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Joined February 2013
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A self-confessed sports nut who follows many sports and teams from all over the world. With over 20 years experience playing and following a whole range of sports, he has developed an unique expertise which he now shares with you. The S Word: http://delpysword.com Twitter: @delpysword Facebook: http://facebook.com/delpysword
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With the NRL season officially run and won, it would be remiss of me to let the occasion pass without farewelling one of the…
Over the last few days, we have heard how the Bulldogs thrashed an “injury-depleted” Wests Tigers. Part of this is true. The Tigers' side…
Players these days, particularly those with talent, are not feeling the repercussions for their actions. [caption id="attachment_42805" align="alignnone" width="300"] Roosters star Todd Carney's career…
Whenever I watch a game of rugby league, there is almost invariably a common factor - the winner is the team with the fastest…
I am glad the NRL has banned the shoulder charge. There, I said it - but it is not for the reason you may…
With the race to capture the hearts of our country's youth, sporting organisations such as the NRL are choosing the youngest of their athletes…
The National Youth Competition has been a fast paced, high-scoring, and highly entertaining feature over the last five years. However, it has had a…
Being the chief playmaker was never a role that Benji looked comfortable in. After the departure of Prince and Lui, Sheens and Potter had him playing halfback (despite what number he wore). Can we blame him for that? Benji was a his best outside of a good halfback.
Bye bye Benji, we had some great memories
I know these are the words of Chris and not Nathan himself, but if a player was to even consider turning down a Blues jersey, he would have justified all the times he had been overlooked, regardless of form.
Why Merritt should brush the Blues
Glad to see Benji has finally started to listen to what the fans have been saying for years – “Run the damn ball!” He originally reduced his runs after several shoulder injuries but it’s time now to return to what he does best.
Kudos to him for owning up to his form slump and not blaming others. Give ’em heaps, Benj!
This week in the NRL we might all be hollering for a Marshall
I love Heigno but he was losing form in the last few years at the Tigers. Fifita was a dud at the club (didn’t get along with Sheens because he has a bad attitude). Ryan had the best year of his career in 2012, but he’s a winger. Hardly a game changer. Bryce Gibbs was the biggest loss.
This week in the NRL we might all be hollering for a Marshall
I’m absolutely chuffed that Farah has cemented his spot at 9 and vanquished that grub once and for all. He has well and truly earnt it through his form over the last 2 years. We will miss him for the 3 games he will be unavailable.
My State of Origin team - New South Wales - my 17
Reports are that Stewart is out for up to 6 weeks.
My State of Origin team - New South Wales - my 17
Thanks for the post. I agree with a lot of your points but to say we are “delusional” to think they had a chance is insane. If we were absolutely no chance, why did Benji rush back into the side? Why didn’t we just rest out players and field a second-string side? Someone at the club thought we were a chance. Too bad there wasn’t enough of them.
Tigers' effort just not good enough
You’re probably right on a lot of these points. Bulldog and Rabbitoh supporters were initially reluctant to attend Stadium Australia. I’d say there are some that have come to accept it and others that have come because they are winning. If only Homebush had a rectangular stadium instead of that soul-less, atmosphere-less, overpriced-mid-strength-beer-selling, excuse of a stadium.
Tigers and Sharks in a world of their own
Dogs, you have to be careful with these averages. WT often play interstate teams at CSS and LO. We also held home games at Stadium Australia the year we won the premiership and the three years off the back of it.
Tigers and Sharks in a world of their own
I don’t agree that the majority of those guys have been rushed (Spence and Sue being the exceptions). Look at the 2006 Qld Origin team (first team to win the series after NSW 3-in-a-row):
Hunt – 19
Inglis – 19
Smith – 22
Stagg – 22
Myles – 20
You can motivate players with the stick or the carrot. I agree that we should primarily be using the carrot, but occassionally, they need a bit of stick.
Tigers' effort just not good enough
I like going to the SFS, albeit less so on Friday and Monday nights. It’s a great ground to watch footy and the precinct has a great atmosphere. My WT membership has awesome seats there too. And it’s really not that far, the M5 links Campbelltown and Moore Park directly. No excuse! Sure, I’d rather them play out of CSS and LO, but I’d take every game there over 4 at ANZ.
