One, six, seven and nine: how does the spine of your NRL side rate for the 2012 seaso

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By Trent Hile FOX SPORTS January 17, 2012 11:43AM



Nine, seven, six and one ... they're the numbers that matter when it comes to your NRL team. Source: Fox Sports
Fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker: they're the four key playing positions that form the backbone of a rugby league team.

You need only look at the spine of Queensland's all-conquering Origin outfit - Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith - to see what impact four key players can have on the troops around them.

"It starts at nine, you get a seven, you get a six and a one and you build around that," Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens once said.

Take a look at the players who will form the spine of your club's side in 2012 and tell us how each team rates.


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Fullback: Josh Hoffman
Five-eighth: Corey Norman
Halfback: Peter Wallace
Hooker: Andrew McCullough


Having lost the best five-eighth in the game, the Broncos face a difficult task of finding a replacement for Darren Lockyer in 2012. Teenage prodigy Corey Norman is touted as Lockyer's heir apparent, despite being overlooked in favour of Matt Gillett when the veteran No.6 was injured for Brisbane’s preliminary final loss to eventual premiers Manly. Coach Anthony Griffin will be relying on Peter Wallace to step up and adopt Lockyer’s mercurial game management in the halves. Andrew McCullough continued to impress in the hooker role last season, and he is developing into a potential long-term prospect. Josh Hoffman was a certainty to represent New Zealand in the Four Nations if not for ill-timed injury.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS

Fullback: Ben Barba
Five-eighth: Kris Keating
Halfback: Trent Hodkinson
Hooker: Michael Ennis

One of Des Hasler’s first points of call in his new post at Belmore will be getting the four "vertebrae" of the Canterbury spine in sync. The Bulldogs attack was a shambles for much of last season, and much of the onus will lie with new skipper Michael Ennis to direct the ship in 2012. Hasler resumes his mentoring of former Sea Eagles halfback Trent Hodkinson, but the loss of Jamal Idris leaves the outside backs looking thin on try-scoring potential, leaving fullback Ben Barba with plenty to do. Kris Keating will attempt to add some spark at the five-eighth position.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS

Fullback: Matt Bowen
Five-eighth: Johnathan Thurston
Halfback: Robert Lui
Hooker: Aaron Payne

Robert Lui may have been a low-key off-season signing, but his move to the Sunshine State could prove significant for North Queensland Cowboys in 2012. At long last, Johnathan Thurston may have found a suitable ally to share the playmaking load. Thurston’s switch to five-eighth will add a new dimension to the already potent Cowboys attack. Add to the mix the electrifying Matt Bowen at fullback and a scheming Aaron Payne at hooker, and it’s easy to see why there’s excitement aplenty in Townsville this year.



ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS

Fullback: Kyle Stanley
Five-eighth: Jamie Soward
Halfback: Ben Hornby
Hooker: Nathan Fien/Cameron King

The Dragons will begin life after Wayne Bennett with the equally difficult task of replacing Darius Boyd at fullback. Kyle Stanley is regarded as a more-than-worthy replacement for the premiership-winning fullback. It will be interesting to see whether new coach Steve Price adopts a similar pattern of attack as Bennett, with Jamie Soward the cornerstone of almost all of St George’s attacking ploys in the past two seasons. Veteran skipper Ben Hornby again takes the role of servicing the Dragons’ mobile forwards. Price has a few options at hooker; Nathan Fien may fill the starting or bench positions for the No.9 role and act as a back-up for Hornby, while former Junior Kangaroo hooker Cameron King should be given a crack at some stage after missing all of last season with a devastating injury suffered in the World Club Challenge.

PARRAMATTA EELS

Fullback: Jarryd Hayne
Five-eighth: Ben Roberts
Halfback: Chris Sandow
Hooker: Matt Keating

After many seasons of trialling, chopping and changing, the Eels have finally thrown the chequebook and have landed a quality halfback in Chris Sandow. The former Rabbitohs pivot should give the wayward Eels some direction around the park, and he could allow Jarryd Hayne to return to his power running game at fullback that proved so successful in previous seasons. Ben Roberts is understood to be coach Stephen Kearney’s first pick at five-eighth, and the former Bulldogs players could be set to finally fulfil his potential. Matt Keating should retain the hooking duties and feed a potentially devastating attack.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Fullback: Darius Boyd
Five-eighth: Kurt Gidley
Halfback: Jarrod Mullen
Hooker: Danny Buderus

Knights skipper Kurt Gidley is expected to shift into the halves to accommodate Darius Boyd at fullback in Newcastle’s new-look outfit this season. Gidley will join injury-plagued halfback Jarrod Mullen, who could push for an Origin spot with a strong start to the year. Wayne Bennett has called upon the assistance of returning Knights favourite Danny Buderus to fill the hooking duties. In that quartet - coupled with decent back-up options in emerging stars Ryan Stig and Tyrone Roberts - Newcastle boast one of the strongest spines in the competition.

