NRL Heralds Drugs & Racism

On a day that should be celebrated in Rugby League circles will now be seen as one of the darkest days and one that will tarnish forever the reputation of the game. In some strange wisdom the 8th person named as a Rugby League Immortal was Andrew Johns.

The award is judged purely on playing ability and character & off-field incidents are not taken into account but in this situation the premise of this so called honour has been shown to be a blight on the game. Regardless of what you think of Andrew Johns playing ability he is a player that should have had all his records wiped from the books and never mentioned in high regards.

Andrew Johns is a self confessed drug cheat who only came forward after he was caught in possession whilst overseas in London after his career was over. Although he never tested positive any player who confesses to a long history of drug taking through their career should be wiped from the game. Johns himself admitted that he had taken drugs for about ten years throughout his career and it was in a need to escape the pressure and to be able to cope. With this said, if John's never took drugs he most likely would never have reached the heights he did and therefore needed the drugs to reach the levels he did. On this basis alone Johns should never be held in high regard, let alone be made an immortal of the game. It also needs to be pointed out that Johns would never have come forward about his past drug taking if he was not caught.

Also to be considered is the racist comments made by Johns that were aimed at Inglis and Folau that caused Timanah Tahu to walk out of State of Origin in 2010. The comments made are not ones I will repeat but it is not hard to find exactly what was said. This incident also was not a one off and it is claimed that Johns has a history of using racist terms.

Now Rugby League has the great honour of one of it's Immortals forever tarnishing it's image with the spectre of drugs and racism.

Worst Team in the NRL 2012

Which team was the worst performing team in the NRL for 2012?  If you look at the ladder it is with out a doubt Parramatta.  If you go by coaches being sacked then you would still go with Parramatta, although if you add in potential Parramatta are still contenders but West Tigers are a close second.

If you take into consideration a team that has made errors almost every game that have cost sides tries, gifted tries that should never have been, and on many occasions made calls that no one agrees with then it is no surprise that the team that should be granted the title as The Worst Team in the NRL for 2012 is the referees.

From the start of the season the referees have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons and leading up to the grand final it has not changed but if anything it has gotten worse. What makes it frustrating is when it is the Video referee that is making the biggest mistakes and that is with the benefit of using a replay, slow motion and sometimes with a second person to help get the decision right. How is it that the officials are not improving but getting worse yet are still considered to be the best for the job. Are there that few coming through the ranks?  Considering that the referees all get training and have a coach and management team in Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper, who is it that should be held accountable? Every time a referee makes a poor decision the standard response is for them to be stood down for a week, the only trouble is with so many of them making mistakes they can't all be stood down. When a team usually performs so poorly over a season you rarely see the coach keep his job and for the latter part of 2012 the same is being asked of the referees coaches. How is it that Harrigan and Raper have not been stood down?  Now we are in a position where everyone is fearing the Grand Final will be marred by another mistake.

The NRL has put itself in a position that is unwinnable. At the end of the season there will be an overhaul of the officials and changes must come, it is just a matter of what change and if it is the right change. Anything it does though will not fix the damage done and I cannot see the NRL admitting they got things wrong with the current situation. But what can be done?

The first thing that needs to go is what every one seems to be agreeing on. Benefit of Doubt. This is the video ref get out clause and it has to go. If the video ref is unable to say one way or the other, Try or no try, then it should always go back to the referee on the field. Also if the insistence is there to keep using the video replay in frame by frame slow motion to adjudicate tries then until the vision is in High Definition then it should not be used. Surely if the game is worth spending a billion dollars on for the rights then they can afford to use the best technology. Channel 9 are always boasting about the technology in cameras for cricket, why can't they invest in the NRL?

Is 2 referees working?  Not in it's current format. There should only ever be one official in charge. The second referee is adding confusion to the game for the players in interpretation of the ten and ruck infringements. The pocket referee should only be there as a spotter and nothing more. Only one referee should hold a whistle.

Is the game getting too fast?  Possibly but with wrestling techniques it is also getting more bogged down. The inception of interchange has unfortunately advanced the game very quickly, if not too quickly.  This is the one area I would like to see the NRL tinker with. I believe 4 players on the bench and 8 interchanges is not working for the good of the game.  I was always a fan of the old system where you could only make replacements but we know that is not going to happen. Instead I would like to see a system similar to what the AFL is using but with modification.  Why not allow a team to have an extended bench but be limited in how that bench can be used. For example if a team is allowed 6 players on the bench, two of whom can be used in 4 interchanges for the match. With the reaming 4 players a team is allowed 2 replacements. If a player is taken out in an illegal hit that is put on report then a free replacement is allowed. This might not be a perfect solution but something needs to be changed in this area. This will also see fatigue become more of an issue in the final ten minutes of each half.

