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.