Sharks go back to back, Matt Moylan wins the Dally M: Phil Rothfield’s predictions for 2017

THE Sharks go back to back, Matt Moylan wins the Dally M and a possible player strike — Phil Rothfield leaves no stone unturned in his 2017 predictions.

Will Matt Moylan win the Dally M?

THE Sharks go back to back, Matt Moylan wins the Dally M and a possible player strike — Phil Rothfield leaves no stone unturned in his 2017 predictions.

PLAYERS COULD STRIKE

IF the NRL and Johnny Grant thought the clubs put up a strong fight for funding, wait until the players start.

The beginning of the new season will be dominated by headlines and threats of industrial action, including a possible player strike — very similar to what is happening in the AFL.

Trust me, this is going to be the mother of all stinks.

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The TV deal went up 70 per cent to almost $2 billion yet the players haven’t seen one cent of it.

There is not even a salary cap figure beyond next year.

As for the talk of strike, it won’t affect the club rounds.

The people running the RLPA know that State of Origin is the game’s biggest earner. Not just in cash profits but in national exposure.

You will hear plenty from the biggest names in the game in the new-year re their determination to get a fair deal, not just for the superstars but all NRL players.

Vlandys could join the ARLC.

V’LANDYS COULD JOIN COMMISSION

With the NRL on the lookout for much needed new talent on the commission, there will be a push for Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys from some influential types at the big end of town.

This guy has done a sensational job for racing, raising more than $1 billion in funding for NSW thoroughbreds since he started in his role 12 years ago.

V’Landys is an innovator and has more business nous and vision than the rest of the commissioners put together.

McGregor will do well to survive the season.

MARY IN BIG TROUBLE

Let’s frame a market for the first NRL coach to be sacked.

St George Illawarra’s Paul McGregor at $1.90, the Wests Tigers’ Jason Taylor at $2.40 and the Bulldogs’ Dessie Hasler at $20.

McGregor needs to win five of the first eight games.

Taylor needs to sign either Mitch Moses or James Tedesco.

And Dessie … well, who knows what the Bulldogs want because he has made the finals every year he has been at Belmore.

Of the other premiership coaches, only Trent Barrett at the Manly Sea Eagles could upset any of the above. Let’s make him a $33 chance.

FORAN WILL RETURN

Kieran Foran to get a clearance from the NRL integrity unit and make his debut for the Warriors.

Maybe not for round one, but not long afterwards.

This is the guy who can lift the Warriors into the top four and from there anything can happen. A new coach, a new playmaker and Roger Tuivasa Scheck back from injury. Lookout!

Will Foran get back on the field?

SHARKS WILL DO IT AGAIN

Just for something different … we’re tipping the Sharks to win the NRL premiership.

Yep, first team to go back to back since the Broncos in ‘92 and ‘93. And how do we justify this prediction?

Their young game-breakers who have emerged in recent seasons, Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes, will be even better players for the experience of 2016 in big games.

Paul Gallen will offer even more without the added burden of leading the Blues in State of Origin.

LOCAL BOY REPLACES ENNIS

Okay, here’s my last prediction on the Sharks. With Micky Ennis in retirement, look out for a local junior, Jayden Brailey in the No. 9 jersey.

He is a super young player who will be nurtured by Ennis. He could even be a contender for the Dally M rookie-of-the-year.

WARRIORS SIGN NEW SENSATION

Speaking of rookies, remember the name Etene Nanai. Seriously, whack his name into YouTube and you will see what I’m talking about.

He is only 16 but has already been snapped up by the Warriors out of the All Blacks junior rugby nursery.

He’s a mixture of Greg Inglis, Israel Folau and his cousin Roger Tuivasa Scheck. A huge kid with amazing potential and I’ll be stunned if he doesn’t win Holden Cup player-of-the-year.

BLUES CAN WIN ORIGIN

Winning State of Origin in a year when the Maroons get two home games at Suncorp Stadium is normally impossible.

Still, don’t write the Blues off. Throw in Jarryd Hayne, probably in the centres, fullback James Tedesco and Matty Moylan at five-eighth.

A back-row of Trent Merrin, Tyson Frizell and Boyd Cordner behind Test forwards Aaron Woods and Dave Klemmer.

This is one hot footy side. Plus the Maroons veterans are another year older.

We can do it.

Hayne was the difference when the Blues won the 2014 series.

MOYLAN TAKES TOP HONOUR

And the Dally M player-of-the-year is …. Penrith Panthers skipper Matty Moylan. He’s third favourite at $11 on the TAB behind Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.

Moylan will play more five-eighth than fullback this year to steer the hottest young side in the premiership into the finals.

His experience from the Four Nations tour alongside Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith will make him an even better player.

WHY VICTORIAN RACING IS A JOKE

The integrity of NSW racing to remain streets ahead of Victoria.

In Melbourne Damien Oliver backed ANOTHER horse (the winner) in a race he rode in and finished unplaced.

His penalty? A 10-month winter suspension.

He returned for the spring and a cup win. Happy days.

In Sydney, James McDonald got almost double the penalty (18 months) for backing his own winning mount, a nag called Astern.

LIGHTEN UP CHEIK

Wallaby coach Michael Cheika to say something positive, or even remotely nice, about someone.

Not Eddie Jones, not Glen Ella, not the New Zealand media but someone.

