As the NRL continues to seemingly bend to the will of the PC brigade, the polarizing Gus Gould recently unleashed an opinion piece unsurprisingly coming to the great games defence which has been receiving a lot of traction. As I sit here watching a replay of Wild Turkey Bourbon Super Saturday, with an entire Sharks team running around the field with Luxbet printed on their backs, one part of Gould's column stands out in particular
Please don't compare junior league football with the win-at-all costs professional sport you see on our TV screens. If you don't like some of the stuff you see, tell your kids why it's not right for them to do the same. If they behave badly on the football field, discipline and educate them.
I love the NRL, I watch every game, every week, but lets put a few things in perspective, the NRL is an entertainment business.
The competition is built in large part on violence. I hate when people say violence makes the game because the skill of these players at times defies belief, but at its core, a large part of the entertainment of the game is watching these huge, intense men running into each other trying to smash each other. The junior game need not be as violent, because it isn't comprised of finely tuned professional athletes who are hellbent on winning. These aren't guys who play for fun, of course they enjoy the game, they grew up enjoying the game, but there comes a time in everyone's sporting life where a line is drawn between playing for fun and playing to win. In the NRL, these guys play to win and they play to live, this is their career, their livelihood, of course it is going to get intense, of course it is going to get violent.
and then, Hodges said my skills weren't up to the required standard to play in this competition
More than half the teams in the competition are sponsored by gambling companies....
Broncos - Sportingbet
Raiders - ACT TAB
Titans - BET EZY
Manly - Centrebet
Knights - Sportsbet
Roosters - Sportsbet
Sharks - Luxbet
Warriors - Skycity
Panthers - Centrebet (who play out of Centrebet stadium)
Big Dell always knows how to get a slice of the pie
Factor in the in game segments from the likes of Tom Waterhouse, the TAB and the advertising around the stadium from various betting agencies and each NRL game is a gigantic gambling advertisement. There is no way to hide from it, every time you watch the NRL you are being bombarded with gambling advertising, most people probably don't even realise, they think nothing of it, that's how it is meant to happen. You still know, there's no better bet than a sporting bet. Was it only me that found saw the irony when Ben Barba returned after his various issues, including problems with gambling, that he was at fullback hovering around posts with BET365 advertising on the padding?
"I know what punters want"
Then there's the alcohol. Attending the VB Blues vs XXXX Maroons clash last Wednesday at ANZ Stadium, I was left with no question which beer was the right choice for a "hard earned thirst" after seeing thousands of jerseys point it out to me all night and the Sharks, Dragons, Roosters, Tigers would surely all agree.
I whole heartedly endorse this event or product
But the following teams may feel a little differently...
Broncos - XXXX
Bulldogs - Tooheys
Titans - XXXX
Manly - Tooheys, Jim Beam
Cowboys - XXXX
Eels - Tooheys
Panthers - Tooheys, Jim Beam
Warriors - Lion Red
and the Raiders likely don't care, as long as you make your purchase from Local Liquor. Again, add in the sponsorship of particular nights e.g. the previously mentioned Wild Turkey Super Saturday, or the Woodstock advertising that regularly appears during broadcasts on Sky in New Zealand, the alcohol advertising around the stadium, the numerous alcohol stands around the ground. Our "great game" is used by these companies to sell you alcohol, and the NRL, in all its family friendly goodness, takes that money quite happily. Then we turn around and complain about the impact the drink is having on the game and the players and how Dugan is up on a roof drinking and Tamou is out drink driving and George Burgess is parading the streets doing Hulk impressions.
So what we have is a violent form of entertainment in a contest between men battling for money, battling for their livelihood, sponsored by gambling and alcohol companies, It's clearly incredibly popular, but the NRL is built around adult themes. If the NRL is so concerned with creating a child friendly environment, stop launching hundreds upon hundreds of examples of alcohol and gambling advertising at young children who tune in to games, who show up to games, who buy the jerseys. Oh no, we couldn't do that, too much money to lose there. The NRL is an entertainment outlet that serves as a huge advertising vehicle for adult escapades yet is watched by thousands of children. How many players have we seen undone by the rare punch up during a game? and how many have we seen undone by alcohol and gambling problems? the NRL promotes bigger threats to its players than the issue it's trying to clear up.It's the parents job to teach children about violence, just like it is to shield them from the alcohol and gambling onslaught their children are unwittingly exposed to every game.
But hey, if the kids get the right jerseys, then they too can be a walking gambling and drinking advertisement!
We've made it all the way here to NRL eve, just one more sleep to go, tomorrow we'll be watching the likes of Inglis, Jennings, Burgess and of course SBW in action. Before we get to revealing number one, I wanted to touch on a couple of other things.
Firstly, this list has been counting down the top thirty players in the NRL and it has been absolutely jam packed with talent. We are truly fortunate as fans to have so many incredible players to watch, but what of those who missed out? there's a long list of amazing players that did not make the cut. These aren't just "good" players, but Origin players, International players, and it's a reminder of just how talented the NRL altogether is. Let's take a look at a quick list of guys I compiled who are still very much household names...
Alex Glenn, Matt Gillett, Tom Leayrod-Lahrs, Danny Buderus, Jamal Idris, Glenn Stewart, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Justin Hodges,Konrad Hurrell, Chris Sandow, Ben Hannant, Kade Snowden, Andrew Fifita, Ben Te'o, Michael Gordon, Sika Manu, Todd Carney, Issac Luke, Darius Boyd, Sam Perrett, Shaun Fensom, Kane Linnett, Josh McGuire, Ryan Hoffman, Josh Hoffman, David Stage, Krisnan Inu, Tony Williams, Michael Ennis, Corey Parker, Tariq Sims, Michael Gordon, Manu Vatuvei, Steve Matai, Matt Duffie, Kurt Gidley, Ben Matulino, Frank Pritchard, Brett Morris, Josh Reynolds, Adam Reynolds, Nathan Friend, Jake Friend, Nathan Merritt, Michael Jennings, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, James Maloney, Matt Ballin, Luke Douglas, Dallas Johnson, Ashton Sims, Blake Ferguson, Josh Papalii, Aidan Tolman, David Shillington, Anthony Watmough, Jamie Buhrer, Michael Crocker, Ben Creagh, Matt Cooper, Mitchell Pearce, Dane Nielsen, Jason Nightingale, Trent Merrin, Braith Anasta, Shaun Johnson, Simon Mannering, Chris Houston, Jeremy Smith, Timana Tahu, Lachlan Coote, Tim Grant, Fuifui MoiMoi, Luke Galloway, Tim Mannah...
this list is by no means exhaustive, there's plenty of other very talented players in the NRL, and every year the Under 20s competition introduces us to new exciting talents. Just soak that bunch of guys in for a moment, so many great players there, maybe you think a couple of them belong in the top thirty, but the point is to reflect on just how deep the NRL is, which is one of several reasons why it is the greatest competition in the world.
