The life of an NRL player is often quite demanding and so, at times, their form is not up to scratch, waning in such a way that can potentially result in a demotion for a player. With some new recruits seeking a new opportunity and a fresh start to players that were established but now have to fight their way back into a side, there is improvement in many players across the board.
This particular piece will focus on those players that have nothing to lose and a lot to prove, as they look to bounce back from horror years either through injury and/or poor form. Some might be new recruits, whilst others will have been at their current clubs for some years now.
All in all, improvement is prevalent in all their games and 2015 is the year that they can potentially do it. So, without further adieu, here are the 16 players that can potentially bounce back for their clubs in 2015:
1. Jordan Kahu (Brisbane Broncos): Injuries. They have not been kind to Kahu in the past, as has been forced to spend a lot of times on the sidelines recovering and working his way back into the Broncos side. He achieved that last year and played in a few games but with an opportunity at fullback arising after the unfortunate injury to Darius Boyd, this is a chance for Kahu to show the Broncos fans and the NRL what he can do. He has always had the talent to start and if injuries were not as frequent for him, he probably would have been a mainstay of the Broncos side by now.
2. Edrick Lee (Canberra Raiders): Another player that was hit hard by the injury bug, especially last season. When it looked like Lee was firing on all cylinders and providing great speed and height for the Raiders on the wing, injury struck. Now at full fitness and back into the training grind for the pre-season, the chance is there for Lee to work hard and play hard, in a bid to show that he once again deserves that wing spot. His talent is also well known and with the Raiders looking to have an improved year, the raw power and determination of Lee, could be a handy asset on the wing.
3. Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs): Renowned for his try-scoring and game-breaking ability, something was missing for Morris in 2014. Scoring just 3 tries for the entire season – compared to 17 in 2012 – Morris had some tough times on the field and was not his usual self. Whatever it was that might have been restricting him, with a full pre-season under his belt and a new year fast approaching, Morris is sure to get back to where he belongs. The top. When on song, Morris is one of the best centres in the game and the Bulldogs will be relying on him to recapture that 2012 form where it seemed like he was scoring tries for fun.
4. Ben Barba (Cronulla Sharks): Barba’s 2014 season was heavily scrutinised by many and although his time in Brisbane did not quite work out, he has a chance to start anew and work within an organisation that has the potential to go places. The live-wire and enigmatic utility is likely to start at five-eighth for the Sharks – his favoured position – after some inconsistencies last year in Brisbane, the only way is up. His support play and nippiness will be two factors to watch out for, with the new Sharks recruit set to feature as one of the club’s most important players in 2015.
5. Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans): So much promise over the years that has been ruined by either injuries or poor form. James is a player that was once linked with an Origin appearance for NSW, such was the form he was in. That seems like an age ago now, with injuries and poor form limiting his time in first-grade in recent years. The young prop has no better chance to make his mark than now, especially with an abundance of forwards departing the club, as they revamp their side ahead of 2015. James is a powerful, bruising enforcer and if he can get going and perform to his potential, he could shape to be one of the Titans best forwards over the entire season.
6. Justin Horo (Manly Sea Eagles): His first year with Manly, Horo turned out to be a revelation. Bordering on 80 minutes game and outperforming players on the fringes almost for fun. A real keeper for Manly. In 2014, though, that form waned and dipped and it was not the same Horo that blitzed the field in 2013. With some recent player turnover that has shaken up the Manly forward pack, Horo has a chance to start from scratch and help the Manly pack rebuild. He is a talented player and if he can get his head back in the game and work well with the likes of Jamie Buhrer and Feleti Mateo – his back-row partners – it could be another very good year for the back-rower.
7. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Storm): His end at the Canberra Raiders was not the flashiest of affairs nor the prettiest and as a result, it brought about a new challenge for the former Origin prop. A few years ago, he was putting in the hard yards and impressing for the Raiders before he too was hit by the poor form and injury bug. After months of recovery and several stop-and-start attempts to return, Learoyd-Lahrs made a decision to move away from the nation’s capital to further his career. With spots open in the Storm front-row, he has a great chance to make a spot his own and prove to his new club and their fans, that he still has what it takes to play NRL consistently.
