Wide World of Sports’ intrepid reporter The Mole watched every game played in 2021 – and has come up with a three-part season review of an unforgettable year in the game’s history.
You can read part one here, and part two here.
Here is the final part of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly …
THE UGLY
Cronulla sacking coach John Morris just five rounds into the season – despite the fact he led the club to the finals in both his years at the helm. On the flip side, the Sharks did pick the right man to replace him next year in former Roosters assistant Craig Fitzgibbon.
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Latrell Mitchell’s sickening hit on former Roosters team-mate Joey Manu that saw the Souths star suspended for six weeks was brutal and careless. Horrified viewers watched live on Nine as Manu’s face swelled up in moments, his cheekbone shattered.
The unsavoury dispute between Canberra and George Williams that saw the classy halfback sent packing back to England. The Raiders’ finals hopes faded the day he departed.
Big name players like Brandon Smith (Roosters) and Api Koroisau (Tigers) signing for rival clubs 12 months ahead of time. It’s a farcical situation and the NRL could very easily outlaw it.
Smith declaring he would love to win a premiership in a Roosters jumper – while still under contract for another 12 months at the Storm. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
Adam Reynolds broke all sorts of records in helping Souths to the grand final – and was promptly not re-signed and is off to the Broncos. Souths will live to rue that decision.
Tyrone May took the opportunity of winning the grand final to rub his victims in the sex-tape scandal noses in it on social media. The Panthers sent May, who has never shown any remorse, packing.
Players beahving badly, then playing the mental health card. It’s an insult to those with real mental health issues.
John Hopoate… just because.
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