The second thing I wanted to do was to investigate how the teams in the NRL were represented throughout my list. In theory, the most successful teams of 2012 will likely be well represented. I paid no attention to this when creating the list, so this reflection is as much to satisfy my own curiosity as anything else.
Sea Eagles 5
Cowboys 4
Bulldogs 4
Melbourne 3
Titans 3
Tigers 3
Rabbitohs 2
Sharks 2
Warriors 1
Knights 1
Thaiday 1
Raiders 1
Eels 1
Panthers 0
Dragons 0
Roosters 0
It is important to note that roster movements saw the Panthers drop from 1 to 0 with the move of Luke Lewis, and the Rabbitohs lose 1 player while the Titans gained 1 with the move of Dave Taylor. Melbourne's 3 are of course a lot more valuable than any other 3 that can be put together. For the most part however, these rankings paint an accurate picture of where the power currently seems to reside in the NRL. Moving on now to the moment you've all been waiting...
#1 Johnathan Thurston
The newly crowned "face of the game" after Ben Barba's exit from the stage, JT has for me been the best player in the NRL for many years now. 2012 was yet another great year for Thurston, third highest scorer in the competition with 192 points, with 90 goals, 232 kicks in play and 23 offloads. Thurston moved into five-eighth for both the Cowboys, Queensland and Australia, a move prompted by the retirement of Darren Lockyer, Thurston stepped forward to fill the void at 6 and allow Cooper Cronk to play in his regular halfback position. The number changed, the game didn't for JT, scoring a try and adding 4 goals in the ANZAC test victory over New Zealand, along with a try and 9 goals in the State of Origin series. Though Thurston's Cowboys would bow out to Manly in the semi final, on the back of some very dubious decisions, the Cows spent the year as one of the most dynamic teams in the NRL and the play of JT and Matt Bowen were the triggers for their explosive backline. Thurston's shift to five-eighth resulted in being named the Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year for 2012, the first year he had played the position full time, and immediately becoming the best player in the NRL wearing number 6.
In his younger days Thurson would wear several spiders on his head to ward off tacklers
The 2012 Five-Eighth award was but another feather in the cap for JT who has been recognized as one of the top halves in the game several times in his career, starting way back in 2005
2005 Dally M Halfback of the Year
2005 Dally M Player of the Year
2007 Dally M Halfback of the Year
2007 Dally M Player of the Year
2007 RLIF Back of the Year
2007 RLW Player of the Year
2008 Wally Lewis Medal
2009 Dally M Halfback of the Year
2011 Golden Boot Award
2012 Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year
Thurston was also named in the Indigenous Team of the Century. The most impressive part of Thurston's career however is his exploits in State of Origin. Thurston is the only player to have played in every single game in Queensland's 7 consecutive Origin series victories. Since Thurston's Origin début in game 1 2005, Thurston has played an astonishing 24 straight Origin games. This leaves JT with North Sydney great Gary Larson for the all time record, and provided he isn't injured, Thurston will break the record for most consecutive Origin appearances in 2013. The Queensland Origin teams over the years have been a unit of amazing players, but Thurston is the only man who can lay claim to being part of the entirety of Queensland's dominance. His 24 Origin appearances have resulted in 4 tries and 61 goals, he's also been a staple of the Australian team for a long time with 23 appearances, 10 tries, 99 goals.
JT doing it all
On the field, Thurston is the best playmaker in the business, nobody leads an attack around the field quite as well as he does. Incredibly intelligent on the field, one of the best kicking games in the business, the ability to take the line on and break through it with his dummies and steps and amazing vision. At times it seems as if Thurston's thinking is three or four plays ahead of what is happening on the field, he's already got everything organized, it's just a matter of him playing the waiting game until he can execute. Despite the regular screams of frustration he unleashes when he doesn't do something perfectly, Thurston is one of the coolest customers in Rugby League. That's why he's been such an amazing goal kicker over the years. He's brilliant when it comes to kicking goals to begin with, but when the pressure turns up, Thurston never notices. This is the guy you want on the sideline attempting a match winning kick, he will put his trademark big curve on it, bending it back over almost every time. He has all of the tools that you want from a guy in the halves, and defensively he's no giant but he has so much heart that he makes an impact, Thurston loves to get involved in absolutely everything. It's the "heart" that Thurston shows that sells me on him being the best player in the game. Unlike the cerebral Cameron Smith, Thurston wears his heart on his sleeve for all to see. He's so passionate about the game, he's so passionate about leading his team, there seems to be no star harder on himself when he does well, and no star that relishes in the "fun" of the game as much as he does. All of these guys up the top of the list have the skillset to be the best player in the game, they all "do it all", so for me, what separates JT is that heart, that passion, the leadership. There's nobody else in the game I would rather have leading me into war.
How do you separate these two?
While I tried to maintain judgement of players for this list strictly based around on field abilities, Thurston's personality deserves special focus. He is the perfect face of the game, he may have the odd blow up out of frustration, but he is passionate, hard working, determined but at the same time is so grounded. He has every right to have an enormous ego, but Thurston so often is the fun loving comedian of the "stars" of Rugby League. There is nobody who seems to love the game more than Thurston. The work he does in the community and the work he does with fans, it all goes a long way. His interactions with the ball kids when he makes his kicks are just a brief little glimpse at how good of a bloke he is. It appears such a small gesture to many of us, to pick up the kicking tee, hand it to the kid and give him a little rub on the head, but to those kids who look up to JT as a hero, it means a lot to them. Despite his at times ferocious on field persona, he always switches that off, just for a couple of moments, to give these kids respect and attention, no matter how tired he is, regardless of whether his team is winning or losing. Rugby League players have developed such a terrible reputation over the years, the increasingly media dominated world has not been kind to the indiscretions of League players. Thurston is the guy we as League fans can be proud to point to and say this is our guy, this is our leader, this is the face of our game, this is the best we have.
