Wide World of Sport' intrepid newsman The Mole watched each crippled played successful 2021 - and has travel up with a three-part play reappraisal of an unforgettable twelvemonth successful the game's history. Here is portion 1 of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly …
THE GOOD
The father-son concern of Ivan and Nathan Cleary starring Penrith to the promised land. Ivan was the cool, composed manager who masterminded the premiership occurrence portion Nathan was dynamic connected the field.
A interaction of romance follows the Panthers' win, with cult leader winger Brian To'o proposing to his spouse Moesha. She said 'yes'.
Tom Trbojevic's stellar year arsenic helium broke records, steered Manly into the finals and won the Dally M Medal, the Wally Lewis medal, the Brad Fittler Medal and the RLPA's Players' Champion. After losing THAT contention to 'Harry' connected Manly's Corso, helium ne'er looked back.
READ MORE: Disgraced NRL prima hammered successful boxing debut
READ MORE: Hamilton's melodramatic F1 nonaccomplishment sparks decease threats
READ MORE: Iconic cricket commentator hangs up the mic
Souths whitethorn person mislaid the expansive final, but what an effort by Wayne Bennett to instrumentality a 4th squad to a expansive final. Bennett has present racked up 10 premiership deciders - a modern time record.
The emergence of a big of caller faces successful the rookie people of 2021, led by a mates of baby-faced youngsters - Roosters fractional Sam Walker and Warriors fullback Reece Walsh.
The NRL's determination - against the wishes of galore backward reasoning clubs - to grow the contention to 17 teams successful 2023. Welcome, The Dolphins.
The attacking brilliance of Penrith, Melbourne, Manly and Souths astatine assorted stages of the season. Blessed with prime shot players and gait retired wide, the 4 clubs dominated astir rival teams and were large to watch.
The NRL committee made plentifulness of blunders passim the play - but get afloat marks for keeping the premiership live contempt the ever-present information of COVID. Officials from America's NFL were truthful impressed that they contacted the NRL for proposal connected however to combat the virus.
Watching caller Panthers' cult leader Brian To'o fearlessly tally the shot was a joyousness for immoderate league fan. He led the league successful some tally metres and station interaction metres - by a agelong way.
The Warriors became everyone's 2nd favourite team, spending virtually the full play successful Australia and astatine times having to beg and get players from rival clubs to tract a team. Despite the setbacks, they gave their all.
The Storm's record-equalling streak of 19 consecutive wins was 1 of the highlights of the season. They didn't conscionable triumph games, they thrashed astir opponents, racking up implicit 70o points successful their grounds run.
Josh Addo-Carr's six tries for the Storm against the hapless Bulldogs successful a 50-0 win. No subordinate has achieved the feat since 1950 but the large question is - tin The Foxx repetition his tryscoring feats for the battling Bulldogs successful 2022?
Still connected tries - the marvellous enactment of Alex Johnson connected the extremity of the red-hot Rabbitohs backline - helium led the league with 30 tries - not atrocious for a subordinate the nine tried to bony not agelong ago.
Brad Fittler's NSW Blues beating Queensland 2-1 contempt the full Origin bid being held northbound of the borderline owed to COVID. Never before, ne'er again.
The warring qualities of the Roosters, who overcame 1 of the heaviest wounded tolls successful NRL past to scope the finals. Clearly a nine with large civilization and spirit.
The Broncos had small to cheer astir again successful 2021, but produced 1 peculiar show against arch rivals the Titans. Down 22-0 aft conscionable 15 minutes, the Broncos fought backmost for a 36-28 win.
Phil Gould returning to the Bulldogs - the nine helium coached to premiership glory backmost successful 1988 - to get the under-performing nine backmost connected track. Watch the Bulldogs ascent the ladder successful 2022 aft immoderate awesome buys.
For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
English (US) ·