Welcome to the first Rugby League post in what is shaping up as a massive year for Rugby League in Australia. The Australian Rugby League Commission is in its second season and possibly the last with the same board members, as two board members standing for re-election at the ARLC general meeting. The ARLC has a new Chief Executive Officer, David Smith, who started in early February. The broadcasting rights have been locked away, giving the game an injection of cash. At the end of the year, the Australian Kangaroos will head to the UK to compete in the Rugby League World Cup. The Kangaroos will be hoping to win back the title they lost to the New Zealand Kiwis in the 2008 final. In the first post of 2013, I will preview each NRL club’s gains & losses, with my ladder for the 2013 season, predictions for the 2013 season and a look at the top 17 for each club.
Premiers: The Bulldogs will go one step further in 2013. The majority of the squad from 2012 will return in 2013. They will be boosted by back-rower Tony Williams, who will help give them what it takes to win the 2013 NRL Grand Final
Wooden Spoon, It will be another long year for the Titans; who will he hoping Dave Taylor can return to his best? Despite a quality back-row, the halves are too big a hurdle for the club to overcome
Biggest Movers: The Roosters will be returning to finals football with the addition of superstar Sonny Bill Williams, Luke O’Donnell and Michael Jennings, who have both played for Australia. The Roosters also have James Maloney, who is tipped as a future representative player.
Biggest Sliders: The Raiders will struggle to repeat their late run of 2012 and will finish well down the ladder in 2012.
Leading Try Scorer: North Queensland Cowboys flyer Ashley Graham, who plays alongside Brent Tate, Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Bowen, will receive a lot of quality ball and take out the try-scoring title he shared with the electric Ben Barba last year.
Player of the Year: North Queensland Cowboy Johnathan Thurston will guide North Queensland to the top four and prove he is truly one of the great modern-day players and win the 2013 Dally M. Last year, I was 10,000,000,00 to one to pick Ben Barba, so take my prediction with a grain of salt
Buy the Year: Experienced player Brett Finch could greatly boost Melbourne if one of their key players (Billy Slater, Garreth Widdop & Cooper Cronk) gets injured. Brett can easily slip between five-eight and halfback; Garreth Widdop can play fullback as he did last year when Billy Slater was injured.
State Of Origin: New South have two games at home; they have a new coach in Laurie Daley, and a whole attitude. This was something heard before when Ricky Stuart was appointed the coach. The Maroons have Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, four of the top ten most significant players in Rugby League today, that will help Queensland win their eighth straight season.
World Cup: Hosts England will be buoyed by the home crowd support and will deliver their first World Cup win as England, as well the first for the UK since Great Britain in 1972.
Brisbane Broncos
Gains: Joe Bond (Redcliffe), Liam Georgetown (Redcliffe), Jake Granville (Wynnum Manly). Denan Kemp (Dragons), Scott Prince (Titans), David Stagg (Bulldogs)
Losses: Gerard Beale (Dragons), Petero Civoniceva (Redcliffe), Mitchell Frei, Dane Gagai (Knights), Ben T’eo (Rabbitohs)
Brisbane struggled in the back half of the 2012 season without champion play-maker Darren Lockyer guiding them around the park. The club loses veteran Prop Petero Civoncieva, tough gains ex-Broncos in Scott Prince and David Stagg. Both will add much-needed experience to this young Brisbane team. How Scott Prince partners with Peter Wallace will be critical to their performance in 2013. Scott Prince struggled behind a poor Gold Coast team early in the season before improving at the back end of the season. I’m not sure Scott has the legs to play well for 2013. Will finish just outside the eight.
1. Corey Norman 2. Josh Hoffman 3. Jack Reed 4. Justin Hodges 5. Jharal Yow Yeh 6. Scott Prince 7. Peter Wallace 8. Ben Hannant 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Sam Thaiday (c) 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker 14. Ben Hunt 15. David Staggs 16. David Hala 17. Dunamis Lui
Canberra Raiders
Gains: Sandor Earl (Panthers), Jake Forster (Bulldogs), Joel Edwards (Knights)
Losses: Michael Chee Kam (Sea Eagles), Bronson Harrison (Dragons), Mark Ioane (Titans), Drury Low (Bulldogs), Trevor Thurling (released), Travis Waddell (Knights)
Canberra finished season 2012 on a high, with a run to reach the finals, after a poor start to the year, which left them near the bottom of the table, around the halfway point of the season. The side has let several players leave and has not been active on the player marker, preferring to re-sign locally produced players. The club hopes Terry Campese is finally over his injury problems, which have forced him to miss most of the past two seasons. Canberra may struggle to find consistency this season and probably miss the eight.