Regardless of what happens and what the NRL does, there will be many critics who are not happy and next year will see more mistakes. Mistakes are human, but when the same mistakes keep happening that is incompetence.

NRL Preliminary Finals

Only 2 games left to finalise the Grand Final combatants and it all said and done about who will be there on the day. Of the two preliminary finals there are two teams that deserve to get through and two that don;t but that doesn't mean it is going to pan out that way. Unfortunately with a season where all the headlines have been about referee blunders and in particular blunders where the referee in the box who has all day and countless replays to get it right, it seems there is still a major mistake yet to be made before this season is over. What is also interesting is that of the teams left are probably the coaches that complain the most about the men in control.

Melbourne Storm vs Sea-Eagles

This will be one hotly contested grudge match and neither team will leave anything in the tank in ensuring victory.  With Manly losing their first semi and looking very ordinary at time as well as a victory that is soured by blatant mistakes by the officials it is hard to look at Manly as a real contender but it is hard to discount a team that is favourably looked upon. Melbourne on the other hand were clinical in their first semi and with a week rest another similar performance will put any hopes Manly have of a Finals appearance out the window. Which ever teams comes out of this one it will be at a cost though and injuries will be a concern jsut as much as possible suspensions if tensions get out of control.

Melbourne will close this one out within 60 minutes but an all in brawl will have them waiting nervously before week one.  Also don;t be surprised if a key player from either side is targeted in a cheap shot in this game. Melbourne by 8.


Canterbury Bulldogs vs Souths Rabbitohs

The Bulldogs have been the most consistent team all year and would be very unlucky to not make the final. Although they won in the first week of semi's it was not a very convincing performance and manly were very ordinary. A repeat performance against Souths will have many Bulldogs supporters worried. Souths on the other hand have nothing t lose. No one really expects them to win but if they can rattle the Bulldogs in the forwards then it will be a different story. The fullback battle between Inglis & Barba is the talking point but the forward battle needs to be won for either of these players to dominate.  For some reason I am sensing that the Bulldogs will get a bit of stage fright and lose the battle mentally. This one will be a big scoring affair and a freakish try will be all that separates them. Souths are just as likely to self implode though and it will be all over very quick if Souths don't control the ball and the enthusiasm.

Souths will sneak home in the last 5 minutes but expect a few battered and bruised forwards and some nervous waits over high shots and lifting tackles.  Don't be surprised if either side targets the fullback for some rough treatment. Souths by 6

NRL - Self Damage

Glasses don't help those who are incompetent

The game of Rugby League is very strong. You know this to be true when you see all the damage that is happening to the game and yet it still continues on. Over the years the game has seen many scandals, court battles, negative media and of the course the Super League battle, yet here it is still as strong as it always has been.

Can the game keep damaging itself though and expect to survive?  The game is now at a point where most do not know how a game will pan out and the players have nothing to do with it. It all comes down to whether or not the officials who make the calls over the eighty minutes get it right or not.  The biggest worry all year is that a referee blunder is going to cost a team the Grand Final and in a way it has already happened. The game between the North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea-Eagles has already influenced the Grand-Final. There were so many errors in this game that one has to question Manly's right to contest the right to make the final.

Manly may have gone on to win but change a call or two to the correct one and the rest of the game is completely different. What I cannot understand is that if the video referees are seeing the same images that we see then how can they get it so wrong?  Is it time for the NRL to admit that the referees in the box are not up to standard and ex-players and even arm chair experts should be sitting in the control room. I will even throw another conspiracy into the mix. It may not be the case but when the network has control over the images, why is it that later in a game or after a game there is suddenly a better angle or clearer image that could not be found earlier.

I would like to see the benefit of doubt decision thrown out when it comes to video ref decisions. If the video ref cannot see conclusively what has happened then it should always be referred to the referee on the field. It also appears that logic is thrown out the window when they are not sure. If the game continues on in the same vain for the rest of the season and nothing changes next year then fans will start walking away from the game. The NRL for to long has allowed the standard of officials to slip behind and adding a 2nd referee on the field is just allowing them to be more complacent, knowing that there is a fall back if they cannot see something.

