My report for the weekend’s NRL action was all but completed the other night, with four minutes remaining in the Rabbitohs versus Roosters “local” derby at “ANZedfern Oval”. But then the NRL did what it does best: provide unexpected stimulation with a wacky finish.
South Sydney did what they’ve mostly done best since they were readmitted to the competition: give their fans buyer’s remorse. What a weekend. AFL and rugby union are fast developing the appearance of reserve-grade lawn bowls in comparison.
Here are my grades, handed out in no particular order:
D Roosters’ fans.
I know your team lacks some pizazz this year (more on that shortly) but this game is supposed to be a grudge match for you people. Last night only 18,000 were present, the majority of them Bunnies fans. Get on the train and go support your team, mediocre as it is.
C Roosters’ premiership chances.
Actually, forget the premiership; just qualifying for the semis looks is out of reach for this crew. Even with the return of Braith Anasta the Roosters feel like a kiss on the lips from your sister: not much excitement, a little awkward, and uncertainty about where to take things from here. Souths’ genetic code (more on that shortly) gifted the Roosters two lucky points.
C- Souths’ genetic code.
This team has the look of seventh or eighth about it: an excellent, skilled pack, with some powerful backs (albeit with a young half) and an attacking dummy half in Isaac Luke when he returns. The problem, however, is that this club has an inferiority complex, and are still feeling fortunate to be asked to the dance post-2002. “We’re not worthy” reared up and poked them last night when it mattered.
A+ Manly versus Warriors, Tigers versus Sharks.
The two most shining aspects of the NRL were on display in these games. At Eden Park, the skill and speed of the game received a glittering showcase. On Sunday, grit and gladiatorial splendour pulsated for 80 minutes, before winding down with three minutes of inanity.
E Golden Point.
Must be fixed. Make it Golden Try or just ditch the whole thing. They may as well play a best-of-three of tiddlywinks to decide the matter.
D Lewis and Lockyer as commentators.
Wally Lewis has been a boring, pedestrian “analyst” since he retired. He has burdened us all with his presence for years now. The man has nothing to offer, not a shred of insight. Now we have to put up with Darren Lockyer as well, who possesses a voice tailor-made for the silent era. Champion players do not always possess champion intellects.
B+ Todd Carney.
If a NSW five-eighth emerges to claim the Blues number six, this guy could put Mitchell Pearce under pressure for the Blues’ halfback spot. I’m not a big fan of Pearce, believing him to be overrated. Todd Carney’s presence has given the Sharks a chance at a top 11 finish this year.
A Anthony Griffin.
Replacing the greatest five-eighth the world has seen (with due respect to Daley, Fittler, Lewis and Kenny, among others) is not easy, even when you still have a very good team across the park. Brisbane’s fluidity was impressive on Friday night, blending athletic and skilful forward play with timely spreads to their three-quarters. Such precision comes from the top.
B- Parra’s prospects.
Even with Jarryd Hayne and Willie Tonga returning, Parramatta look like triers without much hope for glory. Their forwards look like a pack from the ’80s compared to Brisbane’s: one-out runs, few offloads, not much speed or agility. Ben Roberts does not look like the answer at six.
A+ Akuila Uate.
The Rolls Royce of wingers right now. To watch this man is akin to watching a horse glide across a meadow. Alright, that might be slightly overwrought but you get my drift. He is simply superb to watch in motion.
C The Warriors’ mistake rate.
This one is touchy, because the Warriors’ problem is also their greatest strength: their willingness to chance their arm and throw the extra pass. But the fact remains that were it not for the now-defunct McIntyre “system” they would have been cuddling up to their favourite sheep last October. Knowing when to maintain discipline and when to explode into action is a problem familiar to Major League baseball hitters, who tackle the problem every time they step up to bat: to swing for the fences or to wait? The Warriors are going to have to get that balance right in order to contend.
The final stand-out performance of the weekend came from yours truly. I scored five from eight in my tipping comp. Given today’s NRL, that’s no mean feat.
Pete75
Guest
But B- MG? I'd rate B chances as the likes of the Warriors, Bulldogs and Dragons. I'd rate the Eels, on a scale of A-D, as D+. And I only give them the plus because I do think they'll manage to dodge the spoon. Did you work for a ratings agency pre-GFC by any chance? ;-)
Gaz
Guest
Exactly, Rugby League is basically about scoring more points then the opposing team in a set time of 80 minutes. if the scores are even at full time then it should be deemed no team has won nor lost and the two points on offer shared. Nothing could be fairer. It has been said the golden point eventuated because fans felt 'flat' after a draw but I disagree, surely the supporters of the side who scored last that were in fact behind would be more then happy to accept the draw. Almost as good as a win in that case. And why should either of those sides be given extra time to get the two points same as the Club down the road who was able beat their opponent in regular time?
