It has been that kind of year for rugby league. Ever since the season launch and the Brett Stewart incident, NRL League has found itself going from one controversy into the next. There has been some great NRL Rugby League played but unfortunately the scandal has overshadowed the NRL results.
Greg Inglis is an out and out star of the competition. He is a champion for the Melbourne Storm and Queensland sides and is still only 22 years of age. Still so young, he has achieved everything there is to do in the game. Who knows how this incident will affect his career and reputation.
St George has been playing some great NRL rugby and looks to be a real chance of winnings its first premiership since 1977. It has been a long wait for one of the sport's most famous clubs and they have lost a number of Grand Finals since then; most notably in 1985, 1999 and 1999. Wayne Bennett has brought some steel to the Dragons and they sit on top of the NRL ladder.
Also playing good football are the Bulldogs. For most of the year they have been the quiet achievers and looking to bounce back after an off year in 2008. It will be interesting to see how they fare over the remaining weeks of the competition.
Two sides who are struggling are the Brisbane Broncos and the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters look to be a realistic chance of winning their first wooden spoon in 40 years. They have had a horrible year and it has resulted in the sacking of Brad Fittler as coach. He will be replaced by Newcastle's Brian Smith.
The Broncos started well but have since slumped and will have a battle on their hands in order to make it to the finals. At least the other Queensland flags are waving the flag for the Northern teams. Both the Gold Coast and North Queensland sides will be in the playoffs and could potentially go quite deep.
West Tigers and Penrith are also in the mix. The two both won premierships this decade but have since haven't had much to be happy about. This could be the year they rectify that.
Teams already looking towards next year are South Sydney, Parramatta, Canberra, the Warriors and Cronulla. Souths and the Eels might make the finals but they are a very slim chance.
David Wiseman writes about NRL and Horse Racing. He has a particular interest in the Cox Plate.
