Toovey bemused by NRL scheduling
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A bemused Manly coach Geoff Toovey wants the ARL Commission to make fairer scheduling its first priority, arguing NRL heavyweights Brisbane have an unfair advantage.
Toovey made the comments after witnessing his side go down 26-14 to Gold Coast on Saturday night at Brookvale – the same ground where they’d thrashed Penrith just five days earlier.
The Sea Eagles’ scattered schedule has left the rookie coach disappointed, especially compared to Brisbane, who will enjoy Friday night games for the first eight rounds this year.
“It would be great to be a Brisbane and have seven days, seven days, seven days (to prepare each week),” Toovey said.
“That would be fantastic. I think it’s something the new commission or David Gallop needs to look at.
“Quite frankly, the rest of the clubs are at a disadvantage.”
While stopping short of blaming the short turnaround for the loss, Toovey said it was an obvious disadvantage for the Sea Eagles.
“It’s not an excuse for our performance tonight, don’t get me wrong, but it would be much easier for other teams if they had that sort of turnaround.
“Let’s be honest, (the short turnaround) does (hurt). Our blokes were really flat.
“The league’s got to do something about it.”
The rookie coach was also upset that no action was taken by the officials when centre Steve Matai went off injured following a high shot from Titan Nate Myles.
Matai immediately left the field with a neck/shoulder injury and was taken from the ground in an ambulance.
“It’s alright apparently if you get hit in the back of the head but, if you get hit in the front, it’s not alright,” he said.
“I’d like someone to explain to me that decision.
“(Matai) is not well.”
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- Manly Sea Eagles, NRL, Rugby League
April 15th 2012 @ 6:52am
eagleJack said | April 15th 2012 @ 6:52am | Report comment
Not only do they enjoy a 7 day turnaround every week but 5 times this year they have played teams who have backed up from Sunday. Yes they are professional athletes but a constant routine and an extra 2 days rest is a handy advantage.
From what I understand many Broncos fans would prefer Sunday games due to the family nature of a sunny afternoon at the footy. Or even throw in some Saturday night games so out of towners can make it when getting to the game after work on a Friday is difficult.
Unfortunately the situation is unlikely to change when the media control the schedule. Broncos get big ratings in QLD on a Friday night and $$ signs are the number one focus. Fair enough but I just hope Channel 9 lose the rights. Showing 1 live game out of 3 in this day and age is criminal.
April 15th 2012 @ 12:32pm
Kim Hart said | April 15th 2012 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
Exactly right mate the prime time TV slot is friday night and as a Broncos game has a monopoly in Brisbane they will continue with this scheduling. Tissues for Mr Toovey please.
April 15th 2012 @ 6:34pm
Boomshanka said | April 15th 2012 @ 6:34pm | Report comment
Interesting times ahead with the new quality provisions of the anti siphoning list, which may see an end to the Broncos Friday night monopoly.
Basically the decision as to what gets shown on FTA will be a matter for the Minister of Communications, not necessarily the winning FTA bidder (although with the current Minister in the pockets of FTA networks – who knows)?
April 15th 2012 @ 8:28am
oikee said | April 15th 2012 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Thats ok Tooves, you we wont have to listen to your complaints much longer, your not really a coach, your more like a angry little man who likes to be heard. It wont be long before your in the same boat as Henjack mate, the NRL should do a show, Where are they now. You will be joining him soon, Manly will be falling around you soon enough, No Dessy no Manly, and on a perfect night only 11,500 got behind your outfit, if you can call them that, more like retirement home.
When you get 30 thousand to out of town teams you can be taken seriously, and that my friend will never never happen at Manly, you want to argue with me, be my guest.
Dont make comment about the Broncos Tooves, you barking up the wrong tree.
April 15th 2012 @ 1:18pm
Mals said | April 15th 2012 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
Haha Oikee so predictable. Toovey asks a perfectly reasonable question about the Broncos game schedules & he is somehow angry?? How he dare he question the advantages that the Friday Night Broncos get with a consistent 7 day turn around between games.
Broncos get big crowds because you have a monopoly over Brisbane, a big city with 2 million people. Bring in some extra Brisbane teams & we’ll see how that effects the miniature ponies.
Manly has won two grand finals since your last premiership Oikee so I’d argue they are travelling along nicely
April 15th 2012 @ 9:38pm
Gaz said | April 15th 2012 @ 9:38pm | Report comment
Titans belt Manly and he blames the Broncos….now I’ve heard everything. Does he relies how ridiculous that sounds.
April 15th 2012 @ 10:54pm
Queensland's Game is Rugby League said | April 15th 2012 @ 10:54pm | Report comment
“Manly has won two grand finals since your last premiership Oikee so I’d argue they are travelling along nicely”
1. Brett Stewart (Illawarra)
6. Kieran Foran (New Zealander)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (Mackay)
9. Matt Ballin (Narango, QLD)
That’s the spine of the Sea Eagles. Not one local junior amongst them. Take them out of the team and they wouldn’t be too successful.
