NRL miss their big chance in Melbourne
Roar Guru By ScottWoodward.me, 24 May 2012 ScottWoodward.me is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin, State of Origin 2012
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I encouraged all my mad AFL mates in Melbourne to go to the State of Origin last night as they would see a great game, with fewer penalties than rugby union, less whistles than AFL, with the best team on the night generally winning.
“Never again” came the first text after fulltime from Sleepy.
Then this one from Aids: “You said the refs would not interfere”.
To top it off, my mate Matt rang me after the game and asked me what Nate Myles did to deserve the “Man of the Match” award.
To be honest, I didn’t have any answers for my mates. I struggled to defend what they had said, and I felt embarrassed for the game.
The NRL had a golden opportunity to sell their game to many thousands of parochial Victorians who have only ever watched the game of AFL and if my mates are any yardstick, then they failed.
Tony Archer is considered clearly the best NRL referee but he was not part of Origin I last night. The controversial decision to sin bin Michael Jennings swung the momentum back to the Maroons when the NSW Blues were on top.
My mates also did not understand why Greg Bird was penalised for what looked to be a classic Origin tackle.
The Maroons scored off the next play, but the major turn off for the boys was when video ref Sean Hampstead awarded Greg Inglis a try when he clearly knocked the ball on before Robbie Farah kicked it.
“That’s been a knock on since 1908”, Channel Nine’s Phil Gould said who has coached more winning Origin teams than anyone. “That’s the rule book gone made”, Gus concluded.
I pride myself on not getting emotional when assessing a game and considered the NSW Blues were the best team on the night and damn stiff not to get home to Sydney one up.
The onslaught from my Melbourne mates did not sit well with me after the game so I rang some friends for a beer at the local after Channel Nine forced us to wait 30 minutes before they somehow gave us the shocking news that Nat Myles was officially the best player. Did Sean Hampstead have a vote?
Both mates who turned up are both professional punters and both agreed that NSW should have won. Having my objectivity reaffirmed, I started on the first schooner and proceeded to dissect the game with the boys who were as one that the Blues should not make any changes.
Channel Nine used us up for 30 minutes of commercials before they announced the “Man of the Match” but overall 2.5 million people watched last night’s Origin including 313,000 in Melbourne.
Yet, I know 14 Victorians who will not be backing up again. Sorry boys.
- Explore:
- NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin, State of Origin 2012
May 24th 2012 @ 12:24pm
Rough Conduct said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
Rugby League has flaws just like every other sport on the planet, amazing.
May 24th 2012 @ 12:31pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
Rough,
We can always seem to find ways to justify on field ref errors but Hampstead’s stuff up was totally insane given we are in 2012 and could have had the crucial decision made by a panel of experst from NRL HQs in Moore Park. As soon as everyone noticed the clear knock on, they simply press a No Try button. Why would they have a single guy at the ground with a cheap non HD monitor is beyond me?
May 24th 2012 @ 12:47pm
Mac said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
I have always thought a panel of three would be a better option for the video ref. One of the reasons we get these disgraceful decisions every so often is the guy sitting all alone in the box probably over thinks it and cannot see what is obvious to everyone else…
May 24th 2012 @ 12:56pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
Mac
Agree mate.
Hampstead was focusing on Farah’s foot and he missed the knock on. That would not happen with a panel and they DO NOT have to be at the ground.
May 24th 2012 @ 3:39pm
beyondthestump said | May 24th 2012 @ 3:39pm | Report comment
In fact they probably shouldn’t be at the ground so that they can’t be swayed in any way by the cries of the crowd. Likewise, all panel members should not be together but at different locations. We would have to be happy with a majority rules in this case though.
May 24th 2012 @ 9:41pm
Lazy Ted Failyou said | May 24th 2012 @ 9:41pm | Report comment
As a first time attendant to SoO. I got complimentary tickets btw, the price of tickets was about the same as a one way to L.A.
The game is impressive in it’s athleticism but is too short in duration. It is all over in 2 hours. If you pop out to the loo, you miss a quarter of the game and the queues for beer at the stadium last night were huge.
Rugby league needs to extend it’s game to 20 minute quarters with clock stoppages for any break in play. The scrum needs to be properly contested and do away with those stupid tv decisions on every try. That Inglis try stopped the game for 10 minutes and they STILL got it wrong. Everyone in the stadium could see it was no try and almost caused a riot.
