The Roar
The Roar

Tobias Zulaikha

Roar Rookie

Joined April 2014

4k

Views

3

Published

24

Comments

Arguably the sharpest marble shooter his playground had ever seen, when he is not sparring with Joe Bugner, practicing his volleys with Newk or standing with his back to the camera in another Oral B commercial, TZ is writing for the Roar

Published

Comments

Well said Tigerdave, couldn’t agree more. Potter was shown zero support from the club from day one. If the new board doesn’t back the incoming coach 100% – it will become the same old soap opera all over again.

Tigers sacked me three months ago: Potter

Agree with you both, Griffin or Folkes, with Taylor an option only if the first two become unavailable.

Mastermind Season review: Wests Tigers

“However, we ask that you trust that we have made this decision in the interests of a stronger, unified club, following a rigorous and fair process.”

Fair process? Got to be kidding! If by that, Grant Mayer means having an internal investigation, conducted by an unemployed NRL coach with its findings leaked all over the press, then geez, I’d hate to think what he’d deem an unfair process.

Honestly, just what did the string-pullers actually expect this year from the side? Potter over-achieved, his team were an early favourite for the spoon! They were rebuilding nicely, pulled off some great victories against high-flyers Souths, Manly, North Qld and Canterbury and were in the mix for the finals with six weeks remaining until the dysfunctional board got involved and completely derailed the team.

I cannot recall a coach having to put up with so much off-field nonsense in recent memory. Mick Potter, to his credit, always addressed himself under the intense media scrutiny as a total professional and at least walks away with his dignity intact. I hope he gets another crack at first grade somewhere else as he deserves better than this.

Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter ousted

Agreed Don, hard to argue Roy & HG’s influence.
Tigers of the late 80’s had a heap of player nicknames too.. Junior, “Jimmy” Jack, Blocker, Backdoor Benny, Sirro, Black Pearl, Wiz, Ginger Meggs (Mick Neil), Goldilocks (Kev Hardwick) … Great article, Jack!

Where have all the nicknames gone?

I think most fans had thought that pushing in a league scrum had already been banned as we hadn’t seen one since at least 1987.
“endless rule changes and banning everything” – okay, I can see you really love your sarcasm.

Look, I get your point about feeling that the game has gone soft. I for one miss the shoulder charge and didn’t see it the need to ban it entirely, so long as it didn’t make contact with head of an opponent.

As far as the scrum being “an action that another sport seems to manage well” – that is spot on, and they manage it well because it is heavily focussed at training, where as in league it isn’t as it’s not nearly as big a part of the game.
.
I’m not talking crazy rule changes here, just for the NRL to clear up and state what the role of the scrum should be before some poor player suffers another career-ending injury, that’s all. If you can’t see my point about it being a potential risk when one team pushes unexpectedly after decades of scrums being uncontested, then we will just have to happily agree to disagree.

No pushover: Scrum situation needs addressing

AdelaideWill, if only you could comprehend the content of the article, then perhaps you wouldn’t feel the need to write with such sarcasm.

“the modern game is already embarrassing enough without fans calling scrums dangerous”
– I actually never once said scrums are “dangerous”, merely pointing out that when one forward pack pushes unexpectedly in the scrum, it creates a dangerous situation, one that can easily be avoided if the NRL sorts out the scrum issue.

Clearly, you couldn’t care less about the welfare of players, which is a shame if you consider yourself a fan of the game. The only thing “embarrassing” here are your comments.

No pushover: Scrum situation needs addressing

Yes they did, and that’s exactly my point. Since the Warriors’ gave it a go, other sides have started doing the unexpected scrum push. I’m just raising the issue that it is highly dangerous, and that the NRL need to act before a player gets seriously injured.

