Top 10 best things in the NRL today

From the dawn of new eras to the influx of new talent, plus some of the quirkier events, season 2010 is flowing along swimmingly. As we begin to reach the end of another Origin series and clubs begin shifting focus towards the business end of the competition, now is a good time to reflect on the season to date. Without the alleged racism, cheating and drug use, this season has been pretty good to date – and here’s why:

10. The Dragons
They are the competition heavyweights and the team to beat. This side seems to be in cruise control and because of their lofty heights at the top of the table, become the villains. Everyone wants to beat them, and every comp needs someone raising the bar. Last year Canberra showed the NRL how to beat the Dragons. Who can step up this year, or, can anyone indeed step up at all?

9. Gareth Ellis
I love watching this Tigers tough nut play the game. He doesn’t get the headlines of a Burgess, Thaiday or Hindmarsh but he is just as important. Ellis would be the first forward I would pick in a new side. He is professional, old fashioned and plays his heart out. This Englishman is great to watch and a real credit to his club, his country and himself.

8. End of season 100m race
I was not really interested in seeing this until last weekend. The plan is for the fastest 10 or 12 players to race each other in a traditional 100m dash at the end of the year. I didn’t care until I saw the Titans winger Kevin Gordon race away at Suncorp Stadium last week. I thought he was the man to beat until Greg Inglis ran the length of the field in second gear on Saturday, and no one got near him. Throw in guys like Akuila Uate and Michael Jennings – plus the prospect of Usain Bolt – and I’m looking forward to this. I would like to see the race happen in full playing gear and carrying a ball however.

7. The Youth
We are just starting to see the evolution of the first year Toyota Cup players coming through. I think players need a year or two playing against men after the U20’s and we’ve seen that now with guys like Matt Gillett, Josh Dugan, Jamal Idris, Alex Glenn, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Nathan Gardner and Ben Barba emerge. I love seeing some of the young talent at the Broncos and Canberra really shine and we’re seeing new superstars created before our very eyes.

6. Sunday Footy
I think everybody loves this and when you see Leichardt Oval jammed to the rafters in glorious sunshine, you can see why. I’ve said before we need more Sunday arvo games because that’s what the people want. These games give fans a perfect afternoon out at the game while still having time to go for a drink or get kids home for bed before it gets too late.

5. South Sydney
I’m not a Rabbitohs fan but I make the effort to try and watch them every week. No matter their opponents or how they play, the Rabbitohs provide entertainment. They’re a young team and we may just be seeing them evolve as well. Some of their players, like the team, are hit or miss – but that’s what makes Souths must see viewing.

4. The Sunday Roast
This is hands down the best rugby league show in the game, bar none. It involves Andrew Voss, Phil Gould, Mark Geyer and, usually, Terry Kennedy discussing the big and not so big issues in the game. They generally cover most angles to an issue without being too serious which allows the viewer to form their own opinions. It’s the only NRL show I tape if I miss it and the only downside is the program only runs for one hour.

3. New Media
This season especially rugby league has taken on a whole new blogging and internet presence. If you want a good blog (apart from this), find Phil Rothfield over at the Daily Telegraph website. If you want to stay really well informed, join the Twitter family and follow as many voices as you can. League fans can now really participate and be heard which helps the entire buzz and feeling of the game. I think this can only be a good thing and I’m sure any Twitter fans who followed the Storm scandal on that Thursday afternoon would agree with me.

2. Penrith Panthers
These guys are my self-confessed ‘second team’. I love everything about the Panthers from their work man attitudes to the preference of footballers over athletes. I saw them live last week and I now believe they are the real deal. They have strong forwards, try scoring backs and a really good footballers’ halfback. Throw in stars like Lewis, Jennings and Petero and I say we are looking at a genuine premiership contender.

1. Queensland Origin side
This has got to be the greatest Origin side every assembled across the board. The Maroons run this squad almost as a football club with guys who leave replaced by others more than ready for instant success. The current side has the best fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker of the past 10 years and a ruthless attitude to winning. Throw in megastars of the game out in the backs and think of the talent no longer in the NRL and you wonder what it’s going to take to beat these guys. This Queensland side is a joy to watch but the challenge is there for anyone with the courage to try and beat them. The problem is, there just may be no one with such an attitude or skills left out there.

TIPPING
Tips – Dragons, Penrith, Brisbane, Cowboys, Souths, Warriors, Titans, Canberra
Last Week – 5/7
Total – 59/108 (55%)

Thanks for reading again this week and as always you can talk to me on email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), Twitter (@keyto316) or comment below.

We’ll do it all again next week,
Keyto