1. Josh Dugan 2. Reece Robinson 3. Jarrod Crocker 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Sandor Earl 6. Terry Campese (c) 7. Josh McCrone 8. Dave Shillington 9. Glen Buttriss 10. Brett White 11. Josh Papalii 12. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 13. Shaun Fensom 14. Shaun Berrigan 15. Dane Tilse 16 Joel Thompson 17. Joel Edwards
Canterbury Bulldogs
Gains: Krisnan Inu (Warriors), Duruy Low (Raiders), Junior Palau (Sea Eagles), Sam Perrett (Roosters), Tony Williams (Sea Eagles)
Losses: Jake Foster (Raiders), James Gavet (Tigers), Bryson Goodwin (Rabbitohs), Samisoni Langi (Roosters), Luke MacDougall, Corey Payne ( Retired), Tupou Sopoaga (Sharks), David Stagg (Broncos), Jonathan Wright (Sharks)
Canterbury had a massive turnaround under new coach Des Hasler. The club had missed the finals in the previous two years, though it returned to finals action and won the minor premiership, thanks to a twelve-game win streak in the middle of the season. The club fell one game short, falling on the big day. The club was fortunate to gain Krisnan Inu and Sam Perrett during the middle of the 2012 season. The club has released several players, in part to sign Tony Williams. Tony will be hoping Des can re-ignite the T-Rex within after a mediocre season from the giant back-rower. The club will be hoping Tony is the signing that will allow the club to go further on the grand final day. I agree and think Canterbury will win the 2013 premiership.
1. Ben Barba 2. Steve Turner 3. Josh Morris 4. Kirisnan Inu 5. Sam Perrett 6. Kris Keating 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Ennis (c) 10. Sam Kasiano 11. Frank Pritchard 12. Tony Williams 13. Greg Eastwood 14. Josh Reynolds 15. Martin Taupau 16. Josh Jackson 17. James Graham
Cronulla Sharks
Gains: Michael Gordon (Panthers), Chris Heighnington (Tigers), Luke Lewis (Panthers), Pat Politoni (Tigers), Alipate Ranti (Rugby Union), Tim Robinson (Sea Eagles), Beau Ryan (Tigers), Tupou Sopoaga & Jonathan Wright (Bulldogs)
Losses: Colin Best, Josh Cordoba (Retired), Tyson Frizell (Dragons), James Hasson (Sea Eagles), Jeremy Smith (Knights), John Williams (Retired)
Cronulla started 2012 strongly before the wheels seemed to fall off at the back of the end of the season, as they slipped down the ladder and were bundled out in week one of the finals. The Sharks have been very active in building their squad for the 2013 season, signing several seasoned first graders to improve their 2012 performance. The club will finish in the bottom half of the eight in 2013
1. Nathan Gardner 2. Johnathan Wright 3. Ben Pomeroy 4. Michael Gordon 5. Beau Ryan 6. Todd Carney 7. Jeff Robson 8. Bryce Gibbs 9. Isaac De Gois 10. Andrew Fifita 11. Paul Gallen (c) 12. Chris Heighnington 13. Luke Lewis 14. Wade Graham 15. Ben Ross 16. Anthony Tupou 17. Mark Tafua
Gold Coast Titans
Gains: Marmin Barba (Eels), Mark Ione (Raiders), Albert Kelly (Free Agent), Matthew Russell (Wigan), Brad Takariangi (Roosters), David Taylor (Rabbitohs)
Losses: Beau Champion (Rabbitohs), Phil Graham (Retired), Kenny Edwards (Eels), Michael Henderson (Dragons), Brenton Lawrence (Sea Eagles), Kayne Lawton (Sea Eagles), Dominique Peyroux (Warriors), Scott Prince (Broncos), Bodene Thompson (Tigers), Joe Vickery (Leeds)
Gold Coast had a poor season in 2012, despite a patch mid-season. They have lost experienced play-maker Scott Prince in the off-season and will be relying on inexperienced halves Albert Kelly, Aidan Sezer, Jordan Rankin and Beau Henry. Have one of the most impressive back-rows in the competition with the addition of David Taylor, who they hope will keep the coal train away from the Sizzler Buffet and return him to the wrecking ball he has been in the past. Will struggle all season and will finish with the wooden spoon.
