By Todd Balym
October 6th 2008 @ 7:27am
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Hard-fought not bought: Manly win premiership
Manly coach Des Hasler looked straight into the camera and without blinking an eyelid uttered his famous words: “We are still flying under the radar.” And for the first time this year Hasler was right. Nobody saw this coming.
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The NRL grand final most had predicted all season ended in a score line nobody could have anticipated.
Manly’s 40-0 flogging of Melbourne was the greatest grand final win in the 100-year history of the game as the Sea Eagles claimed sweet retribution for last year’s disappointing loss to the Storm.
Veteran Steve Menzies capped his marvellous 349 game career with his 180th try and his second premiership ring, 12 years after his first.
Winger Michael Robertson scored a hat-trick, the first since Steve Renouf in the 1997 Super League grand final, as the Sea Eagles ran out eight tries to nil victors.
It is the first time since Manly’s 16-0 triumph over Cronulla in the 1978 replay that a side has been held scoreless in a decider.
The club which was accused of buying premierships in the past tonight claimed their greatest win in Manly’s history was the result of nothing but hard work.
Club co-owner Max Delmege, who saved Manly from extinction six years ago, declared his $10 million investment into the Sea Eagles was worth every cent.
“There is no regrets whatsoever. If somebody was to write a cheque and give it back to me it would probably make my life easier but I would rip it up,” said Delmege.
“This has been a wonderful ride, an amazing experience and I have been repaid 20 times tonight.
“It was something I dreamt of but I didn’t know it was going to come this early.
“We haven’t really bought anybody as such … at the end of the day Des can make ordinary players into extraordinary players.”
Hasler couldn’t praise his team enough for their months of hard work to get to this stage, his side’s superior speed and fitness the key difference between the grand finalists.
“I’m just so pleased for them and proud they are able to experience a grand final win,” said Hasler.
“We really wanted to work Melbourne over because they have had a pretty tough month.
“We wanted to make the game as up-tempo as we could.”
The Sea Eagles dominated the speed of the game and after bashing the Storm with their early defence they just blew them away with a rampant finish.
Robertson scored his three tries in 17 minutes to put himself into league folklore for the right reasons.
His biggest claim to fame until now was his infamous ‘wang’ dance after the 2007 grand final defeat, when television cameras captured him jumping around naked in the changerooms.
“This feeling is so surreal at the moment,” said Robertson.
“It is unbelievable.
“We are all saying how it just feels like a dream.”
Manly rammed home their dominance with three tries in the final 13 minutes, including the 72nd effort to Menzies which brought the crowd of 80,388 to their feet.
Five-eighth Jamie Lyon had played in last year’s loss and the 2001 premiership defeat with Parramatta and was happy to get his title monkey off his back.
“I thought I was a bit of a jinx,” he said.
“When we get in that mood we have players that score freakish tries.”
Skipper Matt Orford, who overcame ankle injuries to play in the decider, couldn’t believe how his side systematically dismantled the dominant side of the past three years.
“I feel about 60 at the moment,” the halfback joked.
“I am in shock.
“It probably has not sunk in yet and that’s probably because of the score line.”
What they said about the NRL grand final:
“I didn’t see that coming.” - Melbourne coach CRAIG BELLAMY.“I thought Robbo was going to be a bit greedy and get four tries but he was nice enough to give me one.” - Manly legend STEVE MENZIES.
“The whole week was about us. Last year I think we were a little bit guilty of focusing on them too much.” - Manly coach DES HASLER.
“That is the best feeling in the world, I can’t describe it. That’s made my year … now we’ve got memories for the rest of our lives.” - Manly captain MATT ORFORD.
“I just have to give a huge wrap to my guys. I accept this on your behalf, I love yas all.” - Manly’s Clive Churchill medallist BRENT KITE.
“It was terrible last year. It took me months to get over. I’m just glad we got a bit of a consolation today.” - Manly five-eighth JAMIE LYON.
“It was almost the perfect performance, scoring 40 points.” Manly hat-trick hero MICHAEL ROBERTSON.
“The first half set it up. We had to come out and play exactly like we did in the first half and we were lucky enough to score a few points in the end.” - Manly fullback BRETT STEWART.
“It was closer than that … I don’t know how (the score) got that high.” - MENZIES again.
“I think one bloke in the team’s not going to make too much difference.” - Suspended Melbourne skipper CAMERON SMITH.
