2009 NearlyNRL Champions Arrrggggggggh yeah pal.... After finishing fourth in the regular season, and sneaking under the radar so to speak, Chain Gang in there debut season have been crowned champions under the most different circumstances. After finishing the regular season with the second worst attacking record in the top 8 but the best defence, the title asperations of such a team were under the pump when they suffered a 4 V 5 loss against the Sticky Wickets 40 - 26, however this spurred on the team and they did not drop a game since. With wins over Ashbury Chooks 42 - 30 then knocking out GYR the three time reigning champion in the major Semi with a 36 - 22 win. Then defeating Bisset Street Elite in the final in a nail bitter (thanks roosters and letting Tonga score) 36-34. It couldnt of been a more succesful start to the NearlyNRL debutants. Key Signings: Kade Snowden: After a slow start to the season he was an absoloute wonder with consective Dom Forward awards, defiantly was the front row forward I could look too to score points. Nathan Friend: Mr Consistent could always rely on him to get etleast 4 points every game and always delivered.
Yeah from what I saw we had very much the same crux of players from the Sharks, would of cleaned up this year had they actually scored some more points.
I reckon supporting a team who finished so low probably helped, especially in the forwards. They were usually guaranteed more defensive work each week than the higher ranked sides.
I'd like to think that theory works, but it doesnt. We were just lucky we had more knowledge over the team then anyone else.
Yeah most probly, however 5 out of my 7 backs in the Grand Final and through the majority of the seaon where Sharks (stupid in hindsight). Defiantly would of been more competitive throughout the season if the Sharks had of clicked for more than just a few games as the games where I scored 50+ where on the back of the likes of Tomane scoring a hattrick and Sisa Waqa scoring doubles at the same time and those two where in and out of first grade more than anything.
