The Things we've learnt

Well hello and welcome to my final NRL opinion/blog piece of season 2009. I had a fantastic holiday last week but still had a footy fix – we listened to the Broncos beat the Dragons two weeks ago and the Eels topple the Bulldogs last week at the beach, sitting around the camp fire. So now we’re all set for Sunday afternoon where the mighty Melbourne Storm takes on the red-hot Parramatta Eels.

I was going to preview this match but I always find build up to Grand Finals and Origins a little bit boring. Instead, I will offer a few thoughts at the end but for now I’m going to borrow something from Rove McManus and talk about the things we’ve learnt in season 2009.

Off-field behaviour
Ok, let’s start with the shit.. You have to wonder if things are that bad or is the public demanding this information thus leading to heavy media scrutiny and publication? No one wants to see criminal acts such as sexual and physical assaults ... they need to be made public and offenders dealt with accordingly. But is it really that bad if a player has too many drinks and stumbles down Cronulla mall or someone takes a slash on a wall and gets warned away by police? It is the media world we live in and while there’s demand from the audience, nothing will change. While we’re hearing more these days about ‘player misbehaviour’, the reality is most incidents are no worse then what happened 20 years ago ... in fact players are probably better behaved.

Pay structures
The biggest story at the Broncos this year was the defection of Karmichael Hunt to the AFL from next year. Where the game needs to look is to how to generate more money and keep players from defecting to England or another code. I’m not sure what the answer is, but the best suggestion I have heard is to allow a certain number of players at each club to earn as much as they can from 3rd party sponsorships. Something definitely needs to be done at the NRL though.

Two Refs – Potential, but not a long term thing
If it stays I won’t be too concerned but if it goes next year I won’t shed a tear. The biggest concern it raised was the awful quality of our referees. Do you know the reserve referee for the Grand Final this weekend is Ben Cummins? He is a guy who ‘Gus’ Gould on Triple M screamed “HOW DO YOU HAVE A JOB??” during a Monday Night game this year! The overall quality of the current referees is poor, but I too am starting to think their job has become over-complicated. Ideally I would like to see things simplified and maybe after two more years, when these guys have gained more experience, we go back to having one ref.

The most consistent thing about consistency are the inconsistencies (Video Refs)
I give up ... how was Billy Slater not even considered for a try last week and Dallas Johnson awarded one against the Broncos last week? I’m with ‘Gus’ in saying the Video Referee is a joke and probably the biggest blight on the game. It’s honestly a toss of the coin job. If we get rid of the Video Ref next season, again I won’t shed a tear. I don’t think that’s the answer: the best thing to do is allow referee discretion by simplifying rules and stripping the Video Ref down to the barest duties.

Origin is alive
The Maroons have won four in a row but after THAT match up here in July, we can’t wait for next year! For the overall good of the concept the Blues need to win a series or two soon, but for now I’ll cheer on a 5-time Queensland championship.

Queensland is strong
Origin aside, rugby league is super strong in Queensland. Suncorp Stadium and Skilled Park are world class venues while I understand the game is alive and well up north. There are still two dreams for next season: three Queensland sides in the top eight and an all-Queensland Grand Final!

The greatest game
Figures have shown that rugby league is the number one winter sports in Queensland and New South Wales and with a pretty tame cricket summer ahead, I say bring on NRL 2010!!

The Grand Final
I know a few people who have been on the Storm for a while, I was one of them. For two months I have told anyone who would listen I wasn’t prepared to write them off. After seeing them destroy Manly I thought the Storm would brush past either the Broncos or Dragons last week. They have class all over the field and I think they’ll beat the Eels quite well on Sunday. Wouldn’t surprise me if it’s a 20 point margin.

Having said that, like everyone else the Eels have grown on me. I’ve enjoyed watching them play in the last two months and they made history by qualifying from 8th spot. I think their best chance on Sunday is to play from in front. If they fall 8-10 points behind, I can’t see them coming back. Hopefully it will be a good game fitting of a great season.

Tip this week: Storm
Last two weeks: 2/4 (Total: 117/194) – Eels & Broncos; then Dogs & Broncos
Winning percentage: 60%

So, that’s it for the season then. I’ve had a good time bringing this to you each week and I’d like to thank everyone who has sent me mail and opinions throughout the year. I can always be reached at andrew.keyte@gmail.com and hopefully I’ll be back again next year. Be sure to check out Sports Australia over the summer where I may pop up with some cricket stuff.

Have a great summer, Keyto