“The only thing I can think of is that we spent ourselves emotionally.” - Retiring Storm veteran MATT GEYER.
“I guess we saved our worst performance for last.” - Storm phenomenon ISRAEL FOLAU.
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Norman Campbell said | October 6th 2008 @ 9:23am | Report comment
Congratulations to Manly on the win. Congratulations to Des Hassler for preparing his team, they were absolutely ready for anything. 40-0 scoreline just shows how they systematically controlled every aspect of the game. Congratulations to Steve Menzies on a brilliant career and of course that brilliant try yesterday. Congratulations to Michael Robertson, firstly for scoring three tries and secondly for not blowing up when Billy Slater came in with his boots right into his arm. (But no congratulations to the referee or other officials who didn’t spot that blatant foul play). Even after the slowmo. Was I the only one who noticed this reckless tackle attempt or would a report on this incident leave the “Australian fullback” ineligible for the world cup.
sheek said | October 6th 2008 @ 10:20am | Report comment
My post match observations. Admittedly, I turned the TV off at the 60 minute mark, with the Manly Sea Eagles leading 24-0. I like to see a contest, not a mis-match.
1. Justice was served #1. Des Hasler & Steve Menzies are both icons of rugby league, whoever you support. They deserved their success.
2. Justice was served #2, sort of. Melbourne’s tackling style has brought them great criticism this season. Many people will be glad they got their “just desserts”.
3. The Storm can regroup. Will Craig Bellamy learn the lessons of this defeat? Come back in 2009 with a cleaner tackling style, without losing the hard edge of the forwards, or the brilliance of the backs.
4. Perhaps the NRL scored an ‘own goal’ by suspending Cameron Smith. His presence wouldn’t have altered the final result, but he would have almost certainly ensured a closer scoreline.
5. Smith’s suspension was never about its legitimacy. At the root of the anger directed towards the NRL was their lack of consistency in addressing transgressions throughout the season. In the end, the NRL probably deserved to be presented with a ‘dud’ grand final.
Dud in the sense it was a no-contest. No-one could fault the brilliance of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. We reap what we sow - good & bad.
El Capitan said | October 6th 2008 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Got to agree with you Sheek.
Smith would not have made a huge difference and yes he was guilty, but the consistantly was not there for suppending players for grapple tackles during the year.
I too turned off the TV and changed stations after the 60th minute mark. I wanted to see a contest not a one sided event. Manly deserve the win, but I’d like to know how many left the TV’s when the score was racking up?
Also I did notice that at the end of the game, the crowd started to leave before the presentions. The previous week the crowd at the MCG for the AFL stayed until the players were presented their medals. Difference in cultures?
ray clarke said | October 6th 2008 @ 11:09am | Report comment
The Leugue Grand Final was of the very highest quality and an excellent advertisement for the code. Who would entertain Super 14 after that exhibition yesterday in Sydney? There was not one penalty shot at goal or a dropped goal in the fourty points scored. Rugby Union cannot compete with that as far too much of thier points come from the boot. The Manly Team gave an excellent exhibition of top quality intelligent Rugby Leaugue. Long live the NRL!
oikee said | October 6th 2008 @ 11:55am | Report comment
Well said ray, but i wont make any judgement about Union because at the top level it can be quite entertaining. As for turning off your tele at the 60 minute mark then you missed out on 2 players scoring brilliant tries in their last games for manly. The beaver got his and rocked the crowd then Steve Bell scored the last which i quite enjoyed giving the service he has made to his club. To me it would be like turning off tiger woods when he was 10 shots ahead final hole and could make birdie to break course record, if you do follow the game then you would not turn it off with 20 to go, just goes to show how fickle you are, please dont barrack for the kangaroos, if they get beat you will be the 1st to critacise. I had backed Melbourne and was hoping for a consilation try, never happened. Cheers.
The Link said | October 6th 2008 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
“Des can make ordinary players into extraordinary players”
Max, you’ve said it all.
Haslers ability to get the best out of young juniors and journeyman has been the key.
A spinkling of top players purchased (Lyon, Orford, Kite) were more at the crossroads rather than the eschelon of the game
The blueprint for rebuilding a team, a culture and a club is laid bare for all.
However one thing you cannot replicate the steel and determination of D Hasler.
Well done Manly.
Premierships in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s.
