Roar Guru
Joined June 2016
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Nth Qlder but Bronco to the bone.
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There is a classic saying that 'forwards win matches, backs decide by how much', which is as relevant across the NRL today as it…
It’s Week 2 in the QRL finals for 2021 and with the cancellation of NSW Cup and subsequent postponement of the NRLW, the QRL…
Can you imagine the possibilities? The grace of a Cook Island mother, the athleticism of a Maori and born and raised in the beautiful…
Every year a host of good players are lost to the NRL. However, 2018 was an extraordinary exodus of talent and 300 game veterans.…
I’m done with the negative. I’ve enjoyed this year and gone out of my way to watch most of the games I can and…
Over the years we've seen some spectacular plays in rugby league, and since we're closing in on the first State of Origin match of…
Culture comes in many forms, and it can be either a poison or the elixir of life. In sporting terms, how does management create…
That’s a belter. He had eyes for it the whole way.
WATCH: Warrington winger nearly defies body biomechanics in scoring SENSATIONAL try
I understand the reasoning for sacking JD but why commit the next 20 weeks to a bloke who has no experience? Is Hornby going to bring these guys together? Talk about cutting the nose off to spite the face.
Demetriou facing sack after Souths' disastrous start with Bennett, Bellamy, Burgess possible replacement options
Fear and respect are close bedfellows but not the same thing. I’m sure there would be a line between players who are either side of the fence.
Pinching talent from other clubs only goes so far - building culture is far more important
I don’t think it’s fair to use the term “pinching” in reference to professional sport. Geographic labelling of clubs has no bearing of where their players are sourced otherwise we would have Moree, Moranbah, Dubbo and Bundaberg in the comp. Manly could not have started in the comp without sourcing players let alone be successful nor would Brisbane. Players make their decision what jumper they want to wear and the small minority would be within the geographic location of where they spent their youth.
Pinching talent from other clubs only goes so far - building culture is far more important
There is certainly a bit of Smith coming through in Harry. If he ‘says so’ then the ref tends to follow suit.
Pinching talent from other clubs only goes so far - building culture is far more important
He amped up the kick chase last season but actively looking for the tough carry is relatively new.
Wishart does Dad proud with match-winning try as Storm chase down Broncos after Reynolds limps off again
I was center but moved in 5/8 & hooker roles. I’ll tell people I’m the OG utility but really just got slower. Didn’t help that I was one of few white boys in my team so pace did become more obvious so better to learn to kick than chase.
Dragons have dodged a bullet by letting Lomax go early – but only if they box clever to replace him
I don’t mind Liddle either. I think he is under appreciated if anything. I’m still out on Flanno though. Not sure if it’s a confidence thing but he shows glimpses of form but then retreats into indecision. There is no ‘one thing’ I can say he is great at. I believe he could have been very good if given a chance at the Chooks but that experience, the media pressure and then the Dogs failings seems to have crushed the kid’s spirit.
Dragons have dodged a bullet by letting Lomax go early – but only if they box clever to replace him
AS much as I respect Bellamy and what he has achieved I’m not sure I would hold the term “culture” right up beside him. Successful – sure. Good leaders do set and expect certain standards to be met. Effective and respected leaders do not scream and shout at their team every other week.
This is a guy who has had the benefit of up to half a dozen HOF players if not immortals to build around. In that time though he has also headed up the biggest salary cap scandal ever and still celebrates that time. Punished Bromwich and Proctor for racking lines in public by making them miss their NZ games, not Storm games. Is that the culture expected at the club? Cronk makes the decision to leave at the end of his career and discarded all together from celebrating his achievements at the Storm? When Munster, Smith and Lewis were dancing around with little baggies the Storm “came down hard” with a suspended sentence and a month of rehab – in the off season. Only the NRL actually punished those boys. Successful – sure but even used car sales people are successful but let’s not pretend that’s because of a solid culture.
Pinching talent from other clubs only goes so far - building culture is far more important
When you mentioned the Newy halves I could see Gamble as a solid recruit. What he lacks in flashy brilliance he makes up for in controlled maturity. He would work well with Hunt insofar as getting this team around and the ball into the hands of the points scorers. He just might stir a bit of mongrel up in them as well.
I would disagree that the center is the least valued position. Well, that maybe “valued” as opposed to valuable. That may have been the case 7-8yrs ago where any backrower was plotted in there but a coach with that mentality would want to have absolute elite in many other positions to make up for it. One could argue that 2020 was the most recent premiership team without an elite center but that team did include Olam.
Dragons have dodged a bullet by letting Lomax go early – but only if they box clever to replace him
Can’t fault the effort from the Broncos boys to keep it close but agree with Kevvie that it was some very soft defence. While Brisbane did score some scintillating tries the Storm tries came straight through the middle. All but Coates’ try was defendable. What lost the game I believe was the decision to kick short after the Wishart try. It was a very low % play. Not once had they retrieved a short kick and every time Melbourne got the ball in their attacking zone late in the half they came away with points. So why kick short with 5 mins left, that’s plenty of time? They invited them back down and Melbourne score the winner. Kick long back your defence to keep them in their own half – then attack. Instead, went short, got it wrong and lost the game. Very immature play.
