It’s easy to complain about rugby league – people are passionate about their clubs and when things don’t go right it is natural to go about apportioning blame. However, there is so much passion because we enjoy the game.
I try and write about as many good things as I can. However, sometimes things in the footy world piss me right off and I’ve got to vent.
There are a few things that are annoying me right now.
But instead of just being yet another person whining about what’s wrong with league, for every negative, I’m also going to tell you something that I love about the NRL.
I hate: Friday night Broncos
Friday nights equal free-to-air games and free-to-air games equal greater exposure, greater following and greater sponsorship. No team in the NRL gets a better run on Friday nights than the Brisbane Broncos Ltd.
You can understand the NRL wanting to feature form sides in the free-to-air time slots, however the Broncos are not a form side. In fact the Broncos have missed the finals for the last two seasons and are a good chance to miss again.
So why is it the Broncos will play 16 of their 24 matches – 76 per cent of them – on Friday nights? All up The Broncos have 81per cent of their games shown on free-to-air this season.
To put this in perspective, have a look at how many free-to-air games some of the other teams get:
Even if you are a form team you don’t do as well as the boys from Brisvegas. Manly, who were grand finalists last year, have had one fewer free-to-air game than the Broncos in 2014, South Sydney seven less, and last year’s premiers, The Roosters, have had eight fewer free-to-air games than the Broncos this season.
Mr Smith, this is ridiculously inequitable and actively furthers the unlevel playing field. Are you seriously going to let this continue?
I love: Josh Reynolds
I know the trip on Ben Barba and the feet kicking out at Sam Thaiday looked bad, but Josh Reynolds isn’t that guy.
Sure, he’s full of niggle and he’s one hard-arsed competitor but he’s not an arsehole at all.
When you interview footy players you often get a string of clichés thrown at you, but not with Josh, he actually tells you what he thinks. After the match he is one of the players who always goes to fans around the edge of the ground to sign autographs, take pics and shake hands.
He is also one of the few who come out of the dressing rooms to take photos with fans and have a chat. He does things like writing letters to little kids to cheer them up and just last week he was visiting kids at a children’s hospital.
The bloke is passionate about his footy and wears his heart on his sleeve. No one will be more upset by his brain snaps last Friday night than the man himself. I’m his fan.
I hate: continued bad ref decisions
There have been repeated bad calls all year and last weekend was no exception. There were three crucial – and wrong – calls that cost teams victory.
First off there were two howlers that allowed the Knights to post an amazing comeback against the Storm. Firstly, how Travis Waddell wasn’t called offside when he jumped out of marker waaaaaay too early is beyond me. The subsequent one-on-one strip on Billy Slater resulted in six points and a grandstand finish. It should have been checked by the video ref.
Compounding that non-call only moments later, Ashley Klein called held well before a tackle on Adam Cuthbertson was even close to completed. He then penalised the Storm for pushing Cuthbertson into touch. The Storm were robbed and Craig Bellamy said as much. They legitimately took big Adam into touch and it should have been game over.
The loss of those two points for the Storm could be very telling come the finals.
The other awful decision came in the 20th minute of the Eels versus Raiders in Darwin. A seemingly rejuvenated Raiders side was up 10-0 and pressing the line when it appeared that Jordan Rapana had sliced through to take the score to 14-0, kick to come. Instead it was adjudged that decoy runner Jarrad Kennedy had blocked Parramatta defender Kenny Edwards from making a tackle on Rapana.
This call was total rubbish. In the previous week’s rout at the hands of the Warriors, Terry Campese was adjudged not to have been obstructed by Sam Rapira’s decoy run that basically took Campese completely out of the play and opened a gap for Sam Lousi to go through.
Kennedy performed nowhere near the obstruction on Edwards, yet this time it was declared worthy of denying a try.
What makes the decision even more bizarre is that, unlike Lousi the previous week, Rapana still had to beat three Eels defenders to get across the line and the replay showed that the reason Kennedy was in Edwards’ path at all was because Parramatta defender Michael Morgan pushed him there.
Yet, in spite of all these factors, ‘no try’ was ruled.
Instead of Jarrod Croker lining up to make the score 16-0, moments later Jarryd Hayne was doing the plane at the other end to make the score 10-6. Tony Archer needs to understand that the Raiders don’t need further impediments right now, they have enough.
There must be consistency in rulings. Perhaps it is time to have just one team performing the video ref role from a central command centre, rather than eight separate mobs going to the grounds with eight separate interpretations.
I love: the parochial fans at Brookvale
There is no doubting that Manly’s 18th player, their crowd, is one of the very best in the comp. Sure, they don’t let the facts get in the way of their assertions to the refs. And OK, they are probably the greatest collective of people who are all missing an eye. But they make so much noise.
They are constantly behind their team, into the opposition and on the back of the officials. Most opposition supporters hate them but I reckon they could learn a thing or two from them. It’s a real pity for their team that their fans don’t travel in large numbers.
I love their passion.
I hate: what happened to all the good nicknames?
