South Sydney and NSW finally tasted glory in 2014, but the year was dominated by off-field dramas. Three of the biggest names left the code, coaches were sacked and Cronulla’s long-running ASADA probe finally came to an end.
McKINNON INJURY SHOCKS THE GAME
A run-of-the-mill round three Monday night game between Melbourne and Newcastle became headline news across the country after Knights back-rower Alex McKinnon suffered a serious spinal injury that left him in a wheelchair. Storm forward Jordan McLean was suspended for seven games over the three-man lifting tackle that resulted in McKinnon fracturing two of his vertebrae. It led to the NRL issuing heavy penalties to players who put opponents in a dangerous position in tackles.
RUGBY LURES TWO OF THE NRL’S BIGGEST NAMES
Sonny Bill Williams’ announcement that he would return to New Zealand rugby after a final season with the Sydney Roosters was no real surprise with the 2015 Rugby World Cup looming. But Sam Burgess’s shock decision to move to English rugby caught everyone unawares on the eve of the new season – even his own family. The South Sydney forward has been a stunning success in the NRL, but the chance to pursue a spot for England in the Rugby World Cup on home soil was simply too enticing. His departure after winning the NRL grand final was a fairytale finish to his five years in Australia. But the NRL has lost two genuine superstars.
CRONULLA’S COACHING MERRY-GO-ROUND
With coach Shane Flanagan sitting out the season due to his NRL suspension, veteran assistant Peter Sharp was persuaded to stand in. An awful start to the season, amid controversy surrounding Andrew Fifita’s collapsed move to Canterbury, had Cronulla sinking to the foot of the ladder. After skipper Paul Gallen sensationally questioned Sharp’s commitment in a radio interview, the coach quit the club, throwing the Sharks into chaos once again. Little-known under-20s coach James Shepherd was thrust into the hot seat until the end of the year and, apart from a stunning upset against the Sydney Roosters, could do little to prevent the embattled club collecting another wooden spoon.
UNLIKELY HERO ENDS QUEENSLAND’S ORIGIN DOMINANCE
Trent Hodkinson’s name didn’t merit a mention when it came to NSW halfback discussions at the start of the year. But the unassuming Canterbury playmaker’s strong start to the season, coupled with Mitchell Pearce’s arrest after a night out in Kings Cross, had him selected in the Blues side for the opening game in Brisbane. Laurie Daley’s side pulled off a shock win and went into game two on the cusp of NSW’s first series success in eight years. Queensland were the better side at ANZ Stadium, but the hosts showed great character to hang in there. Five minutes from time, Hodkinson seized his moment as he rolled over for a try, then added the extras to seal a 6-4 win and etch his name in NSW folklore.
TURMOIL TEARS APART WARRING TIGERS
From the moment coach Mick Potter took over at the Wests Tigers in 2013, he seemed to be fighting to save his job. Amid the backdrop of warring factions battling for control of the joint venture, Potter’s team were hit by an unprecedented catalogue of injuries and slipped out of finals contention. Rumours of a poor relationship between Potter and influential skipper Robbie Farah persisted despite denials from the beleaguered coach. That all changed when Gorden Tallis revealed on air that Farah had privately told him he didn’t rate his coach. It led to an awkward attempt by the NSW hooker to claim he’d since changed his mind. But it was too late for Potter. A new board took over the club at the end of the season and he had to reapply for his job. To the surprise of no one, he was unsuccessful and Jason Taylor now has the task of turning the Tigers around.
THE ASADA DRAMA FINALLY RESOLVED
In a saga to rival long-running TV soap The Bold and the Beautiful, the ASADA investigation finally delivered a verdict on the fate of Cronulla players caught in the club’s controversial supplements policy during the 2011 season. After nearly 18 months of conjecture, rumour, speculation and occasional farce, skipper Paul Gallen was the biggest name of the 10 current and former Sharks players given backdated 12-month bans by the anti-doping authority in August. The decision to backdate the suspensions will allow players to start the 2015 season.
PRODIGAL SON BENNETT RETURNS TO THE BRONCOS
More than six years after walking out on Brisbane, supercoach Wayne Bennett announced he was returning to Red Hill after cutting short his stint with Newcastle by 12 months. His spell at the Knights was the first real failure of the seven-time premiership-winning coach’s career, having made the finals only once in three seasons. Bennett comes as a package nowadays, with Darius Boyd following his mentor up the Pacific Highway from the Knights – the fourth time the pair have linked up together. However, Bennett must do without the Queensland winger this year after he suffered a season-ending ruptured achilles in pre-season training.
GLORY, GLORY TO SOUTH SYDNEY
More than four decades after winning a record 20th premiership, South Sydney finally clinched their 21st at ANZ Stadium on an emotion-charged first Sunday in October. The Rabbitohs held their nerve under huge pressure to easily beat a rugged Canterbury side in the grand final, leading to an outpouring of tears seldom seen in the tough world of the NRL. Departing forward superstar Sam Burgess, with his cheekbone shattered following a collision with fellow Englishman James Graham in the opening set, led the way by weeping openly a minute before the final siren. His bravery rivalled that of John Sattler’s broken jaw in the 1970 grand final, and he was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal.
HAYNE STUNS PARRAMATTA AND QUITS FOR NFL DREAM
If South Sydney’s premiership success was the big story of the year, Jarryd Hayne’s bombshell announcement that he was quitting the NRL to try for a career in the NFL stunned everyone. The brilliant fullback has been Parramatta’s go-to man ever since he made his debut as a 19-year-old, and his exit is a monumental blow to the Eels on and off the field. The gifted NSW star has all the ability in the world, but even he may struggle to crack a sport he has never played before, not to mention steal a march on rivals who have dedicated their lives to playing in the NFL. If he makes it into one of the 32 teams for the start of the 2015 season next September, it will be the biggest achievement of his career.
KIWIS REIGN SUPREME IN FOUR NATIONS
There are many who criticise the merits of international rugby league – most are caught up in the insular bubble that is the NRL. But the doomsayers were forced to eat their words following a dramatic Four Nations tournament involving Australia, New Zealand, England and Samoa. All four teams contributed to a brilliant competition with no shortage of excitment. World champions Australia were without several big names due to injury, and scraped into the final after being heavily beaten by the Kiwis in Brisbane in their opening game. Stephen Kearney’s side were excellent throughout and deserved to just hold on to win a pulsating final against the Kangaroos in Wellington.
