Yesterday I counted down the first 25 of my 50 random NRL thoughts. Here is the much anticipated second instalment.
26. You couldn’t pay me enough to be an NRL winger. Semi Radradra, Manu Vatuvei – no thanks.
27. How does a team under a salary cap investigation sign a marquee player without shedding players first?
28. Is the NRL talent pool deep enough to justify talk of expansion? The last thing the league needs is a North Queensland Fury type situation.
29. If the game were to expand, surely Perth would be favourites for a spot based purely on the television friendly timeslot games in WA would present.
30. I could name at least five NRL players who would walk straight into the Wallabies backline. I can name only one Wallaby who would make the Kangaroo’s squad – Israel Folau.
31. If I could pick any side to avoid when they’re ‘on their day’ it is the Warriors. If I could play any side when they are not on their day, it would also be the Warriors.
32. Jamie Lyon’s refusal to play State Of Origin sums up why it took NSW nearly a decade to dethrone Queensland. Players born and raised in NSW fight to be ruled eligible for Queensland. Meanwhile, our best centre fights to not represent his state.
33. Although I am sick of Channel Nine’s obsession with Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess, if I were running the station, I’d probably be doing the same thing. They’re internationally marketable stars.
34. The Raiders are currently $1001 to win the competition. Those odds are still too short.
35. The Cowboys should treat every game as though it was being played in the second half of the season. They sure know how to time their run. Too bad they’ll be eliminated via another refereeing shocker come September.
36. I hope the Titans pull through their current troubles and return to the form they showed earlier in the season. They’re an exciting team to watch when at full flight, and there’s no better away trip for fans than visiting the Gold Coast.
37. Greg Inglis could very well be the best fullback in the game, however there’s the very real chance he may never play fullback regularly for Queensland. Anthony Milford’s rapid rise could see him take over when Slater retires. Given Inglis’ record at centre, he might stay there.
38. I fully understand that NRL players have no obligation to talk to the media, but if they did there’d be a lot less false reports printed. Players are the best promoters of the game. For the money they get paid, surely a two minute interview here and there is no big deal.
39. I believe the NRL grand final should always be played at ANZ Stadium, and in an afternoon time slot. Can you imagine the AFL shifting the time or venue of their grand final so suit broadcasters?
40. Next year’s Melbourne Origin at the MCG will be a massive event, but NSW deserve a chance to defend the shield with two genuine home games. Melbourne games are basically Queensland home games, due to the Storm’s big three and a bit of Victorian jealousy.
41. The NRL should look at moving an entire week’s fixtures to the bush each season. Each team would have to move one home game every two years into the bush. This would promote league and bring in new fans.
42. The World Club Challenge is a great one off event, but in the fair dinkum stakes, any NRL side in the top eight would handsomely beat the top side in England if the game was played on even terms. Right now, Manly would put 40 on St Helens.
43. If you ever need proof that the broadcasters run the game, why don’t the Warriors have to host their fair share of Monday Night fixtures? Without consulting Google, I challenge any non-Warriors fan to tell me the last Monday Night game they hosted. Hint – never.
44. I have no idea how the second-tier salary cap works. For mine, if a player stands out in the Holden Cup and earns a first grade position, they should be able to play first grade.
45. The current NRL finals system makes about five times more sense than the old McIntyre system and rewards the top four sides. I don’t think we’ll see an NRL winner from outside the top four for a fair while
46. Any chance we could get a Friday night that doesn’t involve the Broncos on Channel Nine? I understand their value, but the constant seven-day turn around and free-to-air coverage is surely a massive advantage that no one else receives
47. The fact Darren Lockyer never won a Dally M medal slightly devalues the award for mine.
48. I support the introduction of a marquee player system, similar to that of the A-League. This allows one player’s earnings to be salary cap exempt. It would surely stop players considering French rugby. This may disadvantage the poorer clubs, but the NRL should not penalise success.
49. Should points records achieved by the Storm players stand considering the side they partly secured them with were way above the salary cap? One could argue that Cam Smith would not have secured as many conversions had his backline not been stacked with above the cap stars.
50. The best player I’ve ever seen was Andrew Johns. Of the current era, Darren Lockyer would have to be at the top of a very talented group, just in front of Cam Smith.
Rodney
Roar Pro
World renowned? while a nation that had less than 200k people living in it sits in the top 10 nations that play your sport I doubt you can really say your sport it 'world renowned'. The sport is known of, but not really followed with much passion except by a couple dozen nations. Most of whom also follow league.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah I do remember that one, it was more the reference that he got up to far more than the Stuart Raper joke. I never heard anything while I was up there?
Rob9
Roar Guru
I agree with linz in that you're comparing Apples and Oranges but who are your '5' Daniel?
