Rugby League in Australia

The NRL Premiership Competition

I started following rugby league in 1975 when I was seven years old. I grew up in the heart of Bulldog territory but I supported the Eastern Suburbs Roosters. My older cousin was a Rabbitohs fan and his favourite player at the time was Bob McCarthy. He also appreciated the way Arthur Beetson played the game and educated me on the finer points of his style. Big Artie became my favourite player due to the most logical reason for a seven year old, we share the same birthday.

I followed the Roosters for over twenty years but suddenly became disinterested in the game. If they won a match Id be happy for a week but if they lost I would get grumpy. With the amount of games they lost over the period I followed them, I was grumpy a lot. I didnt watch a game for a couple of years but I started watching some games on TV and soon got back into it again. I dont follow a team anymore but I still love watching rugby league because I just love the game. The only difference is I'll never get upset if my team loses anymore!

The 2007 NRL premiership was a very exciting competition from the first round till the last. The Melbourne Storm was deserved champions, being the most consistent team all year. They will be hard to beat again in 2008. I am looking forward to seeing lots of amazing tries and bone crunching tackles. I cant wait to see the new legends of rugby league show off their electric attack and powerful defense. There should be a few records broken during the new season and I will be watching from the start till the end.

Brisbane Broncos

The Brisbane Broncos have bought more players for the 2008 NRL season than they have since their inaugural appearance back in 1988. They have strengthened their roster, complimenting their already impressive lineup of stars including Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt. There is no reason why they shouldnt be a force to be reckoned with. They are a great rugby league club and I am looking forward to seeing them in action in 2008.

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Rugby League fans from all around the world wont want to miss the Bulldogs play the Roosters in 2008. No matter which side of the fence you sit regarding the Willie Mason debacle, this match should have more fireworks than any new years celebrations. Personally, Im hoping to see Sonny Bill Williams hit Willie with that trade mark shoulder charge of his.

North Queensland Cowboys

The North Queensland Cowboys boast a very formidable lineup for 2008 and should once again be one of the contenders for the crown. How could any team with Jonathon Thurston and Matt Bowen not go well? They are a lethal attacking weapon for sure. Rugby League is alive and well at the top of Australia thanks to the Cowboys.

St George Illawarra Dragons

The Dragons will be competitive in 2008 and with a bit of luck should stake their claim for the NRL premiership trophy. If Mark Gasnier and Jason Ryles can stay fit all year, there shouldnt be anything standing in this proud rugby league clubs way. This team from St George in Sydney and Illawarra on the south coast of New South Wales will once again be a potent try scoring machine.

Parramatta Eels

My two favourite Parramatta players are Nathan Hindmarsh and Fuifui Moimoi. One is a tireless workaholic that is known for is relentless drive and the other is an excitement machine, especially with the ball in hand. I will be interested to see how the Eels go in 2008. I imagine they will improve on last year and go from strength to strength. Rugby League in Australia is strong when Parra are strong.

Newcastle Knights

The Newcastle Knights are still mourning the loss of Andrew Johns and may struggle again in 2008. They wouldve been one of the teams that were happy to see the end of last season. I think they will be a lot more competitive this year and play a more attractive brand of rugby league. They should win a few more home games and that should keep their local crowd happy.

Penrith Panthers

In 2007 the Panthers claimed Australian rugby leagues least cherished accolade, the wooden spoon. They have acquired the services of Petero Civoniceva and will pin a lot of their hopes on him. He brings a wealth of rugby league experience to the side which should compliment the influx of younger players at Penrith. They will improve but they wont win the NRL title (in my opinion).

South Sydney Rabbitohs

The South Sydney Rabbitohs should be able to build on the momentum they started constructing last year. With the acquisition of Craig Wing they should gain some real consistency in the halves and be able to maintain a run of positive performances on the field. Im looking forward to seeing Isaac Luke and John Sutton playing some great rugby league in 2008.

Canberra Raiders

The Raiders were widely tipped to get the wooden spoon last year but managed to surprise a few people with their abilities. They have bought Joel Monaghan from the Roosters to strengthen their backline. He is a hard working back who steals a lot of metres and makes more than his fair share of tackles as well. All in all, Canberra should improve on last year but wont make the NRL playoffs.

Sydney Roosters

I really cant wait till round 4 to see the Sydney Roosters go head to head with traditional rivals the Bulldogs. The Roosters now have Canterburys Willie Mason and Mark OMeley joining former team mates Nate Myles and Braith Anasta. Brad Fittlers team is bound to win. The side looks really strong on paper and that should ensure the tri-colours a successful season in the NRL.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

In 2008 Manly will obviously be hoping to go one better than last year. They put in an extremely consistent effort throughout the NRL premiership before going down to the Melbourne Storm in the Grand Final decider. Led around the field by their little general Matt Orford, the Sea Eagles fed their try scoring machines Brett Stewart and Steve Menzies, giving most other teams a football lesson along the way.

Cronulla Sutherland Sharks

Cronullas future is looking bright despite a disappointing end to the 2007 competition. Coach, Ricky Stuart should be confident going into the 2008 NRL premiership knowing his team will do more than just compete with most teams. With their creative and tough halves combination of Greg Bird and Brett Kimmorley leading the way, the Sharks should win more games than they lose.

Melbourne Storm

The Melbourne Storm will be looking to continue the form that has seen them win two consecutive minor premierships and ownership of the J.J. Giltinan Shield. They were the most consistent team in both 2006 and 2007, and I cant see how 2008 wont be the same. They are a great rugby league club at the moment and their domination of the NRL is testimony to that.

Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers have been struggling to regain the form that saw them win the NRL premiership in 2005. Injuries in key positions, most notably to Benji Marshall and Brett Hodgson have slowed down their progress over the last three seasons. They are a team that can manage to score some very entertaining tries but they need to maintain some consistency and string a bunch of wins together early in the competition.

Gold Coast Titans

The Gold Coast Titans wouldve been fairly happy with their inaugural season last year but wouldve liked to have had a bit more depth in key positions during a mid season injury crisis. Im looking forward to seeing Brenton Bowen outside Mat Rogers. I predict that Anthony Laffranchi will make about a million tackles and hit-ups in 2008 and Scott Prince will set up more tries than he scores.

New Zealand Warriors

The New Zealand Warriors are my sentimental favourites. I loved the way they played the game around the turn of the century and especially in 2002 when they managed to win the minor premiership and make the grand final for the first time. They made rugby league exciting again. They didnt just do one hit-up after another. They threw the ball around, between their legs and over their heads and for a period of two years all the passes stuck and they were awe inspiring. They slumped after 2003 but were very impressive in patches in 2007, making the semi finals for the first time in 5 years. I hope 2008 is the year of the Warriors in the NRL.