Roar Guru
Joined April 2014
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Men are born for games. Nothing else. Every child knows that play is nobler than work. He knows too that the worth or merit of a game is not inherent in the game itself but rather in the value of that which is put at hazard. Games of chance require a wager to have meaning at all. Games of sport involve the skill and strength of the opponents and the humiliation of defeat and the pride of victory are in themselves sufficient stake because they inhere in the worth of the principals and define them. But the trial of chance or trial of worth all games aspire to the condition of war for here that which is wagered swallows up game, player, all. What man would not be a dancer if he could? It's a great thing, the dance.
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The 2017 season may end up as a testament to what could have been for North Queensland. After two dramatic golden point victories to…
After a three-year sabbatical, I have decided to return to writing Roar articles. I believe there is a greater opportunity now than there was…
We are gathered here today to hear the case of Inglis v Slater, with the judgement to decide who will play fullback for Queensland…
Hey Barry, re Granville. I’d have to respectfully disagree with a few of your points there. I think Granville is a superior player to McCullough, who is kind of like the Dallas Johnson of No. 9’s. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, Dallas is a legend of the game and having a player who is a great defender is a crucial component of any teams structure. That being said, his attacking ability is rather limited. Granville has double his try assists.
McCullough does have a superior long kicking game, but Granville has a better short kicking game. I think McCullough is an unimaginative player, whereas Granville is always looking around the ruck to seize an opportunity. Whether it be his subtle changes of direction to get markers interested, picking the right time to run, stabbing in a grubber kick close to the line, he is a far more creative rake.
I personally think Granville delivers quality pill, see the ball for Morgan on Saturday. His service is top notch, I’d have to watch the two side by side to really rate it. The only thing that McCullough does have over him is that he is a gun tackler and does play 80 mins. However Granville has a great tackling style, and he often forces an error. He didn’t miss a tackle against the Roosters, and he’ll need to be perfect again to beat the Storm.
Four things we learnt from the NRL preliminary finals
Brilliant article Teenus, it’s great to see something a bit different on the Roar. No agendas, no bias, just a good read and thoroughly entertaining piece. I’ve always believed that men shape their own destinies and Green obviously does the same. The saddlebag is full of heathen scalps but can they manage to avoid the same fate as Glanton’s gang by taking out the big one? Toss of a coin, but as you said, Green is currently holding fate hostage.
Per angusta ad augusta: The Cowboys' charge continues
He held clemency in his heart for the heathen and needed to be punished. Good god almighty.
Per angusta ad augusta: The Cowboys' charge continues
I’ve also heard on the grapevine that Matt Scott, and even Thurston, could return against the Roosters. Probably wishful thinking.
Sorry Brisbane and Sydney fans, but a Storm vs Cowboys grand final should have everyone salivating
I’m not generally a fan of your articles Mary, but credit where credit is due. You speak with clarity and humility in this piece. And sorry/not sorry for knocking Parramatta out, but it was revenge for the blue and golds flogging the Cowboys earlier in the year.
When footy is the focus, rugby league is the winner
Well I for one continue to hope that Manly, the Panthers and Eels continue to choke in the finals. I will be celebrating the downfall of Melbourne next year, and hopefully the Bulldogs, Tigers, Dragons and Bunnies can make a return to finals football next season.
Air of predictability zapping the fun out of finals footy
The Roosters have a lot of experienced players in their lineup, but seem to struggle to cope with the pressure at times. As a Cowboys fan, I hope we see the Origin Pearce and not the rather impressive club Pearce that’s been running around for the last 27 games. The encouraging thing for me was that the Cowboys managed to score more points that they had been in previous weeks against a team in decent form. Hopefully they have rediscovered some attacking impetus. Either way, the boys have nothing to lose and can build on this series and carry the momentum into next year. They should finish next year as minor premiers.
Sorry Brisbane and Sydney fans, but a Storm vs Cowboys grand final should have everyone salivating
You two crack me up, god bless. Please keep the banter coming, Nine should broadcast this instead of the Big Bang Theory.
Sorry Brisbane and Sydney fans, but a Storm vs Cowboys grand final should have everyone salivating
Nice work son, hard work pays off.