Jay C
Roar Guru
I think it was the positional change that really stamped Locky for me. I think it was also lucky for him, because he slowed down alot in his later years, so he would not have kept Slater out of Fullback for too long. Plus the attitude. Johns just gets on my nerve, although I begrudgingly have to say that I am enjoying his pre game commentary and am amazed at how often he will highlight a teams pet play, only for it to then be used succesfully in that very game.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Well I don't think the joke will get throught the mods here mate but suffice to say it involved an infamous bulldogs trip to Coffs and reckoning that if St George can win 11 in a row with 1 Raper, imagine what the Dogs can do. It was right around when he became Australian captain and it is in his book as probably his biggest regret. Poor taste, given the circumstances.
Peeeko
Guest
Yes all regional sports should cease to exist
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Keeping in mind we're talking a matter of millimetres here, I think some of those Kangaroo tours are front and centre in the pro-Lockyer camp. I just think he made the players around him better than Johns did - an amazing statement given what Johns accomplished. I lived in Brisbane during much of Lockyer's career - when you say the thing about the Stuart Raper joke, I'd be interested to hear what you're referring to. I never heard anything too adverse about him, but that might not have meant much given the information feed available. Serious question.
eagleJack
Guest
Hmmmm Locky got up to far more than a Stuart Raper joke
eagleJack
Guest
In 2005 the Knights started the season with 13 straight losses. Johns returned and they won 8 of their last 11. That is the definition of having a major influence over your teams fortunes. Lockyer, while a great, only ever played with a team full of rep stars.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
I think Johns was a more gifted player, but I think Lockyer was more influential in his team's fortunes...if that makes sense...?
jay C
Guest
Good point about the Saints. You do find that every year 6 or 7 teams pay a fine for salary cap breaches as well so I don't think you can mess with personal stiff. Locky really only told that Stu Raper joke. That whole tackling the door man thing was nonsense. Similar to when Thurston locked himself out of his house that morning. We were at a party in the unit complex and it was a Maine beat up in the paper. Nice to read some positive thoughts.
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
Thank you mate Agreed Fury were up against it. Beale is in some pretty good form. Hopefully we see him in league next season. Ha Ha controversial. True. Me too, I just don't see it unofrtunately. Yes. Those were the rules then. The Storm played outside the rules ... I dont think you can penalise the players though Both were amazing players. haha Locky had his off field troubles too
Cadfael
Roar Guru
To me it lacks credibility because you have players turning out for one country in one RLWC and another in the next one.
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
When I lived in Perth, on derby day, EVERYONE was talking about it. You'd walk down the street and people would literally stop you to ask who you supported, it was insane. I went to the local pub there and asked if they could put one of the 15 or so tvs onto the NRL and the guy looked at me and said he had no idea what NRL was. That being said, theyve had some big crowds over there as of late
barbz
Guest
Tradition as a word is just a more acceptable form of bigotry. You could argue that broncos on a Friday night is now tradition in qld. But let's not stuff around. It's purely about money. If it was more profitable to host it in Brisbane, the nrl would discard tradition in a heartbeat. Just like any sensible governing body. You just need to admit it to yourself that you want to have your cake (grand final) and eat it too (fewer broncos Friday nights).
Jay C
Roar Guru
28. To be fair the Fury were scr***d over by the A League as soon as the Wrold Cup bid was over. It was only ever there to make pretend Australia was a nation of Soccer folk. 30. I would think Beale might get a shot. 37. There is an argument at the moment that he might not even be the best fullback at Souths... 40. It isn't Qld's fault everyone hates NSW. 45. I would love to see two grand finalist come from outside the top 4. 49. Should the 11 premierships to St George count given there was no salary cap in those days? Hard to argue the individuals don't deserve their accolades. Bulldogs were the same thing in 04 and I'm pretty sure the Broncos have been busted big time this year. 50. I would take Locky into battle with me over Johns any day. At least he wouldn't be heffed up on goofballs. Awesome Read.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
The enemy of my enemy. Plus, the Storm thing, yes.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Victorian jealousy. The Victorians cheer Queensland cause they always feel Melbourne is competing and losing to sydney as being the premier city in australia
marco
Guest
Emotionaly it makes sense to have a team in Perth and it would help to justify the competition being called the NRL. But the investment and risk would be huge. Perth is all about AFL. Sydney with its massive population and Rugby League dominance has its issues with about six clubs struggling for support. Attendance at an exhibition game doesnt count for much, it is at grass roots level that counts. I dont know how much it would cost but if it is say, 20 million per year over the 1st 5 years to see if it works, and it has failed once before, do you think other clubs would agree to it?
watcher
Guest
43, Can you imagine the screaming from Sydney clubs about having to play in NZ on a Monday night, then travel back to Sydney for he match the next weekend, thats' why it doesn't happen. Cowboys, Storm and Warriors accept the travel challenge and get on with it, Sydney clubs are a bit more precious about it. Commentators always go on how the Warriors cant't travel. Can you name a team that has won in Canberra, Townsville, Sydney and Melbourne this year, answer, the Warriors.