Of one of the many, many reasons we all love rugby league is its unpredictability.
I can't tell you the last time a pre-season predicted top eight came to pass.
There's always a host of teams who outshine their standing while some teams just simply can't live up to their own hype.
2025 is no different.
I'd even go so far as to suggest that 2025 is a special case altogether. Look at the fact that the Penrith Panthers rode the bottom of the table for weeks.
Today we are here to look at a few of those occurrences that were somewhat, or totally, un believeavle back in late February.
I'm nothing if not humble. I'm more than happy to admit where I've been wrong. Unfortunately it happens so often it has become a habit.
Below are five statements I thought I'd never be typing in the pre-season:
3. Lachlan Galvin scores on Bulldogs debut
Coming into 2025 I was sure that Lachlan Galvin was the future of the Tigers.
A big, long, fat contract extension was tabled and I assumed it would be signed and the Tigers would build their club around the talented youngster.
Then out of nowhere, the mess not only hit the fan but it spread far and wide and hit everyone square in the face!
Looking back, there were signs. Galvin's early comments re wanting out re-emerged but I just put that aside as pushing for a bigger deal.
Players fall out with their clubs all the time, but the way this happened was like nothing I've seen before.
He went from Tigers golden child to loathed figure within a week. He was dropped to NSW Cup then welcomed back to big applause.
It looked as though he would join the Eels for 2026 and beyond to replace Dylan Brown. Then suddenly the Dogs pulled off the signing and grabbed him right away.
Galvin would then score on debut in blue and white.
If you'd had told me that series of events would unfold so quickly, I'd have called you all sorts of names.
Contracts officially mean nothing in 2025's NRL!
“I’m absolutely not calling for Fitzgibbon’s job by any means, but I am nowhere near as certain as I once was.”
Come on Dan, have the courage of your convictions and tell us what you _really_ think.
The Sharks’ team selection is poor, rotation is worse, and retention/recruitment is execrable. The Head Coach has the major say in all three.