1. William Zillman 2. Kevin Gordon 3. Jamal Idris 4. Steve Michaels 5. David Mead 6. Aiden Sezer 7. Albert Kelly 8. Luke Bailey 9. Matt Srama 10. Luke Douglas 11. Nate Myles (c) 12. Greg Bird (c) 13. Ashley Harrison 14. Jordan Rankin 15. Dave Taylor 16. Ryan James 17. Mark Minichello
Manly Sea Eagles
Gains: Jacob Cagan (Eels), Michael Chee Kam (Raiders), Dane Chisolm (Tigers), Richard Fa’aoso (Storm), David Gower (Dragons), James Hasson (Sharks), Jamil Hopoate (Eels), Peter Hiku (Warriors), Justin Horo (Eels), Brenton Lawrence (Titans), Kayne Lawton (Titans), Ben Musolino (Dragons), Ligi Sao (Warriors), Jason Seage (Eels), Jesse Sene-Lefao (Panthers), Tom Symonds (Roosters), Esi Tonga (Eels)
Losses: Josh Drinkwater (Dragons), Liam Foran (Salford), Daniel Harrison. Darcy Lussick (Eels), Vic Mauro (Salford), Michael Oldfield (Roosters), Junior Palau (Bulldogs), Dean Whare (Panthers), Tony Williams (Bulldogs)
In 2012, Manly looked old and tired after being near the top of the NRL ladder since 2007. Have had a cleanout of mostly mid-level players in an attempt to add to their depth and keep fresh in 2013. They will finish in the middle of the eight in 2013.
1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Jamie Lyon (c) 4. Steve Matai 5. David Williams 6. Kieran Foran 7. Dale Cherry-Evans 8. Jason King (c) 9. Matt Ballin 10. Brent Kite 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Richard Fa’aoso 13. Glenn Stewart 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. George Rose 16. Joe Galuvao 17. David Gower
Melbourne Storm
Gains: Brett Finch (Wigan), Tim Glasby (CQ Capras), Kurt Mann (Knights), Junior Moors (Tigers), Junior Sau (Knights), Langi Setu (mission work)
Losses: Richard Fa’aoso (Sea Eagles), Michael Greenfield (Retired), Luke Kelly (Eels), Rory Kostjayson (Cowboys), Jaiman Lowe (Retired), Todd Lowrie (Warriors), Sika Manu (Panthers), Shea Moylan (Wynnum), Dane Nielson (Warriors), Anthony Quinn (Knights), Brayden Williams (Eels)
Melbourne set the pace for the opening half of the 2012 season before losing their way, losing five straight, after losing Billy Slater due to injury. The club would finish the season with a five-game winning streak to recapture their early season form, then win the premiership with a clinical display in the Grand Final, shutting out Canterbury. Have lost several players as they try to become the first club in twenty years to win back-to-back premierships. Have signed Brett Finch, who will add experience when they lose their star players around State of Origin time. They will finish second in a rematch of the 2012 Grand Final.
1. Billy Slater 2. Sisa Waqa 3. Will Chambers 4. Junior Sa’u 5. Matt Duffie 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith (c) 10. Bryan Norrie 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe 14. Brett Finch 15. Jason Ryles 16. Junior Moors 17. Brett Finch
Newcastle Knights
Gains: David Fa’alogo (Huddersfield), Mitchell Frei (Broncos), Dane Gagai (Broncos), BJ Leilua (Roosters), Toka Likiliki (Warriors), Willie Mason (Rugby Union), Anthony Quinn (Storm), Beau Scott (Dragons), Jeremy Smith (Sharks), Travis Waddel (Raiders)
Losses Sam Anderson & Ethan Cook (both Panthers), Joel Edwards (Raiders), Kurt Mann (Storm), Wes Naiqama, Kyle O’Donnell (Panthers), Api Pewhairangi (Eels), Junior Sau (Storm), Zeb Taia (Catalans), Evarn Tuimavave (Hull KR)
A lot was expected of Newcastle in 2012 after gaining mastermind coach Wayne Bennett. The club struggled for consistency all season and missed the finals. Have bought several experienced players to have one of the more senior sides in the 2013 NRL season. Will finish at the bottom of the eight and return to finals football
1. Darius Boyd 2. James McManus 3. Dane Gagai 4. Timana Tahu 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Kurt Gidley (c) 8. Kade Snowdon 9. Danny Buderus 10. Willie Mason 11. Beau Scott 12. Jeremy Smith 13. Chris Houston 14. Neville Costigan 15. David Fa’alogo 16. Alex McKnnon 17. Robbie Rochow
North Queensland Cowboys
Gains: Clint Greenshields (Catalans), Rory Kostjasyn (Storm), Anthony Mitchell (Roosters), Scott Moore (Huddersfield), Curtis Rona (Roosters)
Losses: Dane Hogan (Easts Tigers), Moses Pangi (Panthers), Cory Patterson (Hull KR), Aaron Payne (retired), James Segeyaro (Panthers)
North Queensland had one of its best seasons, finishing just outside the top four after a strong 2012 season. Have lost one of their senior players following the loss of Aaron Payne. However, they have brought very shrewdly, hoping to improve their 2012 performance and hopefully deliver the premiership to North Queensland for the first time in the club’s history. Will finish in the top four and be there when the whips are cracking.
