Our annual Christmas message
14 hours ago | LeagueUnlimited Team
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Since the NRL started in 1998, there have been 15 different premiership winning half backs. Cooper Cronk had two of his three titles stripped due to the Melbourne Storm salary cap breach (2007 and 2009). All the other half backs have only managed one title; possibly a reflection of the impact of the salary cap on their respective teams.
1998 - Allan Langer
1999 - Brett Kimmorley
2000 - Kevin Walters
2001 - Andrew Johns
2002 - Craig Wing
2003 - Craig Gower
2004 - Brett Sherwin (5/8 Braith Anasta)
2005 - Scott Prince
2006 - Shane Perry (5/8 Darren Lockyer)
2007* - Cooper Cronk
2008 - Matt Orford (5/8 Jamie Lyon)
2009* - Cooper Cronk
2010 - Ben Hornby
2011 - Daly Cherry-Evans
2012 - Cooper Cronk
2013 - Mitchell Pearce
2014 - Adam Reynolds
For the period 1998 to 2012, nine of the winning half backs have represented Australia. The other three had an Australian representative 5/8 as their halves partner (Anasta, Lockyer and Lyon). It is yet to be seen whether Pearce (2013) or Reynolds (20014) can make it to the Australian squad, however, both have the potential to be stars in their own right.
This puts into perspective the importance of the Titans signing of Daly Cherry-Evans. Over the years, it has been critical for a tem to have an Australian standard half to lead the side around the park. Sure there needs to be other things in place to win the comp (ask Jonathan Thurston), but it is hard to ignore that the top premiership favourites all have halves with a high pedigree. Hopefully for the Titans this will help with the resurgence of the club just like when they signed Scott Prince from the Tigers.
Performance of the Week
This week has been marked by the pinpoint accuracy of the goal kickers. This was topped by the incredible 51m punt by Adam Reynolds which made it over easily on his way to a perfect 8/8 for the evening. The combined accuracy for the match was 9/10.
The Eels have uncovered a new sharp shooter in Reece Robinson with his high kicking tee. He potted 7/8 from all over the park, whilst his opposite kicker Jamie Lyon was 100%.
All seven shots at goal were successful in the Knights v Warriors match, whilst Pat Richards was 3/4 with a booming field goal for the Tigers against the Titans who made 3/4. The Panthers v Bulldogs were a combined 7/8 and the Sharks v Raiders were together 8/10.
Interestingly, renowned sharpshooter Johnathan Thurston missed his only attempt whilst the Roosters were 4/5. The Dragons v Storm were 2/3 in a low scoring affair.
Over the full round, the conversion rate was 52/62 which equates to an impressive 84%.
Predictions
Last week I correctly picked 5/8. Manly were unManly-like in the second half, the Cowboys believed too much of their own hype and the Sharks played like last season. Here are my picks for this week:
Sharks vs. Broncos @ Remondis Stadium
Can the Broncos reverse their scrappy first up performance after a generous 8 day turnaround? The Sharks only have 5 days, but that is the impost of playing channel nine's golden child who has mostly Friday night matches. Broncos by 6
Bulldogs vs. Eels @ ANZ Stadium
The second huge matchup for the Eels against an 80's nemesis. This should draw a massive crowd from both teams as they look to rule the west. Bulldogs by 4
Panthers vs. Titans @ Carrington Park, Bathurst
The Panthers have given up their home game to head further west. However, this will be one-way traffic with the Panthers looking to capitalise on last week. Panthers by 12
Sea Eagles vs. Storm @ Brookvale Oval
The fight will go out of this rivalry with the previous punchy protagonists now at other clubs. The Sea Eagles were good in patches last week, but without Foran the Fortress will be penetrated. Storm by 4
Cowboys vs. Knights @ 1300Smiles Stadium
Can the Cowboys treat this game as their season opener and forget last week's poor performance? Cowboys by 6.
Rabbitohs vs. Roosters @ ANZ Stadium
The local derby between the winners of the last two premierships will be a cracker. Hard to tell who is the big brother anymore? Rabbitohs by 8
Raiders vs. Warriors @ GIO Stadium
The Raiders showed more starch than they have in a long time. Will they again come out punching! Raiders by 2
Tigers vs. Dragons @ Campbelltown Stadium
The lucky dip for the home game takes the JV teams to the far south west of Sydney. Between them this could have been played at any one of their 6 home grounds! Tigers by 4
Form Guide
Next week we will kick off the form predictor which looks at current form rather than ladder position. The most recent match will get a 100% weighting, the previous one gets a factor of 80%, and this is then diminished at the same rate over the older rounds. Wins are given a factor of 1.00, draws get 0.75, losses nil, and byes 0.50.
There is no need to understand the maths here as the predictor model will work it all out for us. The factors are not based on any empirical evidence but used as a fun way to generate expected results. Remember, this does not take into account the team's position on the table, injuries, rep duties or hoodoos. More will be revealed next week…
Composite Team
Last week's composite team should have been a dead giveaway when Paul Hauff and T-Rex were selected in full back and half. For those that are still bamboozled, the team was made up of exceptionally tall players for their position.
Can you work out the theme for the below squad?
1. Brett Mullins
2. Lote Tuqiri
3. Michael Cronin
4. Mal Meninga
5. Michael Hancock
6. Dennis Ward
7. Steve Mortimer
8. Glenn Lazarus
9. Royce Simmons
10. Shane Webcke
11. Tawera Nikau
12. Steve Menzies
13. Ray Price
14. Paul Osborne
15. Jarrod Saffy
16. Tony Currie
17. John Ferguson
18. Craig Smith
This squad has an impressive backline and a dominant pack. However, the bench is a little undercooked. Predicted placing in 2015 table: 3rd
Flash Back
Time again to look at a player from the past who has left us with fond memories. Greg Pierce was the fair haired lock for Cronulla playing 210 first grade games from 1969. He captained the side from 1975 through to his retirement in 1980.
Pierce played in the club's first Grand Final against Manly in 1973 in a brutal encounter. The Sharks were trailing 8-2 in the second half when Pierce set up Rick Bourke for a try to cut the deficit to 8-7. This was as close as they would get and eventually lost 10-7 to the side led by the immortal Bob Fulton.
Following the match, Pierce was named in the national team for the Kangaroo tour, making him the first Australian representative for the club. He played his first Test against France and seven other matches on the tour. He was also selected in the 1975 and 1977 World Series.
Pierce captained the 1978 City and NSW teams. He was then selected to captain Australia against NZ in front of the more experienced Bob Fulton. He was later relegated to vice-captain for the Kangaroo tour.
Pierce missed Cronulla's drawn 1978 Grand Final against Manly as well as the midweek replay as he serving a four match suspension. He was sent off in the major semi-final against Wests. The Sharks missed the physicality of Pierce and Dane Sorenson, their NZ representative forward, who was also suspended. Manly again prevailed to deny the Sharks their allusive first premiership. The Sharks have only appeared in one other decider; the loss in the 1997 Super League competition against the Broncos.
In 1979 Pierce led the Sharks to their only trophy for winning the midweek Amco Cup competition. He retired in 1980 and became the coach for the next two seasons. In 2005 he was named as an "immortal" of the Cronulla Sharks.
Until next week.