Reasons 2016 made me sad:

Parra started the season by winning the Auckland Nines, possessing steely defence and most prominently destroying the Raiders 36-6 at Pirtek Stadium. We had avoided a four point penalty on 2nd March by adhering to a number of NRL recommended governance reforms. We were back, baby.

Yet what follows is the story of one of the most difficult seasons in Parramatta Eels history.

Throughout the months of March and April, you could barely pick up a paper without reading of a new allegation of Parramatta’s systematic rorting of the salary cap. I won’t go into specific details of what we did wrong, but it quickly became apparent we could no longer thumb our noses at the likes of Melbourne and the Bulldogs. Then, we learnt of our fate …

3rd May – Parramatta are stripped of 12 competition points, the Auckland Nines Title and are fined $1 million. Parramatta were sitting in 5th at the time. Remember thinking it was the worst possible outcome? You had no idea.

6th May – The five deregistered officials decide legal action against the NRL is the best use of the club’s money.

10th May – Junior Paulo is investigated for playing in a third grade rugby competition. He wore a headgear for disguise. At least Clark Kent wore glasses, you clown.

11th May – Nathan Peats is shipped off to the Gold Coast Titans in an effort to get us cap compliant. Eels fans show their appreciation with a 9th minute standing ovation at the next home game vs the Bunnies.

12th May – Anthony Watmough is medically retired.

20th May – Corey Norman is caught entering Star City with some naughty pills.

31st May – Kieran Foran is ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

3rd June – Junior Paulo is released to the Canberra Raiders.

18th June – Semi Radradra’s image appears on the side of a milk carton after not returning from Fiji when expected. Rumours about French Rugby erupt and Fiji tourism is given a major boost by league reporters flying in to cover the story.

30th June – Semi Radradra returns to Australia only to be arrested by law enforcement official on domestic violence charges.

9th July – The preliminary findings from 3rd May are confirmed. Parramatta’s for and against are also stripped.

21st July – Corey Norman’s sex tape saga is headline news. He is eventually fined $20k and suspended for the final 8 weeks of the season.

29th July – The Eels are sick of Kieran Foran not fulfilling his duties (particularly in regards to rehabbing his injured shoulder), and are ready to sack him from his contract. Foran subsequently asks for a release to get himself together, and to avoid the embarrassment of getting fired. His season highlights include that Brad Fittler-esque step against the Raiders. His lowlights included a very public relationship breakdown, hospitalisation, gambling addiction rumours, match fixing allegations, and an ongoing connection to comic book villain Eddie Hayson. Of course, rounding out his form, Foran still plans to turn up for the Warriors at the start of next season though.

… Go Parra.

Reasons 2016 made me happy:

The way our front office now reeks of considered, competent decision making. 

The way this team didn’t give up, despite the mountain of excuses on offer.

The way the fans responded and supported this team. Surely it was collectively tempting to only show up when we’re a maybe finals bound team. Yet the Blue and Gold army never wavered.

The way Brad and his team continued to show their ability make considered, reflected roster management decisions (even when it meant cutting our marquee player).

Beating both the Bulldogs and Manly twice (Rounds 3 and 9; 7 and 22), destroying the Raiders at home (Round 6) and finishing the season with a couple of gutsy wins against the Dragons (Round 25) and Warriors (Round 26).

Every time Kenny Edwards got a cramp.

Clint Gutherson and Bevan French.

The 2016 MVP:

Brad Arthur.

No other person even came close to the positive effect this man had on our club in 2016. He is the best thing about the Parramatta Eels, yet seeks none of the plaudits he so rightly deserves. He’s a no nonsense man, and in 2017, I suspect Brad’s mantra to the players will be “shut up, go out there and get it done”. I hope he’s our first grade coach for many, many years to come.

You’re our MVP coach, and it wasn’t a close contest.

Key questions before 2017 kicks off:

Will Norman and Gutho gel as our starting halves?

Can we win a premiership with Gutho as our starting 6?

Who will be this season’s surprise packet/s? (Clint Gutherson, Bevan French and Peni Terepo get the nod in 2016 for mine)

Will we need more grunt in our front line?

Will either of our new prop recruits Vave and Brown crack the starting 13?

Will Jamal Fogarty ever get a look in?

