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NormNRL Team Report - Part One
September 6th 2006 13:17
As the final are beginning to get underway, lets look back at the clubs that were unable to reach the finals, and see how they fared in season 2006.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (finished 16th, 3 wins – 21 losses, 429 PF – 772 PA). Since their re-introduction into the league, the Rabbitohs have been the whipping boy of the competition, but at least this year they were able to raise their heads a bit higher. True they had the worst defeat in the club’s history, but they were able to scrape together two wins in a row at the tail end to prove they can in fact play smart rugby. Next year they are picking up a few good players, such as Asotasi and Kidwell. Plus giving Jason Taylor the reigns on the team is obviously a step in the right direction. If the Rabbitohs are able to play smartly in 2007, they could be seen jumping up a few spots on the ladder.
2006 Rating: 4/10 Potential: 6/10 Overall: 5/10
Sydney Roosters (finished 15th, 8 wins – 16 losses, 528 PF – 650 PA). The biggest disappointment this season has to be the Sydney Roosters. This fall from grace was so big that the impact might hit the club for a few more seasons ahead. Suspensions and injuries aplenty throughout the season, they never could get a strong foothold in the comp, winning only five games by the round 13, and adding only three more victories to that overall. But every side is allowed to have one bad patch, the Roosters should be able to claw back from this in no time, just not for a little while.
2006 Rating: 3/10 Potential: 6/10 Overall: 4/10
Cronulla Sharks (finished 14th, 9 wins – 15 losses, 515 PF – 544 PA). The problem with the Sharks this year was that they could never really hold onto their winning form. Up to Round 16, they had dropped only five games this season, but from there they did not win another game for the rest of the season. Their form this season can be easily summed up with their loss against Penrith, who in Round 24 was able to steal victory despite being 20 points down with only 20 minutes remaining. In 2006 Cronulla were good, but could not hold onto their form for the great finish. All this means is that they have the potential, and in 2007 they have to formulate, with or without coach Raper, how to harness it properly.
2006 Rating: 6/10 Potential: 7/10 Overall: 7/10
Penrith Panthers (finished 13th, 10 wins – 14 losses, 510 PF – 587 PA) Its easy to say that Penrith’s form this year was similar to the Sharks, but I think there is one important difference. Whilst Cronulla had a winning combination early in the season but dropped off, Penrith couldn’t seem to get it right from day one. It seemed that throughout 2006 the Panthers could only have a winning form for a couple of games before dropping two or three more. This is a serious flaw in their squad, and it means that they will have to seriously redevelop their team before 2007. In all honesty this could be the Panther’s form for some years unless some major changes are made.
2006 Rating: 5/10 Potential: 5/10 Overall: 5/10
Tomorrow we continue how the NRL clubs performed, plus look at the bottom 4 clubs for the AFL. Stayed tuned for the bumper issue!
Until next time, sport minds.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (finished 16th, 3 wins – 21 losses, 429 PF – 772 PA). Since their re-introduction into the league, the Rabbitohs have been the whipping boy of the competition, but at least this year they were able to raise their heads a bit higher. True they had the worst defeat in the club’s history, but they were able to scrape together two wins in a row at the tail end to prove they can in fact play smart rugby. Next year they are picking up a few good players, such as Asotasi and Kidwell. Plus giving Jason Taylor the reigns on the team is obviously a step in the right direction. If the Rabbitohs are able to play smartly in 2007, they could be seen jumping up a few spots on the ladder.
Sydney Roosters (finished 15th, 8 wins – 16 losses, 528 PF – 650 PA). The biggest disappointment this season has to be the Sydney Roosters. This fall from grace was so big that the impact might hit the club for a few more seasons ahead. Suspensions and injuries aplenty throughout the season, they never could get a strong foothold in the comp, winning only five games by the round 13, and adding only three more victories to that overall. But every side is allowed to have one bad patch, the Roosters should be able to claw back from this in no time, just not for a little while.
2006 Rating: 3/10 Potential: 6/10 Overall: 4/10
Cronulla Sharks (finished 14th, 9 wins – 15 losses, 515 PF – 544 PA). The problem with the Sharks this year was that they could never really hold onto their winning form. Up to Round 16, they had dropped only five games this season, but from there they did not win another game for the rest of the season. Their form this season can be easily summed up with their loss against Penrith, who in Round 24 was able to steal victory despite being 20 points down with only 20 minutes remaining. In 2006 Cronulla were good, but could not hold onto their form for the great finish. All this means is that they have the potential, and in 2007 they have to formulate, with or without coach Raper, how to harness it properly.
Penrith Panthers (finished 13th, 10 wins – 14 losses, 510 PF – 587 PA) Its easy to say that Penrith’s form this year was similar to the Sharks, but I think there is one important difference. Whilst Cronulla had a winning combination early in the season but dropped off, Penrith couldn’t seem to get it right from day one. It seemed that throughout 2006 the Panthers could only have a winning form for a couple of games before dropping two or three more. This is a serious flaw in their squad, and it means that they will have to seriously redevelop their team before 2007. In all honesty this could be the Panther’s form for some years unless some major changes are made.
2006 Rating: 5/10 Potential: 5/10 Overall: 5/10
Tomorrow we continue how the NRL clubs performed, plus look at the bottom 4 clubs for the AFL. Stayed tuned for the bumper issue!
Until next time, sport minds.
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