 25, Inglis 22) so unless the salary cap gets in the way, we are in the middle of a dynasty. Also, winning the Under 20s is a good sign, and they have in the wings Pulou Vaituutuu, who looks like moving ahead of Frank-Paul Nuuausala in the most-unlikely-preponderance-of-the-letter-U-in-a-name stakes.
Year in Review – Part XV of XVI
The suspense is killing League Blog as we continue our countdown of the top teams this year. As Buzz Aldrin said, second comes right after first.
Parramatta Eels or The Lord Moves in Mysterious Ways
Parramatta Eels or The Lord Moves in Mysterious Ways
Where it all began... Hayne is illegallytackled while performing the Fijian haka
Season Highlight: A stunning form reversal that saw the Eels capture the imagination of all fans of rugby league including God, claim the scalps of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd-ranked teams in the semis and spawn the latest greatest player in the history of rugby league, Jarryd Hayne.
Season Lowlight: I’d actually have to go with their terrible form during the start of the season, rather than the Grand Final loss. Yes, that would be bitterly disappointing but a close loss is nothing to be ashamed of. Their early season form was very shameful. And at least 2001 is now a distant memory for Burt, Cayless and Hindmarsh.
Most Valuable Player: Jarryd Hayne, although going on the GF alone you’d have to say Fui Fui Moi Moi. Thanks to fish heads and Fiji, Hayne produced an amazing run of big game form and elevated himself to top 5 player status. He wore out both opposition defences and media members’ right hands. Hayne will be bulletproof, figuratively speaking, for the next three years on the back of three great months of footy.
Most Worthless Player: Kris Keating. Goes down like a tonne of bricks and Eels start their winning run. Coincidence? Methinks not.
Telling Statistic: The Eels averaged an incredible 17.6 offloads… per set of six. Daniel Anderson’s decision to change the team song to Hot Potato was controversial at first, but the results speak for themselves.
Quote That Sums Up Their Year: “Jesus Christ!” God’s reaction when he found out just before the Grand Final that Hayne’s new contract contained no tithes whatsoever for the man upstairs. Game over, Eels.
2010 Outlook: League Blog can’t see the Eels maintaining their blue hot form for all of 2010, but they won’t need to, knowing that a bottle of lightning is but a Hayne hop skip and jump away. They’ll sneak into the Top 6 and then look to do some damage when it counts.
2 Lose 1
As Eels players and fans drown their sorrows, they may be cheered by the indisputable fact that You Gotta Lose One To Win One. But is this really the case? Looking back at the last three years we see that yes, it is! Melbourne, Manly and before them Melbourne all lost the previous year's grand final decider before winning the following year.
Going back to the start of the NRL though, how many teams were powerfully buoyed by grand final defeat within the last, say three years?
Year YGLOTWO?
1998.....NO
1999.....NO
2000....NO
2001.....NO
2002.....YES (2000)
2003.....NO
2004.....NO
2005.....NO
2006.....NO
2007.....YES
2008.....YES
2009.....YES
2010..... ???
So that’s 4/12 YGLOTWOs, one of which was a loss more than one year ago. Eight times, ascent to the NRL Throne was unpropelled by previous pain. And eight times, the fiery flames of Grand Final failure were never to be doused. Only 33% of positives means League Blog says a big fat no to this theory. However, if it consoles the losers, so be it.
Going back to the start of the NRL though, how many teams were powerfully buoyed by grand final defeat within the last, say three years?
Year YGLOTWO?
1998.....NO
1999.....NO
2000....NO
2001.....NO
2002.....YES (2000)
2003.....NO
2004.....NO
2005.....NO
2006.....NO
2007.....YES
2008.....YES
2009.....YES
2010..... ???
So that’s 4/12 YGLOTWOs, one of which was a loss more than one year ago. Eight times, ascent to the NRL Throne was unpropelled by previous pain. And eight times, the fiery flames of Grand Final failure were never to be doused. Only 33% of positives means League Blog says a big fat no to this theory. However, if it consoles the losers, so be it.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Off the cuff grand final reflections
- Well, it almost went down to the wire. The complete absence of DTTW games in this year's semis was just one strange feature of many in an unorthodox finals series.