Is BA happy with the Jennings/Semi connection? (for the record, I am, but some fans aren’t)

Can we re-sign Semi for 2018 onwards before the 2017 season kicks off? (there are some good signs, but as far as I’m aware it’s yet to be finalised)

Will Semi even be allowed to play at all this season?

As such, where will Kirisome Auva’a fit in?

Will we be better than the Bulldogs? (I wonder this every year)

Will the likes of Tepai Moreoa and Danny Alvaro continue to improve?

How much will/should Bevan French beef up?

Will we be able to re-sign Tepai, Peni and Mannah? (the latter two are much safer bets)

Can we finally get a stable front office?

Can we stay out of the headlines? (for goodness sake please be yes)

Why won’t Kenny Edwards return my calls?

Feel free to give your thoughts on any of these questions in the comment section.

Daniel Alvaro

Prop, Parramatta Eels

Polar Bear’s rookie season was something special, but he is evidently starting to feel the rigours of week in, week out first grade NRL. As I say with Tepai below, he has got a lot of football left in him and his peak is still a number of years off. Baby steps for the Polar Bear is all we can ask for in 2018. Giant, baby polar bear steps.

Notable statistic – Also in line with Tepai, Danny only managed 8.2 metres per hit up this year. The middle is a tough place for a young buck, but they’ll both be better in 2017.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – Only injuries allow him to crack the top 17, yet his talent keeps him there.

Isaac De Gois

Hooker, Parramatta Eels

Whenever I’m feeling down I just replace the words in The Voice intro with “Isaac De Gois!” (ie “this is The Voice!”). It always makes me feel a little better (credit to the girls at Oh Errol for that reference).

When the salary cap scandal hit, BA evidently felt he could almost get the same value out of IDG than he did from the much higher priced Peats. Like a lot of things Brad Arthur suspects about Rugby League, he was right. I couldn’t actually say that our attack looked any less dangerous without Peats at 9, and that’s credit to old man Isaac leaving nothing in the tank at the end of 80 minutes. However, the impact on our attack of losing Foran and more so Corey Norman was a different story. Yes, IDG is getting on, and he will probably look at handing the reins over at some point throughout next season or early 2018, but he has still been a terrific signing for us in recent seasons.

Notable statistic – He might have led the team in missed tackles (2.7), but Peatsy aside (45.8 – no, that’s not a misprint), IDG also led the team in tackles per game (29.8). As a result, his missed tackle rate was a middle of the pack 8.4%. To be fair, a lot of IDG’s statistics would have been impacted by the first 6 games of the season where he came off the bench.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – This might sound harsh but I predict he gets injured inside the first 8 weeks, Cameron King takes over the 9 jersey and Kaysa stays wearing the 14. You’ve gotta stop trying to tackle guys with your cheekbone; use your shoulder, Isaac.

Kenny Edwards

Second Row, Parramatta Eels

My man. I love his versatile game, I love his energy, I love his entertaining play, I love it when he pretends he has a calf cramp. His combination of speed, agility, strength and size must be a nightmare to tackle. Judging by the number of his (forward pack leading) tackle breaks (2.4), evidently it is. Remember that try he scored against the Dragons while they complained to the ref? Good times. I just can’t wait until he tears into 2017.

Notable statistic – Kenny also led our forwards with 4 tries. Isn’t that terrific?

Yeah it is.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – Kenny Edwards finds new ways to be the most hilariously entertaining player in the NRL.

Bureta Faraimo

Winger, Parramatta Eels

Although he mightn’t be the most popular player in TCT circles, I actually don’t mind Bureta’s game. The crazy stats (from admittedly a very limited sample size) suggest he served us well in 2016, and I never feel like he’s individually ruining our chances to win a game (for comparison see Toutai, Vai). Yet, with Auva’a, Jennings, Hoffman and even Gutherson the first drop options if something goes wrong in the backline, I suspect we won’t see a lot of Bureta from here on out.

Notable statistic – If you’re impressed with small sample sizes, Bureta was our leading tackle breaker with an average of 3.0 a game. Hey, you can only produce when you’re called upon. Then again, he missed 1 in every 4 (!) tackles he attempts, so swings and roundabouts, I guess.

Fearless prediction for 2017 –  Sadly for Faraimo fans Parra just got a lot deeper in the backs. He’ll go from 2 games in 2016 to 0 in 2017.