8. Carlos Tuimavave (Knights): Things were looking good for Tuimavave early in 2014. A try in rd 1 and a good performance but that was when injury struck. After that, there was no return to the first-grade line-up for him last year. A top-notch utility that has proven he is far too good for the NSW Cup, Tuimavave sought greener pastures to further his career and ended up in Newcastle. With a potential utility spot up for grabs, Tuimavave is bound to work hard, play hard and impress Knights fans who may not have seen a lot of him. Should he get the opportunity, he certainly will not disappoint.
9. Lachlan Coote (Cowboys): The talent is evident but so too, is the injury history. For Coote, he has been on the cusp of succeeding and going to the next level when injury has struck. With an ACL injury in last years’ Nines tournament, 2015 is hopefully the injury-free season for Coote and one that can see him claw his way back into first-grade. It certainly will not be easy given the emergence of Morgan at fullback and the halves depth but pre-season and the Nines competition will be telling. If he gets a crack again and does play first-grade, the only way is forwards for the talented utility.
10. Danny Wicks (Eels): His past was well-documented and according to some, he should still be out of the game. But with any first indiscretion, comes a chance for redemption. For Wicks, the Eels have given that chance and so far, he is making the most of it. Wicks appears fitter, faster and stronger – physically and mentally – and primed for a surprise first-grade spot, such has been the nature of the way he has performed in training. A big, mobile unit, Wicks offers the Eels pack some punch up-front and with his past now seemingly behind him, the opportunity is there for Wicks to not only excel but to be rewarded with a new contract at some point during the season.
11. Matt Moylan (Panthers): Some might say Moylan does not belong on a list like this but he’s on it for one very simple reason. The kid can get even better. He was good in 2014 and did some brilliant things but such is his talent and awareness of the game, that he can go to the next level and prove himself. With a solid 2015 season, Moylan can put his mark and stamp on the game and move very close to the upper echelon of current NRL fullbacks. He is a crucial player for the Panthers in 2015 and if he fires, you can bet the Panthers are going to rack up the points for fun.
12. Glenn Stewart (Souths): He might not be a spring chicken anymore but Glenn Stewart will be out to prove that his old legs can still produce the goods, as the Bunnies look to utilise him efficiently. A tremendous passer of the ball and the epitome of the ball-playing lock role, Stewart has a chance to start afresh and make his mark at a new club. The injuries caught up with him during his time at Manly and ultimately, led to his departure from the club. In a new system under a superb coach in Michael Maguire, Stewart has all the makings to succeed and regain at least some of the form that saw him play Origin a few years ago.
13. George Rose (Dragons): Last-chance saloon? Some certainly think so and with Rose changing clubs a fair bit of late, perhaps this opportunity at the Dragons does present itself as the last chance for him to make a mark in the NRL. He has the fans behind him and the cult hero status but will that transcend into his on-field play? The work-rate has always been the criticism but Rose is a determined player and is expected to feature somewhere in the side’s 17 come Rd 1 so if he can knuckle down and make inroads, he could be a handy player for the Dragons either starting or off the bench.
14. Aidan Guerra (Roosters): Set to fill the shoes of the departed Sonny Bill Williams, Guerra has an important role out Roosters way in 2015 and beyond. To hold down his side of the field and exploit the fringes. Good form saw Guerra rewarded with a maiden Queensland appearance and retaining that form is the key for him individually and the key for the club. Knowing what SBW brought to the table in terms of dynamism and unpredictability is hard to replicate but with a player like Guerra to replace him – who, mind you, is only getting better and better each year – is something that has many Roosters fans cheering.
15. Ryan Hoffman (Warriors): In search of a new challenge, Hoffman crossed the Tasman and signed with the Warriors. 2014 was not his best year, though, as the former Origin forward was at times overshadowed by his younger team-mates. With a new challenge comes a chance to help guide the Warriors younger forwards towards the right direction, as he looks to make the most of the move. His experience will be crucial for the Warriors pack, especially playing alongside captain Simon Mannering. 2015 should be a season of bounce back to form for Hoffman.
16. Tim Simona (Tigers): You know when a player has that special something and Tigers wonderkid Tim Simona, he has got it. He burst onto the scene with some scintillating plays and great solo tries and put the NRL and Tigers fans on notice. Since then, though, some injuries and poor form – mind you, collective poor team form as well, thus limiting his individual chances – saw Simona slip a little bit and struggle. Though with the new year ahead of us and Simona likely to play in the centres, he has a chance to redeem himself and get back to that ripper form that had everyone clapping and cheering.