I hope those who had a read enjoyed this countdown and I hope it helped pass the time for you until kickoff tomorrow night, it certainly made the time go by for me! and with that I depart, with the excitement of a kid on Christmas eve, waiting for kickoff tomorrow night. Check back in during the season on my blog as I'll be posting my thoughts and rantings throughout the year. As always, any comments feel free to give me a message on Twitter @WellsNorthShore thanks to everyone who has floated me a message or give me a RT it is much appreciated.
Just three more sleeps to go now, this whole starting the season on a Thursday thing was a fantastic idea, otherwise we'd be looking at four more sleeps to go! but we aren't, so not to worry. On that gleeful note, let's move on to number 3 on the countdown... #3 Paul Gallen
Despite being restricted to just 16 games, the 31 year old Sharks and NSW Captain delivered another stellar season, capped off by winning the 2012 Dally M Lock of the Year. On the back Gallen's tireless shoulders, the Sharks finally found themselves back in the top eight, taking 7th place in the standings. While the Sharkies made a hasty exit, going out in the qualifying finals to the Canberra Raiders, it was finally at least a taste of success for starved Sharks fans. Gallen would once again turn out for Australia, starting in the front row in their 20-12 ANZAC test victory, and add another three Origin appearances for NSW to his resume, though once again failing to secure the series victory. In just 16 games, Gallen would amass 359 runs for 3174 metres and would be third in the NRL in offloads with 50. All up a very strong year for Gallen, but missing games, losing another Origin series and a swift booting from the playoffs would have no doubt left Gallen with a lot of unfinished business on his mind. Adding another feather to his cap however, Gallen would participate in the 2012 Fight for Life charity event, taking on the heavily favoured Chiefs and All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot. To the surprise of many, at least many in the Union fraternity, Big Gal would score an impressive upset victory over the trained martial artist, showing the toughness that he displays in the NRL week after week.
"Oh, shark has fangs"
Gallen of course also has a substantial list of awards to his name in what has been a sparkling career. Spanning 216 NRL games, 22 Tests for Australia and 14 Origin's for New South Wales. Gallen has been the premier backrow forward in Rugby League, and indeed at times front rower, for several years now...
2008 RLIF Lock of the Year
2010 Harry Sunderland Medal
2010 RLW Player of the Year
2011 Brad Fittler Medal
2011 Dally M Lock of the Year
2011 Harry Sunderland Medal
2011 Peter Frilingos Memorial Award
2011 RLIF Lock of the Year
2012 Dally M Lock of the Year
In four out of the past five years, Gallen has been recognized by either RLIF, RLW, or the Dally M's as the Lock of the Year or Player of the Year. He's also the only player in history to receive a rating of 10 from Rugby League Week for a State of Origin game, and in 2012 became only the third player to receive a 10 rating twice in his career after a win against the Cowboys in March.
Probably the best title of any video I've put in the blog so far
There was once a time when Gallen was arguably the most hated man in Rugby League. The reputation of his attitude, dirty play and a pretty vocal mouth to go with it certainly didn't earn him many fans outside of the Shire. He was known as one of the grubbiest players around, and was labelled a "racist" after being fined $10,000 by the NRL for alleged comments he made to Micky Paea in a game, supposedly referring to him as a "black ______" I'll let you fill in the blank. But my how times have changed, today scarce few, no matter who you support, aren't a fan of Gallen's work. He's rebuilt his reputation on toughness and hard work, traits that everyone can appreciate. Even the staunchest of Queensland supporters had to concede that Gallen's miraculous 234 metre 30 tackle 80 minute effort in the front row in Game 2 2011 was the stuff of legend. Gallen has played the full 80 minutes in 118 games, twice for Australia, four times for NSW and 112 times for the Sharks. That someone can play his style of game, do it for 80 minutes, and do that regularly just defies belief. We've seen guys who can regularly pull off big games in terms of metres, we've seen guys who can regularly pull off big games in terms of tackles, but Gallen combines the two like few others have. 200 metres isn't an excuse for him to come up short in the tackle count, he does it all. There's forwards around who can give you an 80 minute effort if required, but not in the fashion that Gallen does. His durability and toughness is unparalleled by anyone in the game today and few in the games history. He has a motor that never stops, he never stops running, he never stops tackling, absorbing so many punishing collisions and continuing to soldier on. It's what makes Gallen such a great captain, there is nobody who sets a better example in terms of all around toughness and work rate than Gallen. That's the foundation of what has changed Gallen from criminal in the public eye to one of the games greatest heroes, a game based on toughness and hard work that demands respect. You can't fault a guy who just pours so much into the game every week.
How could anyone hate this guy?
Cronulla pulled a massive recruitment drive for the 2013 season, bolstering their forward pack with the additions of Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington. While they lose Kiwi hardman Jeremy Smith to Newcastle, the Sharks forward pack remains on paper one of the best in the competition with these new additions. Subsequently, Gallen is set to actually see a reduced role in 2013, something his team had rarely been able to offer in the past. For all of his personal accolades, Gallen's Sharks have won only 44% of the games he has played in over the years. While Gallen was clearly more than capable of carrying the extra burden, it should prove a huge load off his shoulders to be able to have a spell on the sideline knowing players of such class are there to support him. Gallen will now be able to play 60-70 minute games rather than expending himself over 80 minutes regularly. This should see Gallen have a bit more in the tank to pump out while he is on the field, as if he needed that, and should also help Gal manage his body over the next few years as he traverses his 30s and the rigorous NRL, Origin, International seasons that players of his calibre must endure.
Although he has had his moments
Check back in tomorrow for number 2, if you've been following then it should be pretty clear to most who the last two are, but what order will they come out in? and thus it dawns on me that once I reveal number 2, the idea of "revealing" number 1 will effectively be redundant because everyone will know who he is! but by then it will will be NRL eve and nobody will care anyway because we'll be settling in for footy the following night. I'm on Twitter @WellsNorthShore throw me a tweet if you have any comments.
