WITH the NRL competition about to enter the 9th round (Magic round) I thought I’d take a look at the season thus far and give my thoughts on some of the pertinent happenings of the 8 rounds already played.
It’s anyone’s comp!
After 8 rounds of footy you’ve gotta say that this year has been the most open we’ve seen in the past 5 seasons. Obviously, Penrith’s form is one of the reasons, but also at play are the inconsistencies of many other clubs. The Bulldogs looked like premiership favourites until they travelled out of NSW for the first time last weekend and were humbled by the Broncos. Newcastle have lost 5 straight putting pressure on all concerned. The Titans have lost 4 in a row, and Souths have lost their past 3. Conversely the Raiders have won 4 straight and so have the Cowboys putting both clubs firmly in the top 8. The Sharks and Manly remind me of each other. Both teams will play finals footy but how far they go is anyone’s guess. The Warriors look unbeatable at home, whilst the Dolphins up until last weekend’s capitulation against Canberra were flying.
Major Issues!
Whilst the product has never been in a better position from both a corporate and viewership point of view, the litany of sin-bins, penalties, and stoppages from high hits and hip-drop tackles has begun to be a real pain in the arse! Does anyone know exactly what a hip drop in our game is? The rule states the following: “A hip-drop tackle involves a ball carrier, twisting their body, and then dropping their bodyweight directly onto the ball-carrier’s legs.”
But players are now getting pinged for merely tackling a player from behind! I’m all for stamping out illegal tackles like the chicken wing, grapple etc as these were once practised at training through wrestling manoeuvres, but I can tell you now not one club would practise a hip-drop tackle on another teammate at training. Unfortunately, accidents happen in our game. And the ‘high hit’ sin-binnings have become farcical. We’re seeing players on report or worse for merely grazing past an opponent’s noggin. Let’s hope this weekend’s Magic Round isn’t marred by yet another NRL crackdown!
Form players!
A quick glance at the Dally M leaderboard sees an eclectic bunch of players who have all started the 2025 season on fire. Will Kennedy, Terrell May (buy of the year thus far), Payne Haas, Jye Grey, James Tedesco, and Isaiya Kotoa have all starred for their individual clubs this season and are a vital cog in their team’s success.
What now for the Panthers?
Currently bottom of the competition ladder the Panthers find themselves in uncharted waters, but as they say ’the only way is up!’ I wrote in my previous column how they are now being hunted like never before. Rival clubs are wallowing in the Panthers 2025 season and why shouldn’t they after (Panthers) 5 years of dominance. Only they can get themselves back on track. And by my reckoning will have to win at least 11 of their remaining 16 games to play finals footy. I wouldn’t back against them getting it done!
And another thing…
I recently joined the podcast world with mglifein5ive. A podcast where my guests share stories about their lives through 5 photographs. Their life, their journey, told their way! Its on all podcast platforms and I hope you can have a listen or watch it on Youtube, Spotify, or Apple.
Happy Mother’s Day!
See you at Magic Round
Don’t forget, if you’re looking for a new car contact my great mate at Sinclair Hyundai, Toby Hughes.