I can’t agree with you on hoodoos. There is no god whipping out his tiger voodoo doll whenever we play there. Beating Brisbane and St George there in 2005 was fantastic. The latter being the best game that I’ve ever been to (and I was at the big one a week later).
Tigers and Sharks in a world of their own
Agree with both of you. They have the talent but not the attitude in the backend (or entire game with Canterbury). The missing players is part of the problem but not a sufficient excuse.
Tigers' effort just not good enough
Damnit. You’re right. I think most of my points still stand, though.
Tigers' effort just not good enough
South Sydney play out West. What’s your point? Loyal supporters will travel to see their team play whether it be at Leichhardt, Campbelltown, Allianz or the SCG. Bandwagoners will watch them if the team is winning and it is convenient. Sure, this game could be played somewhere more convenient but until they start winning they could play this game in John Skandalis’ backyard and they wouldn’t draw a crowd. Look at the two previous crowds at Campbelltown – 9700 and 11500. Hardly awe-inspiring.
And give me a break about hoodoos. Manly hadn’t won at Kogarah since 1997.
Tigers and Sharks in a world of their own
I agree that the U20’s is not a good path to the NRL (I even wrote an article about it: http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/02/27/replace-the-national-youth-competition-with-the-national-reserve-grade/), but there was only one player in the starting 13 that is elligible for the Holden Cup this year. That player is Curtis Sironen who represented City at 5/8 this year. The team had 4 players that have represented their country at a senior level.
New defensive combinations, yes, but we’re not talking about rookies here. You could argue that the NSW and QLD Origin teams are new defensive combinations that don’t play together every week. The Bulldogs are still missing Inu and only just saw the return of Kasiano and Graham.
I agree that we need to be patient, but my point is that the effort must be there. If these players think they can simply pull on the jersey and wait, they are very wrong. If the effort is there and they are beaten, fine, but the vast majority of the side’s performance was under scratch, even given your points above.
Tigers' effort just not good enough
For the majority of Wests Tigers’ supporters, which are based in Sydney, Allianz is a little less far to travel. I think I see the point you are trying to make but that would also mean one less game for membership packages.
Tigers and Sharks in a world of their own
The fact is, they had to schedule 3 games for Allianz this year. They aren’t “taking the game away from the people of Campbelltown and Balmain”, it is one of their home grounds. They would not get many more Sharks fans even if the game was played at one of their suburban grounds. I’m sure that the powers that be thought they would be able to market the game as the return of Beau, Heigno, Gibbsy and Fifita and could have expect a large Wests Tigers crowd. Unfortunately, their recent form will mean that most fans stay at home. In the end, having this game at Allianz is probably a good thing. The club have guaranteed revenue from the stadium. They would have lost money had this been played at Leichhardt or Campbelltown.
Tigers and Sharks in a world of their own
I’ve defended Blair since he joined the club. I honestly thought he would come good. Unfortunately, even when he plays well he’s a shadow of the player he was at the Storm.
Tigers' effort just not good enough
Listing areas of improvement for the Tigers is an entire article in itself. I’ve list attitude here as a starting point.
Tigers' effort just not good enough
I’m looking forward to the Underbelly series on this.
Singo vs the Waterhouses: The More Joyous inquiry live blog
Do you knock off early on a Friday? On paper, the Tigers are fielding an U20’s side.
Stage set for Benji brilliance
I think that some teams try to find solutions that work for all situations. This dumbing down means that tired players do not have to think of the option to take. There is only one option. Hopefully the modern player is above that, or at least some of them can be.
NRL strategies in need of an upgrade
10min is too harsh a penalty for every tackle placed on report. Several tackles placed on report are perfectly legal. Video ref review would be required.
Refs boss says NRL might review sin-bin
An interesting question that I’d love to see some input on:
Does Benji’s value live in his performance on the field or the revenue that he brings to the club (tickets sales, merch, etc)?
I concede that they aren’t mutually exclusive.
Bye bye Benji, we had some great memories