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
I’m Oikee and Ray, though not a fan of making code-to-code comparisons, and it was a joy to see Manly play intelligent attacking League that was totally focussed on scoring tries. Though the scoreline was uneven, the attitude in which the game was played as well as some of Manly’s excellent whole-team passing and tries made the GF a joy to watch.
sheek said | October 6th 2008 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
Ray Clarke/Oikee,
Cheap shots from you both!
I watched the final minutes of the earlier final between Canberra & Brisbane, which went into extra time. There must have been half a dozen or more shots at field goal in those final 10 minutes, as both sides strived to break the deadlock.
My heart was in my mouth, so to speak, & I had no interest in who won. The point is, field goals are exciting at the appropriate time, & do have their place. Stop comparing the games (RL & RU) - they may appear similar, but are very different games, with different characteristics.
We Australians are very lucky to have 4 different top quality football codes. No other country can boast this? I have come to appreciate rugby union, rugby league, soccer & Australian football in the same way I can appreciate a straw blond, a honey blond, a brunette, an auburn, a raven or a redhead.
Vive la difference!
Redb said | October 6th 2008 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
Millster,
That goes against what you were saying about one sided games last week.
So a complete thrashing can be exciting?
Redb
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 1:00pm | Report comment
RedB - I didnt say anything about exciting in my post - or even use the word - if you re-read. I just said that Manly’s play was awesome at times. I also agreed with the somewhat-sledge at the Union tactic of smothering play and scoring too much off the boot at the expense of any ambition to score tries, and said I was glad to see Manly aiming for the try-line right to the final hooter. But no, I agree, ‘exciting’ it was not in terms of any suspense about the result.
Sheek - but would the football codes or the women win out?
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 1:33pm | Report comment
Ray you just had to go and measure it against union? If a rugby team (union) led by 40 points they wont be kicking trust me.
I always find it amusing when the die hard league fans ramble on about how good “their” sport is. Honestly I don’t know why you try, league will never make it to unions status as a sport. This is something common in Australia and 95% of the time coming from league fans. No use in comparing them if u are a union supporter, league is similar to donkey racing in Mexico if you come from out side Australia. Your thoughts on it being a good advertisement for the sport… you must be joking, a 40-0 thrashing to the un trained eye is not nothing spectacular, I take it your a Manley fan and the joy of winning at that margin is clouding your judgment. Same goes for the up and coming world cup, guess who is going to win that one?
I am with Sheek I switched to Nat-geo for the last 25 min, the storm were never really in it. I preferred the State of origin matches (if we are talking advertisement) I do try and watch the game and from time to time you see individuals do amazing things, but checkers just seems so boring when you are use to chess.
Maybe its a cultural thing?
Rumma said | October 6th 2008 @ 1:35pm | Report comment
I’m a genuine mexican but love my rugby league, especially the Storm. On the Grand Final they were beaten by the better team.
I had to turn the sound off due to the worst one eyed commentary I ever heard. They were even screaming for test spots to be taken from the storm half way through the match. Give me a break - next they’ll want Beaver back as test captain. Another thing - the pre game entertainment -wasn’t. Rock bands and poor audio have failed before and lets not blame the lack of fireworks, either before or during the game. The pre-game was pathetic.
hayden said | October 6th 2008 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
This last week has been excruciating. What is that army of journalist who have spent the last seven days writing crap about what each Manly and Melbourne players mother and sister eat for breakfast every morning going to do now that the game is over? Let alone the endless headlines with lame puns revolving around players names and positions on the field. Congrats to Manly - glad to see you put those humorless, cynical Stormers in their place.
The Link said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
TembaVJ, overwhelming majority of NSW and QLD don’t agree with you.
Pretty sure the comment was on the quality of the play, not on what sport is bigger internationally.
Take a leaf out of Sheek’s book and enjoy what both codes have to offer.
Skull said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Union may well have status in 4 or 5 other countries, but nowhere near the entertainment value of league on a week by week basis. You may occasionally get a good open game but most Rugby fans would rather see scrums and lineouts and penalty kicks (see opposition to ELV’S) than players running passing and scoring tries. This may be the reason why Rugby isn’t as widely accepted in this country as RL. However, as a Sea Eagles fan for 40 years, it does not get any better, and I for one did not turn the TV off until they cut the telecast off early so as we could have the pleasure of watching 60 minutes
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:23pm | Report comment
Link, firstly I think I watch more league then Ray does union and I have excepted long ago that they are different. 2nd Consistent quality of play is what makes a sport big, hence my response. I just fail to see how the GRAND FINAL, the best of the best, the ultimate 12th round slogout ends in a 40-0 score?? What does this tell people outside about the sport?
