Here at NRL.com we miss the footy just as much as you.
To help you get through this unprecedented time of the Telstra Premiership being suspended, we’ve cobbled together what we’re going to miss the most until the NRL is back up and running.
If you have any suggestions to add, post them on social media, tagging in @NRL using the hashtag #IMissNRL, and we’ll add the best of them to this list.
What we’re gonna miss
James Graham's red face
The St George Illawarra veteran going red in the face - from effort or yelling at someone - after the first 13 seconds of each game.
Hot dogs on the hill
The smell of hot dogs on the hill at Leichhardt Oval on a sunny afternoon is for the purists. Maybe Wayne Pearce can make a one-off return to the role he had as a kid when the footy returns.
Bellyaching
Vision of Craig Bellamy blowing up deluxe in the coach's box whenever he’s ticked off by the referees, one of his players, one of the opposition players, reasons known only to himself and those stuck in the box with his words reverberating in their eardrums.
Grandstand experts
The random bloke in the crowd that yells "They've been doing it all day!" after the first penalty of every match. Sitting in the stands you’re constantly reminded of the ever constant link between referees and Specsavers. It’s like the fans have no empathy for the whistleblowers!
The Viking Clap
No explanation needed. Canberra's pre-game ritual is awesome in every way.
Viking Clap - grand final edition
Spotting random Souths fans
Actually, this will continue. Doesn’t matter where, doesn’t matter when. You don’t normally have to wait too long before you tune into the news and see someone in the background for a report on Icelandic trade negotiations wearing a ratty old Smith’s Crisps throwback jersey for no apparent reason.
Steedenfreude (schadenfreude)
Watching that NRL team you love to hate suffer a loss. And then ribbing your mates about it.
Rabs v Gus
On-air arguments between Ray Warren and Phil Gould - when will they both realise that the other one is always right?
Storm's true-purple supporters
They're outnumbered in AFL-dominated Melbourne but the Storm's fans are a hardy bunch and stick by their club through thick and thin, and some bleak weather conditions in the depth of winter.
Sivo sends the Bankwest crowd into a frenzy
Eels fans in full voice
The Siiiiiiiiiiiivo chant at Bankwest Stadium.
Thursday's adrenaline rush
Changing your tips at the last minute and finalising your NRL Fantasy team - it always adds that extra layer of stress to a Thursday afternoon.
Quotable quotes
Some mixed metaphors from the players and coaches like “it was a war of nutrition”.
House full sign at Townsville
The new Queensland Country Bank Stadium is a thing of beauty - fortunately it was christened in round one when the Cowboys hosted the Broncos. Hopefully we get to see it in full use in the near future.
Wayne's world of pain
Wayne Bennett press conferences - they’re not entertaining for the journalists trying to extract anything above a monosyllabic answer from the grizzled old coach but they’re must-see viewing for those lucky enough not to be attempting this mission impossible.
I didn't do it
Players giving the “what,me?” look after being penalised.
Players using their head
Falcons - they’re always good for a laugh.
That unmistakable sound
The “ooooomph” sound when a defender times a tackle to perfection and the ball runner can do nothing but make the sound and hopefully draw enough breath from their lungs to get up and play the ball.
Who's it gonna be?
The first “Origin bolter” article. Who will it be this year?
RTS in full flight
The Warriors skipper is a spectacular sight, for fans, when he makes a break. Not so for his opposing fullback if they're trying to tackle him one on one to save a certain try.
All the fullbacks doing their thing
Has the NRL ever had a better period for players wearing the No.1 jersey. From James Tedesco to Tom Trbojevic, Valentine Holmes, Kalyn Ponga, RTS, DWZ, CNK, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Matt Moylan, Latrell Mitchell, Clint Gutherson, AJ Brimson. It's a golden age for generals at the back.
Crowd 'comedians'
That attention seeker in the stands who shouts go for a field goal when it’s irrelevant and thinks they’re funny. It’s annoying but we’re even going to miss that.
Bald facts
Playing the waiting game to see if some players with receding hairlines go the whole hog and shave it off or hold on for another year.
Taufua's tally rising
Seeing Jorge Taufua hit someone like a week's worth of bad news. Just when opposition players thought it was safe to make a break down the edge at Brookvale following Steve Matai’s retirement a couple of years ago, this guy is bringing back a lot of bad memories and broken ribs.
Taufua continues to add to his tackle highlight reel
Sticky situations
Ricky Stuart's chair kicking. His sideline facial expressions. His passion for the game. Hopefully he keeps his post-game comments in check when footy resumes of his fines for criticising refs will exceed the GDP of Djibouti.
The Roosters' threepeat feat
Can they become the first team since the Eels of 1983 to win three straight titles? Fingers crossed the competition is able to return this year and we can find out if they can defy recent history again.
Up Up Cronulla
Other fans don't like to hear it but Sharkies supporters always find full voice at full-time for their victory song.
Hairy moments
The unusual hairstyle choices of the likes of Jake Turpin, Brian To’o and Angus Crichton.
Dropkicks
Meaningless field goals. Last-minute field goals. Celebrations for winning field goals. And, of course, an unco forward having to take one when the pass from dummy-half goes astray.
Isaako wins it for the Broncos and keeps their finals hopes alive
Watch out, whistleblowers
Referees getting barrelled over.
Knights nannas
These red and blue diehards are as famous as some of the players in Newcastle - sitting in their regular spots at McDonald Jones Stadium and travelling far and wide to support their beloved Knights.
Brian's pump-up routine
Brian To'o with his kick boxing in the sheds.
Kung Fu Brian: The unorthodox routine helping To’o
The sea of red
Tongan fans taking over stadiums in the Test arena. Songs that tingle the spine.
The solo trumpeter
The Last Post being played before games on Anzac Day. We’ll still salute the Diggers.
Blake's acrobatics
Fergo backflips. Even if the try is then disallowed like in round one.
Cliche corner
Insightful half-time and full-time interviews from players to ascertain if full credit should go to their boys or the opposition boys, whether it was indeed a game of two halves or establishing if either team is not getting too far ahead of themselves and taking the season one week at a time.
Pre-game nerves
The excitement of driving to the stadium with the “footy playlist” going and the whole family getting excited for game time.
Coaching shenanigans
The first coach to get “the full support of the board”.
The growling Panther
That "rrrrrrowwwwwl" sound effect they play at Panthers Stadium to lift the players and fans alike.
The wholehearted performers
Stars get all the headlines but true rugby league fans will miss seeing the likes of Canterbury captain Josh Jackson, Titans forward Jai Arrow, Melbourne's Dale Finucane plying their trade. Rugby league is a team sport built on players who do all the hard yards without getting the glory.
Katoa gets a second half double
Anti-gravity tries
Wingers defying the laws of physics while diving over to score in the corner.
You, the fans
Seeing all the people who support the game out and about - the fans, the volunteers, the backroom staff at each club who dedicate themselves to rugby league.
We can’t wait to see you all happy and healthy again, back at the footy, watching the greatest game of all.