John Folau

Centre, Parramatta Eels

It will almost take me more time to write this comment than John Folau played for Parra in 2016. Let’s just say the Round 4 game against Souths on 28th March last year was probably the last time you were impressed by John Folau.

Notable statistic – Yes it was one game, but 7.7 metres per hit up is pretty paltry for a man of his size and stature. Sorry, John.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – John Folau finally admits his lateral movement is too slow for the backline and makes the shift to the forwards. In any case he won’t be sighted in first grade unless there’s a tragic plane crash of some sort.

Kieran Foran

Questionable, Parramatta Eels (New Zealand Warriors)

So $1.2 million certainly doesn’t buy what it used to. If it weren’t for the fact that he’s completely off our books and was a total disaster off the field, his loss would cut a lot deeper. He could have been so great, I do wish him well, but to be honest I’m bored with Kieran Foran.

Notable statistic – If Kieran Foran received his full wage for his woeful contributions in 2016, every time he took the field he earned more than IDG gets paid in a year.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – More skeletons come out of Kieran Foran’s closet. Eels fans won’t really care either way.

Bevan French

Fullback, Parramatta Eels

From Foran, the most disappointing Eel in 2016, to maybe the most pleasantly surprising. Bevan French you are a deadset superstar and I cannot wait to see you in the Blue and Gold for many years to come. Considering the rookie season he’s had, what more could we have reasonably asked for? In other news, as I’ve said several times already, my preference for his nickname is ‘Champagne’, but there seems to be a lot of heat for ‘French Flies’, ‘Fries’ and ‘Air France’.

Notable statistic – This is a cracking stat. Since his debut, Bevan French has scored 43% of Parramatta’s tries. Just him. 43%. That is more than 2 tries in every 5 tries the team scored. He also missed less tackles than he scored tries. Crazy.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – This might get me hate mail, but I predict Bevan French will score less tries in his second season of NRL than he did the 13 games of his first. I hope I’m wrong.

Michael Gordon

Fullback, Parramatta Eels (Sydney Roosters)

A solid player who I thought at one stage was a shoe in for a one year extension, Gordon’s lack of passing game really affected the fluency of a lot of our backline plays. Nonetheless he is a wonderful player who will serve the Roosters with all he has left in the tank. I also think he’d be a little disappointed with his 2016 strike rate from the boot (78%). Nonetheless, thanks for your service Micky G.

Notable statistic – Flash was our second leading tackle breaker for the year (2.5), just behind Semi Radradra (2.9).

Fearless prediction for 2017 – Michael Gordon’s moustache game goes from strength to strength.

David Gower

Prop, Parramatta Eels

A step back season from his Eels break out of 2015, but Gower is still both solid and dependable. Has certainly slipped out of most if not all Top 17 predicted lineups for next season, but will stay a reliable, if unexciting option if BA calls his name (see both the Missed Tackle and Tackle Break statistics above for both sides of that coin).

Notable statistic – In attack, David Gower broke 0.1 of a tackle more than he missed on the opposition in defence. That is the most David Gower statistic ever.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – I’ll give anyone 1000-1 on the occurrence of a “David Gower Sex Scandal” headline.

Clint Gutheron

Utility, Parramatta Eels

What a spectacular break out year for this young bloke. From a deadset disastrous start to the season, Clint Gutherson went from Parra pariah to Eels emancipator in half a season. I remember how nervous I was to hear Gutherson was training as our 6 in preparation for our Panthers game, but he was terrific that game and was nothing short of solid as our five eighth in the remaining games. Speaking of training, I hear there’s none better at our club than this bloke – first to arrive, last to leave. Will he overcome the Dylan Walker syndrome and become a legitimate option in the halves for 2017? The answer to that question is more directly tied to Parra’s fortunes than almost any other.

Is it just me or does this photo look like Gutho is trying to read something without his glasses?

Notable statistic – Those 8 try assists. Here’s a strange one, Gutho easily made the most one on one tackles of any player on the team with 52. The next highest was Beau Scott, way down on 40. Anyone have any idea why?

Fearless prediction for 2017 – He surprises both me and half the Parra fan base and becomes a legitimate, potential premiership winning halves option going forward.

