Footy fans lash out at NRL’s latest ‘cringeworthy’ and ‘lame’ promotion for the 2023 season

Football fans have criticized the NRL’s ’embarrassing’ and ‘boring’ promotion on social media ahead of the 2023 season.

The likes of Ben Hunt (Dragons), Adam Reynolds (Broncos), Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs) and Kalyn Ponga (Knights) dressed up based on their personalities, or in some cases a tie-in to a popular TV series, as was the case with Hunting and Game of Thrones.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s signature mullet was on display for the Gold Coast Titans, and Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic appeared alongside an F1 race car.

Some Manly fans saw the timing as a curse, after the fullback was ruled out for six to eight weeks on Thursday after MRIs revealed a grade two hamstring tear.

Trbojevic felt his hamstring rupture during a routine training exercise on Sydney’s northern beaches, and given his injury history, he initially feared the worst.

NRL promotional tweet about Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic: 24 hours later, he was taken down for eight weeks due to a torn hamstring.

Dragons star Ben Hunt produced his best Game of Thrones impersonation for the NRL Twitter promotion.

Rabbitohs, and now Broncos fans, have always seen Adam Reynolds as a magician, and he played the role for the NRL on his social media.

The Bulldogs’ cult hero, Josh Addo-Carr, is famous for his suave nature and his catch cry “let’s go trotting.”

He is expected to miss tryouts in February but should be cleared to play in the season opener against the Bulldogs on March 4 at Brookvale Oval.

A supporter said the image of the 26-year-old Trbojevic resembled a Ferrari because he “always has medical problems.”

Another was a bit harsh, stating that the promotion was ‘cheesy as… What fool convinced him (Trbojevic) that this would be a great thing to do?

The image of favorite son Benji Marshall alongside a couple of Tigers was touted as part of a ‘new era’ in Concord, with Tim Sheens taking over next year.

Sheens guided the likes of Marshall, and his legendary partner Robbie Farah, to the joint venture’s only premiership in 2005.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s signature mullet was displayed for the Gold Coast Titans in the promotion.

Knights star Kalyn Ponga also appeared, and will be looking to ‘defend the realm’ in early March.

The image of the favorite son Benji Marshall with a couple of Tigers was promoted as part of a “new era” in Concord to come 2023 where he will be assistant to Tim Sheens

One Tigers supporter said on Twitter that he “loved watching Benji as a player and speaks common sense when doing interviews… I wish him much success,” while another spoke for many when he said “it’s great to be confident.” , (they are) certainly just talking, now let’s see the team walk down the road.’

The NRL season kicks off on March 2 when Parramatta takes on Melbourne at Commbank Stadium.

Poll

Which NRL player promotion do you think is the best?

• ben hunt 2 votes
• tom trbojevic 1 votes
• adam reynolds 0 votes

Penrith will be fighting for a third successive title, with the last club to achieve the decorated feat being the 1981-1983 Eels.

Since 1991, four teams have won in a row with the Broncos twice (1992-1993 and 1997-1998), the Sydney Roosters (2018-2019) and the Panthers (2021-2022).

For all their dominance, Melbourne have failed to achieve the feat.

Panthers great Greg Alexander is banking on a hat-trick, pointing to the smart recruiting of forwards Luke Garner and Zac Hosking, plus utility man Tyrone Peachey.

He recognized that Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs) and Api Koroisau (Tigers) will be big losses, and he expects Soni Luke and Mitch Kenny to fight for the number 9 jersey.