The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said that hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man. Nietzsche would not have coped well in rugby league and certainly not on the eve of a new season where hope is at its high watermark.
In a game whose narrative is often beset by negativity and narkiness, the last days before a new campaign kicks off are often the last days of optimism and, arguably, the NRL has never been more optimistic about a season.