Wishart does Dad proud with match-winning try as Storm chase down Broncos after Reynolds limps off again
Are you suggesting the mental fortitude thing is a club cultural problem? You’ve literally bounced 7-8yrs apart in each of those examples with completely different players. Last round last season was a reserve grade team and last night was without Haas, Walsh, Piakura and then Reynolds. Put those boys back on the park and Melbourne doesn’t come close.
Wishart does Dad proud with match-winning try as Storm chase down Broncos after Reynolds limps off again
But in those “two hours” Gus has probably spoken to people higher above to make sure his position is ratified. “Drew is our half right now” well that’s reassuring…
Ciraldo responds to Gus taking over Dogs speculation: 'Like talking to your Dad'
In theory I think this is a genuine risk, however, it could be that we already have the talent within the BMD and HNWP (along with NZ players) to fill these teams relatively easily. TBH I don’t follow the NSW womens comp but I see teams like Valleys then Wyynum in the BMD who boast Briggenshaw, Maddick and Ceisiolka middling the table. A Mackay team that beat Wynnum 2x with no ‘big’ names. I thought the standard of the last NRLW season was as good as I’ve seen. So, like the Dolphins have proven, maybe there is enough NRLW talent in the wings already along with a failing womens rugby could fills the gaps.
Doubling the number teams in just two years: NRLW expanding too quickly as talent pool drains
26 – 0 in their last meeting. 376 kick metres by Reyno including a dropout that found touch on the 50m line. Bellache might need to do more homework.
Storm warning: We’re sleeping on Melbourne again – they might be the biggest threat to the Panthers
I wasn’t surprised to see Jensen play well. He has a real axe to grind against the club who gave him 58 games over 5yrs even though he was the dominant prop in Q Cup for years while NQ we’re needing one.
Keep an eye out for Josh Stuckey. He’s another backrower that needs a start. Already he’s showing he’s above Q Cup. Kevvie played him in the trials so he’s on the radar.
Storm warning: We’re sleeping on Melbourne again – they might be the biggest threat to the Panthers
Sleeping on the Storm would be as silly as backing them in this far away. Mike makes the point about people applying the tall poppy syndrome to the Panthers these days over the Storm because the Storm are not the best team, haven’t been for a while. I’d argue the jury is still out on calling Paps elite. He was – 2 years ago. Most importantly their pack is 2 levels down to what is was. Bellamy was renown for ‘next man up’ mentality but that only works by slotting 1-2 players into a great system. You can’t move on 3 internationals and have Welsh, with his HIAs) fall as far as not to be selected to start ahead pretty good Q Cup props. This isn’t to say they won’t be up there come finals time but quite a few teams have caught up to them.
Storm warning: We’re sleeping on Melbourne again – they might be the biggest threat to the Panthers
Damn right Billy, double standard! Send him back to Qld, to Brisbane, to hooker. I think that’s the fairest, least self serving move possible.
NRL News: Bellamy fires back at nasty NAS rumours, Slater slams Dragons' double standards, Brooks' advice for Galvin
Occam’s Razor Tim.
NRL News: Walker confused by 'weirdest obstruction' calls, Lomax to Eels delay frustrates Arthur, Dragons eye off Turuva
Flanno sits down with Lomax at the start of the year and shows him that he is barely a mid range center based on current form. He shifts him to wing where immediately he starts to get recognised right up to NSW coach. What does he do? Ask for a release to shift back to being a mediocre center. Play hard ball Flanno and get yourself a team player and let Parra deal with Lomax and Matterson at one time.
NRL News: Walker confused by 'weirdest obstruction' calls, Lomax to Eels delay frustrates Arthur, Dragons eye off Turuva
Only one of us is childish enough to make it about the club.
NRL Round 4 judiciary: Hip-drop drama as Benji and Bennett wade in, Latrell charged, Morrin in strife
This from the guy who will take any decision to beat the Bulldogs. Souths need every refs call to avoid the spoon.
NRL Round 4 judiciary: Hip-drop drama as Benji and Bennett wade in, Latrell charged, Morrin in strife
He’s a quick mover that Oatesy – for the Queen Mary.
Oh, what a nightmare: Reynolds' brillance bamboozles back three as Broncos give Cowboys a kicking
Jimmmy, I get that but it’s fraught with danger. I see it as a hip drop because swinging your legs around and using body weight to drag down from behind isn’t a tackle technique. Had he slid his arms down to wrap up his legs – fine that’s a tackle. I liken it to lifting, simply the action is cause for a penalty not whether he gets dumped on his head or not. The margin for error in Wighton’s attempt is so small and the susceptibility of that whole region puts a player on the sideline for a very long time. Of course there are mitigating circumstances and momentum to consider but that only determines severity of the penalty by the MRC.
NRL Round 4 judiciary: Hip-drop drama as Benji and Bennett wade in, Latrell charged, Morrin in strife
Ricky did say he would be calling Annersley to get an answer on who is right in that instance. I’ll wait here with baited breathe for Ricky’s apology to Des.
'F--- me, he's on another planet': Stuart rips into Hasler after Titans coach fumes at referee calls in golden-point thriller