Like that annoying wart or boil that never goes away, I’m back with my sidekick Ray for the weekly Chopping Block.
We travelled with some of our close pals being Nollsy, who you may recall played a few gigs up at Urunga during Origin, Randy Discotelli, a washed up has been fitness guru trying to get his life back on track and Justin ‘Knight’ Ryder, ex-Knights cult hero and all round great guy.
We left Mascot on route for Rio via Mexico and Guatemala; Randy had to pick up a package of coffee for a pal in Rio named Pablo! Randy arranged the whole junket with his old pal Richard Simmons who was conducting a Rio games tour. What a great guy Simmo was!
The tour started off every morning with Simmo and Randy singing the Peter Allen classic I go to Rio with Simmo on the maracas and Randy playing with his canastas! No matter how dusty we felt from the previous night, it got us all pumped up for the day and ready to tackle the world, until our bus was hijacked by Pablo’s men and we spent the first week in the Amazon jungle.
Once we agreed to hand over Randy to Pablo’s cronies along with all of our traveller’s cheques, Simmo’s maracas and Randy’s canastas, we were on our way back to Rio. Anyway enough about our hiatus, it’s time to review NRL action from Round 24.
James Graham
I know I know I am going to be shot down in flames by barking mad fans from the Belmore kennel, but please explain why on tackle four in the opposition 20, he takes a settler or hit up, ala Gallen in Origin? It infuriates me and I wonder how Dogs fans cope seeing this play over and over.
The halves need to take ownership of this side and Ray and I will never question the toughness of these two legends, Ed Sheeran and G-Train, but someone needs to grow a set and take charge before tackle five
Andrew McFadden
For the second year running his side has capitulated when is a decent position to claim a semi-final berth. The excuses are already being rolled out, Issac Luke’s untimely injury, and too many golden point games and so on.
Fact is, if he cannot motivate his side for final’s football, particularly given their weak performances over the past fortnight, he never will. Would Kieran Foran want to play under a coach like this?
We think not. Jim Doyle needs to focus on the coaching staff and forget any potential links with Foran. Not only will the 20s miss the finals for the first time ever but the NSW Cup side have faded from co-leaders to mid table plodders over the past month.
A real lack of character and grit are the key ingredients missing from Mt Smart and taking on-board a star player with more baggage than Rose Hancock is not the answer to an elusive first title.
You’re a smart man Jim, give Cappy a tap on the shoulder and wish him all the best in the future.
Nathan Cleary
How good will this kid be when he gets 50 first grade games under his belt? Still eligible for Harold Matthews, the kid still hasn’t had his first shave yet. What is also astounding, his voice hasn’t dropped yet, but week in week out his barking at his forwards!
Calls for him to make his Origin debut next year may be a little premature, but if he keeps up his rapid development, who knows what 2017 may bring. Wonder how the Warriors must contemplate ditching his old man as head coach?
Parramatta Eels
No Corey Norman, Kieran Foran, Junior Paulo, Nathan Peats, Brad Takarangi, Beau Scott, Tepai Moeroa to name but a few absent from the starting line-up, a halves pairing of Jeff Robson and noted outside back Clint Gutherson, this side again punched way above its weight leading the form NRL side, the Raiders 18-4 at half-time.
Sure they went down in the end 28-18, but no other side has put up with off-field disasters week in week out as the Parramatta Eels. Brad Arthur, you’re a marvel.
And last but not least the Burgess brothers. The sleeping giants have awoken, sure their side is out of semi-final contention but a welcome return to vintage 2014 form has been showed by all, including adopted brother Joe on the flank.
Sure we still have bombed tries and the odd knock-on, but their energy levels and performances have gone up a notch.
So league fans what gets you on or off your soapbox this week?
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