What is the point of tv replays when they still bungle decisions.
NRL has to pull up it’s collective socks.
It was a good exhibition, but I would never pay the ticket prices they were asking. Extortionate!
May 24th 2012 @ 10:44pm
bbt said | May 24th 2012 @ 10:44pm | Report comment
As a Melbourne Storm member I have taken a few ALF fans to games. They all like the length of game. Busy people can watch a game and then get on with their lives – and home before midnight.
May 24th 2012 @ 12:37pm
Will Sinclair said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Scott,
On telly the atmosphere looked very flat as well. Any reports from your mates on that?
Etihad with the roof closed can absolutely rock (Wallabies v Lions in 2001 was utterly incredible), but it seemed very muted last night.
May 24th 2012 @ 12:57pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Will
They said the atomosphere was fantasic, no problems there. They just did not understand some of the crazy decisions.
May 24th 2012 @ 12:43pm
Mac said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
Great article Scott, the NRL has shot itself in the foot big time with this debacle..
May 24th 2012 @ 1:01pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
Mac
We are negotiating a billion $ TV deal and we have a single guy with a cheap TV stuffing up a major game – go figure!
Can someone explain to me why the video ref must be at the ground?
Hampstead should have been at Moore Park sitting with Billy and another experienced ref with a big HD TV and made the consensous call at the press of a button.
How hard is that!
May 24th 2012 @ 1:58pm
Dino said | May 24th 2012 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
Seriously Scott?
You don’t know football or soccer as you call it. QPR were not the best side against City had triple their number of attempts on goal and were the much better side, Barton’s elbow was clear and they deserved to be 10 men. Chelsea executed a succesful defensive game strutucre and won agiants Bayern and Barca, that is why footbal is what it is it is unpredictable. Every team sport has outcomes where the “best” is not Victorious.
I agree with you on Origin though.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:29pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
Dino
I did not phrase it well, let me have another crack.
QPR had 10 men and looked like defeating Man City and cost them the EPL comp. That would be like Newtown with a man down playing the Storm and leading them. It would never happen but it does in football (soccer). I am a purest and think the best team on the day should win and the rules should accomodate that.
May 24th 2012 @ 12:51pm
Marchg said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
Will, I’ve been to 13 origins and I went last night. It was a very strange game and was very very flat. The whole experience just seemed weird.
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May 24th 2012 @ 2:02pm
Mac said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
I could definitely sense that too just watching it on TV. The game seemed to be bubbling nicely for the first 20, the intensity was lifting and it seemed like a good contest. Then Bird get’s penalised for a good tackle which leads to a melee. Teams come rushing in from all directions throwing punches but the ref picks out one NSW player and sends him off. In that moment the bubble burst and the precedent was set. No good hard tackles and no typical state of origin biffo. The contest and intensity was ruined right there. Never mind the score and who won…
May 24th 2012 @ 2:34pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
Mac
I understand the rules about running in but that was a classic case of someone with an intellect who has a feel for the spirit of the game. It ruined the game.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:30pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
Marchg
My mates said they enjoyed the atomosphere….what didnt u like March?
May 24th 2012 @ 12:56pm
chris p said | May 24th 2012 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
I enjoy Rugby league for what it is big hits brawls etc.
but in terms of actual gameplay and ball movement it doesnt comapre to a free flowing
game like soccer or even AFL
May 24th 2012 @ 1:04pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
chris
My problem with soccer is that the best team often does not win. You only have to look recently to how QPR were leading Man City 2-1 to decide to EPL and they were down a man, and off course the Champion League where B Munich were the best team but lost on a penalty shoot out. YUK!
AFL is a wonderful game live but NRL is better for TV.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:11pm
Sea Eagle of Brisbane said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
Your last sentence is absolutely spot on. That’s why NRL will get pretty close to AFL’s TV deal. NRL has 5 evening games a week (2FR, 2SA, 1MO); you cannot take your kids out when you don’t get home before 10.30PM. That is not including public transport or country people.
On the other hand 10-12 year old kids can watch the game at home until 9.20PM, no drama. Plus lot of the action, like close to the touch lines/tries cannot be seen without numerous TV replays. Yes, Foxtel has to pay a lot of money if they want to remain in the game.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:32pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:32pm | Report comment
Sea Eagle
I just hope they maintain continuity and we dont lose the flow of the game. We missed a tackle last night due to a commercial. Not good enough and coning us for 30 mins for the MOM was a disgrace.