Hess goes from glassie to possible grand final winner
Exactly FNQ, it will make the team much stronger overall heading into next year.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Hey Griggso, cheers mate. We need to increase the Cowboys representation on this site I think! Yes, they have been overpowered late in some matches against the bigger packs, but that experience will make them better in the long run. They can hold their heads high though with the effort they have been putting in. I can’t see Morgan going anywhere else, Townsville boy. He’ll be a Cowboy for life.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
With the forward pack they will be boasting, I think it will be quite the opposite Mr Realist. I can’t see many teams matching it with the Cowboys up front.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
It depends on how Croft goes, they will have a lot of promising juniors coming through but I agree, they won’t be the same.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Wow that’s unfortunate. Apparently Gubb is on the way up here though. I can see why the Sharks chased Uele, he reminds me a lot of Fafita. Yes hopefully Mago stays on, he was impressive last week. Regardless, there should be plenty of forward depth next season.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Absolutely mate. You can see that every player has improved this year, barring O’Neil and perhaps Coote. The commitment and effort is there though, which bodes well for next season. Despite a couple of losses, the team is in good form. I hope the team manages to make the 8, win a final and carry some momentum into next season. It will be the year of the Cow(boy).
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Hi Rakshop, thanks for the comment. I agree, this season was always going to be a test considering we didn’t quite have the depth of previous years. I thought it was going to be a rebuilding year for us, and predicted a 5th place finish. However barring the injuries, I really think the team could have given the top four a shake this year. Yes those other guys, Asiata (his ball playing has been sublime, and is getting more work done in attack and defence) as well as Spina was playing really well prior to his injury. I like Spina a lot, he is a meat and potatoes prop but plays tough, and good things seem to happen when he is in the time. Next year our depth will be insane, and I will be really expecting us to finish in the top 2. Minor premiers perhaps?
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Agreed Nat, his defence has been questionable at points this season, but he also boasts 10 try assists in a Bulldogs outfit where tries have been at a premium. He is a quality attacking centre, defensive issues can be worked on in the pre-season.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
The one thing I take from Neil Henry’s career as a coach is that he had 5 seasons with the Cowboys from 2009-2013. In his second season in charge the Cowboys would have won the wooden spoon, but for the Storm’s salary cap rorting. The best we achieved was second week of the finals in 2012.
With a very similar roster, Green won a premiership in his second season in charge. The Cowboys went from being erratic to one of the most organised, structured and consistent teams in the competition. Especially in defence, the team has improved dramatically under his stewardship. Henry is a nice guy, but you know where they finish. His win percentage speaks for itself, he is not a very good coach.
Neil Henry is a very good man, and a dead coach walking
I think the “second team” might look something like this Beastie.
1. Lachlan Coote
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Brenko Lee (if rumours are true and O’Neil struggles for form in the opening rounds)
4. Kane Linnett (but if he gets injured/struggles for form, bring in J.Bowen)
5. Antonio Winterstein (if injured, G. Mosby)
6. Te Maire Martin (when Morgan plays rep footy)
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Scott Bolton (if Matt Scott plays rep footy)
9. Jake Granville
10. Charlie Gubb (I think upon coming here McClean will be selected for the Blues)
11. Coen Hess (Cooper as an incumbent will play Origin 1 next year)
12. Ethan Lowe
13. Jason Taumalolo
14. Josh Chudleigh/Ben Hampton/John Asiata I think will duke it out for the utility role
15. Shaun Fensom
16. Patrick Kaufusi
17. Corey Jensen
With Mago, Uele, Hoare and others in the reserves. Even during rep season it will be a formidable team with a lot of depth
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Hey Matt, that’s a fair opinion. Why do you think the Cowboys will degenerate next year? The only way I can see that happening is if the team suffers an injury crisis even worse than this year, which would be extremely unlucky.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Well said Vincent. I would start McClean, who is in the mould of James Tamou, and bring Bolton on as an impact middle forward. I think that’s his best role. Then Green can return to the 2016 interchange rotation which worked very well. Definitely, I read today that the Gubb signing is a done deal, so there will be far more experience and competition in the forward pack next season. The comp is ours for the taking.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Imagine how damaging they will be next year Koomz, with both of those guys being fresh after a year off. Also having Thurston during the Origin period should help them considerably. They will be hungry for another title.
The Cowboys will ride high in 2018
Well said Michael. Games won/lost in Origin series doesn’t really matter. The 4 series wins from 5 attempts is the key. Here’s a good one, Queensland are yet to lose a series with Cronk/Thurston playing together in the halves.
Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 2, 2017: Expert reaction
I really like the Blues backrow. Mobile, powerful and strong. I’m not sure how old man Cooper will fare. If he was being picked on form, he should have played a few years ago. His defence is a bit suspect these days, but I prefer seeing him named on the team sheet rather than Thaiday/Guerra.
NSW Blues team for State of Origin Game 2, 2017: Expert reaction
He looks pretty strong to me 😉
Blair slams Taumalolo for Tongan defection