Michael Jennings

Centre, Parramatta Eels

After a slowish start to his time in the Blue and Gold, Jet hit a purple patch towards the middle of the year, and maintained it when we were dramatically down on troops near season’s end. Although he didn’t score as many tries as he might have been used to (9, good for 3rd on the team), Jenko’s first season was nonetheless very solid, and worth the investment. With the potential issues surrounding his wingman, we’ll need Jet to fire more than ever in season 2017.

Notable statistic – Jenko didn’t lead any stats but he was thereabouts for quite a few. He had a low missed tackle rate at 7.8%, and in attack he had a 20.7% tackle break rate with a very solid 9.3 metres per run. He also made a very commendable 32 one on one tackles, good for 4th on the team.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – The Jet will continue to be Origin quality for club games, even though he won’t wear the Sky Blue jersey again.

Luke Kelly

Halfback, Parramatta Eels (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Like him or not, Luke Kelly was the biggest reason Wenty’s started the season so well, and the greatest contributor to their record falling off a cliff when he went down with an injury. I wonder – if Kelly didn’t go down with said injury, would we ever have seen Gutho in the halves? I doubt it.

Nonetheless, Cool Hand Luke is an outstanding halfback in the second grade, yet somehow an equally troubling first grade halving option. I don’t know what it is, but hope 2017 is a fresh start for the bloke and he can find some form and success for the Bunnies.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – He’ll simply continue to be an excellent halfback in NSW Cup, this time as a feeder for Souths. Hardly a fearless prediction.

Tim Mannah

Prop, Parramatta Eels

Tim Mannah is a terrific prop on a very, very cap friendly deal. In fact, if you ever meet anyone who suggests we need to move Tim Mannah on, or that he isn’t worth having on our roster, you can safely assume that when it comes to the Parramatta Eels they don’t know what they’re talking about. Due to the long term players allowance, Mannah is one of the best value signings on our roster (and when you have Mau and Kenny Edwards on very good deals, that’s saying something). Injury robbed him of greater consistency in 2016, but that will no doubt only make him hungrier come next season.

Notable statistic – Just shy of a season averaged Magic 10 with 9.7 metres a hitup over 2016. Also misses an incredibly miniscule 3.7% of his attempted tackles, good enough for 3rd on the team (behind Gower and Terepo). Oh and he made 1 error. All season.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – Timmy Mannah will play all 24 games next season and will finish 2017 with a Magic 10 metre average.

Manu Ma’u

Second Row, Parramatta Eels

What a super player this guy is – huge work rate, massive metres, and a snarl that could scare a serial killer. In fact, every time I look at this photo I feel like Manu Mau’s face is threatening me “not to go to the cops”. Manu was a very, very well deserved Ken Thornett medal winner and like every other Parra fan, I was ecstatic to see him extend his time at the club. Even if I wasn’t scared of him (which I am), he still would deserve this A grade.

Notable statistic – Manu led our forward pack this season with both his 13.5 hit ups a game, and his huge 124 metres. He also led the team in total offloads (34). Whatever we just agreed to pay him for the next few years, we got a good deal.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – At the request of Charles Xavier, Manu leaves the Eels to join the X-Men.

Tepai Moreoa

Lock, Parramatta Eels

I hear Tep has got himself a few suitors for 2018 onwards, and they have very, very deep pockets. With that said, the young bloke loves playing at Parra and is just starting the hit his stride. Don’t let the numbers fool you, he is a potent edge player, he is still learning how best to pick his spots as a middle forward. Forwards hit their peak at about 25-26, so for a player who has already played 50 first grade games at the age of 21, that’s scary.

Notable statistic – His age, 21.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – He’ll find himself starting games out on the edge, and only moving to the middle in games once Beau Scott hits the bench. He’ll also re-sign with Parra part way through 2017.

Cody Nelson

Utility, Parramatta Eels

I felt at ease both times Cody Nelson’s name found its way onto the first grade team sheets this season. He is a solid, reliable toiler and I don’t suspect he’ll be letting any of his coaches down anytime soon. Hey, good job there Cody.

Notable statistic – As with the rest of Cody Nelson’s game, no statistic particularly stood out, either good or bad.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – He will Captain our Wenty side into the Top 4 of the NSW Cup.

