Passion, Spirit and teamwork are three words that can be used to describe Rugby League. No matter if you barrack for the Dogs, Panthers or Eels, every successful team has these three traits.
As the 2009 football seasons kick off we take a look at some of the issues that will make or break teams and spirits over the coming months.
Rugby League
The 2009 season was already a major talking point well before last season was over, with the season kicking off in March we take a look at some of the major changes that will impact the competition.
Wayne Bennett
No one would have thought that one man could cause so much change. Wayne Bennett’s decision to join the St George Illawarra Dragons has not only affected two teams, but the entire competition. The Dragons who have been perennial cellar dwellers for almost 10 years now have possibly the best coach around but can that make them serious premiership contenders? Bennett has already handpicked a new array of players and coaching staff alike to try and lead the Dragons to their first premiership since they merged with Illawarra in 1999. Under Bennett the Dragons are considered by many to be real contenders, whether they can deliver the promise is the big question.
Bennett’s decision to move will of course have major implications for his former team, the Brisbane Broncos. The Broncos not only lost their coach of 20 years but also 13 members of their 2008 squad. No doubt this will have a major impact on the players and club alike with a completely new culture having to be developed. This will be one of the Broncos defining seasons and prove whether one man can be the heart and soul of any club.
Players, supporters and commentators alike are all asking the same questions, can Wayne Bennett turn the Dragons into the next powerhouse of the NRL and how will the Broncos survive without their mentor?
First year coaches
Starting a new job can be hard, stepping up in to that position can be even harder. In a profession that is subject to so much scrutiny, being a Coach is one of the toughest jobs in the world.
In 2009 three new coaches have reached the pinnacle of their profession for the first time, Kevin Moore (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ivan Henjak (Brisbane Broncos) and David Furner (Canberra Raiders) are all now leading premiership teams. All three have very different expectations and goals for 2009.
Kevin Moore is looking to revitalise a team who have had their fair share of dramas. Some things are out of Moore’s control, but one thing he will look to rectify is the club finishing with the dreaded wooden spoon in 2008. Having bolstered their line up with a number of new high profile recruits, including Brett Kimmorley, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Josh Morris and David Stagg, Moore will be looking to start the year off with a bang and re-establish the Dogs as real threat.
Henjak and Furner have arguably a much tougher task, they need to maintain the high levels of expectation from both the club hierarchy and fans after both made the top eight last year. The Raiders defied all expectations to be one of the form teams leading into the backend of last season and the Broncos came ever so close to defeating the Storm in what would have seen them progress to the preliminary final. Both teams have had substantial losses in their playing ranks and, with the exception of Israel Folau for the Broncos, have been unable or unwilling to pick up any new high profile additions to their 2009 playing ranks.
From the team at Rooty Hill RSL
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