- I would have given the Churchill Medal to Fui Fui Moi Moi. Not only was he an absolute inspiration in defence and attack, he scored a great try. Giving him the Churchill would also have provided a much needed silver lining to Eels fans. As it stands, their only consolation is knowing Jeff Robson is leaving next year.
- The selectors should give themselves a chicken wing for giving it to Slater. Yes he attacked the high ball, something Jarryd Hayne perhaps should have done a bit more, but two pivotal BS moments were negatives. First, the dropped bomb that let the Eels score their last try. Second, the dropped ball that he was somehow awarded a penalty for - the only penalty in the game, it felt like. That ended the Eels chances right there.
- The game at least had a few plot twists as the game progressed. Storm to dominate, Eels bounce back, Storm to really dominate, Eels *storm* back, then Storm cruelly put the match out of reach with 5 to go.
- Poor Hayne. You could see that hollow feeling on his face at the end there, knowing that he couldn't carry the team on his shoulders or produce one last flash of brilliance to save the Eels.
- My wife really enjoyed the game, especially when it ended. Her knowledge of league is surprisingly deep, as evidenced by her hawkeyed reading of the awful double entendre in the Eels Pirtek jersey slogan - Fluid Transfer Specialists. That description is likely to be apt for both teams until at least Wednesday morning, in League Blog's opinion.
- LB caught some of the reserve grade games, shockingly the Toyota Cup game appeared faster and of higher quality than the reserve grade game. But the Dogs (aka the Bulls) NSW Cup team got the cookies, and it brought a wave of euphoria to all blue and white supporters to see Ben Barba score three tries. He is a lock to be the Dogs' X factor next year, provided he puts in a good offseason and doesn't punch anyone.
- What will LB do now the season is over? Well, there's the season review to wrap up, but I can reveal we have a few special items planned for the offseason, including a countdown of the real most valuable players in the game.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Grand Final Foreview
One of the things League Blog enjoys about grand final week is media outlets finding a way to run 10 league-related stories per day, compared to their usual 3 or so. If only it were always like this. Even the most boring of regular season games presents many opportunities for media hype:
- Former Souths Great Mario Fenech Weighs in on Rd 5 Clash with Cronulla - Nope, not watching it
- Canberra Struck with Week 11 Fever - Raiders Cap Spotted in Gutter on Northbourne Ave
- Unsung Heroes: How Knights' Fringe Players Helped Team to 2 and 2 Start
- Exiting Star Reflects - It feels weird helping the Warriors to this Round 8 win, knowing I'm not yet under contract for next year, Mannering admits
- Referees Under Pressure - Will be Expected to be Consistent with Last Week's Round 1 Decisions
- Mixed Feelings for Kimmorley - It won't be the same if we beat the Panthers without Ryan. He is due back in Round 2 though
- Burden of History - Titans Must Overturn Three Year Hoodoo if They Are to Start the Year 4 and 0.
- Momentum with Broncos - Storm Must Overcome One Game Losing Streak if They Are to End Broncos' One Game Winning Streak
But all of that don't amount to a hill of beans when we consider this week's encounter. It's not just any encounter, you know. The Grand Final is a different kettle of fish. It’s more than a game of league, it’s a chance to make history. As many have already pointed out, there are at least two possible narratives to come out of this game.
Universe 1
- The Storm = big game chokers, incredibly making four grand finals but only winning one. How will they suck it up and go hard again next year? They’ll be taken seriously, but with a huge asterisk in the minds of the players and fans. And even if they do and make the grand final again, what if they lost that?
- Meanwhile, the Eels get a *huge* monkey off their back and probably set themselves up for another title in the next three or four years, given the boost to the confidence of Hayne, Moi Moi, Mortimer et al. They also give hope to every ragtag bunch of misfits who ever dared to dream (and who have Jarryd Hayne in the team). Sterlo gets banned for exposing himself on national tv.
Universe 2
- The Storm are officially granted Dynasty Status. Class (Inglis, Slater, Smith, Ringo) over Arse (offloads, Hindmarsh's butt crack) is the moral of the story. Two titles from four consecutive grand finals? I'll take that thank you very much. And with Todd Lowrie joining the Storm next year, their odds of a 3/5-peat just shortened. Dramatically.