Also if the game is going to fast and getting ahead of the game then maybe it is there are other avenues to explore. Nothing has sped up the game more than the interchange and this is a rule that needs to be overhauled.  If it was good enough in the past for reserves only then why are our footballers of today who are supposed to be fitter and stronger unable to play without interchange.

Fans and players all understand referees can make mistakes but it is the continued mistakes happening every week that are the problem. Once the season is over the commission has a lot of work to do but it needs to know that next year if it is still damaging it's own game it will make negative ground.

St Luke's North Bundaberg 2012 Review

The 2012 season for the St Luke's/North Bundaberg Under 9 Small Sided Football team finishes this weekend and it is time to reflect back on the season and the players.

The season started with 6 new players, a doubling of previous seasons numbers. With 12 players now it proved a great challenge at games and training.  Whilst I not only had to try and get to know more new faces which is a struggle for anyone with my condition (facial agnosia), especially with all the new parents to get to know as well,  I also had to adjust to training and rotating a much larger squad which was a luxury I have never been afforded in the past. From the start of the season the improvement seen is one that as a coach I can not be happier with. To see personal development in every player is all that I can ask for but to also see the growth and development of the team and the structure of the playing style is one that  the boys can take great pride in.

Personally each boy has developed greatly from what was seen in the first game of the season.

Aiden - One of my key defenders. At the start of the season Aiden was a kick and watch player. Whilst Aiden has a "cracker" of a kick, the battle was always to get him to make the right choice in when to kick and get away from trying to blast every kick out of the park. The focus I have seen in the latter part of the season and the runs that Aiden is starting to show is putting him in good stead for next year. In the future I can see Aiden as a crucial player at free kicks or the goal scoring fullback that presents at corners.

Alex - Another one of my defenders but this year saw Alex progress into a wing player who could give anyone a start and chase them down in defence.  Alex also found his feet in passing and tackling and has vastly improved in his timing and technique. His reading of play is something that I have seen great growth in and with natural speed Alex will be a much more prominant figure in runs down the wing. Alex will be that player who you always see clearing the ball from defence or being that last man in defence putting pressure on the striker.

Alistair - Goalkeeper of choice or midfielder. Whenever a goalkeeper was required you could be sure that Alistair would put up his hand. Never afraid to put his body on the line, Alistair took great pride in keeping a clean sheet and was never afraid to tell his players what they should be doing. If not in goals Alistair could always be counted on in trying to take the ball forward and setting up players in attack. The future I see for Alistair though is in goals and with his determination and fearless attack on the ball have him ready to make great progress.

Chris - A midfielder in the making. Chris has developed from a spectator on the park who enjoyed watching his team and getting the odd touch. Now Chris can be counted to always be there to put pressure on the opposition or get the crucial interception and turn the defence into attack. Confidence was always the key and now that he has that anything is possible. In a way I see a lot of what I was like as a young player with Chris. Chris will develop into a good midfielder who is integral in setting up play for the strikers.

Clancy - Forward. Simply said, Clancy loves a goal. Even if it meant running over the top of a player to get the ball.  The challange was the passing game and learning to either pass the ball or get into a position to receive te ball.  The great improvement for Clancy though was towards the end of the season when he would rally back in defence and keep the team positive on the field. Clancy is determined to be striker though and with the determination and hunger, he has a gereat chance to win a few golden boots in the future.


Dayne - A key defender. I can not be prouder of where Dayne is now with his football. From the start of the season all I have wanted from Dayne is faith in his own ability. He can do what he wants to do and now he is realising it. He is the best player in the team in understanding what I have wanted from them in pressuring a player without committing to a tackle. When watching him running you can see a determinition that wasn't there at the start of the season. Dayne will be a crucial defender that holds the line when a fast break is made and slows the play up unitl backup arrives.


Hayden - My sweeper.  It is always challenging coaching your own son but he wouldn't want it any other way. I could ramble on a lot about Hayden being a proud father but for me as a coach it is his improvement in handling hard knocks in play and criticisms from myself. Hayden has made great improvement in avoiding the malicious tackle and also making runs with the ball when in space rather than just kicking it away. Hayden's read of the play will always have him earmarked for a central role.

Jack - Central Midfielder. Jack has the ability and can read the play but it was getting him to do it on the field at the start of the season. Jack almost seems to be taking it easy on players to be fair. What I am wanting is to see the killer instinct. I see it at training alot but now we are starting to see it more on the field. Jack is setting up players very well and is starting to use that big right boot he has more often. In the future Jack will be the no-nonsense player who controls the play and can nail those goals from thirty yards with a blistering kick.

