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Rarely has the NRL needed a finals series to surpass expectations like the 2021 instalment. Heading the wish list would be a dash of close contests, a pinch of faultless officiating and a whole lot of COVID staying in its box in Queensland until fulltime in the grand final at Suncorp Stadium.
Two out of three would probably suffice given the upheaval of the game this year, which began with such high hopes only to find itself uprooted and transplanted north, with Brisbane to now add an NRL grand final to the AFL version it hosted at the Gabba in 2020. And no, Powderfinger are not performing.
In between, the code has managed to sabotage itself with rushed rule changes that needed far more due diligence, massive scorelines, a growing discrepancy between the Haves and the Have Nots and sporadic crackdowns on foul play that while noble in intent, confounded both players and fans alike.
Some teams have soared, among them the usual suspects like Melbourne and Penrith, who most believe will meet in the grand final. They only dropped three games each during the regular season as they beat up on the competition, while South Sydney only tasted defeat on four occasions.
The Titans managed to sneak themselves into the finals with a losing record of 10-14, while most of those below them were making up the numbers months out from the top eight being finalised. Rarely has the clock ticked with more lethargy than the final rounds of the current campaign.
There was an Origin series that was over after the first two matches. One was a 56-16 blowout to NSW that surprisingly didn’t look that strange in a season where points would flow like Niagara Falls for sides on the front foot.
The Blues backline celebrate during game two at Suncorp Stadium.Credit:Getty Images
Tokyo’s Olympics stole the nations eyeballs, hearts and souls for a few weeks, then when they returned it took some adjustment to the domestic fare. It’s hardly the fault of the NRL but a lopsided Saturday afternoon hiding just couldn’t quite match with the high drama of the Olympics.
And the manner of which the game is being played, with so much speed and such scarce substance, has created deep divisions among supporters, broadcasters, administrators and players, all of whom seem to want something different from the code they love.