Everybody’s an expert in March but by the time finals roll around, fans and of pundits are left to pick up the pieces of their poor predictions.
But for every concession, there’s plenty of people more than happy to remind the world of the prediction they tipped correctly.
The conveyor belt of hot topics in rugby league creates a never-ending conversation, which ignites plenty of forecasts and as the year unfolds those are proven to be fact or fallacy.
Whether it be Wayne Bennett’s ability to build a dream NRL roster, or Valentine Holmes’ shift to the centres – everyone has an opinion.
Here foxsports.com.au looks back on some 2022’s biggest predictions and marks them as myths or truths.
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HOLMES AND TOWNSEND ARE OVERPAID — BUSTED
After being recruited to play at fullback following a stint in the NFL, Valentine Holmes signed a six-year deal worth upwards of $5 million.
In his first two seasons the former Sharks premiership winner was shifted around the backline, but failed to cement a spot.
In 2021, flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow emerged as the club’s fullback and prior to the 2022 season Holmes transitioned into the centres.
Rugby league pundits were adamant that his huge salary was wasted in the centres, but Holmes has been arguably one of the best outside backs in the competition, while also playing a vital role in the Maroons’ Origin series win.
Meanwhile, teammate Chad Townsend’s $2.4 million deal over three years was ridiculed when signed in April last year.
Now the experienced halfback has been hailed as one of the buys of the year with the Cowboys finishing in the top four under his leadership.
THE FITZY HYPE IS REAL – FACT
Craig Fitzgibbon’s appointment as Sharks head coach was a major talking point ahead of the 2022 season.
Completing his apprenticeship under Trent Robinson at the Roosters, Fitzgibbon hadn’t had any NRL head coaching experience before moving to Cronulla.
But he has taken to the role like a duck to water — with the Sharks likely to finish second to the reigning premiers after failing to play finals in 2021.
Fitzgibbon will be the first rookie coach since Anthony Seibold in 2018 to finish in the top four and he could pip Todd Payten and Ivan Cleary to win coach of the year.
The 45-year-old has also been credited with reviving Matt Moylan’s career and masterminding Nicho Hynes’ shift to halfback.
STARS WILL FLOCK TO BENNETT AT DOLPHINS — BUSTED
He has done it before, he can do it again.
That was the Dolphins’ view when hiring supercoach Wayne Bennett.
But the NRL’s newest franchise is yet to sign a marquee player ahead of their inaugural season next year.
Bennett led the Raiders to the 1987 grand final in his rookie coaching season then arrived in Brisbane and signed Wally Lewis as his marquee man, before also bringing Steve Renouf, Kevin Walters and Gorden Tallis to the club.
But this time around the seven-time premiership winner hasn’t been able to secure a big-name, missing out on Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga Harry Grant, and several other stars.
SWITCHING TO STRUGGLERS KILLS YOUR REP CHANCES — BUSTED
Josh Addo-Carr was a controversial omission from NSW side this season, with several pundits believing his move to the battling Bulldogs contributed to his omission.
But his Canterbury teammate Matt Burton broke the shackles and forced his way into the Blues for games two and three.
The 22-year-old was the Dogs’ only Origin representative this year and Burton was arguably the best player on the field on debut as NSW sent the series to a decider.
It put Burton firmly in position to be included in Mal Meninga’s Australia squad, however the coach has also said his incumbent winger Addo-Carr remains in the frame to represent Australia at the World Cup next month.
The Bulldogs will finish the season in the bottom six but they could still have several players at the World Cup.
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THE NANAI HYPE IS REAL — FACT
NRL fans knew 19-year-old Nanai was good — but no one could have predicted the heights he would reach this season.
Appearing four times for the Cowboys in 2021, Nanai was handed the right edge spot to start the 2022 campaign.
The teenager sits third in the try-scoring leaderboard and was an important member of a series-winning Maroons side, all before his 20th birthday.
If Nanai can score a hat-trick in the Cowboys’ final game of the season against an understrength Penrith, he’ll equal Steve Menzies record (20) for most tries scored by a forward in a season.
Nanai shrewdly signed a one-year extension earlier this season and comes off contract at the end of the 2023 season – rival clubs will be tabling big-money offers.
He’s also in the box-seat to win Dally M Rookie of the Year.
BEN HUNT IS OVERPAID — BUSTED
Ben Hunt’s enormous contract – which has earned him $1.1 million this season – has been criticised since the day he signed it in 2017.
But the 32-year-old has silenced the critics this season and is a favourite to win the Dally M Medal.
The Dragons have begun negotiations to extend his deal, while the Bulldogs, Titans and Dolphins are also willing to table lucrative contracts.
Hunt has been in career-best form for the Dragons and Maroons and has showed no signs of slowing down despite his age.
Billy Slater even picked the veteran in the No.9 jersey ahead of Harry Grant.
He has one year left on his current deal and is tipped to earn around $800,000 per season in 2024 and 2025.
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THE SEA EAGLES ARE PREMIERSHIP CONTENDERS — BUSTED
Des Hasler’s Sea Eagles were widely tipped to contest for the premiership after finishing in the top four last season.
With Tom Trbojevic at the back and an experienced spine, Manly should have been playing finals football after being one win away from the grand final in 2021.
Another season-ending injury to Trbojevic hurt their chances but Hasler’s men have been poor in 2022.
The pride jersey saga rocked the club but the cracks were already showing before that Round 20 controversy and they’re set to finish 11th on the ladder.
REYNOLDS WILL SUCCEED AT THE BRONCOS — FACT
Adam Reynolds’ high-profile switch to the Broncos was a major talking point ahead of the 2022 season.
Some pundits believed his move would be a failure, while others explained his experience would benefit the young Broncos squad.
The 32-year-old magician has been a revelation at Red Hill and has been credited with masterminding the club’s rise, even if the Broncos deny it.
Despite a poor back-end to the season which will likely see the Broncos drop out of the eight, his move north has been a major success.
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