Top 10

Although we’re now ‘only’ less than two months away from the NRL season, it still seems like an eternity for those of us who live and breathe rugby league. Right now I am looking forward to anything involving a ball that isn’t round being broadcast on my screen. No this is not a shot at soccer, or cricket, both of which I am huge fans, but to put it bluntly, I miss my rugby league. Below are ten of the rugby league themed moments I am looking forward to in 2017. 10. Pre-Season Fixtures [caption id="attachment_24771" align="aligncenter" width="640"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 13: Taane Milne of the Dragons is tackled by Dane Nielsen of the Rabbitohs during the NRL Charity Shield match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium on February 13, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] The NRL pre-season use to mean very little to fans. The emergence of the Auckland Nines, All-Star fixtures, and televised pre-season games means the Rugby League season kicks off just that little bit earlier. The Charity Shield remains a fun fixture in the pre-season calendar, although it is joined now by other televised games both on Fox Sports and online, as clubs cater to the demand of fans to watch these games. Even the survival of the World Club Challenge means two more pre-season games on my television. Even the survival of the World Club Challenge means two more pre-season games on my television. 9. Turbo Power [caption id="attachment_23639" align="aligncenter" width="640"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Tom Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles runs the ball during the round 19 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the New Zealand Warriors at nib Stadium on July 16, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)[/caption] I am perhaps the furthest thing from a Manly fan as there could possibly be, however, the emergence of young Jake and Tom Trbojevic has me circling Manly fixtures with excitement. Jake’s debut for the Kangaroos solidifies what we already knew, that he has a monster representative career ahead of him. Tom, perhaps the most exciting young player in the competition, looks set to put the NSW incumbents under huge pressure, whilst looking to make a permanent move into the fullback position in 2017. 8. Which Rookies Arrive In 2017? [caption id="attachment_23644" align="aligncenter" width="640"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 29: Bevan French of the Eels celebrates one of his tries during the round 25 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Pirtek Stadium on August 29, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] Last year is was Bevan French and Suliasi Vunivalu who burst onto the scene and went from NRL rookies to the player's young kids wanted to pretend to be whilst kicking a footy around the backyard. Valentine Holmes, Jack Bird and Cameron Munster went from exciting rookies to genuine superstars in 2016 and featured heavily on Grand Final day. Who will emerge from the NRL rookie talent pool in 2017? Who will emerge from the NRL rookie talent pool in 2017? 7. Lei-Pana [caption id="attachment_23052" align="aligncenter" width="640"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Joseph Leilua of the Raiders celebrates after scoring a try during the round 20 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the New Zealand Warriors at GIO Stadium on July 23, 2016 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)[/caption] Prior to 2016, BJ Leilua was without a doubt number one, two and three on the most frustrating player in the competition list. He had so much talent, ability and natural talent, yet he kept throwing ridiculous passes, made awful errors and couldn’t keep out of trouble both on and off the field. Fast forward 26 rounds plus finals and his combination with Jordan Rapana is the most exciting in the competition. They achieved some freaky things in 2016. No one will ever forget that flick pass. Now that they’ve had a complete season together under their belt, and another off-season together, who knows what they will produce in 2017? Fast forward 26 rounds plus finals and his combination with Jordan Rapana is the most exciting in the competition. They achieved some freaky things in 2016. No one will ever forget that flick pass. Now that they’ve had a complete season together under their belt, and another off-season together, who knows what they will produce in 2017? 6. The Coach Sack Race [caption id="attachment_23451" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Dragons coach Paul McGregor looks on at the post match media conference at the end of during the round five NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the St George Illawarra Dragons at 1300SMILES Stadium on April 2, 2016 in Townsville, Australia.[/caption] Who will it be? Jason Taylor, Paul McGregor? Even Des Hasler’s job looks to be on shaky ground despite the Bulldogs not missing the finals in seemingly forever. How much patience will the Manly board have for Trent Barrett? Can the Knights, despite the situation not being of his doing, tolerate another season like 2016 with Nathan Brown at the helm? Can Shane Flanagan coach as the hunted instead of the hunter? Can Stephen Kearney solve the riddle that is the Warriors? 