Corey Norman

Five Eighth, Parramatta Eels

This was not only the year Corey Norman cemented himself as our best player (18 try assists, for example), it was also the year that he found himself in the headlines on a number of occasions for the wrong reasons (see above; Reasons 2016 made me sad). To his credit, Corey took responsibility for his mistakes and has vowed to be better next year. To be honest, in my opinion, outside of BA’s extension Normy’s deal was maybe the best news of an otherwise rubbish year. Corey’s already better than I thought he could ever be, but the way he responds in 2017 will tell us plenty more about Mr. Norman ; both the man and the footballer.

Notable statistic – When an opposition player tried to tackle Corey Norman in 2016, he broke the tackle a team leading 22% of the time. (Is there a simpler way to write that?) Kenny Edwards and Michael Jennings (both 21%) were just behind him in the tackle break stakes.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – He’ll repay the faith we showed in him and step up yet another gear. Personally, I’d like him to be just good enough to just miss out on the Queensland Origin side, however.

Rory O’Brien

Prop, Parramatta Eels

Rory gave us some honest toiling work in the middle when injury and suspensions forced us to move a lot of our forward pack out to the wings. Well worth the one year extension.

Notable statistic – He made just over 9 metres a hit up, only missed 8% of his attempted tackles. He conceded 1 penalty and dropped the ball twice. Nothing to see here.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – Sadly Rory O’Brien’s dream of becoming a world class ballet dancer will remained unfulfilled.

Junior Paulo

Prop, Parramatta Eels (Canberra Raiders)

Yes, he’s an excellent forward. But also yes, I’m still pretty annoyed how quickly he picked up his bat and ball and fled to maybe the most boring city in the Southern Hemisphere, just at the time we needed everyone to pull together. Junior got himself a good deal, but I wouldn’t have paid that kind of money for Senior Paulo, let alone Junior. Still, good for you mate; I hope for your sake you never see your name on an overhead projector.

Notable statistic – Easily led the Eels in offloads per game in 2016 with 2.2. For those playing along at home, Manu was second with 1.5.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – He will die of boredom in Canberra before the year is out.

Nathan Peats

Hooker, Parramatta Eels (Gold Coast Titans)

The fondness felt from Parra fans towards this clown was beautifully captured in a 9th minute standing ovation the game after he had left the club. I don’t need to tell you how much he’s missed as you were probably there standing at Pirtek, applauding.

Notable statistic – When you look at metres gained per hit up, and then take away Semi and Bevan’s propensity for the long range try, you get this guy’s name. A huge 10.3 metres per hit up is gold from any forward, let alone a bloke mostly playing dummy half.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – This is a big one. Some time in the future, Nathan Peats will again play for the Parramatta Eels.

Kaysa Pritchard

Hooker, Parramatta Eels

The guy TCT calls ‘Kamikaze’ continues to be a super energy player off the bench and I suspect that’s how BA will continue to use him in the years to come. Although he is still developing his ability to direct his team from dummy half and make the right decisions from a game management perspective, Kaysa’s arrival onto the park was the catalyst for several momentum swings in the Eels favour during the season. This fact alone highlights his enormous values as our number 14.

Notable statistic – Missed a measly 5% of his tackles in 2016, and made a monster 9.8 metres per hit up. Evidently there was something special about our running dummy halves in 2016.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – Even if IDG goes down with an injury, it won’t be Kaysa who wears the 9 jersey.

Semi Radradra

Winger, Parramatta Eels

To be honest, it’s a shame such an outstanding player had so many negative headlines in 2016. From rumours of French Rugby, to extended stays in Fiji, to some potentially catastrophic criminal accusations, I hope 2017 is a better year for the Semurai. Court cases aside, I would love little more than seeing this bloke on the wing for Parra for many years to come. I can’t think of a Parra fan who wouldn’t agree with me.

Notable statistic – He’s sitting at a cool 100% conversion rate. And to think, you thought he’d miss it. He also led the team in linebreaks with 16, (French had 9, Gutherson 8) and our leading metre eater in 2016 with 159 metres a game (next best was Manu with 124 metres per game).

Fearless prediction for 2017 – I’m sorry everyone, but I have a feeling this is not going to be a pleasant year for Semi Radradra fans.