Skull said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
Just tells them that one team is dominant on the night.
David Carling said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
My Mighty Manly Sea-Eagles
We are the CHAMPIONS for 2008 totally magnificent BIG CONGRATULATIONS to our Super coah Des Hasler and to Matty Orford Great effort OX also Jamie Lyon well done maybe these so called experts can get of your backs and eat humble pie i know your worthy and wouldn’t swap you fro any number 7 in the land. As for Brent Kite please explain Mr Bellamy should have been their in origin in front of Brett White wow how did you sleep mate.
I LOVE my MIGHTY MANLY SEA-EAGLES 4 Ever 1st 4 Me
Hear the Mighty roar as the Sea-Eagles soar
Beaver Beaver Beaver as the CHAMP scores. Will be missed but never forgotten your simply the best Steve Menzies thankyou very much for all the many happy and great memories. GOOD LUCK Beaver.
MANLY 2008 and Centenary Premiers. Best Ever.
MANLY MANLY MANLY what a team
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Temba your posts are kinda hypocritical. Yes, sure, League is an insular game. But so is Union - to some extent more so because even though it masquerades as an international sport, it has grown from the upper colonial classes of less than a half-dozen countries only and until recently has been very closed in that community. The only sport that can boast the kind of international relevence that you are trying to ascribe on Union is Football.
So once your feet are back on the ground, dont discriminate against League. If you want an important global code, follow Football. If you want a great local/semi-local game with skills and play you can enjoy, then sure Union may be your thing, but it doesn’t have much over either League or AFL to support the attitude of superiority that you have stupidly taken. In fact as a neutral observer the playing skills are more evident to me in League (and AFL) than in Union, much of which is about scrabbling around on the ground and a few badly directed kicks.
I say well done to both League yesterday and AFL last week for putting on good GFs. Neither were thrillers but both were good hard skilled games.
Skull said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Well said Millster
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Skull I felt the same way when South Africa trumped Australia 53-8 a month or so ago, it feels good but this does not mean it was a good game of rugby. A good game is one that is hard fought by the best of the best.
“Union may well have status in 4 or 5 other countries” You might be slightly off target there. As for the other aspect of Union you fail to find interesting (lineout’s, scrums and kicking) its all part of a far more complex game. Like I said Checkers and Chess, take your pick, just don’t tell others what to pick.
“Dominant on the night”, ok… And you wonder why league cant compete with Union for viewers.
It reminds me of those earlier Mike Tyson fight where they would put him up against some skinny white nobody and he would knock him out in 30 seconds. I always felt sorry for the people that bought tickets to those spectacles.
oikee said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Can back you up on that millster, i did not see the word exciting in your blog, we all love a close game but if you are a league fan then you would enjoy the great skills and record occasion that it produced, not only for the game but also the players,
As for Union being a better game, i said it has its moments at international level, so would league if we played the game 24/7 like union does theres. I am still looking forward to this world cup because we dont have them very often. Maybe thats a good thing for league. If they keep flogging that Wallabies / all blacks i think you will never improve your local game. Not trying to put the game down but its becoming quite a slog lately. Too many internationals can spoil the broth. Somebody tell o’neil this please, while his local game suffers. Any international game of any code can attract a full house to the game, take soccer and the sellout game at suncorp next 2 weeks, so if union thinks that this is there only domain then they had better rethink.
Thats all i am saying because the other codes are moving forward fast. League is not growing here as much as it is in england, they have a well run comp there now with excellent growth. The better the local comp the more countries that are willing to buy that product, and league has got over 125 countries now on board for the rights to show there world cup, so anyone who thinks that this is a waste of time are wasting there own time.
Sport is fast becoming a world product, even a game like the aussie rules international between ireland and oz can make big money by selling it to overseas countries, and from what i have seen on the clips, it looks alright to me.