Only 4 more sleeps to go now, and number 4 on the countdown. Funnily enough, after seeing two members of the big three revealed in the countdown, we come across a guy who once rode shotgun with them as part of a "big four" who is now making enormous waves outside of Melbourne, you've no doubt figured out who I'm talking about, or your eyes immediately were drawn to the picture and large font when you opened the page to begin with anyway, so here he is... #4 Greg Inglis
2012 proved a very rejuvenating year for the 26 year old Rabbitohs giant, not that his career needed rejuvenating. After the Bunnies began the season with two losses, Inglis was shuffled into fullback where he spent a large portion of his first two seasons with Melbourne. The results were immediate as the Bunnies trounced Penrith 40-24 with GI crossing over for a try. From there, you could not slow the big man down, his scorching form in the number 1 jersey leading a Rabbitohs charge towards the top of the competition. The only people that would prove capable of putting a halt to Inglis would be the judiciary who would ban Inglis for three weeks as a result of one of the most devastating hits we have seen in years from GI on the Dragons Dean Young. This blemish would squash any Dally M hopes Inglis may have had, but Inglis would once again put together a fantastic season, leading the Rabbitohs to a third place finish on the ladder, and eventually bowing out to the Bulldogs in the Preliminary Final. Not quite a Premiership, but a return to finals footy for a starved Rabbitohs fan base. Inglis would once again be a standout on the representative scene, scoring a try while playing centre in an Australian Test victory over New Zealand, as well as once again starring in Queensland's Origin series win, playing the first two games at centre scoring in each and then moving into fullback for game three for an injured Billy Slater. Games off wouldn't stop Inglis from dominating statistically, 4th in the NRL in line breaks with 23, 3096 metres, and leading the NRL in tackle busts with 162. Yes, despite the games off, Inglis still managed more tackle busts than anyone else in the NRL. He even put over a match winning field goal against the Tigers just to cap it off.
Reasons for banning the shoulder charge exhibit A
As with Billy Slater, and the three more players who will follow, I genuinely believe you can make an argument for Inglis or any of this group as the best player in the NRL. I have my opinion of who the number 1 is, but if you tell me you believe Inglis is the top dog then it's an entirely valid opinion. Let's take a look at the long list of career achievements from GI...
RLIF Rookie of the Year
Clive Churchill Medal
Dally M Five Eighth of the Year
Dally M Representative Player of the Year 2008 and 2009
Peter Frilingos Memorial Award
RLIF Five Eighth of the Year
Golden Boot Award
Harry Sunderland Medal
RLIF Centre of the Year
Ron McAuliffe Medal
Wally Lewis Medal
He's appeared in 157 NRL games and scored 98 tries which is a fantastic strike rate, but his international strike rate is even better, scoring 19 times in his 21 appearances for Australia. But perhaps the most impressive, amongst all of the fantastic accolades Greg Inglis has earned, is his efforts in State of Origin. Through 18 Origin games, Inglis has never been part of a losing Origin campaign, playing a part in 7 straight Queensland Origin series victories and in 2012 claimed Inglis the all time record for tries in State of Origin, currently standing alone with 14 Origin tries. Unsurprising from the man who scored twice in his Origin début, twice in his second Origin game, ending up with 5 tries in his first three Origin appearances, and it should come as a shock to nobody to see Inglis receiving multiple awards for his representative level exploits.
At just 26 Inglis is already an Origin legend
If you aren't familiar with the full extent of GI's career, you may have noticed something peculiar when reading through his list of accomplishments, and that's the fact that he won Dally M and RLIF honors as five-eighth of the year, while also earning centre of the year respects later in his career. Of course, he's now also playing fullback and did a stand up job of that in a Queensland jersey, and started his Origin career playing on the wing for Queensland. That is the extraordinary ability of Greg Inglis, the versatility to be elite anywhere in the backline. He has the speed and agility to play on the wing, the strength and defense to play in the centres, the skill and kicking game to be recognized as the best five-eighth in the world when he was wearing the number 6. There is nothing that Greg Inglis cannot do, and not only can he do it, but whatever he has done, he has been one of if not the best at it. There are other players in the NRL with the versatile skill set to be able to play multiple positions, but to have been able to succeed at the highest levels in four positions is incredible. That would be enough to make Inglis one of the games best players, but then consider this, he is 195cm and 105kg. He is huge, bigger than most second rowers, bigger than many props as well. If you wanted to put Inglis into the forwards, he'd blend right in, and he's got a hell of a crunching tackle on him . Greg Inglis is the prototype for the perfect Rugby League player, if you could craft a footy player from the ground up, this would be the guy, he's the LeBron James of Rugby League blessed with the perfect physical attributes for his craft. No player in the NRL is more capable of covering basically every position on the field. The guy is built like a second rower, offloads and hits like a second rower, passes and kicks like a five-eighth, runs and finishes like a winger, catches like a fullback, he does everything. The perfect combination of size and speed and he has the best fend in the business, how often have you seen him plant that big right hand into a blokes chest and dispatch them like he's swatting away a fly, in the NRL, Internationally and in Origin. Few others have the ability to make Origin defenders look like junior players, he is the most physically gifted player in the NRL. His kick returns from fullback are unfair, someone so big and so fast getting plenty of space to build up speed and run straight into defenders, there's few scarier prospects for an NRL defense and he's one of the last guys you want to run towards either with his enormous size and strength enough to introduce even the biggest ball carriers to the grass.
What NSW nightmares are made of
At 26 we could now be seeing Inglis start to round into what will be the prime years of his career, a scary prospect considering the incredible destruction he has already unleashed on the Rugby League world. After establishing himself in the number 1 jersey in 2012, a full off season of training dedicated to remaining in the number 1, and the appetite that a close but not quite close enough finals campaign can bring should see Inglis terrorize the NRL once again. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if 2013 becomes the year of GI and we see him take the Dally M award. Expect GI to be monstrous, expect the Bunnies to once again be a force.
Check back in tomorrow as we move on to number 3, no more League free Sundays, I for one can't wait for a bit of Sunday afternoon footy, after the Thursday, Friday and Saturday footy of course. As always, I'm on Twitter @WellsNorthShore so drop me a tweet with comments, criticisms, or just to talk league.