When I was growing up the players often had great nicknames. Blocker, the King, the Axe, Cement, Junior, Changa, Puff, the Black Pearl, the Guru, Chicka, Choppy, Crusher, Shrek, Mongo, Lurch, Fatty, Piggy, Mad Dog, the Brick with eyes, Bozo, and Spud were all great nicknames.
With the retirement of Anthony ‘the Count’ Minichiello we may have lost the last of the good nicknames. It seems the best the most recent mob can manage are things like Duges, Gal, Smithy, Browny and Hoff.
Please tell me I’m wrong and provide me with some modern day player nicknames that are funny and/or clever.
I love: the mini Penrith Panthers cheerleaders
I know I’ve gone on previously about how much I like going to games at Penrith because it has such a great community feel. However, one of the chief reasons for it is their little girl cheerleaders that go out on the field just before the games.
These tiny kids are so bloody adorable in their little outfits and ponytails, doing their routines. And they are so happy and excited to be there.
They bring the day at the footy back to being about the whole community getting out and having fun. It doesn’t matter when they go to the wrong positions or get the moves wrong, they are just joy personified.
Now, can someone please explain to me why the big Panther cheerleaders are dressed in sheer and shiny black nylon suits?
So Roarers, what do you love about rugby league?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The Tigers have definitely had more than 2 games shown on free to air TV. I've seen that their matches with the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Titans, Bulldogs, and at least one or two other clubs (I'm thinking Dragons and Manly) were scheduled to be played on channel 9 this year.
Rich21
Roar Rookie
He is at 2nd marker and standing square with only his body tilted right to see Smith play the ball....watch it again...he moves simultaneously as smith plays the ball...that is a legal move, only sometimes refs call it as offside but that I'm sure was a fair call...
Irock
Guest
Great article tim! I love what you said about the family atmosphere of the penrith games! That's what Australian footy should be all about not money and Friday night advertising for which team is the most famous!
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Tim, the EPL and SPL are two very different beasts. The EPL has at least five teams this year capable of winning the EPL. A better example of unevenness is La Liga which is dominated by Real and Barcelona and who get 34% of the TV revenue. The EPL shares its payments for the TV rights equally in spite of the massive differences in support for the popular teams like Utd and Liverpool. Contrary to that, I propose that the TV rights are shared unequally in league to offset the unequal TV appearances.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
With respect Barry "There really is no for point for people complaining about it." is a cop out. There are a number of things that can be done with the sharing of the TV payments to make sure that other teams aren't penalised financially. There is every point to complain about it and a solution is not that difficult to come up with, but getting people to agree on it is what will be hard. The Broncos will obviously be against it for a start. An even competition is better for everyone.
Eden
Guest
Choc
bunger
Guest
I will just say I also hate and think ch9 Friday nights are a joke. Who doesn't. Yet its acceptable? God help Rugby League! There is no question. NO QUESTION. People are leaving league for these same old reasons. We know what the problems are. What I love? 2pm games in the sun. Hot chips, a beer, like minded fans in tow and the chance to celebrate. Cheeringosyly, venting sometimes.
Ash
Guest
Having two Brisbane teams would solve a lot of these issues. Although I am a mad Broncos supporter, I understand the animosity towards the Broncos as a business and corporation. Rugby league is the main winter sport in Queensland and it would make sense for the NRL to establish another club in the heartland of this great game. At the very least it would stop the Broncos being aired on every Friday night! But what is more farcical is the NRL's ridiculous unwillingness not to broadcast regional games on free to air e.g. Raiders games in Canberra and Warriors games in NZ. The AFL have set up the broadcast model and it's about bloody time the NRL followed them!
The Link
Guest
Can't speak for other teams but Manly has a set of good knicknames; Snake, Killer, Skivvy, Wolfman, Foz, Chezza, Ferris Buhrer, Gifty, Hoz, Kingdog Speaking of Reynolds he's got one of the better one's - Grub
djcooper
Roar Guru
That completely contradicts Paul White coming out when the draw was announced last year and campaigning for more Sunday (family friendly) timeslots.
TheSmak
Guest
Fiver, I live close to Robina Town Centre, and I've seen quite a few of the Titans players there doing shopping, not just hanging out at the restaurants.
TheSmak
Guest
As sad as it is i don't think many people watch the titans any more. On a side note, i used to live in a complex on the Goldy, and on Friday's i'd walk from my unit to my Brother's at the other end to watch the footy. From every single unit where i could hear the TV or see it, it would be switched to the footy. The Broncos do rate highly in south east QLD so until the TV deal is renegotiated its probably not gonna change. I wouldn't mind seeing more Cowboys games though. Also, on the Coast we get NBN which shows the NSW game live at the same time, so i can choose which one i want to watch. Sometimes i'll use PIP and watch both at the same time! Not sure if they get NBN in Brisbane though.
Muzz
Guest
I love or maybe like - Gus's Insight I hate - His blatantly obvious bias at times. It's not hard to see who he's had a punt on.
