You can get your rugby league fix anywhere these days.
From traditional outlets like radio, newspapers and TV to modern day avenues like Twitter and Facebook, you can get read, watch and listen to all the pundits, pressmen and players you like.
Add in forums and blogs and you can argue, rant, rave, vent, pontificate and predict all day and all night long.
We all have our favourite analysts whose word we take as law and our most hated commentators who get us yelling at the TV.
For people like me, it’s heaven.
Through the week, there’s something to watch on TV every day, and in my opinion NRL 360 with Ben Ikin and Paul Kent is the pick of the bunch.
With in-depth analysis, seriousness and a touch of humour to lighten the mood (unlike the Footy Show on Channel 9 which rams it down your throat) Ikin and PK engage in real debate to get to the heart of the important issues on and off the field.
Their measured breakdown doesn’t stray into partisan vitriol – State of Origin yarns aside – and segments with players and coaches including the forthright Willie Mason, Cam Smith, Braith Anasta, Tim Sheens and Craig Bellamy are always insightful.
They’re not afraid to ask the hard questions and the quick-fire Q and A always sparks debate.
In saying that, I don’t always agree with their views and am sometimes left sitting on the couch talking to myself about why they’re wrong, so here’s my view on some of the questions they frequently raise.
What left you hanging out for more (after Round 10)?
Jack Wighton. Even though his side lost, the young Raiders’ centre is incredibly powerful, knows how to find the tryline and did well against more experienced campaigners at the Sharks.
He made 16 hit-ups and ran for 177 metres – the most of any Raider.
What got you pumped up?
Willie Mason. Great to see the big man fired up, grown up and even back in Origin contention. It’s not such a bad idea. He could provide the rage the Blues need when backs are against the wall.
Best performance?
The Manly defence. It was crazy, evidenced by the fact the Storm took two penalties.
Fair or unfair: Golden point should be scrapped.
Fair. But only for Silver point, as I wrote in this article on The Roar.
Fair or unfair: Each NRL team should have to play one home game away from their home city.
Fair. If it’s marketed well and taken to the right area – like the Warriors in Wellington – there’s no reason it can’t work.
Is Josh Dugan ready for Origin?
No. One game isn’t enough to force his way past Jarryd Hayne. Even if it was, he still has a lot to prove.
Most at stake in Round 11?
Benji Marshall. He’s put the pressure on by fronting the media and vowing to prove everybody wrong. At Leichhardt Oval on a Friday night though, he’s a good chance to do it.
Sure thing in Round 11?
As a Warriors fan, it hurts to say this, but the Knights at Mt Smart Stadium (payback for that woeful performance against Penrith last Saturday).
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