PENRITH PANTHERS

Fullback: Lachlan Coote/Michael Gordon
Five-eighth: Travis Burns/Harry Siejka
Halfback: Luke Walsh
Hooker: Kevin Kingston/Nafe Seluini

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is understood to be keeping an open mind about the contentious fullback position, and he may rely on trial form to decide whether Michael Gordon or Lachlan Coote secures the spot. Gordon was superb at fullback last season, before a knee injury ended it, while Coote has been considered a long-term prospect in the position for some time. An equally intriguing battle looms between Travis Burns and young-gun Harry Siejka in the five-eighth role. The winner will partner Luke Walsh, who will look to bounce back after a relatively quiet 2011. Kevin Kingston should share the hooking duties with the exciting former Warriors player Nafe Seluini.

SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS

Fullback: Nathan Merritt
Five-eighth: John Sutton
Halfback: Adam Reynolds
Hooker: Issac Luke

Much has been put on the shoulders of young Adam Reynolds in the face of Chris Sandow’s departure to Parramatta. After spending the majority of 2011 out with injury, the untried playmaker looms as the only option for Michael Maguire in the key No.7 role. John Sutton shapes as his likely partner at five-eighth and Souths fans will be praying for a consistent year from the giant No.6. Nathan Merritt may continue his push for a representative wing berth in the less-familiar but equally fitting fullback position for the Bunnies, while the unflappable Issac Luke will menace oppositions with his aggressive defence and dangerous dummy-half running.

CANBERRA RAIDERS

Fullback: Josh Dugan
Five-eighth: Terry Campese
Halfback: Sam Williams/Josh McCrone
Hooker: Glen Buttriss/Shaun Berrigan/ Travis Waddell

Canberra’s hopes of a premiership tilt lie with the fitness and form of Terry Campese, who endured a wretched 2011 campaign. Knee and groin injuries combined to restrict the 27-year-old Kangaroos and NSW five-eighth to just eight minutes of game time. His role is even more pivotal as the mentor to rookies Sam Williams and Josh McCrone, with either to fill the No.7 spot. Josh Dugan again takes the duties at the back. The battle for the hooker's jersey is far-less clear-cut, with Glen Buttriss, Travis Waddell and veteran former Test utility Shaun Berrigan all options for David Furner to consider ahead of the season opener.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Fullback: Anthony Minichiello
Five-eighth: Braith Anasta/Daniel Mortimer
Halfback: Mitchell Pearce
Hooker: Jake Friend

The Roosters will attempt to wipe a horrendous 2011 season from their memories as they begin life without 2010 Dally M medallist Todd Carney. Braith Anasta is expected to shift back to five-eighth as the Roosters prepare to welcome Warriors recruit James Maloney in 2013. New recruit Daniel Mortimer could slot into the No.6, but he has been training at fullback and hooker as well as in the halves in his bid to break back into the top grade. Veteran custodian Anthony Minichiello continues to wind back the clock with his ever-reliable hands at fullback, while Jake Friend enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2011 for the Tricolours. There will be plenty of pressure on Mitchell Pearce to prove himself if he wishes to retain the Blues halfback jersey after a below-par 2011.


NRL Grand Final: Manly v Warriors
Premiers: Manly win NRL grand final + 342 Gallery: All the colour and passion from NRL grand final Marks: GF player ratings: Manly + 29 Review: GF player ratings: Warriors + 19 Your say: Talking Points: NRL grand final + 101 Back to back: Manly celebrate with eye to 2012 + 58 Upside: Warriors future bright despite loss: Luck
MANLY SEA EAGLES

Fullback: Brett Stewart
Five-eighth: Kieran Foran
Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans
Hooker: Matt Ballin

Manly will take to Brookvale Oval this season with the same well-oiled spine that took them to a premiership in 2011. Star five-eighth Kieran Foran established himself as one of the leading pivots in the game, and he will again lead from the front with his aggressive and relentless style. His halves partner, Daly Cherry-Evans, is a leading contender to fill the void left by Darren Lockyer in the Queensland halves for Origin. Brett Stewart looks back to near peak form after successfully returning from injury last year. Matt Ballin is one of the most underrated players in the game, and he will continue to bide his time behind Cameron Smith for representative honours.