Jeff Robson

Halfback, Parramatta Eels

Jeff Robson played the last 9 games of the season when we desperately needed him, and was a factor in each of the 4 we did win. As you can expect when you put a first grade jersey on a 56 year old, Jeff’s not as quick or strong as he used to be. But his smarts, tactics and half back brain still work as well as they always did. I think it’s terrific that he will be finishing his career with Parra. Also, nice nose Jeff.

Notable statistic – Despite rumours of him being a nocturnal, flesh eating zombie, Jeff Robson wasn’t sin binned once in 2016.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – For reasons when you consider the photo to the right, Jeff Robson will continue to emphasise his preference for night games.

Beau Scott

Lock, Parramatta Eels

Ok, I’ll put my hand up – I wasn’t all that psyched for Beau’s signing. I was still happy with the news, and thought he would be a net positive to what we were doing, but honestly I thought he would just be a toiler as he worked his way towards retirement. Instead, his competitiveness personally retired Anthony Watmough. I, and evidently Anthony, should have known better. I feel like he and Brad Arthur would really get on like a house on fire if they weren’t so annoyed with the circumstances of 2016. I love what he brings to our team and hope he can keep Father Time at arm’s reach for the foreseeable future.

Notable statistic – Pipped by Manu (34) for most offloads in a season (Beau had 30), but it’s very close when you work on averages (1.5 for Beau to 1.54 for Manu).

Fearless prediction for 2017 – He’ll go another full year without smiling. Still, Parra fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

Brad Takairangi

Centre, Parramatta Eels

Brad Takairangi is still one of my favourite players, and in my opinion one of the most underrated centres in the competition. The combination of his step, offload and ability to set up his outside man is unmatched in other NRL centres. Add in his versatility as a part time playmaker and kicking option, and you start to understand his value to our squad. As an aside, have you noticed a trend with Brad Arthur’s team, particularly in the outside backs? (Hint -It starts with ‘v’ and ends in ‘ersatility’).

Notable statistic – A surprisingly high 26 errors for someone not playing wing or fullback is a little alarming.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – That “give it to Taka on the last” play  we saw a few times in the back of 2016 will reap some serious rewards in the new season.

Peni Terepo

Prop, Parramatta Eels

In a year many predicted Peni would fall out of the rotation, he instead seemed to cement his spot in 2016. Hard running, bone crunching defence and an improving error count (down to 13 this season, 2nd amongst forwards) has him off the ‘naughty’ and onto BA’s ‘nice’ list.

Notable statistic – The Butcher was our most efficient tackler at our club in 2016. Peni only missed a ridiculously low 1.7% of the tackles he attempted. Last place? Our fullbacks – Bevan French on 21.4% and Flash on 20.6%.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – Despite a plethora of forwards joining the roster this offseason, Peni will still find his way into the starting 17 come Round 1.

Vai Toutai

Winger, Parramatta Eels

I’m sorry Vai – I always stood up for you. I told people you were an infinitely better centre than you were a winger. I tried to look past your frequent inability to score a try, even with the try line wide open. I still fondly recall that time you beat more than half of the Panther side to score an amazing try at the foot of the mountains, and told many a person your tale. Yet despite my willingness to defend you, your inability to defend the left hand attack of the Canberra Raiders in the second half of Round 24 lost me for good. I suspect you lost Brad Arthur too.

I’m pretty Vai’s face in this photo is the exact same look I had as I was tweeting this:

Notable statistic – We do appreciate the 3 tries in 7 games, however.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – The mystery of whether or not Vai is off contract in 2016 reaches a new day. I haven’t been bothered to ask. My money says he’ll still be wearing Wenty’s colours in 2017.

Danny Wicks

Prop, Parramatta Eels

Another redemption story of rising from the ashes to retake the position alongside the best in the world – and that’s just his moustache. Danny Wicks has been yet another terrific servant of this club, and another player to recently lock away his future in the Blue and Gold for the foreseeable future. I suspect he’ll be less than impressed with his season mark of 8.7 metres per hit up.

Notable statistic – To be honest, it’s pretty hard to go past his 3 line breaks. Is that a misprint? I’ll have my people look into it. Giving away a team high 15 penalties is less than ideal, particularly when Danny comes off the bench.

Fearless prediction for 2017 – Wicksy finally gives me that $50 he owes me. We made a bet, Daniel.