On to number 5 in the countdown now with just 5 more sleeps remaining until Thursday the 7th and the kickoff of NRL 2013. Unsurprisingly, another member of the Melbourne Storm makes his appearance here, and here he is.... #5 Billy Slater
It wasn't all smooth sailing for the second member of the "big three" to feature in the countdown, but 2012 proved once again a successful campaign for the man many already consider to be the best fullback in the history of the game. The 29 year old suffered an injury to his left knee in Origin game 2 that saw him miss several games, yet Slater still managed to be one of the most prolific attacking players in the NRL. Slater began the season in mind blowing fashion, as Melbourne began the season by dishing out floggings to almost everyone who were unfortunate enough to cross their path. Slater was the lead strike weapon in the Melbourne onslaught, scoring 2 tries in the first game of the year. Slater would go on to score doubles in 4 straight games, before finally being restricted to just 1 try in the Storm's 5th game of the year, seeing him with an astonishing 9 tries in just the first 5 games of the season. Slater would go on to have 6 games where he would cross the line multiple times, finishing up with 16 tries which was good enough for tied 6th in the NRL, despite missing games for Origin and through injury. He made 20 line breaks, 86 tackle busts, 31 offloads, and 18 try assists, which would be great stats for a guy who played the entire season, let alone a guy who played only 19 games, including a couple where he was clearly still getting himself back into full gear. Slater would turn out for Australia in a victory over New Zealand, play two Origin's for Queensland, missing the third due to injury, as part of yet another Queensland Origin series win, and play an integral part in Melbourne's Grand Final victory and World Club Challenge victory. Despite the injuries trying to slow him down, Slater was a winner in everything he did in 2012 and remained one of the competitions most lethal players, though he did have to deal with Iron James Graham feasting on his ear in the Grand Final.
Billy the Kid does it all
Slater's illustrious career is littered with awards...
2004 Peter Frilingos Memorial Award
2008 Dally M Fullback of the Year
2008 Golden Boot award
2008 RLIF Fullback of the Year
2008 RLIF Player of the Year
2008 RLW Player of the Year
2009 Clive Churchill Medal
2010 Dally M Rep Player of the Year
2010 Wally Lewis Medal
2011 Dally M Fullback of the Year
2011 Dally M Player of the Year
2011 RLIF Fullback of the Year
2011 RLIF Player of the Year
so much so that there's very much a reasonable argument to be made that Slater should be number 1 in the countdown. He's played 18 games for Australia scoring 18 tries, part of 5 Origin winning campaigns, 19 Origin appearances for 11 tries, and 224 NRL games all with Melbourne for 140 tries. Unsurprisingly, he's also a former NRL leading try scorer. 2012 saw Slater eclipse the great Rhys Wesser's 130 try mark to become the most prolific try scoring fullback the game has ever seen, and Slater shows little sign of slowing down.
One of the all time great Origin tries
Slater is possibly the fastest player in the NRL across 20-30 metres, his acceleration may well be his best asset. He's certainly quick over a full field stretch also, though there are several in the competition who would have him beat, but over a short distance he's as quick as they come. This makes Slater ideal for the short over the top kicks that Smith and Cronk put through for him regularly, or for taking off once getting through a gap. His support play is again amongst the very best in the competition, and the acceleration pays huge dividends here also, maintaining a steady stride in support until he's hit with a pass and pins his ears back. His speed is so great over those short distances that often he has chewed off enough of the field that he can't be caught. That speed is accompanied by great agility, he's got a very useful step, but he's also very adept at swerving while he is running, turning defenders inside out in one on one situations, or getting himself into a position where he's given himself an ideal angle to turn the turbo on and take off. As the tackle bust stats show, he's very capable of shedding a tackle, despite being a small bloke at 178 and 89kg, the force he runs at defenders with when unleashing his acceleration lets him rip his way out of would be tacklers and he's another one of these slippery characters that manages to worm his way out of tackles also. While the blinding acceleration and the tries are the stand out features of his attacking game, what often gets underrated is his great ability as a ball player. Slater isn't one of these other fullbacks who shifts into the 6 jersey, but he makes his way into the attacking line and adds some very useful distribution skills as part of those so well rehearsed Melbourne attacking plays. This is reflected in the number of assists he managed to pile up even in a shortened year, he makes tries with his ability to break through the line and break tackles, but also with a very intelligent passing game that Melbourne makes full use of and add to that a useful little kicking game also. He's not going to navigate your team around the park with his boot, but he's got some great chips and grubbers that he can pull out when necessary which become a dangerous combination with his great line-speed to chase after those loose balls.
Slater with the "trick shot"
While being one of the most incredible attacking players in the competition, Slater is also extremely valuable on defense. He, much like Barba, has become exceptionally skilled in the art of "try saving", getting under the ball, dislodging the ball, every little trick he can come up with to prevent someone putting the ball down over his line. Slater went through a stretch in his career where he really pushed this to the limits, often sliding in studs first at would be try scorers trying to knock the ball out of their hands, but his dangerous antics were stomped out. While it was considered dirty and dangerous, it still showed the type of creative, stopping the tries at all costs mentality that Slater takes to defense. He puts his body on the line, he'll throw himself into the path of some of the stampeding monsters in the game, and at the very least try to slow them down. Which leads on to my favourite thing about Billy Slater, this guy may just be the most fearless player in the competition. The way he leaps into the air to catch the high ball is one of the greatest spectacles in the competition, he makes you think you are watching a game of AFL. Once the ball is bombed up, Slater leaps into the air without a care in the world beyond bringing that ball down with him. He's taken some really heavy blows as a result, but he gets back up and does it again and again, regularly leaping over taller, stronger opponents. He isn't one of these guys who thinks about maybe batting the ball down, unless it's the intelligent play to make, he goes up to catch the ball. For all of these montage videos that are around on YouTube, someone should make one just based around Slater diffusing high balls, he's courageous, fearless and it's a remarkable site to behold.
Billy the Kid riding high again
That concludes number 5 in my countdown of the 30 best players in the NRL, hard to believe that tomorrow will be number 4. Wrapping up the final footy free Saturday night, we've nearly gone through our final footy free weekend. Check back in tomorrow for number 4, any comments or feedback message me on Twitter @WellsNorthShore
Down to just 6 more sleeps now, the last Rugby League free Friday night before the season kicks off. We've even already had a team list released with the Broncos naming their outfit for their round one match up, which means finally we can start getting some confirmation on our Dream Team and Supercoach selections, bye bye Jordan Kahu who had been pencilled in on so many teams as one of the "cheap" options. Moving on with the countdown, everyone's favourite team finally makes an appearance... #6 Cooper Cronk
It was of course only a matter of time until the big three started making their appearance in the countdown, and so it begins here with the 29 year old Storm halfback. 2012 marked the best year in Cronk's career. He lead the NRL in kicks in play with 348, 33 more than the next placed Jarrod Mullen, and of course was part of Melbourne's Grand Final victory, picking up the Clive Churchill Medal in the process as Melbourne's best player in the final. His fabulous efforts were celebrated at the Dally M awards where he picked up the Dally M Halfback of the year award for the second consecutive year and third time overall. Just to cap off his great season in the purple jersey, he picked up the man of the match award in Melbourne's World Club Challenge victory over Leeds Rhinos. On the representative stage, Cronk started both games in the 7 jumper for Australia's defeats of New Zealand. After earning 6 straight Origin appearances on the bench for Queensland, the retirement of Darren Lockyer finally opened the door for the patient Cronk, and with Thurston moving into five-eighth, Cronk finally was rewarded with the number 7 maroon jersey, starting all three games for Queensland, and kicking the field goal that gave Queensland a 21-20 victory in the deciding Origin game 3. The best player in the NRL in his position, the best player on the field in the Grand Final, the best player on the field in the World Club Challenge, a clutch Origin series winning field goal, it doesn't get much better than that.