“Broncos get big crowds because you have a monopoly over Brisbane, a big city with 2 million people. Bring in some extra Brisbane teams & we’ll see how that effects the miniature ponies.”
You can blame Sydney for that. They’re the ones who reckon Brisbane isn’t big enough for two teams.
April 16th 2012 @ 10:35am
Mals said | April 16th 2012 @ 10:35am | Report comment
Who cares where they originally hail from? Ballin aside, Manly has nursed these players along since they were teenagers. Broncos could have had DCE but you didn’t want him. Tough luck! Manly is winning premierships that is what counts.
April 16th 2012 @ 10:40pm
Queensland's Game is Rugby League said | April 16th 2012 @ 10:40pm | Report comment
The players care. So do their families. They would prefer to stay close to their friends and family when they’re young. It’s hard for them to do that when there’s only 3 NRL clubs in Queensland.
April 16th 2012 @ 11:42pm
PLANKO said | April 16th 2012 @ 11:42pm | Report comment
Balin run’s a business on the Northern Beaches and loves it there. Manly allowed the Stewart brothers to stay together your argument is flawed. Foran look who he is playing with that is right his brother Liam. QLD the Smart State LOL remember that one. They got rid of that quick for a reason.
April 18th 2012 @ 11:50pm
Queensland's Game is Rugby League said | April 18th 2012 @ 11:50pm | Report comment
Your examples don’t disprove what I said. Re-read it. I said the players would prefer to be close to home when they’re young. Key word being “young”.
You’re referring to players who’ve had enough time to adjust to their new location. All you’ve done is prove that players can adjust to life away from home if they’re given enough time. It doesn’t mean they wouldn’t have preferred to play closer to home when they entered first-grade. Neither does it prove that their parents, siblings and friends are happy about them living interstate.
If you really believe what you’re saying then you’ll be an advocate for a draft system to enter the NRL. You won’t care if born-and-bred Parramatta juniors are forced to go play for the WA Reds u-20′s when they’re brought into the competition.
“Manly allowed the Stewart brothers to stay together your argument is flawed.”
Since when is Illawarra based in Queensland? Re-read my comment. I was speaking about Queenslanders.
April 16th 2012 @ 2:46am
AndyMack said | April 16th 2012 @ 2:46am | Report comment
Oikee, I dont like Manly anymore than you do, but think Toovey might have a point. Its hardly fair scheduling. Having a crack at Toovey and Manly is not really answering the issue, just having a cheap shot.
April 16th 2012 @ 11:44pm
PLANKO said | April 16th 2012 @ 11:44pm | Report comment
Oikee Toovey has more in his left testicle than you. Do your research … He could get a real job.
April 15th 2012 @ 8:36am
Roarsome said | April 15th 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
How ironic that Manly complain after all the Sunday afternoon games they have. Given that Manly didn’t even have lights at their ground until a few seasons ago limiting their time slot to Sunday, they are not in a position to comment on scheduling. Manly also left NSW only once after May last year meaning that every other game was a day trip and players weren’t travel fatigued. Non-Sydney teams should catch a break with scheduling.
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April 15th 2012 @ 9:35am
eagleJack said | April 15th 2012 @ 9:35am | Report comment
“meaning that every other game was a day trip and players weren’t travel fatigued”.
With all due respect Roarsome I regularly fly to Brisbane from Sydney and back to Sydney later that night. Never has it taken me more than a day to get there! 90mins in the air is hardly tiring. The Warriors are the only side who can air this type of grievance. And possibly a Perth side if they come in.
“all the Sunday afternoon games they have”. Manly’s schedule so far this year: Sunday (in NZ), Friday, Monday, Saturday, Saturday, Monday, Saturday.
Toovey was simply answering a question on whether their 5 day turnaround (their 3rd this year) had affected his side. He answered honestly that it was tough but didn’t blame it on his side not turning up. I think his inference that the Broncos have an advantage was fair. Everybody understands why the Broncos get this advantage but it is an advantage nevertheless
April 15th 2012 @ 10:35am
Maximus said | April 15th 2012 @ 10:35am | Report comment
The draw was done when News Ltd was still in the game so someone should look over the Storms scheduling as well but you can see how Channel Nine would be all for it as well…As well Masters who has made a career at writing the same story about the NRL rights 20 different ways for the last 3 years manages to write 2 contradictory articles within 3 days
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/gallop-and-commission-at-loggerheads-over-billiondollar-baby-20120414-1x03v.html
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-set-to-pocket-12b-as-fox-nine-bid-for-tv-rights-20120412-1wwn4.html
April 15th 2012 @ 11:35am
Blazza said | April 15th 2012 @ 11:35am | Report comment
What are u implying about the Storm schedule ????