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
I think you're onto something with Hayne. He's yet to prove he's more than a fair-weather player. I actually had high hopes for him when they moved him to five-eighth, thinking he'd have to involve himself more but he proved just as enigmatic and inconsistent. Having said that, I don't think it's "horribly generous" to give the Eels a B-. Sandow is a talent, and any backline that includes he, Tonga and Hayne has a chance at points. Parramatta are going to have to play at a very high motivation level to succeed.
Pete75
Guest
Just on that - how much must Parra be kicking themselves, and the Doggies be feeling they dodged a bullet? Parra threw stacks of cash at Daniel Mortimer in a bidding war with the Dogs. Parra wins, leaving Roberts as the Doggies first choice five-eighth. Mortimer then forgets how to play rugby league for a season, leaving Parra to drop him. Without a recognised five-eighth, they then have to throw over-the-odds money at Roberts in seeking to replace Mortimer.... Emblematic of the shambles that is Parra's recruitment over the past.... well.... 25 years.
Pete75
Guest
"B- Parra’s prospects" I think you're being horribly generous there MG. I've always thought that Hayne will only play well when the team is playing well. He's not someone that is going to lift a team through his own efforts. I have the same question marks over his mental toughness as I've always had, and a great season in 2009 is about all there is to show from this bloke's career. One of the most overrated players in the game in my opinion. With regards to Ben Roberts, I actually think he's quite a decent player but, again, he's not going to lift a team on his own. Put him in a side with a decent set of forwards and I reckon he'll make a pretty reasonable running five-eighth. Unfortunately with the Parra forwards look very, very yesteryear as you point out, it's going to be a long year for him and Parra supporters.
Pete75
Guest
"I actually don’t feel any great allegiance to NSW, despite being born and raised in Sydney" You, sir, are a disgrace.
Pete75
Guest
To be fair, we don't know what sort of "pairs and foursomes" he was watching....
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
This is where a supreme ball distributor is so important. All the elite teams have one- Marshall for the Tigers, Cronk for Melbourne, Cherry-Evans and Foran for Manly, Johnson for the Warriors. I'm not sure how old you are but Kevin Walters' service to Steve Renouf in the early 90s for the Broncos was absolutely lethal, as was Stuart feeding long balls to Daley/Meninga/Belcher for Canberra. Inglis will struggle as long as Souths lack a quality passing game on the inside. Maybe they should offer Lockyer a million dollars to come out of retirement. He's the best there ever was at putting elite players in good attacking positions.
Dan
Guest
I understand "Taylor is an impact player and can bend the line" but he plays so wide it's as if Souths have two left centres, inglis is no doubt their best player along with burgess and fails to receive the ball I just find it bizarre. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
So we're on the same page, as I see them coming (at best) 7th or 8th. But that's assuming they play to their utmost potential, a slim proposition. Sutton has certainly been overrated but if he's willing to ask questions of the defense on a regular basis, it'll open things up for Souths. But ultimately, no, they're not in my 8.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Right.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Pete75
Guest
I've stated elsewhere that I don't believe that the Bunnies will go anywhere with the squad they have. At best, they'll scrape into the finals and be knocked out first or second week. They've got the same squad as last year, except they've lost a half back. By my calculations, one half (Sandow), minus one halfback (Sandow) leaves them with exactly zero halves (Sutton and Reynolds).....
Pete75
Guest
Makes complete sense to me MG. More ball movement on the bowling green! That's one crackerjack of an analogy Steve! ;-)
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
Um.... does this make sense to anyone? "Bowling with the wrong bias?" English please.
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
That goes without saying. What would work even better is to be consistent across the entire season, like Manly or the Storm in recent years. New Zealand has the talent to do that so anything less isn't acceptable at this point, especially with a GF under its belt.
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
A shame about Sandow- although I'm not sure he's worth half a million a year. He's certainly yet to prove himself worthy of that figure. As for Dave Taylor, he may have a mistake or two in him but he's a genuine impact player and someone who can push the opposition backwards. The only way for Inglis to have space is for Souths to generate activity in the middle- hard to do without a proven first receiver. Reynolds did have his moments on Monday night but it's a huge question mark for the Bunnies.
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
I think it a scintillating article, Oikee. Sorry you didn't enjoy it. As for your second comment, I don't understand what you're talking about, and if the 'punters' are confused, that's their problem. I couldn't have been clearer.
MG Burbank
Roar Guru
You're right on, Will. I'm not sure what you mean by it being inaccurate. There's no 'comparison' at work here- under the new system, the losing team ranked 6th is knocked out, which is exactly as it should be. The Warriors should not have had a second chance.
Steve
Guest
What's rugby union? All i know is I saw more ball movement on the bowling green and that was because some clown kept bowling with the wrong bias. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.