The NRL’s redemption stories that will captivate us in season 2017

REDEMPTION. Rugby league lives off it. And on the eve of the 2017 NRL season, the stories are everywhere. NICK WALSHAW looks at the people aiming to revive their careers.

Can these players jump-start their careers in 2017?

REDEMPTION. Rugby league lives off it. And on the eve of the 2017 NRL season, the stories are everywhere.

Can Benji Marshall resurrect himself in Brisbane? Is Jarryd Hayne still our greatest athlete? And what the bloody hell does anyone make of Contiki tourist Jamal Idris?

Yep, in a game using atonement like the rest of us use oxygen, these are the new recruits capable of igniting the NRL this winter.

BRISBANE Benji Marshall

At 31, Marshall is gunning to become the greatest resurrection story outside Easter — or Harold Bishop returning from the dead in Neighbours. And why not? Sure, the bloke is old enough to have once fronted an NRL advertising campaign for Tazos (Google them, kids). But adversity has followed this 2005 premiership hero his entire life. His shoulders alone have been reconstructed six times. And continually, Marshall has overcome. So why not one last time?

Benji Marshall is a Bronco in 2017 after a failed stint at the Dragons.

CANBERRA Dave Taylor

Like the San Andreas Fault Line, Taylor is recognised as much for unpredictability as ability to cause carnage. Still, at 120kg, and with the ability to run, kick, offload, destroy, the “Coal Train” remains worth a punt. He should be fairly angry, too, having swapped southern France for a suburb named Bruce.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA Cameron McInnes

Another who started the year squarely in the sights of outspoken Bunnies co-owner Russell Crowe, the Gladiator suggesting his club would’ve been better off keeping Issac Luke. By the finish of the year, coach Michael Maguire agreed, dumping the player once touted as a future Souths captain to reserves. Now he has the chance to prove everybody wrong, albeit at a club under plenty of pressure itself. Will be looking to add flair to a Dragons spine that struggled to create scoring opportunities last year.

Cameron McInnes begins life as a Dragon in 2017. Picture: Brett Costello

CANTERBURY Des Hasler’s coaching staff

At last count, poor old Dessie had lost his assistant, mind guru, sprint coach, even a pair of talent scouts who included the legendary Noel “Crusher” Cleal. And all of them replaced by incoming assistant Dave Penna. As a result, next season shapes as a huge one for Hasler and his new, streamlined brains trust. However, given the Mad Scientist has reached the NRL finals for 12 straight seasons across two clubs — in the process winning a pair of titles — it would suggest the bloke knows more than a little about this rugby league stuff.

GOLD COAST Jarryd Hayne

We know Haynsey has six games under his belt on the holiday strip. After winning over the nation with his NFL tilt, this code-hopping conundrum has made headlines for missing the Olympics, rejecting Parramatta, partying with a bikie and his impending fatherhood. Even his phone was linked to saucy pics during a high school demonstration on hacking. Hayne is the NRL’s greatest athlete. No debate. And how many have backed him out before? NSW, too, are suddenly a real Origin threat with Hayne in the mix.

Jarryd Hayne is still looking for the form that made him a star in the NRL.

CRONULLA Tony Williams

Not since the release of Carnosaur III has a T-Rex been so heavily panned by the masses. For too long at Canterbury, Williams tried to overplay his hand in attack. Which makes the antidote to his possible extinction simple: run. Straight, hard, often. And if any club can remind this former NSW and Australian tyro how to play tough — to wrestle, niggle, gouge, sledge, scramble, win — it’s the premiers, Cronulla.

WESTS TIGERS Jamal Idris

Signing someone fresh off a Contiki tour — when you already have 17 other players coming off contract — hardly seems wise. Especially when said tourist was hardly the most chiselled footballer in his prime. But given Idris still boasts the athleticism to evade Vietnamese kidnappers, what hope a sliding NRL defence? The dreadlocked fan favourite also brings some much-needed colour back to rugby league. Expect both Tigers fans and NRL marketing types to have their fingers crossed on this one.

Jamal Idris will make his NRL return as a Tiger.

MANLY Curtis Sironen

After representing City Origin for three consecutive years, Sironen is determined to finally reach his potential at the Sea Eagles. Still only 23, and back to full fitness after an injury-marred 2016, the son of Tigers great Paul Sironen wins Manly’s “redemption” tag in a photo from winger Aku Uate, who is also looking to revive his career after being dumped to reserve grade at wooden spooners Newcastle.

PENRITH James Tamou

Is Aussie Jim really worth $750,000 a season? With big cash comes big expectation and all eyes will be on Tamou as he looks to justify that $3 million contract over the next four years. While he may be 27 and recently dropped from the Kangaroos, he still looms as the key ingredient to a Panthers side needing a hardcore base for its razzle-dazzle attack. Indeed, if Tamou is going forward, who stops Matt Moylan, Bryce Cartwright, Nathan Cleary and co?

James Tamou left the Cowboys to become a Panther.

MELBOURNE Josh Addo-Carr

Inked up like a Mexican jailyard, this former Wests Tigers flyer will be looking to emulate the feats of Marika Koroibete, who also made the move south from Concord, midway through 2014. And with Koroibete having switched to rugby, a chance emerges for this Blacktown product who travels faster than bad news.

SOUTH SYDNEY Robbie Farah

You may have missed it, but the NSW Origin hooker fell out with Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor this year and was eventually cut. Ring any bells? No? Well, suffice to say Farah is looking to prove his doubters wrong at Redfern while also returning the Bunnies to finals footy. Better, he meets his old club in round one. And after warring with three consecutive coaches, it will also be interesting to see how Farah and Michael Maguire go working together.

Robbie Farah will look to put a bitter 2016 behind him.

NEWCASTLE Jamie Buhrer

Premiership ring, NSW Origin jumper, even a stand-in stint as Manly captain. Buhrer has achieved much in rugby league. And every ounce of that experience — and ability to endure — will be required as he tries to breathe life into a struggling Knights club which won only once this year.

NORTH QUEENSLAND

The Cowboys have only made a few signings, all of whom are youngsters with no baggage.

ROOSTERS Luke Keary

There are many ways to further your career at South Sydney. Having a spray at Hollywood co-owner Russell Crowe isn’t one of them. No matter who was right that fateful night inside Crowe’s bar, this pivot who once had two states fighting over his Origin eligibilities will be under the spotlight. Privately, Roosters types who matter believe Keary’s game will go to new levels alongside Mitchell Pearce. He steals the redemption tag from resurrected bad boys Paul Carter, Zane Tetevano and Liam Knight.

New Sydney Roosters recruit Luke Keary at Allianz Stadium. Picture : Gregg Porteous

PARRAMATTA Nathan Brown

Did Brownie stomp a groin this year? Maybe. Is he the dirtiest player in the game? Fair chance. But can this tattooed prop bring a madness to Parramatta that existed only in — and, unbelievably, recorded — boardroom meetings? Absolutely. Exactly what the Eels pack needs.

WARRIORS Kieran Foran

There were few sadder stories this year than Foran’s descent through a relationship breakdown, game-throwing accusations, gambling issues, an Eels walkout, even a suicide attempt. Incredibly, the star playmaker still looms as the man most likely to teach the Warriors how to finally play tough. No six or seven plays more direct than Foran. Also known to embarrass his forwards by taking hit-ups himself. Fingers crossed both he and his new club find renewed strength.

Originally published as The NRL’s redemption stories that will captivate us in season 2017