No pushover: Scrum situation needs addressing

Well written, Shaun.
I can’t help but feel Potter will cop the consequences.. seems a shame as I thought he’d done a pretty decent job given the circumstances.
Apart from the in-house issues they have had a rather extensive injury toll, however they seemed to be rebuilding nicely and were looking strong for next season with their “cubs” gaining valuable experience this year and plenty of starch added to the pack with Gavet and Taupau – but after last weekend it all seems up in the air – and it doesn’t get any easier with the Roosters this week, a real test for the playing group to restore some pride the jumper.

No surprises in the Wests Tigers fiasco

I don’t think you need to worry about “drawing bigger crowds” for Origin – as it’s generally a sellout. I was more talking about the atmosphere for the occasion, that’s why I’d always prefer to see it played under lights. It’s always been played at night and I think that’s a great tradition, just saying personally I wouldn’t want to see it switched to a 3pm kickoff.
More club games at 3pm, definitely – but not Origin.

A Scottish plan to tartan up the NRL

Some interesting ideas but the obvious problem is the bottom 8, essentially playing for nothing after 15 rounds. I agree it would kill sponsorship and revenue for those clubs.

Also, can’t imagine Origin at a 3pm time slot, surely its gotta be played under lights.

A Scottish plan to tartan up the NRL

Nonsense? Okay, so why not look to Alice Springs, Broome perhaps? Explain why Hobart hasn’t got a team in the AFL? JC, it is hardly nonsense my friend, it is business sense.

Granted, Townsville’s population is still small but it is larger than Darwin and the region’s populace is doubled when you take nearby Cairns into account. They get great crowds because the entire region is rugby league mad – Darwin is not and is far more isolated if you wish to draw comparisons. Yes, Darwin does service gas and mining but that only adds to the transient nature of the town – they are not long term residents if your ideas are long term.

“Perth, Darwin, Adelaide and even Cairns could support teams” – your article suggested Darwin was ready for an NRL presence which it is clearly not. I’m all for growing the game but you need to be realistic.

Dear Dave, I have fixed rugby league for you

Agreed duecer. The vacant rugby league hole in Sydney’s north left by the absence of the Bears has cost the NRL many supporters to other codes. I’m not entirely convinced that it is completely necessary to cull, merge or relocate more Sydney clubs. The AFL seem to be going alright with 10 Victorian teams. That is, I’m not hearing constant crisis talks of the overcrowded AFL Melbourne market like I hear re: NRL clubs in Sydney.

JC, not sure how you propose to have an NRL team based in Darwin? You do realise that Darwin’s population is only 130,000 – and that’s including the greater Palmerston area. As much as I’d love to see an NRL presence in the Top End, I can’t see Darwin ticking too many boxes that meet NRL criteria for a few more decades at least. Crowds and corporate sponsorship are just not there at the moment, but keeping up a strong presence now is important for the future. Darwin folk love their sport and there are a lot of Queenslanders living in the NT who love their league. Having the Eels agreeing to play one match a season for the next 4 years is a start, but as for Darwin having their own team, it’s a long long way off.

Dear Dave, I have fixed rugby league for you

The playing strips are diabolical and have been for years now. Before we start worrying about numbers on the back, I’d much rather see some continuity in the actual jersey of most of the clubs. I find it disgraceful how often they change, giving zero chance of building any needed tradition.

Fans should also have the chance to purchase jerseys with their favourite players name on the back – and without all the commercial advertising. People want to wear jerseys because they are proud supporters of their teams. No-one wants to be a walking advert.

The number one idea to boost rugby league merchandising

Nicely written Curtis. A respectful article to one of Wests Tigers favourite sons. The joint venture club were only a couple of seasons in before the arrival of a young Benji, who largely helped elevate the club’s image from absolute basket-case to one of growing credibility.

As you wrote, “Without Marshall only god knows where the joint-venture club would be today.”

He has since moved on and so have the Tigers – which looks to have benefitted both parties – for the Tigers were able to retain their young talent coming through whilst Benji would be the first admit he’d gone stale and a new environment at a new club was probably the shot in the arm he needed.