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
40-0 grand final… 30 seconds mike tyson fight
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
Temba - I have to call you again on your post. You mention scrums, lineouts and kicking as added complexity to your code. Do you realise that if you pop your head into neutral territory for just a second that they are nothing more than slightly bizarre idiosyncracies of your game? Nothing more skilled or complex there. In fact most football or AFL players would see the kicking standards in Union as shockingly bad in terms of accuracy and range. Each game has its own little features and ‘wierd-bits’ but please don’t be so arrogant as to think that Union is better based on these. In fact one could carry the opposite argument and say that League has stripped these out and come closer to something purer and simpler. I don’t believe this 100% but raising it just so you can see the error and silliness of your views. Bottom line is that “chess and checkers” indicates a value judgement by you that is based not at all in reality and totally in your own snooty prejudice. I also have a preferred code. But it doesn’t make me so condescending to all the others.
Skull said | October 6th 2008 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
Complex = boring too much time standing around waiting, league cant compete for viewers with Union? may be in South Africa, NZ and England but I ‘m not talking about those places. When was the last time a Union match outdrew a league match on TV in Australia? Not even All Black tests do that. I also think you are the one trying to tell others what to think and pick. You have taken the usual die hard Union fan attitude in looking down the nose at League as a sport and it’s followers. That is the it is a far more complex game than any other. Wht’s complex about dthrowing the ball in between two gropups of men who then attempt to push the others away from it. What is complex about kicking the thing away the first time you get it. The only compex thing about Rugby is the breakdown and that is so complex not even the referees understand it.This may entertain some people, but to a die hard leaguie like me your attitude is very condesending and is the reason why Rugby in this country is 4th out of the four football codes.
Skull said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:03pm | Report comment
Temba dont get me wrong as I like Rugby but seriously some of you guys need a reality check about the game. To quite a lot of people it is boring, as is league or soccer or NFL or any game you want to pick on. Each to their own I suppose.
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
Millster I just managed to get my feet back on the ground, thanks. I am sorry if this is coming across as if I am here trying to convince someone to convert to union, fact is I could not care less. I clicked on this blog as I was curious to see if anyone else found it strange that a grand final ends in 40-0. Until I saw ray Clarke’s comments union had nothing to do with it.
It’s a choice that is your and yours alone, claiming that it has more skill is your opinion and point of view, I can guarantee you, you wont convince many.
Many think league is a dying professional sport and the fact that leagies jump to defend it so ferociously is a sign of the defeat nearing. 40-0 grand final certainly does not make for a good advertisement.
Also please don’t take me for a novice I have been in this conversation before, the leagies just love using the AFL to back up all there facts… I am glad you enjoy it but outside the 22 million people in Australia league is pretty much competing with Mexican donkey racing. So Millster you bang in with the insults and analyze every word to find fault but in the end how many people watch league and how many watch union… The figures should speak for them selves. You don’t have to agree and you don’t have to like Union, but you lads here have spat out far more negitives about union then I have about league the actual game. Read my comments again lads.
Ta.
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
Skull (good nick by the way) you have hit the nail on the head. Complex is boring to you but to others it intriguing. Like I said Chess is more complex allowing for more tactical game play then Checkers a faster moving game. Like you said each to his own.
Westy said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:24pm | Report comment
TembaVJ…..your usual sound technical analysis and knowledge of Rugby … may not help you here ….your view is predicated on the fact a game must be close to be exciting…….i thought South Africa played some excellent line/angle running rugby….that was technically very proficient…..genuinely exploiting not only Tahu but our entire lineout was pierced causing havoc to inside defensive backs…………I saw Geelong last year play very skilful AFL in flogging Port Adelaide last year ……and I also find it difficult not to appreciate the skill on show on some of Manly skills. Hasler plays an old fashioned 5/8 and some of our Rugby monsters out on the wing would have found it very difficult to finish get in low at speed to finish their sometimes exquisite passing movements. They sometimes used used their hands as well as any rugby centre …..and with Crocker shooting out of the defensive line …brave at times
Different games or not League has some positional similarities in the backs and I have not seen a current Australian rugby fullback who can match Slater/Stewart or Hunt. This does not count the injured Bowen Hodgson or Minichello. We currently have maybe one and I forgot the Reds borrowed Schicovski from league’s Raiders.
I went to see Sydney Uni play Randwick in our Sydney First Grade Grand Final… closer game TembaVJ but the skill level was to say the least ordinary.In Australian rugby we have to be careful not to have sour grapes. It is alright not to like league but I have learned like the leaguies are learning in transferring to rugby now not to underestimate the skill level of any of Australia’s 4 codes.
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
Just for clarification Temba I am a football follower which puts all other codes in perspective. So don’t put me in with leaguies, just see me as someone who on principle though your comments were arrogant.
