Experienced pro MrG aka Gerard Condon provides expert NRL tips and content each week for our Reading The Play followers and subscribers.
Lets start by looking at who can defend and the consistency of quality of defence, week in week out. It wins premierships.
Then the quality of the individual playmakers. With out the marquee rep 7 or 6 you are just making up the numbers.
Finals Facts
In the last 43 years 41 of the 43 Premiership winners had a rep (Origin or International) #7 or #6
The following three tables start to illustrate how year after year how defence matters. Even in todays game with quicker game speed, more expansive use of the ball and at times more attack points the cream of quality defence still rises to the top when it matters – the top of the table and then a Grand Final berth.
15 of the last 17 premiership winners finished as one of the top 2 defensive teams.
Bingo! There in lies the key point. Jack Gibson, Warren Ryan, Wayne Bennett then Craig Bellamy then Ivan Cleary, each of those who we now regard as high quality coaches have build their long term records on a foundation of quality defence.
Dig a little deeper into the longer term records of Bellamy and Cleary (Warriors and then Panthers) for example and you see all but each and every year their teams are positioned in the top 2 to top 4 defensive ranked side season after season. Bellamy’s record over the last 15 years is staggering, and all of this through periods where the defensive structures have changed or evolved from up and in; compressed lines (defending 60% width of field); edge slide to then various variations or combinations of all. Add in marker defensive roles, left and right and fullbacks defending in the line in the final 15 mtr zone. Through all of this the best are the best.
Some coaches can coach it, many can’t, and the numbers (and results) don’t lie.
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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
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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.
Experienced pro MrG aka Gerard Condon provides expert NRL tips and content each week for our Reading The Play followers and subscribers. NRL Season Pass
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Experienced pro MrG aka Gerard Condon provides expert NRL tips and content each week for our Reading The Play followers and subscribers. NRL Season Pass
You are unauthorized to view this page. Login
Experienced pro MrG aka Gerard Condon provides expert NRL tips and content each week for our Reading The Play followers and subscribers. NRL Season Pass
You are unauthorized to view this page. Login
This is not a bookmaking or wagering site.
We provide previews, opinion and recommended sports tips only.
