Australia’s dominance in the Ashes and Ash Barty’s breakthrough victory at Melbourne Park brought us great joy over the summer, however nothing compares to the excitement of the footy which returns on Thursday night with a blockbuster between the reigning premiers, Penrith, and a team I think is a genuine contender in 2022, Manly.
You know football is back when the discussion with your mates turns to the premiership credentials of the 16 teams and which players will rise to the occasion this year.
I’ve found myself asking six burning questions:
1. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel for the Wests Tigers?
They’ve become an easy punching bag in the NRL and I can’t see things improving despite the arrival of Jackson Hastings, Tyrone Peachey and Tim Sheens as Head of Football.
READ MORE: Bill Lawry’s tribute to Shane Warne
READ MORE: Sly move lights up first Test
READ MORE: Dragons snub gun pair
I’ve supported Michael Maguire in his position as coach when plenty of people wanted him sacked last year and if they don’t beat Newcastle, the Warriors and Gold Coast in the first 4 rounds of the competition, I think it’s inevitable that ‘Madge’ will be shown the door.
The revolving door of coaches at Concord is embarrassing and if they want to start winning football games, they need to put the broom through the front office. The same people are making the same decisions and they’re ending up with the same results. It’s the definition of lunacy and it needs to change for the good of the Wests Tigers and their long suffering supporters.
2. How will the South Sydney Rabbitohs perform without supercoach Wayne Bennett at the helm?
The Bunnies are relying on a rookie coach in Jason Demetriou and plenty of youngsters who haven’t played any footy in the lower grades over the last couple of years because of the pandemic. Bennett has a habit of leaving clubs in a hole and as a Rabbitohs supporter, I’m not convinced they have the experience to cover the loss of players like Adam Reynolds, Dane Gagai and Benji Marshall. Latrell Mitchell might be the name on everyone’s lips at Redfern, but the superstar fullback will be relying on his teammates to give him the space needed to work his magic. I hope I’m wrong because I’ve got the South Sydney Rabbitohs failing to make the top 8 this year.
2. What impact will Covid-19 have on the 2022 season; is it survival of the fittest or who stays healthy?
The interruptions and restrictions imposed on the clubs over the last couple of years have ensured the competition continued and the players got paid. It also provided the fans with some much needed entertainment because for 80 minutes they were able to cheer on their team and escape the pressures of losing their livelihoods and being unable to pay the bills.
Thankfully we’re returning to some sort of normality in 2022, however it’s inevitable that players, coaches and officials will test positive to COVID-19 and that’ll force them to follow the strict protocols meaning they could miss one, possibly two games. It’ll test the depth of talent in these squads and will become another challenge for the 16 teams to juggle. Injuries are usually the biggest headache for NRL coaches during a long drawn out season and I’m sure they’ll be doing whatever they can to ensure the players stay healthy and free of coronavirus.
3. Will the big name recruits turn things around for the Canterbury Bulldogs?
Trent Barrett is one of the coaches under most pressure in 2022 because he’s been hanging his hat on the arrival of Josh Ado Carr, Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai Jr, Brent Naden, Matt Dufty and Paul Vaughan. They’re all big name players who look good on paper, but how long will it take them to gel as a football team?
The Dogs have an extremely tough start to the season playing Manly, Melbourne, Penrith and South Sydney in the first 6 weeks. They were far from impressive in their trial game against the Sharks leaving plenty of their fans questioning if Barrett is the right man for the job. They’re entitled to demand some immediate results because the coaching staff have had the entire pre-season to turn things around. Phil Gould heads up the brains trust at Belmore these days and with his experience and expectations, the coach won’t have long to make his mark.
4. Has Craig Fitzgibbon brought the Roosters culture and success to the Sutherland Shire?
I think the buy of the season in 2022 isn’t an NRL player, it’s Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon. ‘Fitzy’ has served an incredible apprenticeship under Trent Robinson at the Roosters and there have been no shortage of job offers, but he’s been waiting for the right opportunity and it’s time to step out of ‘Robbo’s’ shadow.
The incoming coach has recruited the likes of Nicho Hynes, Dale Finucane and Cameron McInnes who’ll add some star power to a team already boasting Matt Moylan, Andrew Fifita and Wade Graham. They really impressed me in their trial against the Bulldogs and if you listen to those close to the team, they’ll be there when the whips are cracking in 2022.
6. Why is there a question mark hanging over the Melbourne Storm?
I’ve been interested in the commentary around the Melbourne Storm with some suggesting the bubble has burst for Craig Bellamy and this could be their most challenging season. I disagree; we’re talking about a coach who’s guided the club to the finals every year he’s been in charge. Weren’t the same critics left with egg on their face when Cooper Cronk moved to Bondi, Billy Slater retired and Cameron Smith decided to hang up the boots? Melbourne still contested finals footy and Bellamy unearthed superstars like Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen. It would take a very brave footy fan to leave Melbourne out of the finals in 2022. I certainly won’t be doing that because I have too much respect for Bellamy and the Storm machine.
They’re the 6 questions riding on my mind ahead of the 2022 Telstra Premiership and for the record I think the Penrith Panthers will go back-to-back with minimal changes to their roster. The mountain men will face stiff opposition from the Manly Sea Eagles, the Roosters and my smokey this year is the Cronulla Sharks who I think are destined to finish in the top 4.
Join me each night from 6pm AEDT on 2GB 873am for Wide World of Sports Radio where I’m joined by Billy Slater (Monday), Paul Gallen (Tuesday) and Brad Fittler (Wednesday). We’ll catch up with the players, coaches and cover all the latest news in the NRL.
We’ll also have the footy covered Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the Continuous Call Team with Darryl Brohman, Paul Gallen, Mark Riddell, Shane Flanagan, Jamie Soward, David Morrow, Mat Thompson and Chris Warren.
Let me know your predictions for the season ahead by sending through an email, simply click on the link to the WWOS radio show here; https://form.jotform.co/70601482897867
Good luck to your team in 2022 and enjoy the footy.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!