Opinion
The Origin decider was out of this world. But how much more can these players give?
Andrew Johns
League columnistI’ve finally taken the time to watch a replay of last week’s phenomenal State of Origin series decider and one question came to mind: can the players push the limits any further?
I don’t know how they can. It was as physical and brutal as any match I’ve seen. The old softening-up period didn’t last for 10 or 15 minutes, it kept going for close to 50 minutes. It’s just unheard of.
When you thought there was a time when they surely had to fatigue, they just kept going. And it was only in the last quarter of the game that we saw a few signs of tiredness, particularly when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow got into the clear and he could barely pick his legs up. He was that tired.
Queensland were so brave in defence in the face of so much NSW possession, and you suspected it was going to take its toll at some stage. Thankfully for Blues fans, it came at the right moments. I thought they might have been a tad conservative at certain stages of the game, but the result is all that matters.
One player I want to single out is Jarome Luai. For years, I’ve heard Phil Gould and Brad Fittler talk about Luai being a halfback as a junior and then coming through the grade. I didn’t believe them. I was sceptical. But I was wrong. The Tigers have got themselves a serious player next year, and he might even be a bargain despite his $1.2 million-a-year price tag.
What he’s done this year for NSW and Penrith while Nathan Cleary has battled multiple injury problems has been phenomenal.
Selwyn Cobbo is tackled by Jarome Luai in the State of Origin decider.Credit: Getty Images
A huge congratulations to Michael Maguire and his team. It’s a rare piece of history to win an Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium, and it’s an achievement we’ll be talking about for years to come.
Bellamy might be the ace in the deck
I sat back and watched the Melbourne Storm last week and started thinking about the players Craig Bellamy has turned into very good NRL players in this current squad: Josh King, Tyran Wishart, Shawn Blore, Grant Anderson. The list goes on.
These were players on the fringes of the NRL previously, unwanted by their former clubs or just flat-out reserve graders. It shouldn’t be a surprise because he’s done it for so many years, but Bellamy is doing it again with the class of 2024.
There has to be a case to have him as the greatest rugby league coach of the last 50 years, even above Wayne Bennett, Jack Gibson and Warren Ryan.
They’ve had champions and future Immortals retire over the years, and they never seem to have to go through a rebuild. That’s a testament to Bellamy, Frank Ponissi and the entire staff at the club.
I don’t think there’s any doubt the Storm will be minor premiers again this season. I’ve got them favourites to win the competition at the moment, with the Panthers a rung behind and the Roosters a level below that. Cameron Munster is due back this week. It’s clear they have the best spine in the NRL.
Is there a smokey this season? It might just be Manly, but even then, they’re going to need everything go their way. We’ve seen in the last 30 years that it’s too big a hurdle to win the competition from outside the top four.
The question about the Sharks that won’t go away
Can the Sharks win big games? That’s a question which might be answered over the next couple of months.
I know we’re still a little bit out from the finals, but one game I’m going to be watching very closely this week will be Cronulla’s clash with North Queensland in Townsville.
There’s a logjam of teams on the cusp of the top four and towards the bottom of the top eight, and with the Dragons and Bulldogs having tough games this weekend, this is a huge chance for the Cowboys to make a statement.
NRLW returns and it’ll be better than ever
The NRLW competition starts this week and I can’t wait to see how much better the product is from previous years. There’s not a lot of wrestling in the ruck and the ball movement and athleticism keeps getting better.
Newcastle Knights NRLW players (l-r): Tamika Upton, Hannah Southwell, Yasmin Clydsdale, Jesse Southwell and Georgia Roche.Credit: Chris Elfes
But we need to try to fast-track the competition so these women can become full-time professionals. Watch how quickly the game improves once that happens. We’re starting to get some real athletes into the sport like Teagan Berry and Indie Bostock, and that will only continue into the future.
But as with all professional sports, it works on a percentage of revenue, and we need people to support the game. That means bums on seats and eyeballs on TV to ensure it can keep growing.
Knights fans haven’t had a lot to cheer about in the last month, but I think their NRLW side will make a real statement in the season opener against the Roosters.
Joey’s tip: Knights by 10
First try-scorer: Caitlan Johnston-Green
Player of the match: Jesse Southwell
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