CRONULLA SHARKS

Fullback: Nathan Gardner
Five-eighth: Todd Carney
Halfback: Chad Townsend/Wade Graham/Jeff Robson
Hooker: Isaac De Gois/John Morris

One of the most intriguing sub-plots of the 2011 premiership race will no doubt be the tale of Todd Carney’s season. The Sharks have handed a lifeline to the troubled star, who no doubt has the talent to propel Cronulla to the finals but remains a liability with his history of off-field behaviour. The Sharks have a wealth of options to partner Carney, with youngsters Chad Townsend and Wade Graham impressing last season. Jeff Robson also links with the Shire club from Parramatta. Former Knights hooker Isaac De Gois reunites with the Sharks, and he may get first crack ahead of John Morris, while livewire Nathan Gardner will look to bounce back from a mixed back half to the year.

MELBOURNE STORM

Fullback: Billy Slater
Five-eighth: Gareth Widdop
Halfback: Cooper Cronk
Hooker: Cameron Smith

The Storm will again head into the season boasting a world-class spine - undoubtedly the best combination in the competition. As usual, their fortunes depend largely on the fitness of their big three of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith. But it’s fair to say that five-eighth and England international Gareth Widdop is quickly joining the trio as a class act. The only headache heading into the opening round for Craig Bellamy is the state of Billy Slater’s shoulder after the Kangaroos fullback smashed a collarbone to pieces in the Four Nations series.

WESTS TIGERS

Fullback: Mitch Brown/Tim Moltzen
Five-eighth: Benji Marshall
Halfback: Tim Moltzen/Jacob Miller
Hooker: Robbie Farah

The Tigers are tipped to be a genuine premiership threat this season after consecutive preliminary final exits. But first, Tim Sheens must determine who will join Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah in the key four positions. Tim Moltzen shapes as the logical replacement for Robert Lui at halfback, although youngster Jacob Miller has been earmarked as a potential suitor to the No.7 jumper. If Miller impresses in the pre-season, Sheens may be inclined to use Moltzen at fullback. Utility Mitch Brown has also proved a reliable option at the back. As always, the Tigers will rely heavily on the synchrony between Marshall and Farah to ignite their scintillating attack.


GOLD COAST TITANS

Fullback: William Zillman
Five-eighth: Beau Henry/Greg Bird
Halfback: Scott Prince
Hooker: Matt Srama

While the Titans were one of the biggest players in the free-agent market last year, their spine for 2012 could remain untouched from that which contributed to the club’s first wooden spoon. The bulk of responsibility will again fall on Scott Prince. The veteran playmaker endured a disappointing spate of form on top of the Titans’ woes in 2011, and he will look to stake a claim for Darren Lockyer’s vacant Queensland halves jersey. The Titans may have unearthed a long-term prospect in the form of young hooker Matt Srama, who will take over from the departing Nathan Friend. Dumped Newcastle five-eighth Beau Henry will be given his chance to cement his spot in first grade, while the versatile William Zillman appears a logical choice to fill the fullback position.

WARRIORS

Fullback: Kevin Locke
Five-eighth: James Maloney
Halfback: Shaun Johnson
Hooker: Nathan Friend

With three of the most exciting young talents in the NRL filling key positions for the Warriors again this season, there is plenty of reason for fans to be optimistic. Shaun Johnson and Kevin Locke have established their spots in the top grade, and they have the potential to develop into superstars of the game. Their explosive speed and fearless approach will cause nightmares for opposition defences. Then there’s Roosters-bound five-eighth James Maloney, who is coming off his best season to date and will be keen to finish his tenure in New Zealand on a high. Former Gold Coast hooker Nathan Friend will provide more than 130 games of NRL experience in the No.9 jersey.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/one-six-seven-and-nine-how-does-the-spine-of-your-nrl-side-rate-for-the-2012-season/story-fn2mcuj6-1226246260070

Our 1,6,7 and 9 are the best in the NRL imo and have a premiership to prove it, but they still rave about the mexican four.

BTW Dan I tried to submit this through the articles section a number of times but it didn't work. Sorry
 
I think that Brisbane will hurt the most while readjusting their spine, Andy Griffin is not the worlds best chiropractor.
 
Team P W L PD Pts
3 3 0 48 6
4 3 1 28 6
3 2 1 10 6
4 2 2 39 4
3 2 1 28 4
3 2 1 15 4
3 2 1 14 4
2 1 1 13 4
2 1 1 6 4
3 2 1 -3 4
3 1 2 0 2
3 1 2 -5 2
3 1 2 -15 2
3 1 2 -22 2
3 1 2 -36 2
2 0 2 -56 2
3 0 3 -64 0
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