Owen - A forward. Owen is another goal scorer but of a different mould. Owen has the ability but was lacking instinct to pass the ball or run into the right spot to receive the ball. Owen has improvement greatly in his positioning and read of the play. And his ability to steal a ball in defence and turn it into attack has become a great asset of his. Although one of the smaller players I can always guarantee he is up there for the header and usually gets to it first. Owen will always be an attacking player and will be great goal sneak who has the ball on a string.

Riley - Reluctant mid-fielder. I say reluctant because Riley naturally is a mid-fielder but likes to stay forward. From the start of the season, the improvement in Riley's running and passing game is almost a revelation. He adds a stability to the mid-field and doesn't give up where in the past he was tentative at the ball. Now Riley has found an extra gear or two when in possession and shows a determination that I have been trying to find for awhile. Riley will be great mid-fielder that is the glue all teams need.

Sam - ??  I am unsure where Sam will end up as player but that is due to Sam unfortunately breaking his collar bone and missing a lot of action. From where Sam started though and where he was before the injury Sam went from being a player that chased the ball everywhere regardless of who had it, to making sure he was either maintaining possession or getting into a good position in attack. Sam's passing and running with the ball were showing great improvements and with his speed can be a great attacking player.


Tihan - Deft Mid-fielder. Tihan has more ability then he realises and this was always the battle. At the start of the season Tihan was always there but seemed to be watcing the ball and waiting for it. A lot of what was required was confidence and that is certainly there now. Tihan is now showing great footwork and tackling. In a crowded mid-field Tihan has a knack of getting the ball and working it out. Tihan will develop into a good mid-fielder and will be crucial in turning defence into attack.

As a team though we are seeing some great progress. They have gone from a rabble chasing the ball to being reasonably structured for a junior side. I give less direction on the field now and the natural leaders are coming out on the field.  They set up their positions well and are understanding some simple tactics very well.  We may not have won every game but I have been happy with how they have played every game. Most goals scored against us are either very good goals or from mistakes made in defence. This is the best way for them to learn. More importantly they have learnt more about themselves as a team and individuals this year. They now what positions not only they play but what each other play. When asked they can also tell you what each player is good at and not good at. Any team that understands it strengths and weaknesses is a good team.  As the coach though I want to give credit to all the parents who should be very proud of their sons. Their attitude and nature makes them a pleasure to coach. I keep coming back to coach every year because I want to see them all develop and I love the game of football. But also I take great pride in their achievements and willingness to learn more and take in that knowledge. 

NRL Finals Week 2 Preview

With the first round gone the Grand Final picture is starting to look a little clearer or is it. On last weeks form one can hardly expect 2 of the teams playing this weekend to really threaten.

Manly vs NQ Cowboys

After last weeks ordinary effort against the Bulldogs and with the Cowboys in scintillating attacking form one would expect Manly to crash out and be gone by half time. Manly have a tendency to only play half a game of football and they cannot switch off against a side that only needs 20 minutes to blow most teams off the park. There is too much class in the attack of the Cowboys for Manly to think that they can outscore them in a free flowing game and it will be even harder for Manly to stop a rampaging forward pack that creates all the room for the attacking options from North Queensland. Thurston is in great form but it is not the combination with Bowen that will have the Sea Eagles worried but also Michael Morgan. With Matai out and Lyon only a chance  North Queensland will be too good down the edges.

Cowboys will keep the momentum rolling and post a 20 plus victory over a stuttering  Manly.

Souths vs Canberra

Canberra easily accounted for Cronulla last week but with Croker out injured will face a tougher prospect this week. Souths on the other hand can;t be any worse than last week and it is yet to be seen if they can pay the intense football required to win high pressure matches. If Souths struggle again in the forwards then it will be another cake walk for the Raiders. If the raiders fail to stop the forward momentum though then Souths will steamroll their way and survive another week. I can't see either team progressing any further though. If Dave Taylor continues in the same vain as last week he will cost his side any chance of winning as I feel he will find time on the bench if his antics continue.

Souths in a high scoring affair but will see injuries and reports hinder their chance of going further,

NRL Finals Review: Week 1

The first round of the NRL finals have been played and so far there have not been too many surprises. With the new finals system in place and no major upset has occurred. What has been shown is the teams that were never really going to compete in the Grand Final are gone and some questions are being asked of the rest.