5. The Penrith Panthers [caption id="attachment_22370" align="aligncenter" width="640"] SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES - APRIL 03: Bryce Cartwright of the Panthers celebrates with team mate Dallin Watene-Zelezniak after scoring the winning try during the round five NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Penrith Panthers at Pirtek Stadium on April 3, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)[/caption] Last year I had the Panthers earmarked as the most painfully dire side of the competition due to their halves pairing and the fact Griffin managed to make the Broncos boring. At first, it looked like I would be proven correct, but by finals time, the Panthers were arguably the most exciting side in the competition. I am an unashamed Bryce Cartwright fan, I want Cleary pushed toward Origin in 2017, and I believe Trent Merrin to be one of the premier forwards in the game. Throw in Matt Moylan and the best winger in the game right now in Josh Mansour, and this is one brilliant side. 4. If The Warriors Can Find Consistency [caption id="attachment_23078" align="aligncenter" width="640"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 02: Shaun Johnson of the Warriors scores a try during the round 17 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans at Mt Smart Stadium on July 2, 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)[/caption] This is something I look forward to every year and am let down by almost as frequently. I don’t know how Warriors fans back up each season. At least when my side is bad, they’re bad, and we’re they’re good, they’re good. The Warriors can be absolutely anything on any given minute of any given game of any given season. RTS, Kieran Foran (if cleared), Shaun Johnson and Issac Luke are a premiership winning spine. Ben Matulino and Simon Mannering are world class forwards. Kata is one of the most damaging centres in the game. They have a successful coach who has achieved incredible things with the national side. If this isn’t their year, then it might be time to give up as it may never come. 3. The New South Wales Side [caption id="attachment_24849" align="aligncenter" width="640"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: James Tedesco of the Blues, Aaron Woods of the Blues and David Klemmer of the Blues sing the national anthem before game three of the State Of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium on July 13, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] I honestly can’t remember the last time New South Wales were so stocked with talent. The side picked for Origin One is going to be more about who misses out rather than who is picked as Laurie Daley and co face selection decisions such as Tedesco vs Hayne. Mansour (when fit), Ferguson, Morris, Morris, Turbo, Croker, Leilua, Jennings, Dugan, and Jack Bird are going to have to be culled to four backline positions, although Hayne may be added there as well should Tedesco get the nod at the back. The emergence of Nathan Cleary, Mitch Moses and Chad Townsend may place pressure on the likes of James Maloney, Adam Reynolds and Matt Moylan. In the back row, Wade Graham and Trent Merrin will battle to replace Paul Gallen. Is Bryce Cartwright ready for the call-up? Exciting stuff. 2. Potential Signing Sprees [caption id="attachment_23745" align="aligncenter" width="640"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 11: Ben Hunt of the Broncos passes the ball during the round two NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on March 11, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] I usually hate the distraction of off contracted talent dominating the headlines, however, given the insane amount of talent off contract for 2018 and beyond, this should be a fun recruitment merry go round. Newcastle is cashed up and looking to quickly overhaul their roster, the Sharks will need to find replacements for Lewis and Gallen, South Sydney will be looking to put their final touches to complete a squad ready for another title tilt. Click here for a full list of the off contract talent, to be headlined by the likes of Ben Hunt, Jordan Rapana, Jack Bird, Ryan James, Tohu Harris, Dane Gagai, Jason Taumalolo, Josh Dugan and James Tedesco. 1. Sharks vs Broncos [caption id="attachment_24850" align="aligncenter" width="640"] during the round nine NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Brisbane Broncos at Southern Cross Group Stadium on May 1, 2016 in Sydney, Australia.[/caption] I think I speak for every NRL fan when I say the thing I am most looking forward to in 2017 is round one kicking off and the return of the greatest game of all. The Premiers kick off the season and their first ever title defence, by hosting one of the red hot favourites to be there or thereabouts in October. Maloney vs Milford, Holmes vs Bird, Gallen vs Gillett. Anyone else feels like this is the longest NRL off-season ever? Let’s watch some football!!! Round One is jam packed with mouth-watering fixtures, although right now I’d take a depleted Knights second eleven playing off against the Manly nines side if it meant the return of rugby league.