Cooler than the other side of the pillow
While the trio of Cronk, Smith and Slater are referred to as the "big three' there always seemed to be a feeling that Smith and Slater were the more important or better of the two, to the point where I felt Cronk often was underrated. Sure, he benefits from playing with Smith and Slater, but they benefit from playing with him also, as does everyone in the Melbourne side. 2012 really felt like the coming out year for Cronk, even at the age of 29. While Smith and Slater had been regular star Origin and Australian representatives, 2012 was the year that Cronk became a permanent starting fixture alongside them. The stats that Cronk dominated give a great indication of his role in the side, the kicks in play and the try assists. Cronk has really developed into the pivot for Melbourne, he steers the ship around, in conjunction with the delivery from Smith at dummy half. Cronk's boot navigates Melbourne up and down the field, and what a great boot he has. So much power, and yet seems to be able to drop the ball on a 10 cent coin, he's a constant threat to pull off a 40-20 and he has the temperament to look for them at just the right time. His kicking game is the best in the NRL, his barrage of chips over the top for running through Storm players (more often than not Billy Slater), the great bombs he launches up, the tactical grubbers into the ingoal, the cross-field kicks that are always on point, Cronk kicks the ball with more accuracy and precision than most players can pass it. He's one of the most intelligent players in the NRL, unsurprisingly he can regularly be seen in conversation with Smith making decisions on the field, integral to the structured, methodical attacking gameplan that Melbourne plays with.
The "Cooper Cronk special"
At 178cm and 88kg, Cronk is a relatively small guy, at least by NRL standards, but he doesn't shy away on defense. While he's by no means a defensive force, he is good for around 15-20 tackles a game and he is pretty reliable with his tackling, he doesn't miss too many. He isn't a physical or athletic freak, he has good speed but isn't among the fastest on the paddock, he can pull off a step but he is no Benji Marshall, and he is pretty strong for a halfback. But there is some flash, some "razzle dazzle" to Cronk's game, but it comes not on the back of athletic ability, but instead from his ability to think and make decisions that few in the NRL are capable of. The inside pass he makes so often, and is seen in the video above, is the go to piece of flash in Cronk's game and it's so effective, it is where so many of his try assists come from particularly to a lurking Billy Slater. While his body is yet to show the effects of a career spanning 210 games for the Storm, his mind very much does. Playing alongside the methodical, cerebral Cameron Smith and under Craig Bellamy has clearly worn off on him. He, so much like Smith, is often robotic in his approach to the game, he steps onto the field, makes all the right decisions and gets the job done in a calculated, business like fashion.
Check back in tomorrow for number 5, this day next week you'll finally be enjoying a great evening of Friday Nighty Footy, much to your partners delight! Thanks Super Rugby, it was fun while it lasted. Comments, suggestions, criticisms, find me on Twitter @WellsNorthShore
So here we are into the single digits with 9 more sleeps remaining. I like to continue to set little markers within the countdown to make it feel like more progress was being made, and cracking into single digits was one of those. Next it's the march towards the one week mark, which is only a couple of nights away, yes after just two more posts we'll be looking at only one week of sleeps until the footy is back! on with the countdown...
#9 Robbie Farah
2012 was a turbulent year for the Tigers rake both on and off the paddock. Injuries saw him restricted to just 16 games and the disappointing Tigers, predicted by most to be amongst the competitions elite fizzled out and missed the top eight, but when he was on the paddock, he once again showed why he's the best hooker in the game not named Cameron Smith. For a long time Farah has been ignored when it comes to NSW selection, with only two appearances in 2009 and 2012 looked to be no different as he was advised that the returning Danny Buderus would be taking on the blue number 9 jersey as Farah, once again, was deemed not an "Origin" type of player. But fortune would favour Farah in the form of an injury to Buderus, and after an outstanding performance for NSW City, Farah finally found himself back in the Origin arena. While the Blues would once again go down to Queensland, Farah stood out as one of the best players in the series, picking up the Brad Fittler medal for NSW and putting on one of the great Origin performances in the game 2 victory for New South Wales. Farah would handle the ball 101 times and amass an Origin record 63 tackles, with no missed tackles, leaving anyone who questioned Farah's credentials as an "Origin type player" with a fair bit of egg on their face. But a cruel twist followed, after Farah played quite possibly the greatest game of his career, he soon lost his mother Sonia to her battle with pancreatic cancer. To make matters worse, his mothers untimely passing was thrust into the media as miscreants on Twitter thought it an opportune time to put the knife in to Farah, who opted to take this as an opportunity to draw attention to the way people use the social media platform and make them held more accountable. 2012 would see Farah become the most capped Tigers captain in club history, and at the same time once again see rumours of a rift between he and star half Benji Marshall which he vehemently denied in a scathing interview with Matthew Johns on NRL on Fox. The end of the year saw bitter disappointment from a club perspective, but a finalist for Dally M Hooker of the Year as one last testament to the level of his own individual performance.
