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NRL in 2016: Cronulla break drought, Pearce breaks rules and JH channels JC

Adrian Proszenko

Story of the year

Ding dong, the witch is dead! Cronulla, a club that has known only heartbreak in September, finally won its first premiership. The club has been on the brink of financial collapse several times, with the ASADA scandal again threatening its very existence. But the Sharks have survived and thrived, culminating in a historic grand final victory against the Melbourne Storm. Coach Shane Flanagan and captain Paul Gallen steered a team of promising youngsters and ageing warriors to the ultimate prize.

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Turn the porch lamp off, Cronulla won

Paul Gallen tells the Shire to turn the porch lights off, the Sharks are bringing the premiership to the Shire.

Issue of the year

The only thing more shocking than Parramatta's salary cap cheating was the hamfisted manner in which it was conducted. The Eels won two wooden spoons while paying players off the books … one can only imagine how they would have performed if they were cap-compliant. A painstaking investigation found the club had illegally overspent to the tune of $3 million, resulting in the stripping of 12 competition points, a large fine and the sacking of the entire board. The fallout continues as police investigate former staff, player managers and potentially even players for fraud. Honourable mention: The fight between ARLC chairman John Grant and the club chairman over funding. The battle may be over, but the war continues. 

Star of the year

Jason Taumalolo and Cooper Cronk were the Dally M players of the year, but neither quite lit up the league like winners of seasons past. Neither had a Ben Barba-esque 2012 or consistently got you out of your seat in quite the same way Jarryd Hayne did when he earned the gong (the first time). Cronulla ultimately prevailed because they didn't rely on any one player to dominate.

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Controversy of the year

It has been a cracking season in the player misbehaviour stakes, and it is hard to separate the contenders. Dally M medallist Jason Taumalolo egged cars, Andrew Fifita supported one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge on his wrist strapping, Liam Knight spraying Aerogard in his mouth to beat a breathalyser and Corey Norman filmed himself in lewd sex acts. But in the you-can't-make-this-stuff-up stakes, no one was topping Mitchell Pearce's Australia Day antics, in which he was filmed simulating sex with a dog. That moment effectively ended the Roosters' premiership campaign before it began. Only time will tell if it was a turning point for Pearce.

Quote of the year

"When you read the bible you realise everyone hated Jesus. He could have easily lost the plot and lost his s--t but he kept it together." Jarryd Hayne compares himself (favourably) to Jesus Christ in a bizarre attack on his critics.

Try of the year

Jarryd Hayne, during his incredible 2009 Dally M year, scored one of the great solo tries against the Dragons. The effort by James Tedesco against the Cowboys in August is the closest thing to it. The Wests Tigers fullback initially shaped up for a field goal before beating 10 players – if you include the blokes he beat twice – to just ground the ball on a white blade of grass. The deliberations by the video referee, for a change, actually added to the excitement as the Tigers upset the defending premiers in front of the Leichhardt faithful.

Flop of the year

Kieran Foran was touted as the biggest signing in Parramatta's history, but wasn't able to see out the first season of a mammoth four-year deal. The pressure of expectation, coupled with personal issues, resulted in the premiership-winning playmaker requesting a release. Notorious punter and former brothel owner Eddie Hayson spectacularly claimed Foran "probably wouldn't be alive" today if not for their friendship, although the NRL will likely ask for those ties to be severed before even considering green-lighting a comeback. Foran is attempting a return with the Warriors in 2017.

Prediction

The 2016 season marked the first in more than a decade when not a single coach was punted mid-season. Expect regular service – ie coaching carnage – to resume next season. Paul McGregor, Jason Taylor and Trent Barrett are all off contract at the end of next year, but the man under most pressure is, would you believe it, Des Hasler. While long-suffering Eels fans dream about the prospect of contesting five final series in a row, the bar is set much higher at Belmore. The pressure on clipboard-holders is going to be intense. Heads will roll.

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