But I do like all the other codes (yes even union) for what they are. What I objected to was your value judgement about the game itself. However much trouble the League’s administration and structure is in, or how fragile its support base, farting on about it being intrinsically an inferior game is just crap - untrue and unhelpful. Also in most of the world you would of course realise that Union is also seen as nothing more than Mexican Donkey Racing - surely you have enough perspective to see that.
Incidentally just so you know I’m attacking you and not Union I’d defend Union the same way against biased baseless drivel from the followers of any other sport. I’m arguing on principle.
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:30pm | Report comment
Westy - thanks for that knowledgeable and balanced view.
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:40pm | Report comment
Westy… Good comments, it will aid me in my struggle to becoming a better “football” supporter.
Millster, please… You are not defending the right of all that is good, I think its time you get your feet back on the ground. After all the negatives you spat out about union I find it funny you now try and be open minded and on mutual ground.
I watched that game (not all of it) as I watched all the state of origin matches and I did say right in the beginning that I have seen some very talented players do amazing things. I didn’t come here to pickup arms for union but when I see ridiculous remarks as some have made here I have to reply.
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
Why on earth would you like to attack me Millster? Are you policing the internet searching for the wrong do’ers like myself and fight the good fight for all sports? Get over yourself, you got pissed off because I replied to a league supporters ridiculous post. I’m not even “attacking” you as you would say, just debating, its what these sites are for in the first place.
Westy said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:50pm | Report comment
TembaVJ……one other point that distinguishes NZ rugby from Australian rugby is that unlike in New Zealand, rugby has never been a game of the people. There are ordinary punters who play and support rugby in Australia but the game is weak in the areas it needs to be strong. This has not always been about money. We lost a majority of amateur rugby players here to amateur league by the late 1930’s. Robbie Deans or any other New Zealander is not in a position to understand that rugby turned its back on some “people ” long before money became an issue. The best analysis is that a New Zealander could proudly debate and pick a very stong Maori AllBlack team……….The AFL can pick a strong All Australian Aboriginal Team….and League can and has selected a very powerful Indigenous team of the century captained coach by Arthur Beetson all who played for the Kangaroos or their state……..That there have been famous Indigenous players to play for the wallabies is true but 19 with their own coach …….Ah ………..we might get some ………but if you understand the difficulty get the picture…Australian Rugby is much better at picking a team of the century from one elitist private school….Joey’s …who Spiros proudly states have supplied 15% of all Wallabies. Says it all really. I support Rugby but like most of us have a league team and keep an eye on a game that appealled a little more to the ordinary punter not because it was more complicated just more welcoming across social classes.
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
Temba - I think most people here can go back and look at your litany of snide remarks about League and judge for themselves.
Also most people here who I speak to regularly will know that I defend any code against code-v-code stuff which I despise. Your “checkers and chess” stuff and attempt to pass off Union as more skilled and complex, combined with your fraudulent attempt to present that code as a truly international sport is what got me going.
And the “maybe its a cultural thing” line you used to end your first post was condescending enough to make me - and I suspect other reads - puke.
Westy said | October 6th 2008 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
TembaVJ…………Also understand I support go to club rugby games . My club the Two Blues is like the Penrith Emus fighting for our existence in Western sydney. NZ rugby tries to save Northland but here where we are with nearly 3 million people still facing a difficult future. I may tend to distort or exaggerate my views but sadly there are some seeds of truth.
oikee said | October 6th 2008 @ 4:02pm | Report comment
Can i say something, i play chess and know the game well, but i do admit its boring, i love checkers 2 and its fast exciting and all over in minutes. So my thoery is that i can admit when something is boring, Even thow i like to play the game. I am only talking about Chess and checkers by the way.
As for union i have only said it has trouble at the local end. Super14 and under. And i have said before this will not change here in oz while we have the n.r.l. The big money will come for the nrl and its juniors. That under 20’s game was a ripper. Not alot of dropped ball.
I also stand by my remarks about the local games selling there products around the world, the n.r.l and super league have good products to sell.
TembaVJ said | October 6th 2008 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Very dramatic Millster, “attacking and puking” funny you dint defend anything when Ray before me spat out code vs. code stuff. Please stop being the hero… And you are calling me fraudulent?
Relax mate, enough attacking me for one day I gota go home now.
