Following on from earlier in the week's first 25 thoughts, here are the final 25 quick-fire opinions.
26. I find it hilarious that fans of EVERY team in the competition swear their side is on the raw end of refereeing and judiciary decisions. I guess there's a conspiracy against everyone?
27. If rumours that Paul Gallen is set to retire are true, I hope fans are able to look past the last year and admire him for his efforts to almost single-handedly carry for the Sharks for many seasons.
28. I can't be the only one who is sick of hearing players trot out the old "it's not just about the money" after signing big money deals to switch clubs. For the record, good on them, just be truthful. Money is important, especially in such short careers.
29. If Keiran Foran is granted a salary cap concession, you might as well scrap the cap all together. You can't sign multi-million dollar deals, walk away from said deal, and then expect a club with a near full salary cap to be allowed to match the deal.
30. The Warriors have recruited two absolute superstars next season and are surely amongst the Premiership favourites. I'm not sold on Andrew McFadden, and I don't think fans will be too happy with anything other than top four finish next season.
31. Half time interviews with players and officials are clichรฉ and borderline pointless. That being said, every time a player, or coach, breaks the mould, they either get fined or cop criticism.
32. If I had dollar for every time Josh Dugan and Steve Matai grabbed at something and looked injured following a tackle, only to play on, I could purchase an NRL side and hold my own incredible press conferences.
33. When was the last time NRL Grand Final pre-match entertainment wasn't horrible? I remember singing along to Noiseworks a few years back, that was fun. Since then though ...
34. Can anyone think of a player who was nicknamed "the next" so and so, actually living up to the hype? I always cringe when I hear a player put under such pressure so early in their career.
35. Following the horrible injury suffered by Alex McKinnon, the NRL said it would crack down on dangerous, lifting tackles. When?
36. Tony Williams and Dave Taylor should be two of the most damaging forwards in the game.
37. Bryce Cartwright is one of the most naturally talented, young forwards I have ever seen. He can literally do it all.
38. I wish Jarryd Hayne all the best in his ventures to play NFL, but I don't need a running commentary of his every move whilst in the states.
39. I really wish Albert Kelly could have overcome his off field problems earlier in his career. There were few more exciting players than Kelly at full flight.
40. The Gold Coast Titans have been out supported by away fans in games against the Sharks, Bunnies and the Warriors in the past month or so. The Titans fixture is such an appealing away trip for opposition fans, but Titans fans don't seem so keen.
41. Despite the new Super League marquee player payment system, I don't expect any genuine superstars to leave the NRL in the prime of their career.
42. The rivalry between the Roosters and the Bunnies is still the best in League.
43. I wish they could bottle whatever it was that helped James Tamou turn his form around, and ship a box of it to my NRL side. He is playing career-best footy at the moment, just months after being rumoured of being dropped and sent to the Raiders.
44. There needs to be some sort of compensation, or something, ANYTHING, to stop players guilty of offenses leading to their being sacked from an NRL club, only to walk into an increased contract elsewhere. Example: Canberra acted in the NRL's best interests in standing down Ferguson and Dugan. Both are now staring at club, and Origin level, for other clubs.
45. I am yet to see an NRL fan apologise for bagging a member of the media for a report/rumour/criticismย that turned out to be true. That being said, I'm yet to see an NRL reporter apologise for a false report.
46. The Sharks seem like a completely different organisation since Lyall Gorman came on board. Shows the importance of a brilliant CEO.
47. Remember when Adam Reynolds was ruled out of for five months? Only to return, suffer a separate injury and return again prior to the original five months?
48. I can't wait to see the winner of reality tv show The NRL Rookie play 100 NRL games, just as AFL recruit winner Johann Wagner (zero games) has for Port Adelaide ... Seriously though, talent scouts are signing kids to play for NRL junior sides at such a young age, it's going to be very unlikely to discover a 20+ year-old who has never played NSW or QLD Cup that is capable of NRL level football.
49. The Titans have done an incredible job to overcome a horror off-season and an incredible injury toll to be where they are now. By all rights they should be winless and sitting last. What else does James Roberts have to do to earn an Origin call up?
50. Should Israel Folau decide to return to rugby league following the rugby world cup, will we finally see the so called "war chest" used to lure him? If so, how will the NRL decide where he signs? One thing is for sure, when the David Smith controlled fund is finally used, expect fans and officials of the 15 other NRL sides to blow up deluxe.