May 24th 2012 @ 3:09pm
Sea Eagle of Brisbane said | May 24th 2012 @ 3:09pm | Report comment
Jeez Scott, you are keen if you wait for the Man of the Match, I normally turn the Tele off at the first commercial after the game. Mind you I watch all 8 League games a week.
May 25th 2012 @ 2:59pm
PLANKO said | May 25th 2012 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
I am sure knowing Scott there was a punting angle LOL
May 24th 2012 @ 2:16pm
Dino said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
Seriously Scott?
You don’t know football or soccer as you call it. QPR were not the best side against City, City had 44 attempts on goal to WPR’s 3 and 81% possession, they were the much better side, Barton’s elbow was clear and they deserved to be 10 men. Chelsea executed a successful defensive game structure and won against Bayern and Barca, that is why football is what it is, it is unpredictable. Every team sport has outcomes where the “best” is not victorious. If you don’t like football so be it but don’t tell porkpies.
I agree with you on Origin though.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:17pm
Jacques said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
That’s why soccer is the world game,it’s unpredictable. The favourites doesn’t always win and if you create but not take your chances………As for AFL and to sometimes rugby most of the games are over by half time.Is that what you want?
May 24th 2012 @ 2:36pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
Jacques
Rugby is a joke with penalties, but AFL is a great game and the top teams often go down to the wire.
May 24th 2012 @ 6:46pm
Jacques said | May 24th 2012 @ 6:46pm | Report comment
I live in Melbourne and follow the Bombers. I know what I’m talking about. How many close Afl games do you get per round? Lucky to get 2 or 3. Most of the grand finals are over by 3/4 time. When I said rugby, I meant league too, and I follow Storm
May 24th 2012 @ 1:18pm
Ceebow said | May 24th 2012 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
I hope the NRL get half of the1 billion they are chasing after a disgusting display last night, origin is the bread and butter of league and they absolutely fummbled it last night. Even though pearce as usual does sweet ef all at origin and kills our momentum with his stupid kicks and passes straight into maroons, we were the better team out there by far.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:38pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Ceebow
Pearce had a good 2nd half, but he missed 5 tackles in the ist half and gave an intercept which led to a try. Whilever his dad in on the commission we will be stuck with him.
May 24th 2012 @ 3:08pm
Kim Hart said | May 24th 2012 @ 3:08pm | Report comment
No you were the better NSW team. The better team won the match as they usually do.
May 24th 2012 @ 1:20pm
Jason B. said | May 24th 2012 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
The problem with AFL, is it has to be seen live at the ground to fully experience the free flowing nature of the game. On TV it just appears to be a disorganised rabble chasing the ball around, which is why it will never take off internationaly. Most will never see the game at its best.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:44pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
Jason
100% agree, its great live.
May 24th 2012 @ 3:06pm
Sea Eagle of Brisbane said | May 24th 2012 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
101% agree; AFL is not good to watch on Tele.
On the other hand, TV is not the reason why it is not an International game. 2 reasons for that. Oval grounds do only exist in Cricket playing countries and secondly: 25 players to start a team (18+7 subs) are extreme in sport. 90% of Football playing Nations does not have space in the Cities to build Stadiums as big as the MCG. Huge capital investment unless another sport, like Cricket is played there. Hence it will stay here forever. No drama, not everyone built for Rugby or League anyway; also my missus would never have allowed my boy to the Rugby grounds. 2 major winter sports are just right for the Nation.
May 24th 2012 @ 1:25pm
jack said | May 24th 2012 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
rugby league is dead, i didn’t believe it either but how can scotts mates be wrong. please on your bike mate. and as for soccer that man city v qpr game was just amazing, who cares if they were leading with 10 men. that game was the last day of the season in such a tense and high pressure game that has changed history and maybe started a man city dynasty while ending a man utd one (see the bigger picture now?). also as for munich v chelsea well that happens a lot in soccer and i love it, if the best team always won then we might as well have a world cup of 8 teams, have a champions league with 8 teams, get rid of the fa cup and give barcelona a trophy before they even start a season. things like last night happen in sport from time to time and i don’t think i’m alone in saying that your mates and anyone else who was turned off rugby league from last night didn’t watch another league game again well i say who cares.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:49pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
jack
Dont miss quote me.
I said best team ON THE NIGHT. By that I mean, the team that is playing the best on the day or night deserves to win the game and should.