Bulldogs v Manly - 16-10

Pre-game tip: Bulldogs but changed to Manly pre-game (wrong), an injury to a key player (Jamie Lyon) and a reportable offence (Matai and King) it was a close game as predicted.

The Bulldogs deserved the win but will not be taking the win lightly as they only scraped across the line against a team that never looked like they were good enough to win on the night. I picked a tight game here and wasn't let down, but the standard of play was now where near the intensity that should have been expected by two top 4 teams.  Although Manly were in front at half time it never felt like they were going to win and once Lyon limped off with an injury. What will be a concern for both coaches though was the standard of play. Neither team will go any further if they play to the same standard next game. Both teams had too many unforced errors. With manly also having Matai and King on report they will be sure to be enjoying an off season after next weekend. The Bulldogs will also struggle in their next game if they continue to make the same mistakes again in a high intensity match. In finals you cannot get away with two poor performances in a row.

Melbourne v Souths 24-6

Pre-game tip: Storm Comfortably, Souths need to control the ball (key issue), Injury to an International (thankfully no), reportable shoulder charge (again thankfully no)

The Storm controlled the game from start to finish and showed what Finals football is all about. At no point did Souths even look like making it a close game and this was due to a ruthless Storm outfit. Souths will never win a finals game if they continue to show poor discipline and not maintain possession. Regardless of how good your fullback is if the engine room isn't working and you are on the back foot it is hard to perform. Melbourne on the other hand had a high completion rate, perfect kicking game and too much skill all over the park. Souths have got to learn tht it takes more than emotion and a lot of talk to win big games.

Cowboys v Brisbane 33-16

Pre-game tip: Head said Cowboys, heart said Broncos (I will take it), Too many points in the Cowboys and hard to stop on a roll (too true)

Cowboys deserved the win and are a big threat to go all the way. Brisbane never looked like winning this one and the halves were a big factor. Brisbane just don't have either playmakers or ability to create points that is required to win big games. The Cowboys just had too much speed, skill and want to win for the Broncos to handle. If Brisbane want to get back to being a force they really need to address their structure and halves combination. All teams will be wary of the Cowboys as this is a team that can put points on the board from anywhere on the field but also has the mongrel in the engine room to lay the platform. Cowboys will make light work of manly next weekend.

Raiders v Cronulla 34-16

Pre-game tip: Raiders by 20 (by 18), Gallen explained a basic rule after a whinge (more than once this happened), Jeremy Smith on report (correct), Video ref decision no one agrees with (if you think the "ref call" decision was the right call then I stand corrected)

Canberra showed Cronulla just were not up to the standard required. Whilst Gallen may have thought his team were close and getting a hard run on the field, Canberra were the rightful winners and the score is reflection of the difference between the two. Until Cronulla start playing with the right attitude and stop with the rubbish and blaming everyone else they will never make a grand-final. Gallen needs to stop worrying about complaining and just play the game. If he is so concerned about the refs decisions against him then he needs to also tell the ref that he is thankful for all the ones that go his way. All the tries Cronulla scored had questionable and blatant forward passes. Also questions need to be asked on why a team doctor injected pain killers into Todd Carney's achillies before the game and at half time with the playmaker coming off injured in the second half due to an injury to the same achillies.  Canberra though need to be given a lot of credit for their performance and should be too much for Souths to handle next week.

After watching all four games I would like to see the Final played between teams from either Melbourne, Cowboys, Raiders and Bulldogs. Manly and Souths were just too dour and unworthy to expect a great performance in a final. Even the Bulldogs are lucky for a mention but if they play the same in their next game they will have the honour of being a minor premier that gets to watch from a hotel room on an end of season holiday.

NRL Finals Preview

Now the the dregs have been sorted out we are now left to see the cream of the crop battle it out for the right to last one more round. Regardless of form, everyone knows that when the pressure is on it all changes and it is a matter of the team that steps up on the day knowing that it all lays on the line.

Bulldogs v manly

This is the game that most are tipping for the Grand Final but whoever loses this game will struggle in the next and injuries are the key. Without the luxury of resting key players it is not only a matter of winning the game but also hoping that no major injuries are suffered to key players. I am picking the Bulldogs to win this game as long as the game is allowed to be open and does not turn into an arm wrestle with little room to move if they refs do not keep control of the 10 metre line. Manly have been good but of late are not playing hard for the whole game. The only question is how the Bulldogs halves handle the pressure of the big game and more importantly how Barba stands up to finals intensity pressure. Bulldogs in a tight one.

