Nathan Sharpe claims players' award

Jutsie, if you were allowed to divide Melbourne into large different districts for say 2 or 3 rugby teams, how would you do it?

Good on ya Sharpie. Look forward to a catch up on the Coast.

They usually name the grounds after sponsors but the stand are named after sports stars so hopefully it happens.

I agree. I hope Cooper does privately apologise to each of the Wallabies and staff that he slandered and put pressure on through his actions. No media circus. Just a humble, bridge building apology. I actually hope that he has already done that.

I can see it happening. One existing stand on site is named after an East Perth local footy hero, a corporate room named after the first Glory captain. Not a stretch to think they will name it after Sharpie who has done a lot and has a greater profile than either of the other two. As for sponsorship. Perhaps it will be the ANZ (for eg) Nathan Sharpe stand. No reason why it can't satisfy the fans and the money crunchers.

Yep I reckon he has played his best footy on the wing with the wallabies (although u wont see many fans giving deans credit for that will you lol). I havent been that impressed with him at 12 although he hasnt played there enough to really know what his capability is.

To be honest my haircut was just as bad at that age, i was his age when the first wave of metrosexuals came into aus haha

I can't imagine what little twerp I would've been with all the money and kudos surrounding me. I hope I would've handled it in a manner befitting a young squire but the fact is I have no bloody idea. None of us do. I don't think I would've got the haircuts though. Probably because I never had enough of it on top to begin with. :)

That was demanded attention rather than asked for it... Sometimes I have no idea what predictive text is doing. Maybe that is why we are 27th in world in terms of reading and literacy :-)

I think they will once they get back into camp. What gets said to media and what you say to your mates are different. I hope QC is humble enough with his mates to apologise to them. It doesn't need to be in public under the eyes of the media. And you know if your mate comes up to you and says sorry for being a goose and means it. You give him a hug and it's done or give him an uppercut then a hug and it's done. I don't think anyone wants to see a team mate tarred and feathered even if you do feel a bit let down by some of his actions. My problem is can he gel and how strong is he mentally. Because if I was opposing him I'd be giving him lip all day and doubling it when he made an error. He has shown he is vulnerable and that's all you need.

Well he is pretty useful on wing and at fullback. First/ 2nd five not so sure. I hope he has still got his pace, elusiveness and self-belief and is firing on all cylinders by the time the Lions tour rolls around. I also hope he builds a combination with Beale. They are both confidence players and seem to encourage each other. Beale encourages Bieber to get a haircut and Bieber encourages Beale to get rolling drunk and get into dumb fights. I actually think it started over a comment about his haircut... But the I may just be making it up :-)

On a personal level I like it, but even if he get's it for a year I think it will be renamed for commercial reasons. We have had beautiful parks and all sorts at home renamed to ANZ, Westpac etc. So my heart say love it, my head says won't last. Still it would be a in e gesture even for a season.

Just to let you know - have a picture of him with 10 kg coral trout!!!! Howzzat

I agree, but this time he bought another dimension. He demanded ate room rather than asked for it. It may not appear much. but his handling of the QC situation while in the cauldron and his no quarter given attitude were what was needed and he bought it in spades. He actually reminded me of John.Mitchell who was a journeyman AB but a Waikato legend respected by all including Buck Shelford and Zinzan who have both paid complements to him in after match speeches at the club rooms. He led from the front and when he got done for not getting back 10 before smashing one of the opposition forwards... his comment was All Blacks don't take a step backward for anyone". Sharpe was able to convey that same message to the Wallaby team. So I guess on that front he stepped up, when as Justie said subconsciously he could have easily been feeling a bit sore. So on the back of where he started and his ability to focus the troops.. an effort which I haven't seen for a while. At the end if the day I think he also inspired himself... Like the circle, inspire those around you who then inspire you..

have to disagree with u guys. sharpes always played this well. this season he played well but not that much better than every other year since he made the wb's. sharpe is a soldier and has always performed. he was never great at the contact area and was never a strong ball carrier but he is the set piece king. sharpe always stepped up and always gave it his all. its now that he's near retirement that ppl are actually beginning to realise how good he was but i've always rated him and i always said he's been under rated. i also said that australians wouldnt value him until after retired. i'm pretty happy to be wrong in this one as he deserves all the accolades and awards he been getting this year. fare thee well sharpie. your a highly regarded honoured enemy

Sharpey is an example to the younger players, when you get dropped for having certain shortcomings you dont have a sook, you just put your head down and work your ass off to eradicate these shortcoming. Lets not sugar coat it, sharpey did have issues a few years back, he went to ground far to easily at the contact zone and sometimes shirked his duties at the breakdown but you cannot level those accusations at him any longer. This year I'd be surprised if he wasnt one of the leaders of meters gained in the pack and he is also the master of disrupting opposition rolling mauls.

Hey Chivas, I cant really vouch for the wider community as I am from melbourne so its a small sample size around here lol. Personally I thought the match was one I wouldn't re-watch however i was jumping for joy when beale scored. Sharpe deserved nothing less than a win to thank him for his services. Its been a tough year and long year for the wallabies and their supporters but I think they have developed a team bond that hasnt been apparent for a few years. It seems like they really play for each other and thats something they can build on. Once everyone has bought into the team ethos and goals the other aspects will follow. Hopefully 2 certain polarising individuals that havent had much gametime this year wont ruin the team bond next year when they come back into the squad. Ive heard rumours before that they werent getting much love from teammates, I hope its not true.

One of rugby's greats. An example to those young guys who think they are bigger than the game. Enjoy life after rugby Sharpey.

Of course he did, his mates and people he cared about were bleeding. It's no longer just a game... it's more and he bought it.

Hey Jutsie a couple of quick ones. Is the attitude towards to Wales win really despondent... not here but amongst the wider community. My thought at the time was yeah... great exclamation mark, great way to finish the game and the season... Sod off. For me I felt good. Seeing the boys in raptures... it was awesome. It bought a smile to my face. Then to top it seeing Sharpie take his kick... which flew better than I thought. I think he had been getting some lessons... A bit like those dancing lessons you get before getting married :-). Second, what happens with sharpie. He represented so much of what was good about rugby. Head down bum up, always tried and led by example. As I said earlier a really tough year and they came away well. I also think Sharp free inspiration from the challenges. They had a couple of lapses where they got spanked but more often than not they backed up the next week with a committed gutsy performance. I think he captured the imagination of the entire rugby following community. As I say this team showed immense character (coach and players). I thought they were ready for the scrap heap. Believe me in SA and NZ we have no problem kicking a team when they are down. And the Wallabies stood up to it, very gutsy. I'd like to see him with kids and younger age group. Being involved in the growth and development of clubs. I just think he is such a valuable asset as a grass roots man. I'd late to see that energy, knowledge and work ethic lost.