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NRL | The importance of Defence and a quality Playmaker for NRL Premiership success | 2023

 

NRL Expert Tips | 2023

Interesting and quirky game stats for NRL premiership success

 

The importance of Defence and a quality Playmaker for NRL Premiership success

Looking for the NRL premiership Winner?

NRL Expert Tips Nathan Cleary Grand Final Winner

Start by looking at the quality of defence, week in week out.

 

Then the quality of the individual playmakers.

 

Finals Facts – Defence Matters

 

Defence points per game 2023

Panthers 13.0

Broncos 17.7

Warriors 18.6

Knights 18.7

Storm 19.1

Roosters 20.6

Sharks 20.7

Raiders 25.9

 

17 of the last 22 Premiers have won the comp off the back of finishing top 4, winning week one and having a week off into their Prelim final game (and then winning)

 

In 2021 Panthers lost week 1 to then go on and win the Premiership

 

13 of last 15 Premiers were one of the Top 2 defensive sides that season – this year Panthers and Broncos

 

6 of the last 8 grand finalists who had played 4 weeks straight, have lost (Panthers went 4 weeks straight last season 2021)

 

No Origin or International Rep #7 or #6 – No Chance

Across the last 43 years 41 of the 43 Premiership winners had a rep (Origin or International) #7 or #6

 

The importance of a quality Playmaker – #7 or #6 calling the shorts and directing play toward winning the premiership title has stood the test of time. So much so that 36 of the last 38 premiership titles have been won by sides who have had a Origin or International representative playmaker in their halves combinations, even across the last 10 or so years with many coaches favouring an even more highly structured approach with left and right playmakers. 

The only two sides to win the comp without a Rep #7 or #6 were the 2014 Rabbitohs and 1980 Canterbury teams, but in both instances they were to win with key playmakers who were to then go on to rep honours. The 2014 Rabbitohs side had Adam Reynolds calling the shots at #7 who has since gone on to be a NSW Origin rep, while the 1980 Canterbury title winners did so with that year with Gary Hughes at #6 and Steve Mortimer at #7. Mortimer went on to an illustrious rep career but his first rep honours were not until the following season, 1981.

Over the course of history the list of NRL title winners has been dominated by some of the greats playing their role at #7 or #6 – Mortimer; Sterling (and Kenny); Hasler; Stuart (and Daley); Langer (and Walters); Johns; Fittler and Lockyer to mention the obvious, each leading their respective teams to premiership glory. Through recent years we have then seen the likes of Cronk (Storm) and now Thurston (Cowboys) join this illustrious list. 

There have also been a number of the lower profile (at the time) premiership winners also led by their rep playmaker, which include –

Penrith 1991 – Greg Alexander – Halfback

Storm 1999 – Brett Kimmorley – Halfback

Penrith 2003 – Craig Gower – Halfback

Bulldogs 2004 – Braith Anasta – Five-Eight

West Tigers 2005 – Scott Prince – Halfback

Dragons 2010 – Jamie Soward – Halfback

A full list of Premiership winners can be viewed here

NRL Expert Tips Grand Final Day

This Weeks Media:

Topsport Market Watch Podcast  | Spotify Here | Apple Here

Ball and All Podcast | Spotify Here | Apple Here

Jimmy Smith Show SEN Radio | Here

 

NRL Website

Official website for NRL, latest news, video, draw, ladder and all results Here

All NRL Historical Results:

Rugby League Project is an outstanding resource and archive of historical rugby league results, covering international, regional and domestic competitions – all Here

NRL – MrG – Reading The Play

Having coached at a senior level for 16 years including 3 years on the coaching staff of an NRL club Gerard Condon is a long term avid student of the game. He’s coached sides to win titles at a senior level, run the football arm of a successful district club, managed professional players and worked in various development roles, so it’s fair to say the game of Rugby League is certainly in his blood and supports an experienced and unique offering.

Mr G’s NRL previews and betting tips combine this knowledge and ‘read’ of the current weekly form with a statistical and betting analysis to provide his followers with a unique and successful approach. He spends hours each week watching and reviewing each and every game assessing the strengths and weakness of the form to then weigh against that of the betting markets. His previews and betting tips have been published on the internet via two sports forums for 7 years prior to his public offering through Reading The Play.

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NRL expert tips

Mr G provides our NRL expert tips and game previews. Professional analysis from an experienced pro. Having coached at a senior level for 16 years including 3 years on the coaching staff of an NRL club Mr.G is an avid student of the game. He’s coached sides to win titles at a senior level, run the football arm of a successful district club, managed professional NRL players and worked in various development roles, so it’s fair to say the game of Rugby League is certainly in his blood and supports an experienced and unique offering. Mr.G now provides our subscribers with his NRL expert tips game previews and recommended NRL sports betting tips. Mr.G’s NRL tips betting plays and previews combine his knowledge and ‘read’ of the current weekly form with a statistical and betting analysis to provide his followers with a unique and successful approach. He spends hours each week watching and reviewing each and every game assessing the strengths and weakness of the form to then weigh against that of the NRL betting markets.