Meesta Cool
Guest
It's all about Channel Nine getting the most viewers for their Dollar, Sydney has 'umpteen' teams Brisbane is Queensland's flagship... Channel nine get the best viewer numbers for the team with the biggest following and Passionate Supporters). Why would they want to change!. Glad top see that you mentioned the try from the Slater strip, I thought the rules had been changed when no one whinged!. - or that my one eye had on;y seen one side of the argument!.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
I like your style, Tim.
fiver
Guest
"The gold coast geography actually makes it a less attractive place to live for rugby league players. Its urban sprawl-suburbia on crack. Its remarkably similar to Canberra, except it has a beach." The Gold Coast is far and away a more attractive place to live than Canberra. I dont think the high earning Football players are living out in the suburbs of Nerang or Varsity Lakes. Wouldn't they be living closer into surfer paradise on one of those canals?
GD66
Guest
Yep, I'm in for that last hate of yours, Robz. Ch 9 as the rights-holder show only three of eight games each weekend, and only one live. On this side of town (WA) the Qld game is the delayed Friday night match, but who can put up with Hadley for two hours when a quick peek will get the game result ? Then you can get on with your Friday evening...I can only surmise that the Sunday afternoon match broadcast is delayed to lead into the 6pm news in the east...that one is more tolerable, as it's still only 2pm in the west so is acceptable. But there's very little excuse for delayed broadcasts in this day and age with communication so rampant. I don't make a habit of whinging about 9's efforts but jeez they really do need a major shakeup down there...
spruce moose
Guest
Hmm, I definitely want to try and answer some of your questions here TIm, but first I think I should correct you on one detail that is slightly important. The amalgamation of all the Gold Coast councils + Tweed heads actually gives the gold coast a permanent population of a smidge under 600K. The oft quoted 1 million figure is their January population, well outside football season. This fyi, was the figure quoted by the local MP at a meeting I attended which he was part of. The absent half a million people is important when talking about why the gold coast continues to fail. But, to the issue of why the gold coast keep failing 1. Failure to persist with the original gold coast team in the 90's. If the ARL were patient and were prepared to stick it out, then by now they would be instilled into the town psyche. Things take time and need patience. What is important now is for the NRL to stick it out with the current franchise for as long as it takes. 2. The demographic change in the gold coast has led to a skew towards AFL (many many many southern states people retiring north). 3. With the now accurate population figure of 600k, it is an admirable effort to get 12000 a game. We can't expect everyone to turn up week in week out. The NRL doesn't have the institutionalised 'get a membership' mentality that the AFL has, where after splashing out $250, you are obliged to turn up to games. 4. The gold coast geography actually makes it a less attractive place to live for rugby league players. Its urban sprawl-suburbia on crack. Its remarkably similar to Canberra, except it has a beach. 5. The key difference between the GC and Canberra though is that the NSWRL persisted with the raiders, and their natural recruitment zone was able to produce some gun players that gave it early success...embedding the team into the town. The GC have never had a great recruitment zone.
Robz
Guest
My thoughts on some of your thoughts: 1. Free to air TV coverage is not dictated by form, it is dictated by numbers of people who will watch. That and that alone is the reason the Broncos have so many Friday night matches. The only ways it is going to change is if the NRL stop letting the broadcaster decide the draw or if everyone stops watching the Friday night telecasts of Broncos games. Like it or not, the Broncos have the largest following of all the clubs in Qld plus people who while not being fans of either club playing will tune in to watch any footy – this equals more people’s eyes on the TV than with any other match and that is all Ch 9 cares about. Fair? No it isn't, but very little in the commercial driven world is. 2. Josh Reynolds may be the nicest guy in the world off the field, but on the field he IS that guy and that dirty play IS his go. I am sick of people saying otherwise. The other night was not an isolated incident of a brainsnap – it was his first game back off a 3 week suspension; not to mention all the other times he has done similar things in games. Sure he’s not the only one and probably not the worst offender either, but his actions on the field speak for themselves. 3. I agree entirely on the bad ref decisions. I try not to blame or criticize refs, but at the moment they seem to be getting worse week by week not better. 4. Again I agree re the nicknames I haven't been to a live game at Brookvale Oval ever and haven't been to Penrith in nearly 10 years so can't comment on those points. I hate : The Top 8. I find something manifestly wrong in half the competition making the finals series, moreso when one or two get into the finals series with a record of more losses than wins in the regular season (which has happened in the past). I must prefer the top 5. But like the Broncos being on every Friday night, this is also driven by the broadcasters wanting more games to generate more advertising revenue. I love: Sunday afternoon footy - there should be much much more of it. There are few things in this world that I love more than a sunny afternoon spent at the footy I hate: delayed telecasts. I don't watch them, not for Rugby League not for any sport I love: Villains in the game - everyone needs someone to hate
Tim Gore
Expert
And no Kris, I'm sure that The Broncos actively campaign not to be on free to air each week and curse when they don't get put on at 5.30pm on Saturdays. They would never, ever have lobbied anyone for more free to air coverage. It has probably never crossed their minds.