Melbourne v Souths

Any team with Inlgis is a formidable one but Melbourne don't lack in exciting fire power either. Melbourne have the experience and should win an arm wrestle in this one. Also the home ground advantage is a bigger issue when it involves a non-sydney club.  If  Melbourne struggle to dominate in the forwards though Souths will run rampant on the fringes. Ball control is what will hurt Souths though. Everyone knows they have the ability to win, it is just a matter of the control they show to win a tight game.  Storm comfortably.

North Queensland v Brisbane

North Queenlsand deservedly get a home final and Brisbane well and truly limped into the finals. The Cowboys are a good chance to go all the way but it is always hard to discount Brisbane.  It is always hard to tip against Brisbane in finals and they have the team to do it, it is just a matter of their halves finally clicking in a way that they haven't done all season. For Brisbane to win this one they will have to win it in the forwards and allow no time or space for Thurston and Bowen.  The Cowboys though are a team that have a lot of points in them and if they get on a roll are hard to stop.  Even if it is a close game this is a team that can find length of the field tries at any time and that is the biggest difference between the teams.  It is always hard to pick a derby but on form the Cowboys should come away with a win but for some reason I have a feeling that the Broncos are up for something big. Hard to call but I am sticking with the Broncos.

Canberra v Cronulla

It didn't seem that long ago and everyone was calling for the head of the coach at the Raiders and now they are in top gear and should continue on with a win over the Sharks.  Having to travel the Sharks will struggle and everyone knows how Carney goes in high pressure games.  This game will see plenty of poor kicking from the Sharks and a few conversations between Gallen and the ref on what the rules of the game are. Raiders by a few.

NRL Season Review 9-16

The regular season is over and the only 8 teams are left in the competition. For the 8 that are left all that is left besides the Mad Monday, end of season holiday and time to get the niggling injuries repaired is the analysis of what went wrong.

For those that just missed out, if they are kicking themselves because they missed out by one win then they should take an ever harder look at themselves. First of all to consider yourself unlucky to only miss out on 8th spot shows how mediocrity is rewarded in the modern age.  When you take into account that the team in  8th spot only won 12 of their 24 games it just shows how ordinary a team that misses out is. Also when you take into account a competition where all teams do not play each other twice then surely something needs to be looked at to understand what is wrong. When you only play 6 sides once the ladder does not truly reflect the best team in a home and away competition. Whilst it would not be workable to have a 30 round competition surely something better needs to be worked out. Personally I would like to see conference style system set up where teams play all teams in their conference twice and each team from the other conference once. Then you take the top four from each conference into the finals system. This is a issue for another day though.

How have the teams that missed out though to be evaluated?

Eels had plenty of opportunities to reflect in goal

The worst performing club that definitely gets the title as the most over-rated club at the start of the season that everyone had in their top 8 is the Parramatta Eels. With a big price tag on the signature of Sandow added to their roster, big things were expected of this club. By season end the coach had paid the price for a team that never looked like they were going to threaten anything other that the race for the wooden spoon. With sieve like defence and a lacklastre attack there is a lot more for this club to do and I can;t see Ricky Stuart bringing this club glory any time soon.

Also a big tip for the top 8 with big signings in Idris and Myles were the Gold Coast Titans. They may have won their first game but with only 1 win in their next 8 games were always going to be a long shot to making the eight. With the addition of Taylor next year though I will be surprised if the Titans don't crack the 8 next year. If they get off to a bad start again though you can be sure there will be a coaching change mid season.

Another big surprise was the dismal effort of the Warriors, Finalists last year to also runs the next is not a good sign for the game in New Zealand. Overall this is a team with talent but not the heart or fortitude to turn up every week for 40 minutes every half every game.

There were really no other surprises in the bottom eight as the Dragons were always going to struggle after Bennett left and Bennett was never going to make the Knights and overnight sensation and most likely won't. The Panthers also were just going to make up the numbers, whilst the Roosters ensured that Brian Smith is never going to win a premiership.

Of the bottom 8 teams coaches have already been sacked and the only one left with real question marks over his position is Sheens at West Tigers. Many had the Tigers in the top eight and making the final but this is a team that has a style that has not evolved. Whilst they may have the players, it definitely looks like a team that needs a new direction of injection of enthusiasm that only a new coach can bring.

It will be interesting to see how these 8 clubs use their off season and what changes occur. With the modern approach to signing players mid season though the only major changes any of these clubs can do is with coaching staff and tactics.