He needs to shake off his reputation as the most miserable person in Australian sport. And winning a few games wouldn’t hurt either.

Michael Cheika is an angry man.

GIANTS CONTINUE TO GROW

The GWS Giants to make further inroads into western Sydney.

They already have more members than NRL premiers Cronulla and are fast overtaking the Swans as Sydney’s number one AFL side.

Their coach Leon Cameron is up there with the best operators in the game and he’s a nice guy who could teach Cheika a thing or two about image and public relations.

NEW PLAYER EMERGES IN MERCH BATTLE

US sports merchandise giant ‘47 to become major player in rugby league.

Even the beautiful former Shire girl Elle Macpherson is getting around with their new Sharks cap.

The brand ’47 is an institution in American sport with a clothing range covering NBA, NFL, MLB and all college teams.

The Sharks, Raiders, Bulldogs and Eels sold out before Christmas.

FOLAU COMES HOME

Israel Folau to return to rugby league. He marries stunning Kiwi netballer Maria Tutaia and gets sick of the world travel.

The question is can the great Jimmy Doyle slip him under the Warriors salary cap as he has miraculously done with the likes of Kieran Foran and Roger Tuivasa Scheck.

If not, expect the Canterbury Bulldogs to be a major player because Dessie Hasler has been trying to get him to Belmore for several years.

Maria Tutaia & Israel Folau have announced their engagement

BOXING COMES BACK

An absolutely massive year for Australian boxing.

Welterweight Jeff Horn is a super talent and a dream fight with superstar Manny Pacquiao is not out of the question

He knocked out highly rated South African Ali Funeka in front of Pacquiao’s agent Bob Arum in Auckland before Christmas.

Also keep an eye on Jeff Fenech’s 19-year-old slugger Brock Jarvis. The kid fights at 52.5kg in the super flyweight but hits like a sledgehammer. He’s had six fights for six wins, with his last a first round knockout.

And we almost forgot … there’s a bit of a grudge match at the Adelaide Oval on February 3 — Mundine v Green II.

Jeff Horn is set for superstardom.

MUNDINE PROVES THEM WRONG

A tip for the big fight … the “experts” are saying Danny Green will be too big, too strong and too powerful for his arch rival Anthony Mundine when the city of churches, culture and wine hosts boxing’s biggest ever grudge match.

They are ignoring the fact Mundine is faster and will land more punches. Choc to win on points, just like the first fight.

BALL BEATS BAT

The batting averages of the world’s best Test, one-day and T20 batsmen to dramatically slump once new rules about the size and length of bats come into play.

For too long batters have had an unfair advantage over the poor bowlers being flogged to all parts of the ground.

FAREWELL GARRY

We say farewell to one of the finest off-spinners ever to wear the baggy-green, Nathan “Gazza” Lyon.

The tour of India will be his last and whoever takes over from Rod Marsh as chairman of selectors has a tough assignment to find a replacement. It also leaves vacant the job of leading the team song, Under The Southern Cross I Stand.

We reckon Davey Warner is the man.

Nathan Lyon is the greatest off-spinner in Australian history.

MALONE UNDER PRESSURE

Channel Nine sports boss Tom Malone will be under huge pressure to retain his job. Since Steve Crawley left for Fox Sports, the rugby league and cricket ratings have taken a spectacular dive on the free to air network.

At the same time, Fox Sports have had a gangbuster year with Greg “Brandy” Alexander, Mark Gasnier and Braith Anasta emerging as the best analysis men on TV.

GO NEEDS TO GO

Going, going, gone. The Wests Tigers board finally remove the game’s least effective chair, Marina Go.

There are five Wests directors on the board, two independents (including Go) and two from Balmain. Wests wanted a “smooth transition” when they took a 75 per cent share of the joint venture last year.

That has been achieved. Now for Wests to take over, use their five votes and appoint their own chairman. It’s as simple as that.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And finally … a very Happy New Year to readers of this column. It’s been another fun and sometimes tumultuous 12 months in Australian sport. 2017 will be no different. We’ll again survive and produce lively pages without UFC and the tennis brats. Plenty of scoops and scandals, drama and disgrace. Take care and see you again in February.

Short & Sharp

Campbell sisters to rule the pool (yes, it’s a non-Olympic year)

Michael Clarke says something nice about a former teammate (besides Warnie)

Joey Johns to restrict himself to three new girlfriends

Warren Ryan to join Lateline as an expert in US politics

Spotted: Matty Johns and Fatty Vautin

Ray Hadley to join golf’s Masters Tour

Gus Gould reveals his 10-year-plan

Usain Bolt to set a new world record for speed dating

Nick Kyrgios’ best and fastest serve comes on Twitter

BUZZ’S TOP 8

Sharks

Panthers

Storm

Cowboys

Raiders

Warriors

Eels

Roosters

Wooden spoon

Knights

HEADLINES WE WON’T SEE

WINX LOSES

BENJI BUY OF THE YEAR

TODD CARNEY JOINS EELS

JOHN GRANT SURVIVES

EELS’ SCANDAL-FREE SEASON

BENNETT: I WAS WRONG

NICK KYRGIOS: I’M AN IDIOT

VAL HOLMES JOINS NFL

SWANS WIN GRAND FINAL

WALLABIES WIN BLEDISLOE

Originally published as Sharks go back to back, Matt Moylan wins the Dally M: Phil Rothfield’s predictions for 2017