Not sure what's going on with this guys TV but it can't be good for his eyesight
At 29, Farah has logged 185 games for the Tigers, was part of the 2005 Premiership winning team, 3 games for Australia and 1 for Lebanon, 5 for NSW, 6 for NSW City as well as appearing for the NRL All Stars. He's a two time Dally M Hooker of the year, a two time runner up for Dally M Player of the year, as well as a RLIF Hooker of the Year winner. Consider for a moment the competition Farah has been up against for those Hooker of the Year awards,namely, one Cameron Smith. Many believe Smith to be the greatest hooker the game has ever seen and, surprise, he'll be revealed later on in the countdown. In recent times, Smith has had somewhat of a monopoly on the award, winning it 4 times, so it says a lot that Farah was able to take it twice. In a competition without Cameron Smith, Farah may well be a 4 or 5 time winner. So too has Smith denied Farah much of the international acclaim he deserves. With Australia having Smith who is incredibly durable and plays 80 minutes like it's a stroll on the beach, there simply hasn't been much room in the Kangaroos for Robbie. If Smith wasn't on the scene, we'd be talking about Farah as the premier hooker in the game after the departure of Buderus. But what of his lack of Origin matches? after all, Cam Smith doesn't stand in his way there. Danny Buderus had laid claim to the Origin hooking spot before Farah even entered the competition, and went on to amass a total of 21 games for NSW. Once Buderus was gone, the NSW selectors turned a blind eye to Farah, labelling him as not "Origin material" compared to players perceived to have more of an edge to them like Michael Ennis, of course, when Robbie finally got his opportunity, this theory went right out the window.
Farah putting another grub in his place
The notion that Farah didn't play an Origin type of game wasn't entirely unfounded. Despite his herculean defensive effort in 2012 game 2, Farah is first and foremost known for his exemplary abilities on attack. The high flying offensive style of the Tigers isn't just about Benji Marshall, Farah is just as much a part of it. His sniping runs around the ruck are extremely potent and he has a bit of toe on him once he cuts loose. He's got a great understanding of what's going on and has a very crafty passing game to back that up, he's extremely dangerous near the opponents goal line with his ability to either make the slippery scoot out of the ruck, or hit a crispy short ball to put a man over the line. On top of this, he's got a fantastic kicking game, often taking the pressure of his halves by launching some big, precise kicks out of dummy half, the occasional drop kick too if need be, he has all the tools to play in the halves and indeed has in the past. Like many others who have made my countdown, he brings to the table the skills of various positions to separate him and make him one of the elite. In Robbie Farah, you have a hooker with the speed, darting runs and distribution that you want from your number 9, but then you add to that the kicking, passing and mental game of a half, and then you start looking at a guy who isn't just a great hooker, but one of the greatest overall players in the competition. The high octane attack at the Tigers which was powered in large part by Farah is a far cry from the gruelling defensive slugfest that Origin often becomes, but if people couldn't see this in Farah at an NRL level, they certainly saw it in Origin. Farah is a real heart on his sleeve type of player, and that's why he's been such a great captain for the Tigers. He doesn't have the reputation of one of the hard men in the competition, but he's all heart and when you have as much heart as Farah does then that's enough to make you one tough competitor. This guy gives you absolutely everything he's got and never gives up, he might not always get it right, but at least you know he's going to do all he can to get you a win. Defensively, well all you have to do is once again point to that effort in Origin 2, when you break the tackling record for Origin, then that's about all you need to prove your defensive credentials. Once again I feel this comes back to the heart Farah plays with, he's 179cm and 89kg, on the Origin paddock that makes him one of the small blokes, and Queensland wanted to exploit that, but he just dug deeper than anyone else on the field and refused to yield.
"Even Rocky had a montage"
Farah enters the new season as the captain of a team with a lot to prove. The Tigers should have been much better than they were, and they should be much better in 2013, the majority of that expectation falls on the shoulders of Farah and Marshall. For the first time, Farah enters a season as "the guy" when it comes to the NSW hooking situation, and while 2012 was such an up and down season for him in so many ways, knowing that you're the premier hooker from your state must put a bit of a chip on his shoulder. I expect this to only be a good thing for Farah, in no way do I think he will become lazy or assume he will make Origin again, in fact quite the opposite. Getting that taste of Origin, only to ultimately lose the series, is going to just spurn Farah on more, push him to ensure he gets an opportunity for another crack at it. He's waited a long time to be that guy, and I don't see him letting anyone take that blue 9 jersey away from him. No longer needing concern himself with the once looming threat of DJ Yallah reappearing at his restaurant should ease a massive load off his shoulders also...
HECTIC BRO
Check back in tomorrow for number 8, special marks for you if you know where the montage quote is from. As always if you have any comments, criticisms, suggestions then let me know @WellsNorthShore one more great Farah clip to see us off...
After a highly entertaining Charity Shield to once again give us a tease that NRL is just around the corner, we now have just 13 more sleeps until March 7th, and just one more sleep until the World Club Challenge, Warriors vs Broncos and Foundation Cup tomorrow night. The Rabbitohs certainly looked the part in their Charity Shield outing, Luke, Reynolds, Sutton, Inglis leading the charge as you would expect. They appear ready to pick up where they left off the 2013 year, amongst the top teams in the competition. The Dragons really let themselves down by coughing up the pill far too often, you simply aren't going to take down a team with the size and skill of the Bunnies by making simple errors like that. Now let's move on to number 13 in the countdown with another of the reformed bad boys of Rugby League...
#13 Nate Myles
The 27 year old Myles has been one of the best forwards in the competition for a long time now, but 2012 saw Myles put together what would be his most impressive yet, culminating in being named the 2012 Wally Lewis Medal winner, Dally M Representative Player of the Year and the Dally M Second Rower of the Year. He's certainly came a long way from the young bloke who was done for drink driving back in 2006 and suspended 6 games by the NRL after a drunken tirade in 2010 which involved defecating in a hotel lobby and being found naked on the fire escape. Much like his Titans team mate Greg Bird, he appears to have put his alcohol issues behind him and he is now really maximizing his potential on the field, leading to him being named a co captain at the Titans after just one season at the club.
You won't like me when I'm drunk
At 187cm and 105kg, Myles is built like a brick you know what, he's a very solid human being. Again like Bird, he's very old school in his approach to the game. Capable of playing in the front row, second row, or lock as required, Myles isn't one of the new breed of flashier, ball playing second rowers. Myles game is based around the fundamentals of what a big tough forward is meant to do. He carries the ball and he carries if often with 339 carries in 2012, and he racks up tackles with 781. He can produce the occasional offload, but he's by no means prolific, he isn't the type of guy to make linebreaks or bust tackles or offer much in the playmaking department. He keeps it simple, he's a big strong guy, and he puts that to use by imposing himself physically around the field by running at guys and tackling guys all night. It takes strength, it takes toughness, it takes an enjoyment of smashing bodies around, and Myles has all of these traits.