- The Eels meanwhile are left wondering what they need to do to win a comp - how could they ever top the form they brought into this game? And how will they deal with the new weight of expectation in 2010? Daniel Anderson will take up drinking again, shoot at Jarryd Hayne in the Cross, but the bullet will ricochet off a cross hanging round Hayne's neck and Anderson will become a born-again born-again. At least, that's how LB sees it playing out.
Where the game will be won and lost
On the field, obviously. Some people have singled out Slater vs Hayne (oh so slight edge to Hayne), others Smith vs Kingston (impossible to split) others Inglis vs Reddy and Grothe (Inglis has skill advantage, but Reddy and Grothe have number of bodies advantage). For mine it will be the intriguing clash of Lowrie versus Cronk. I know these two don't play in the same position, but League Blog has said it again and again. You can't win a comp without either a really short halfback or a journeyman forward who lifts in his last game for the club. This is where the game will be decided.
Home Crowd Advantage
If this were any other game in the season, I would say it's a big advantage to the Eels. But the Storm have won two comps without home ground advantage, it won't bother them. Unless... the Eels get a roll on, the Storm have to come from behind, or the referees get unduly influenced. I reckon there'll only be 3 penalties in the first 67 minutes anyway, given how they ref big matches these days.
The Lower Grades
For many people, grand final day is the only time they watch a bit of reggie action. Last year's first grade Bulldogs team will be striving for reserve grade glory, so check out Utai, Winitana, Barba, Briggs, Morrin, Te Maari et al while you can. In a cruel twist of fate, LB is lead to believe that Daniel Holdsworth has played too many first grade games (3 I think) to be eligible for this game, so he'll be watching from the sidelines, tears streaming down his face.
The Storm are also in the Toyota Cup grand final, which is a great sign for the health of junior rugby league in Melbourne. Unfortunately everywhere else, apart from Balmain and Campbelltown, is absolutely rooted in the junior rugby league stakes. Gallop gets it wrong again.
The Weather
Much has been made of the potential the weather has to affect the outcome of the big game. Let's do a quick run through.
Fine - edge to the Eels, allowing their free-flowing, carefree, hassle free, no fuss no muss style of offloads to continue unfettered
Rainy - edge to the Storm, especially if the rain is accompanied by a storm. How cool would that be, being accompanied in the heat of battle by your actual team mascot! It's why the Utah Jazz need to change their name.
Hail - edge to the Eels, unless the hail is orange-sized or bigger, in which case edge to the Storm. Reason being, small hail will reduce the wild changes in direction associated with Eels offloads, but large hail will knock out the ref and the Storm have more Grub Potential than the Eels (Dogs fans may disagree, but last weeks' knees were all in full view of on field and video refs).
Dust storm - edge to the Storm, Nathan Hindmarsh's bum crack will fill with dust and he'll be racked with pain and anxiety.
Flood - slight edge to the Eels, everyone will be washed away except Hayne, who can walk on water.
Earthquake - overall, the Storm have more sidestepping ability than the Eels, but this is a close one. Could go either way.
Volcano - the match will probably have to be called off.
The Verdict
Storm in a tight one. 18-12.
- Former Souths Great Mario Fenech Weighs in on Rd 5 Clash with Cronulla - Nope, not watching it
- Canberra Struck with Week 11 Fever - Raiders Cap Spotted in Gutter on Northbourne Ave
- Unsung Heroes: How Knights' Fringe Players Helped Team to 2 and 2 Start
- Exiting Star Reflects - It feels weird helping the Warriors to this Round 8 win, knowing I'm not yet under contract for next year, Mannering admits
- Referees Under Pressure - Will be Expected to be Consistent with Last Week's Round 1 Decisions
- Mixed Feelings for Kimmorley - It won't be the same if we beat the Panthers without Ryan. He is due back in Round 2 though
- Burden of History - Titans Must Overturn Three Year Hoodoo if They Are to Start the Year 4 and 0.
- Momentum with Broncos - Storm Must Overcome One Game Losing Streak if They Are to End Broncos' One Game Winning Streak
But all of that don't amount to a hill of beans when we consider this week's encounter. It's not just any encounter, you know. The Grand Final is a different kettle of fish. It’s more than a game of league, it’s a chance to make history. As many have already pointed out, there are at least two possible narratives to come out of this game.
