It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times, and now the Wooden Spooners have returned to cast their eye over the latest weekend of rugby league that was with the NRL Round 16 Results & Headlines.
Going beyond the scores, the NRL Round 16 Results & Headlines gives the extra insight in the NRL that only the Wooden Spooners can.
All reports are unconfirmed and please contact our Legal team or Buzz Rothfield aka Hans Moleman for complaints.
NRL ROUND 16 HEADLINES
GERARD SUTTON SUCKS
Referees are a necessity of the game, but the less their name appears in the aftermath of a game the better. Much like broadcasters eh Channel Nein?
But Gerard Sutton is one referee who can’t help but make himself a post-game feature to a lot of his games.
Much like the absurd dangerous tackle decision in the Penrith v Roosters game on Friday night. The Roosters player penalised for a dangerous throw while lying on the ground. The penalty proved crucial as the Panthers went on to score just before half time. Although, this does exclude all the Roosters dominance in the first 15-20 minutes of the second half, and the error rate of the Roosters which possibly was the more likely reason for falling short.
Still, Gerard Sutton sucks.
But everyone thinks their team is harshly treated when they win, seen recently in State of Origin, so what better way to prove that than a couple of stats on Gerard Sutton.
Below are two visuals on each team’s winning % under Sutton v overall, and the penalty rate of for and against.
NRL SIDES WIN % VS GERARD SUTTON WIN %
MANLY HAVE CONCEDED ALMOST 10% OF THEIR 2022 SEASON POINTS IN THE LAST EIGHT MINUTES OF THEIR LAST TWO GAMES
Manly should have beaten both the Cowboys and Storm in the past two rounds, but late tries conceded in those games has cost them one victory and made one other win look way harder than it should have been.
In fact. the Sea Eagles have conceded 18 points in the last six minutes against the Storm 16 in the last eight minutes of their loss to North Queensland.
That makes it 34 points in 14 minutes, which is just under 10% of their season total of points conceded for 2022.
UNSURPRISINGLY A SHARK WENT BETTER UNDERWATER THAN A BULLDOG
It has been a very wet weekend in Sydney and NSW thanks to a East Coast Low, and the Bulldogs v Sharks was the worst affected game of Round 16.
Unsurprisingly a Shark was better in wet conditions than a Bulldog as Cronulla won the game over Canterbury 18-6.
One could question yet another major weather event in a country way too affected by them in recent years. Although you could also be cheeky and suggest that it is the first win for a Scott Morrison involving climate change ever.
ROOSTERS COACH SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT THE CURSE OF KNIGHTS
Newcastle Knights have won just five games in an underwhelming 2022 season. That’s not a dig at the Knights, but a look at their victories is interesting.
After added the Gold Coast Titans to their list of victims for 2022, Newcastle can include the Bulldogs, Tigers, Warriors and Roosters as teams they have beaten this season.
Those following the NRL in 2022 will know that three of the teams that Newcastle have beaten have sacked their coach this season, and the Titans talk of binning Justin Holbrook could make that 4/5.
So if Gold Coast management decide to part ways with the Titans coach, that leaves Trent Robinson as the only head coach to lose to the Knights and keep his job.
NO COINCIDENCE THAT WESTS TIGERS WERE CHOSEN AS FIRST OPPONENTS IN NZ
The New Zealand Warriors’ return to New Zealand was one of the good news stories in Round 16, and their convincing win over the Tigers was deserved reward.
But the Wooden Spooners have the inside information that the Warriors v Tigers game was the first fixture circled when making the 2022 NRL draw.
The NRL betting on the fact that the Tigers would either be imploding or on their way to 9th after watching the Tiger Town serial last year.
EVEN FOX LEAGUE HAVE GIVEN UP ON SHOPPING AROUND SHANE FLANAGAN TO TIGERS
The Wooden Spooners don’t want to pass on any more pain to the Wests Tigers than they already get, but you get the feeling that even Fox League have given up on Shane Flanagan taking over at the Wests Tigers.
Perhaps the Tigers are damaged goods, perhaps they’ve worked out that Shane Flanagan is overrated because of one premiership that is and always should be tainted.
Shame, his commentary is dull, and we’d be happy to hear less from him each week.
GOLD COAST TITANS TO REACH OUT TO CAPTAIN CHARGER TO SAVE 2022 SEASON
The Gold Coast put in arguably their worst performance of the season, and there’s talk of the coach being fired, and a lack of vibe around the club.
So the Wooden Spooners have it on good authority that the Titans are willing to give Justin Holbrook some more time, and bring in some new blood.
Indeed it is Captain Charger. The erstwhile Gold Coast mascot will be back for the Titans next game, and is on trial for a 2023 spot on the coaching team.
SOCIALS OF THE WEEK
Our NRL Social of the Week is from a Simpsons Related NRL Memes Facebook Page like it always is these days which is a must for those who love NRL, Simpsons and a laugh.
THE SHANE FLANAGAN NEW COACHING GIG-O-METER
With Shane Flanagan in the commentary box for Fox League in 2022, we can continue to expect subtle digs at teams who are struggling and that he can see a possible way in for.
So each week as part of the Wooden Spooner’s NRL Headlines, we’ll bring you the New Coaching Gig-O-Meter. This features which teams are hot for a new coach, or a team that was and is going cool.
With so many coaches gone or teams in poor form, the Coaching Gig-O-Meter is going off the charts.
And there’s reports that the Gold Coast Titans might get rid of their coach this week too. Which requires a Coaching Gig-O-Meter refresh.