1. Matt Bowen 2. Ashley Grham 3. Brent Tate 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Johnathan Thurston (c) 7. Michael Morgan 8. Matthew Scott (c) 9. Scott Moore 10. James Tamou 11. Glenn Hall 12. Tariq Sims 13. Dallas Johnson 14. Rory Kostjasyn 15. Jason Taumalolo 16. Ashton Sims 17. Gavin Cooper
Parramatta Eels
Gains: Kenny Edwards (Titans), Daniel Harrison (Sea Eagles), Luke Kelly (Storm), Darcy Lussick (Sea Eagles), Lorenze Ma’afu (Ipswich), Api Pewhairangi (Knights), Brayden Willaims (Storm)
Losses: Marman Barba (Titans), Rory O’Brien (Tigers), Luke Burt (Retired), Jacob Cagan (Sea Eagles), Nathan Hindmarsh (Retired), Jamil Hopoate (Sea Eagles), Justin Horo (Sea Eagles), Case McGuire (Retired), Justin Poore (Wakefield), Jason Seage (Sea Eagles), Shane Shackleton (Mounties), Esi Tonga (Sea Eagles)
A disappointing season for Parramatta, winning only six games all year. Will be hoping new coach Ricky Stuart can quickly turn around the club’s performance in 2013. Have made several changes to the player roster and have lost their two most experienced players, Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt. The Eels will hope the youth’s injection into the club will return up the ladder. The club will struggle in 2013; like the nearby ferries, turning around will be slow and gradual.
1. Jake Mullaney 2. Ken Sio 3. Ryan Morgan 4. Willie Tonga 5. Cheyse Blair 6. Jarryd Hayne (c) 7. Chris Sandow 8. Tim Mannah 9. Matt Keating 10. Fui Fui Moi Moi 11.Jacob Loko 12. Ben Smith 13. Reni Matuia (c) 14. Ben Roberts 15. Darcy Lussick 16. Mitchel Allgood 17. Taniela Lasalo
Penrith Panthers
Gains: Sam Anderson (Knights), Neccrom Areaiiti (Rabbitohs), Lewis Brown (Warriors), Anthony Cherrington (Roosters), Ethan Cooke (Knights), Tom Humble (Tigers), Issac John (Wakefield), Maurice Kennedy (Ipswich), Jeremy Latimore (Dragons), Sika Manu (Storm), Mose Masoe (Roosters), Kane Morgan (Rabbitohs), Wes Naiqama & Kyle O’Donnell (both Knights), Moses Pangai (Cowboys), James Roberts (Rabbitohs), James Segeyaro (Cowboys), Dean Whare (Sea Eagles)
Losses: Mitch Achurch (Leeds), Chris Armit (Retired), Travis Burns (Hull KR), Sandor Earl (Raiders), Sarafu Fatiaki (Redcliffe), Michael Gordon (Sharks), Michael Jennings (Roosters), Luke Lewis (Sharks), Harry Siejka (Warriors), Nafe Seluini (Roosters), Jesse Sene-Lefao (Sea Eagles), Arana Taumata (released), Etu Uaisele (Wyong), Taioalo Vaivai (Dragons)
After a yo-yo season for Penrith, coach Ivan Cleary has put the broomstick through the club, with a mass turnaround of talent as they hope to return to finals football. Have lost inspirational skipper Luke Lewis and speedster Michael Jennings, though they have bought several players to increase the depth at the club, so much that the feeder club, the Windsor Wolves, look to be favourites to win the NSW Cup. Will improve on the 2012 performance, though they will fall short of the tip eight as they continue to rebuild
1. Josh Mansour 2. David Simmons 3. Wes Naiqama 4. James Roberts 5. Brad Tighe 6. Lachlan Coote 7. Luke Walsh 8. Sam McKendry 9. Kevin Kingston (c) 10. Tim Grant 11. Sika Manu 12. Lewis Brown 13. Nathan Smith 14. James Segeyaro 15. Mose Masoe 16. Clint Newton 17. Nigel Plum
South Sydney Rabbitohs:
Gains: Michael Buckett (Sunshine Coast), Thomas Burgess (Bradford), Beau Champion (Titans), Bryson Goodwin (Bulldogs), Jeff Lima (Wigan), Daniel Smith (Leeds), Ben Te’o (Broncos)
Losses: Neccrom Areaiiti (Panthers), Scott Geddes (retired), Aaron Ha’angana (released), Eddie Pettybourne (Tigers), James Roberts (Panthers), Dave Taylor (Titans)