I’d be a little surprised and disappointed if he were to get booed on the weekend. I like to think Tigers’ fans are a little better than that.

Tigers can roar but don't boo Benji

Agree with your comments Hayley, I’m not a fan of such early signings either and believe the NRL should prioritise establishing a better system for both players and clubs as well as supporters.

Mid-season signings turning NRL fans away from the game

I think most would agree that the entire structure of international rugby league needs to be reviewed. This is not a bad concept, one I wouldn’t mind watching. However, it has been done before. I remember watching the Kangaroos taking on “The Rest of the World” back in the late 80’s, pretty sure it was played at the SFS. FYI, Australia won 22-12.

League needs an Australia v rest of the world series

Massive dollars on offer for him to join Salford in the ESL. This surely seems the best move for him now. He’d stand to make much more than he could in the NRL whilst keep his word re: never playing against the Tigers.

Marshall looks to NRL return

True Shadow, but I still think they should play out of the ‘Gong full-time and completely embrace the region, defining it as their home base. A handful of games a year is simply not good enough.

The Tigers on the other hand simply do not where they are suppose to be. 12 home games divided between 4 each at Leichardt, Campbelltown and a half empty stadium at best, whilst they train at Concord. They need to bite the bullet, identify themselves with Campbelltown and the growing community and show that the “Wests” in Wests Tigers actually represents. It has been fifteen years and I really don’t think that they can afford to spend another fifteen drifting between these areas. Time to invest in the south west. They’ve got the house – but they need to make it a home.

Campbelltown crowd figure is a blight on the Tigers, not their fans

Good article, Curtis. I’m an old Balmain supporter and have said before that I feel both the Magpies and Steelers got very little out of each amalgamation. Far more of a take-over than a true merger – especially for the Steelers.

The ‘Gong has been dudded and the very least St George can do is relocate there full-time. As for the Tigers, Leichardt is a wonderful place to watch a game of league and I have very fond memories of the place, but it is simply not sustainable long-term. The Tigers board need to wake up and realise that the future of the club lies in the south west.

Campbelltown crowd figure is a blight on the Tigers, not their fans

Buntus, that is indeed a good question. As a tennis fan myself, I won’t mind digressing..
Yes, despite the advancements of Hawk Eye, I do think umpires are still necessary. I think it is crucial for that human element to still remain when adjudicating. I do think however, that since the Hawk Eye era began, being a tennis umpire is quite the dream job for many. The controversy is certainly minimised and who can criticise an umpire for simply sticking to what Hawk Eye deemed was in or out? I think a better possible argument could be the relevance of linesmen/women. I think they would surely go before the umpires.

Send-offs, do they still exist?

Eels v Tigers shaping up as a cracker next week! Farah however, will be a massive loss. I don’t know what the answer is for Wests Tigers’ appalling crowd attendance. Speaking as an old Balmain fan, I feel for Magpies’ fans who have gotten little out of the joint venture. In hindsight, relocating to Campbelltown full-time from the start would have helped even up the marriage, however it’s hard to press claims for that to happen now with such dismal figures in the south west that again occurred last night.

Tigers beat Cowboys in 2005 grand final replay

Mongrel up front has definitely been lacking the past two seasons. No-one can call their pack “soft” anymore.

Wests Tigers rookies are ready: Farah

Not a bad suggestion Rod and one that deserves further discussion at NRL HQ.

Send-offs, do they still exist?

Agreed Fil, at this rate it won’t be long until the touchies are permanently replaced by robots. As for the 2nd ref, yes I fail to see the relevance and cannot see any remarkable difference compared to when their was just one ref. As you mentioned, at least then the touchies would actually get involved a little more, eg. spotting foul play off the ball, forward passes, etc. The least the 2nd ref can do is align himself with the ruck whilst the other polices the 10 metres. Surely more than half the forward passes thrown are from dummy half..?

Send-offs, do they still exist?

close