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
Temba - I’ve looked back for a ridiculous post before yours and cannot find one. The only reference to Union before your entry was quite oblique and referred to the GF having been a try-focused game and not reliant on a rule-set and scoring system that over-weighs the kicked goal. Given that I’ve heard over the past 5 years many expert Union commentators strongly agree that too much scoring in that code comes from the boot, I didn’t think it was such an offensive or controversial comment.
But… just taking your first post… your downright hysterical responses included…
“Honestly I don’t know why you try, league will never make it to unions status as a sport.”
“No use in comparing them if u are a union supporter, league is similar to donkey racing in Mexico if you come from out side Australia.”
“checkers just seems so boring when you are use to chess.”
…and the clincher again… “Maybe its a cultural thing?”
So who was attacking who again? And are you still denying my right (even as a relative neutral in all this) to call your uppity arrogant approach towards League for the rubbish it is?
Funny thing is I bet you’re not even an old boy from one of those elitist schools Westy describes, which would be the one thing to partially excuse you. I’ll bet you’ve picked up a taste for Union, along with one for bad chardonnay and cucumber sandwiches and linen suits with boatshoes, as a late-starter wannabe. No-one truly from the elite end of society would show so little class.
cosmos forever said | October 6th 2008 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
You guys can be real losers, seriously.
Code War aside - very exciting match. Raiders 20’s certainly take our the Most Ironic Team award by scoring the winning try from an offside player taking the chip kick. Only decision to go our way all season in any grade!
Thought the final was a one-sided score line but quite tense until the last 15 or so. A quality game all round.
Storm completely ineffectual when not allowed to lay all over the player and left it up to individual brilliance which has been lacking for weeks (Ingliss - no tired, grappled opposition to turn the magic on against this week eh).
Isreal and Crocker the only two to really show some guts.
Nice end to the season.
PS - as a result of a bet I had a butler for the whole day. Thank God the Raiders finished above the Panthers! Thanks Sammy - I appreciated that constant stream of beer and also thought you looked great in all that Raiders gear
The Priddis-Adamson Cup is yours for another year!
Now, I’m going out the back to play a NoiseWorks medley on my kettle bbq
Skull said | October 6th 2008 @ 6:10pm | Report comment
Love your work cosmos. As Roy & HG said the Rugby League sure showed China how an opening ceremony should be ut on. The utes and the BBQ’s what a hoot.
cosmos forever said | October 6th 2008 @ 6:15pm | Report comment
And Skull - it gets so much better than that. The Noiseworks song that was chosen was written about a bloke whose girlfriend is killed in a car accident. So good to see Jonny Stevens belting it out surrounded by hot utes…
Millster said | October 6th 2008 @ 6:23pm | Report comment
Cosmos - sorry for getting carried away before. I realise sometimes my aggro at someone can get the better of me.
I for one loved the entertainment. Thought Noiseworks and the Living End both played really well.
Steffy said | October 6th 2008 @ 6:51pm | Report comment
I got up at 7am in England to watch the game. I have no affiliation to either side (or any in the NRL) so I watched it purely as a neutral and thought it was a superb game. Of course it didn’t have the excitement of a close contest but the skills on show were wonderful. It was a great game of rugby and a very well deserved win by Manly.
The Link said | October 6th 2008 @ 8:57pm | Report comment
Temba, you’ve gotta get that chip of your shoulder. Its a shame that an Australian Rugby fan can look neither internationally or domestically and see dominance. Probably indicates where your paranoia comes from, but don’t take it out on the rest of us.
Millster, enjoying your work.
Cosmos, gotta get Alan Tongue to teach those youngsters how to hang on to the ball, but geez they’ve got some spark in them.
Cosmos Forever said | October 6th 2008 @ 9:04pm | Report comment
Agreed Link. And with most of them on long term contracts we are very very excited down here.
I can’t tell you guys how much it hurt to support Manly in the big one. But i thought it was a just result.
Brett Kimmorley said on Fox tonight - Melbourne are a good team, not a great one. To be a great one they should have won at least two or three of the past grand finals.
Tom said | October 7th 2008 @ 10:06pm | Report comment
Rumma - Beaver back as test captain? Why the hell didn’t I think of that? Couldn’t think of a better choice myself. The old man showed a few of those Storm upstarts how it’s done on Sunday, there’s still life in those old legs yet.
And as for the league vs. union debate, I hear Robbie Deans has taken quite a liking to the peninsula and plans to buy around the Fairlight area, so I’m sure he loved it.