Souths had one of their best seasons in a long time finishing in the third position, and looked like they could progress to the 2012 Grand Final before losing rookie Adam Reynolds to a knee injury in the preliminary final. The club hopes to rely less on superstar Greg Inglis, as it looked like he was carrying the team at stages in 2012. The club has signed the final Burgess brother to complete the set. The club loses injury-prone Scott Geddes to retirement and the inconstant Dave Taylor. Will finish in the top four again in 2013, though will once again fall short of the Grand Final
1. Greg Inglis 2. Nathan Merritt 3. Matt King 4. Dylan Farrell 5. Andrew Evringham 6. John Sutton (c) 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Roy Asotasi 9. Issac Luke 10. Jeff Lima 11. Sam Burges 12. Ben Te’o 13. Michael Crocker 14. Nathan Peates 15. Dave Tyrell 16. George Burgess 17. Luke Burgess
St. George Illawarra
Gains: Gerrard Beale (Broncos), Damien Cook (Mackay, Josh Drinkwater (Sea Eagles), Tyson Frizell (Sharks), Bronson Harrison (Raiders), Michael Henderson (Titans), Taioalo Vaivai (Panthers), Shannon Wakeman (Mackay)
Losses: Jack Buchanan (Tigers), David Gower (Sea Eagles), Ben Hornby (Retired), Denan Kemp (Broncos), Jeremy Latimore (Panthers), Jake Marketo (Redcliffe), Josh Miller (Retired), Ben Mussilino (Sea Eagles), Beau Scott (Knights), Dean Young (Retired)
An enigmatic performance from the St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2012, who will be hoping to improve their performances in 2013. The club has shown it will take steps to return to the eight, with Steve Price not safe past his second season as the first-grade coach. The club lost experienced players, Ben Hornby and Dean Young. St George Illawarra hoped young play-maker Kyle Stanley would partner Jamie Soward in the halves, taking over from Ben Hornby before Kyle’s injury curse continued. The club will lean on veteran Nathan Fien and rookie Josh Drinkwater to help Jamie Soward steer the club around the park in 2013. The loss of critical players Beau Scott, Ben Hornby and Dean Young will be too much for the Dragons to overcome in 2013
1. Brett Morris 2. Gerrard Beale 3. Chase Stanley 4. Matt Cooper 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Jamie Soward 7. Nathan Fien 8. Dan Hunt 9. Mitch Rein 10. Michael Weyman 11. Jack de Bellin 12. Bren Creagh (c) 13. Matt Prior 14. Michael Henderson 15. Matt Prior 16. Trent Merrin 17. Bronson Harrison
Sydney Roosters
Gains: Michael Jennings (Panthers), Samisoni Langi (Bulldogs), James Maloney (Warriors), Sam Moa (Hull FC), Luke O’Donnell (Huddersfield), Michael Oldfield (Sea Eagles), Nafe Seluini (Panthers), Sonny Bill Williams (Rugby Union)
Losses: Braith Anasta (Tigers), Justin Carney (Castleford), Anthony Cherrington (Panthers), Glenn Dumbrell (Wagga), Mark Kheirallah (Toulouse), BJ Leilua (Knights), Jack Littlejohn (Rugby Union), Mose Masoe (Panthers), Anthony Mitchell (Roosters), Sam Perrett (Bulldogs), Curtis Rona (Cowboys), Tom Symonds (Sea Eagles) Raut Pen Tagive (Retired), Brad Takariangi (Titans)
A poor back end to the season led to coach Brian Smith being shown the door just two years after guiding the club to the Grand Final. The club has taken a side with a young pack and added Luke O’Donnell and Sonny Bill Williams. Have signed young play-maker James Maloney, who will help Mitchell Pearce to return to his best form. The Roosters have lost several players, as they go for quality over quantity in 2013, adding Michael Jennings to the club. Could be one of the movers of the season, and I predict they will finish at the bottom of the top eight.
