The Roar
The Roar

Ryan O'Connell

Expert

Joined February 2011

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"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words, it is war minus the shooting." - George Orwell

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It’s 1000% the latter. 😂

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

I was referring more to the changes in management, rather than coaching. But it’s a fair point, and a tough brief. I’d suggest Ricky Stuart was more ‘cerebral’ than ‘mercurial’, but he’s the closest to a playmaking freak who became “break even” as a coach.

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

Is it funny that I still get weirded out walking through that old hospital when going to Leichhardt?

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

You forgot to add the laughing emoji. People are going to think you’re being serious!

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

I hope it was a few levels above ‘click bait’, but point taken! Haha!

I fear the Dogs don’t have enough muscle upfront, and questions remain at halfback. I also didn’t quite realise how many mistakes Mahoney often has in his game, until he played for the Dogs. Bottom line, I think they have enough talent to keep them off the bottom of the ladder, but are too inconsistent – with more than one ‘horrible’ game in them – to threaten the 8.

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

😂

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

I don’t disagree with that at all. But it’s reversely true north of the border!

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

The Raiders spoon prediction is unquestionably my biggest reach, but if you look at my other picks, they’re not as ‘out there’ as previous years, so I needed a fairly fearless one to kick us off for 2024. And that’s Canberra winning the spoon. Do I think it will happen? Not really, because of the teams you’ve mentioned. But could I see it happening? 100%.

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

I actually do think Brisbane’s title window will shut quicker than everyone believes, so I like you’re thinking here. But I don’t think it closes this season.

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

I actually think you’re right on the Tigers. I have a mantra of always ignoring pre-season football and not drawing too many conclusions from said games. But the Tigers 4,926 missed tackles should concern everyone.

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

Oh don’t worry, I always show up at the end of the season to resist my failures!

It’s time to front up – revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2023 NRL season

Fearless 2024 NRL predictions: Blues' revenge, Storm star wins Dally M, Knights miss finals despite Ponga

1 point. Obviously.

It's time to front up - revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2023 NRL season

Working in a funeral home last I heard/read. (I’m serious!)

It's time to front up - revisiting my fearless predictions for the 2023 NRL season

I wasn’t reaaaaaaaaallly promoting it though, was I? Does merely mentioning it “promote” it? Maybe it does, but I felt it was relevant to the conversation.

And I’m not sure how I’m meant to provide evidence for a conspiracy theory that’s not my own, but there’s enough whispers by individuals that there’s more to Sandpapergate than we know. Guess we’ll find out – or not – in the future. So we can both check back in at a later date, ok?

(“Unbecoming”? I’ve been called much worse!)

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

Nope, not calling for Joe Root to be axed. I’m calling for Davey to be axed, because he keeps getting out the same way to the same bowler, and his record in the country Australia is playing isn’t very flash anyway. Nor has his performances over the last year, and longer, been very good. It’s silly to ignore all these trends any longer.

Meanwhile, Joe is averaging 46 for the series, and has a hundred to his name. But if you’d like to drop him, be my guest.

As for Starc’s “domination” of Bairstow, well Bairstow should be dropped as well! He’s keeping poorly, and not piling on he runs to offset it in some way.

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

That’s what I said!

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

Thank goodness England dropped Tongue . . .

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

😱

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

You should get that looked at! Some cream might help!

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

Yeah, I’m not touching Head.

(I did not mean that as it sounded, but here we are.)

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

Yeah, I’m not a fan of moving Head to opener, as you may weaken two positions. He’s in form and doing well at 5 – let’s not mess with that.

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

I’m a bit wary of not having a specialist spinner for Old Trafford. If Warner goes and Green isn’t the answer up the top/considered too risky, I think Marnus could move to opener. Batting at 3 behind Warner these days, you’re almost opening anyway!

Even if he has ‘Sandpapergate’ secrets, Warner should be dropped - but who'll take his spot?

Sheek! Great to hear from you, mate.

Totally agree with – if you push a Ferrari all the time, the car will break (or the driver will crash). It’s important to know when to take your foot off the gas, and/or break.

(I’m beating this beat this analogy to death!)

Bazball is entertaining, hypocritical, enthralling, delusional, glorious, self-righteous ... and destined to fail in Ashes

He is. He looks unsure of himself.

Bazball is entertaining, hypocritical, enthralling, delusional, glorious, self-righteous ... and destined to fail in Ashes

Someone has hacked your account and is saying nice things.

Bazball is entertaining, hypocritical, enthralling, delusional, glorious, self-righteous ... and destined to fail in Ashes

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