What’s going on with these NRL team runners? They look more like drunks crossing a busy freeway and they’re taking over the joint. Until recently, I thought Ronny Palmer was a bit of a pest, but old Ronny seems like the invisible man compared to some of these modern day infiltrators.
I was sick of seeing them, but now we have to hear them.
One case in point: during the recent West Tigers Vs Manly game, Farrah and Mattai had a minor confrontation and Mattai was marched. Mattai being Mattai went back to patronisingly pat Farrah on the head, to which the West Tigers runner responded with a verbal send-off: “shut up!”
Okay, no big deal, an isolated incident. But it seems that the runners are encroaching more and more and their presence is becoming increasingly obvious each week.
I’m sure Tooves used to use the opportunity to run the water as a test of his side-stepping skills. And for the record, he’s still got it.
These guys are like rodeo clowns scrambling to get out of the way. Well, here’s an idea for you: stay out of the way! Not only are the runners encroaching more and more, they seem to be coaching more and more, too.
I’m sure there has been an escalation in animated acts of disapproval regarding refereeing decisions and exaggerated spasms of appeal for off-sides and high shots, the likes of which would do Marcel Marseau proud.
Where does this lunacy end? It won’t be long before one of these rodeo clowns defuses a bomb or makes a try saving cover tackle.
I think the time has come to put them back on the sidelines, only to enter the playing field for injury and provide water during short breaks in play.
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The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments
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August 7th 2010 @ 11:09am
Atawhai Drive said | August 7th 2010 @ 11:09am | Report comment
In the NRL they’re actually known as “trainers”. The AFL has runners. But their role in both codes is the same: to provide on-field coaching.
And in both codes, they are an unwelcome blight on the game.
Rugby union and soccer dispense with on-field coaches around the under-seven level. Yet in the NRL and AFL, elite players are treated like children by these unwelcome intruders.
If the administrators and the clubs won’t deal with on-field coaching, the players should rise up in revolt and send these luridly dressed interlopers back to the sidelines where they belong.
August 7th 2010 @ 11:19am
Mr Mac said | August 7th 2010 @ 11:19am | Report comment
Alfie Langer in Qld’s SOA matches is the ultimate
He is constanly behind the defensive line & calling the patterns
He was a pest as a player & is worse a a trainer
August 7th 2010 @ 1:56pm
polyglot said | August 7th 2010 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
Well i played for 35 years up until last year and i have always know them as runners not trainers, but i haven’t been in Grade football for 25 years so maybe it’s new at that level to be known as trainers. But still, training is for mid week. And i agree about Alfie, its as if he might be fantasizing about by gone days. He is still ducking tackles. Anyway I’m glad its not just me getting old and grumpy.
August 9th 2010 @ 11:09am
ptovey01 said | August 9th 2010 @ 11:09am | Report comment
I agree it is ridiculous. They should not be able to be on the pitch until there is an injury or there is time off. No more.
August 9th 2010 @ 12:16pm
M.O.C. said | August 9th 2010 @ 12:16pm | Report comment
I love how the players apparently need constant “hydration” from these guys even in teh first minute of the game! – can’t wait to see a trainer tear an ACL or twist and ankle in the field so they need the trainer “trainer” to attend to them.
August 11th 2010 @ 1:22pm
Hoy said | August 11th 2010 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
I agree. They seem to be out there before kick off even.
I am sure these blokes train without a bloke up their arse with a water bottle every 2 minutes. Surely they can translate that to game day can’t they?
Only for injuries or tries. Nothing else.
August 9th 2010 @ 2:55pm
Gareth said | August 9th 2010 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
“Where does this lunacy end? It won’t be long before one of these rodeo clowns defuses a bomb or makes a try saving cover tackle.”
Complete aside – I wonder what the NRL would do if this was to happen. I remember watching the Sevens way back when they were the highlight of the pre season and Manly came up against Tonga in the semis. Tony Iro was sent off, and was on his way off the field when the Tongans made a break. The only thing between them and the try line was Tony Iro, who dutifully tackled the Tongan attacker, and then continued to make his way off the field. There was no penalty, and Manly ended up winning that game by a narrow margin to put them into the grand final.
Anyway, please continue.