Myles and Bird are enough to drive the most sane player up the wall
While Myles doesn't have the flash or flare, he brings another element to his game to support his strong ball running and tackling, and once again it's something he shares in common with Greg Bird. Myles is one of the most niggly characters around. As I've confessed in the past, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, there's room in Rugby League for this sort of behaviour to be effective, there's referees on the field to punish Myles as they see fit but admittedly he is very crafty at walking the line. It's all part of the old school approach that Myles brings, he keeps it basic, he keeps it rough, he keeps it nasty. He knows every trick in the book in the tackle and in the ruck, and it's not just simple things like slowing up the play the ball or slipping the ball out, Myles tricks are often more sinister in nature, about how he can inflict pain on his opponents while they are vulnerable. But testament to Myles, he dishes it out, but he doesn't go into hiding if someone comes knocking for him, while so many may refer to him as a "grub" today, I suspect there's many old timers about who idolized blokes who played like this back in their day.
Nate Myles 101: Head-butts and other antics
2012 may have been the year that Myles play was finally recognized formally through medals and awards, but he has been part of the outstanding Queensland Origin team since 2006. During that time, Myles has logged a whopping 20 Origins, meaning Myles has played in all 3 games for Queensland every year but one since his first selection, that being 2009 where he only made 2 appearances. While he's only been selected 3 times for Australia, making his début in 2010, it says a lot about Myles that he can be one of the players who has earned his way into a Queensland outfit that is widely regarded as the greatest Origin team of all time, and lay claim to a position, refusing to budge despite some very talented challengers to his spot. At 27, Myles, health permitting, should still have a few years of Origin left in him, and with 20 games already Myles is on track to wind up his career with one of the more impressive Origin careers to have been put together. He certainly doesn't appear to be showing any signs of slowing down, considering he was selected as Queensland's best player throughout the 2012 campaign. Myles is the third Titans forward I have named in the countdown, and Queensland Origin regular Ashley Harrison was certainly pushing for a spot also. Surrounded by such talent, 2013 stands to be a big year for Myles after the heights he reached last season. He's tasted so much success in the Maroon jersey, but he's never won a Premiership. With the responsibility of being a co captain, no doubt a lot of pressure will be on Myles broad shoulders to rectify that and translate some of his Queensland success to a struggling Gold Coast outfit. As part of possibly the best forward pack in the NRL, Myles stats may take a blow, but the follow up act to 2012 should be a blinder.
Roman's imprisonment cleared the way for Nate to make a move on Nicole
Check back in tomorrow for number 12 in the countdown. I hope everyone enjoyed the Charity Shield, I sure did, even without shoulder charges! and looking forward to three games to sink my teeth into tomorrow. Any comments, suggestions, complaints, or general chin wag, you can reach me on Twitter @WellsNorthShore
Today marks 16 more sleeps until NRL 2013 and I'm a little taken back at how quickly it is going by. I started writing these out of boredom, fun and primarily to help me count down until the season begins, after finishing this number 16, that will have been 15 of these articles I have written, 15 nights checked off the calendar, the halfway point! so let's get on with number 16 in the countdown
#16 Matthew Scott
2012 was just another year for the 27 year old Cowboys front rower, and I mean that in only the most complimentary fashion. Backing up from his 2011 Dally M and RLIF Prop of the Year awards, Scott once again displayed the leadership and consistency that has seen him become widely regarded as the top prop in the game. At 185 cm and 106kg, the Cowboys co captain has been the model of consistency and reliability for some years now. Entering his 10th season, Scott has ascended to the level where he is often taken for granted, he puts in a workhorse effort week in week out, you always know what you are going to get from him, leading from the front. He's reached the top of the mountain and now as he embarks on his prime years, he stands to be the alpha prop in the competition for several years to come. The Cowboys had a fantastic 2012 season, and most of the attention is given to the electrifying back line with the likes of Thurston, Bowen, Graham, Linnett, Tate, but the scintillating form of those backs was made possible from the likes of Scott powering one hell of an engine room.
While the spotlight shines on Thurston, Scott carries a lot of the load
While over the next few years I believe some props may rise above Scott in terms of performance, even if only temporarily, what makes Scott deserving of being ranked so highly is his status as the spearhead of not only the Cowboys forward pack, but the Queensland and Australian forward packs also. He's the alpha prop in Rugby League now. While some young pups may come along who can put out a better showing, Scott is now the guy that has been there, done that, especially with the retirement of Civoniceva. While other props may have surpassed Petro later in his career, he still maintained the status of being the old hand in the front row, now that torch has to be passed on and to me Scott is the guy that is picking it up. Entering 2013, Scott has logged 141 games for the Cowboys, 8 tests for Australia, and 11 Origins for Queensland, he's been starting at prop in the last 9 straight Origins. There may be a couple of guys further down my list who I would suggest had better 2012 seasons than Scott, but his overall package of leadership, experience, proven track record at the highest levels, separate Scott from the pack. There may be no more reliable player in the NRL than this guy.
No matter the stage, the performances remain the same
2012 didn't see Scott dominate the competitions statistical categories. You won't find around the top of the metres or hit up lists, but as always he was putting in the heavy work. The scouting report on Matt Scott is really pretty simple. Think of everything you want in your prop, you want a big motor, you want legs that don't stop pumping, you want courage, you want a guy who leads from the front, everything you want from a prop, Matt Scott has it. There's nothing fancy about him, he can make a nice offload, but what defines Matt Scott is just simply being a fantastic, genuine prop. a big strong bloke with a tireless work ethic. I almost feel like I'm not doing him justice, that I'm making it sound easy, but if it was that easy, a whole lot of us would be doing it. Think about some of the big units floating around the NRL, putting big shots on the ball carrier, Scott is the guy who runs at these big opposing forwards over and over again. The grand stage of Origin, big hits galore, and Scott is the guy who is leading from the front, ball in hand, running into those big shots time and time again. It all starts up front, and it really says it all that the Queensland Origin team have turned to Scott to lead the way in their last 9 games. His performance in 2011 Origin I remains one of the most impressive front row performances in recent times, eclipsed perhaps only by the herculean effort from Paul Gallen in the following contest.
This is really more of a JT video, but Scott videos were lacking and this one never bores me
Check back in tomorrow for 15, can't believe that we've almost hit the two weeks to go mark! as always if you have any feedback, positive and negative, but preferably constructive, then give me a tweet on @WellsNorthShore