April 15th 2012 @ 5:10pm
lea mansea said | April 15th 2012 @ 5:10pm | Report comment
They may not have had lights or much money, but they still murdered every other team in the game, including the cheating storms in a record breaking win.. and last year has nothing to do with now, im sure someone else was winging about it to, but didnt have the guts to say it so anyone, because they knew manly was goung to win no matter what.
April 15th 2012 @ 10:15am
Roarsome said | April 15th 2012 @ 10:15am | Report comment
The bottom line is that the NRL are weak. They should be confident enough in their product to put out a draw prior to the season with all match day grounds and times. If 9 don’t like it, fine, sell the rights to someone else. They might even pick up some better commentators in the deal an have games live into southern states.
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April 15th 2012 @ 10:23am
Maximus said | April 15th 2012 @ 10:23am | Report comment
Manly have to go to England and back and then 8 days later have to go to Auckland for a game and then have to play games on short turnaround. The NRL are loading up the premier like the NFL load up their Super Bowl winner to bring them back to the field. Of Course Gold Coast are the beneficiary…
April 15th 2012 @ 11:08am
gurudoright said | April 15th 2012 @ 11:08am | Report comment
Manly has had two 9 day turn arounds yet no praise there for the NRL from Manly supporters. Strange
April 15th 2012 @ 11:19am
eagleJack said | April 15th 2012 @ 11:19am | Report comment
April 16th 2012 @ 11:22am
Jaceman said | April 16th 2012 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Manly got 2 9 day turnarounds because they had 2 5 day ones – ding!!!!!
April 15th 2012 @ 11:37am
Bob said | April 15th 2012 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Get over it.
April 15th 2012 @ 10:58pm
Queensland's Game is Rugby League said | April 15th 2012 @ 10:58pm | Report comment
All teams play Monday night football. Some play it more than others.
April 16th 2012 @ 10:31am
Mals said | April 16th 2012 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Exactly so all is not equal. The draw is loaded to heavily favour the Broncos.
April 16th 2012 @ 10:34pm
Queensland's Game is Rugby League said | April 16th 2012 @ 10:34pm | Report comment
The draw is drawn up to maximise ratings in Sydney and Brisbane. The Broncos just happen to be the highest drawing team in south-east Queensland. No other team comes close.
The irony is NSW has itself to blame for the Broncos having such a huge advantage. The NSWRL, ARL and NRL haven’t done much for rugby league in Brisbane. The ARL killed off the Crushers and Chargers. The latter club were one of the few that were making a profit. The ARL did it to save as many Sydney teams as they could. Ex-NSW rugby league players and Blues fans are trying to kill off the Brisbane/Ipswich bids.
If you really want the Broncos to lose their advantage then get rid of a Sydney team, or two, and put Ipswich and Brisbane 2 into the competition.
April 15th 2012 @ 11:28pm
Beardan said | April 15th 2012 @ 11:28pm | Report comment
Maybe he should be more focussed on how his team lost easily to a genuine wooden spoon contender…
April 16th 2012 @ 12:32am
Queensland's Game is Rugby League said | April 16th 2012 @ 12:32am | Report comment
I’d like to know how they go from flogging the Panthers 30-0 to losing to the Titans 26-14. I think the Monday night factor played a role. Teams often play poorly after a Monday night game.\
Manly have lost a couple of games this year that no one thought they would lose.
April 17th 2012 @ 12:51pm
PLANKO said | April 17th 2012 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
My name is Mark and I am and Eagles tragic/addict. Step one done. Queensland’s Game is Rugby League (Please get a shorter name). I understand why there are Monday night games are played but personally I would like to see the AMCO Cup come back. We can all dream. Lets face it if Manly was a horse you would have had it tested for a banned substance. I am the worst cynic in the world I reckon Manly thought they had this game. They had 3 players coincidently that were marginal to play were 50/50 chances. I think Manly thought we will rest them, make sure there fit for the NRL also making sure by not playing them on Saturday they won’t get selected for Australia/NZ guaranteed. Thus giving them and extra 2 weeks weeks to recover. Call me a cynic. I think a lot of marqee players have been coming back early eg Hayne & Campese not always a sucess. I think Manly lossed cause they play like bastard’s and they underestimated their opponent which has on paper a very reasonable team.
April 16th 2012 @ 11:51am
Renegade said | April 16th 2012 @ 11:51am | Report comment
I don’t agree regarding the unfair treatment of Manly because plenty of other teams have had short turnarounds.
I will agree regarding the advantage to the Broncos though….8 FTA friday night games in a row is an advantage both on and off the field.
I’m sick of watching them every friday night it’s become boring…..Where are the storm and sharks games??