My other point that you clearly failed to grasp was that the NRL had a golden opportunity last night to showcase a wonderful game to sports lovers who have never seen it live. The NRL failed to appoint their best 2 refs to the game and allowed a single guy with an old and outdated non HD TV ruin such a big game.
The game was not managed well last night from many quarters and you do not get that many chances.
May 24th 2012 @ 3:13pm
jack said | May 24th 2012 @ 3:13pm | Report comment
wasn’t trying to miss quote you but my point is that you can’t use that line for a game like soccer as there is no salary cap and teams like man city for example at the moment will outplay most of their opposition in the epl because they have the cash to buy the best players. just because they have the cash doesn’t mean they should steam roll every one. the beauty of soccer is that the little guy can beat the big guy even if he is 2nd best on the day. agree with you on the refs and your other points but i’m not really worried as i don’t think there should be any games in melbourne anyway.
May 24th 2012 @ 1:59pm
ManInBlack said | May 24th 2012 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
The sentiment you express via “many thousands of parochial Victorians who have only ever watched the game of AFL ” seems to be coming out of NRL fans an awful lot at the moment. I fell a need to defend against this generalisation.
I went to SoO a couple of years back – with some friends who had a ‘vested interest’ in the result. I wasn’t left yearning to return. I’ve been to Storm matches (about half a dozen) back around ’98 and ’99. They were doing all right back then (’99). I’ve seen NRL on tele over the years, GF’s and SoO in particular.
I’ve only been to one A-League game – but there were 50,000 there. Not many A-League fans can boast that for a H&A match!
I haven’t been to Union matches but have seen a bit of the Wallabies and RWC on tele. I think I can tell the difference.
Anyway – I’m probably one of the less adventurous people I know with respect to going to see sport other than AFL.
I think people outside of Victoria should re-assess their stereotypes of AFL fans and Victorians.
Largely because the AFL (top league of Aust Football) is so packaged and defined (H&A season plus finals and at a stretch the NAB cup in pre-season) – - we DO actually get time to look at other sports.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:53pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
ManinBlack
Thanks.
To be honest I was excited that my mates were going to watch my game. I was hoping they would all thank me and want to come to Sydney. I just felt hollow after the game and still do.
May 24th 2012 @ 2:08pm
Marchg said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
If AFL is hard to watch on tv, therefore it hasn’t taken off internationally, what is rugby leagues excuse?
Rubbish comment – but left here due to the good comments underneath.
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May 24th 2012 @ 2:55pm
ScottWoodward.me said | May 24th 2012 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
Marchg
Sport tends to be what you grow up with. Americans will never recognise anything out the USA and Europe is soccer mad. Thats sport, and its great.
May 24th 2012 @ 3:29pm
Jason B said | May 24th 2012 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
Rugby Leagues problem internationally is that in the US especially, they dont know the difference between the two rugby codes. Ask most Americans which game the Wallabies and the Maroons play, they would answer rugby to both.
May 24th 2012 @ 3:35pm
Tristan Rayner said | May 24th 2012 @ 3:35pm | Report comment
Well, realistically, they’d probably say who are those teams. But yes, there isn’t a great distinction between rugby codes.
May 24th 2012 @ 4:58pm
Australian Rules said | May 24th 2012 @ 4:58pm | Report comment
I have many South African friends that live in SA.
They’re constantly ribbing me about the state of Australian rugby and stick the boot in whenever the Wallabies lose. When I explained to them that Rugby was arguably the 4th most popular code of football in Australia, they thought I was taking the p*ss.
When I said that League was by far the more popular of the two, they nearly fell off their chairs…a couple had no idea what it was.
When I then said Australian Football was arguably the No.1 football code, they were gobsmacked ! (those that knew what it was).
May 24th 2012 @ 5:13pm
Tristan Rayner said | May 24th 2012 @ 5:13pm | Report comment
Sounds about right! (Although the mantle of No.1 football code is very arguable
– and I’m not taking any side!)
May 25th 2012 @ 12:54am
Pete said | May 25th 2012 @ 12:54am | Report comment
Are you serious? What incentive is there for anyone to invest the necesarry cash to have games like AFL or League grow internationally. The NFL with its huge resources can’t really make a dent anywhere, so what chance small sports like League and AFL. Unless you are Soccer, or had a colonial or services background like Basketball, Union or Cricket, you are basically stuffed as far as international expansion goes.