Universe 1
- The Storm = big game chokers, incredibly making four grand finals but only winning one. How will they suck it up and go hard again next year? They’ll be taken seriously, but with a huge asterisk in the minds of the players and fans. And even if they do and make the grand final again, what if they lost that?
- Meanwhile, the Eels get a *huge* monkey off their back and probably set themselves up for another title in the next three or four years, given the boost to the confidence of Hayne, Moi Moi, Mortimer et al. They also give hope to every ragtag bunch of misfits who ever dared to dream (and who have Jarryd Hayne in the team). Sterlo gets banned for exposing himself on national tv.
Universe 2
- The Storm are officially granted Dynasty Status. Class (Inglis, Slater, Smith, Ringo) over Arse (offloads, Hindmarsh's butt crack) is the moral of the story. Two titles from four consecutive grand finals? I'll take that thank you very much. And with Todd Lowrie joining the Storm next year, their odds of a 3/5-peat just shortened. Dramatically.
- The Eels meanwhile are left wondering what they need to do to win a comp - how could they ever top the form they brought into this game? And how will they deal with the new weight of expectation in 2010? Daniel Anderson will take up drinking again, shoot at Jarryd Hayne in the Cross, but the bullet will ricochet off a cross hanging round Hayne's neck and Anderson will become a born-again born-again. At least, that's how LB sees it playing out.
Where the game will be won and lost
On the field, obviously. Some people have singled out Slater vs Hayne (oh so slight edge to Hayne), others Smith vs Kingston (impossible to split) others Inglis vs Reddy and Grothe (Inglis has skill advantage, but Reddy and Grothe have number of bodies advantage). For mine it will be the intriguing clash of Lowrie versus Cronk. I know these two don't play in the same position, but League Blog has said it again and again. You can't win a comp without either a really short halfback or a journeyman forward who lifts in his last game for the club. This is where the game will be decided.
Home Crowd Advantage
If this were any other game in the season, I would say it's a big advantage to the Eels. But the Storm have won two comps without home ground advantage, it won't bother them. Unless... the Eels get a roll on, the Storm have to come from behind, or the referees get unduly influenced. I reckon there'll only be 3 penalties in the first 67 minutes anyway, given how they ref big matches these days.
The Lower Grades
For many people, grand final day is the only time they watch a bit of reggie action. Last year's first grade Bulldogs team will be striving for reserve grade glory, so check out Utai, Winitana, Barba, Briggs, Morrin, Te Maari et al while you can. In a cruel twist of fate, LB is lead to believe that Daniel Holdsworth has played too many first grade games (3 I think) to be eligible for this game, so he'll be watching from the sidelines, tears streaming down his face.
The Storm are also in the Toyota Cup grand final, which is a great sign for the health of junior rugby league in Melbourne. Unfortunately everywhere else, apart from Balmain and Campbelltown, is absolutely rooted in the junior rugby league stakes. Gallop gets it wrong again.
The Weather
Much has been made of the potential the weather has to affect the outcome of the big game. Let's do a quick run through.
Fine - edge to the Eels, allowing their free-flowing, carefree, hassle free, no fuss no muss style of offloads to continue unfettered
Rainy - edge to the Storm, especially if the rain is accompanied by a storm. How cool would that be, being accompanied in the heat of battle by your actual team mascot! It's why the Utah Jazz need to change their name.
Hail - edge to the Eels, unless the hail is orange-sized or bigger, in which case edge to the Storm. Reason being, small hail will reduce the wild changes in direction associated with Eels offloads, but large hail will knock out the ref and the Storm have more Grub Potential than the Eels (Dogs fans may disagree, but last weeks' knees were all in full view of on field and video refs).
Dust storm - edge to the Storm, Nathan Hindmarsh's bum crack will fill with dust and he'll be racked with pain and anxiety.
Flood - slight edge to the Eels, everyone will be washed away except Hayne, who can walk on water.
Earthquake - overall, the Storm have more sidestepping ability than the Eels, but this is a close one. Could go either way.
Volcano - the match will probably have to be called off.
The Verdict
Storm in a tight one. 18-12.
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