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Michael Oldfield 3. Michael Jennings 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5. Anthony Minichello (c) 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Martin Kennedy 9. Jake Friend 10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 11. Luke O’Donnell 12. Sony-Bill Williams 13. Boyd Cordner 14. Mitch Aubusson 15. Aidan Guerra 16. Frank-Paul Nuuausla 17. Sam Moa
Warriors
Gains: Thomas Leuluai (Wigan), Todd Lowrie & Dane Nielson (both Storm), Dominuqie Peyroux (Titans), Hary Siejka (Panthers)
Losses: Lewis Brown (Panthers), Peter Hiku (Sea Eagles), Krisnan Inu (Bulldogs), Toka Likiliki (Knights), Michael Luck (retired), James Maloney (Roosters), Ligi Sao (Sea Eagles), Omar Slaimankhel (Rugby Union), Ukuma Ta’ai (Huddersfield)
The Warriors would start the season well before they came crashing back to earth, losing their last eight games, including two in which they led by eighteen points and another two losing by forty points. The club has signed veteran Thomas Leuluai, who the club hopes will help turn around the fortunes of the young club, as well as a return to the form of superstar Shaun Johnson. The club loses veteran Michael Luck one of the few players on the 2012 roster who didn’t come through the National Youth Competition team. Will finish just outside the eight in what will be a frustrating year for the team across the Tasman.
1. Kevin Locke 2. Bill Tupou 3. Jerome Ropati 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. Thomas Leuluai 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Russell Packer 9. Nathan Friend 10. Sam Rapira 11. Todd Lowrie 12. Simon Mannering (c) 13 .Feleti Mateo 14. Ben Henry 15. Elijah Taylor 16. Sione Lousi 17. Ben Matulino
Wests Tigers
Gains: Braith Anasta (Roosters), Rory O’Brien (Eels), Jack Buchanan (Dragons), James Gavat (Bulldogs), Masada Iosefa (Mounties), Eddy Pettybourne (Rabbitohs), Bodene Thompson (Titans)
Losses: Dane Chisolm (Sea Eagles), Gareth Ellis (Hull FC), John Grant (Rugby Union), Chris Heighington (Sharks), Tom Humble (Panthers), Junior Moors (Storm), Beau Ryan (Sharks),
Wests will hope to improve on their Jekyll and Hyde 2012 season and provide more consistency under new coach Michael Potter after a decade under Tim Sheens. Have signed Braith Anasta to give superstar Benji Marshall another option in attack. Have lost experienced back-rower Gareth Ellis, who returns to England and hopes to cover the loss through several younger players. Will finish just outside the eight in 2013
1. James Tedesco 2. Marika Korobete 3. Chris Lawrence 4. Blake Ayshford 5. Lote Tuqiri 6. Curtis Sironen 7. Benji Marshall 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farrah (c) 10. Keith Galloway 11. Adam Blair 12. Liam Fulton 13. Briath Anasta 14. Tim Moltzen 15. Eddy Pettybourne 16. Matthew Bell 17. Matt Groat
And Another Thing: Let’s hope the ASADA investigation is finished quickly, and we can move on with the 2013 NRL Season.
Quote of the Week: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo on why some referees allow opposing players to work him over without penalising them: “I think it’s because I’m rich, handsome and a great player. They envy me – there’s no other explanation.”
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Till next time,
Cheese
2013 Ladder
- Canterbury
- Melbourne
- North Queensland
- Souths
- Manly
- Newcastle
- Cronulla
- Sydney
- Wests
- Warriors
- St. George Illawarra
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Penrith
- Parramatta
- Gold Coast