Last week I wrote about how amazing Round 1 of the NRL finals series was, considering all the tension, drama, excitement and great play on show across the four games.
You could totally understand if the following weekend failed to live up to the lofty standards of entertainment that had been set, but instead the Roosters, Cowboys, Bulldogs and Sea Eagles took the finals series to an even higher level, with both games decided by a solitary point.
Both semi-finals will go down in rugby league folklore as two of the most memorable games in the NRL’s history, and here are four questions from the weekend.
CATCH UP ON THE LATEST NRL HIGHLIGHTS
Were the Cowboys dudded?
When I watched it the first time, I didn’t think Robert Lui knocked the ball on before Johnathan Thurston scored what seemed to be the match-winning try. I’m still not 100 per cent sure Lui knocked-on, and it appears the most appropriate description for that decision is that it was a 50/50 call.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys and their fans, the call didn’t go their way, but were they really dudded?
In a vacuum – simply analysing that single decision – no, they weren’t. A 50/50 call, by virtue of its name, is a call that can go either way.
However, such a decision does not exist in a vacuum. Looking at the impact that call had on the game, and the team it was made against, adds greater context.
It adds yet another chapter to the Cowboys’ history of finals controversy, joining Kieran Foran’s knock-on two years ago, the seven-tackle fiasco last season, Tariq Sims’ five-week suspension last week, and Sonny Bill Williams knock-on – that was called a strip – before James Maloney’s field-goal on Friday night.
Adding those facts to the equation, I’ll ask again: were the Cowboys dudded?
I’m not much of a conspiracy theorist, and the Roosters had a few bad calls go against them as well, so my honest answer is that the Cowboys are just horribly unlucky.
Yet I’d be lying if I said I’m not starting to wonder, ever so slightly, if something else isn’t at play.
Was Gorden Tallis out of line with his question to Johnathan Thurston?
Gorden Tallis was trying a little too hard to make Johnathan Thurston say something he’d get in trouble for during their post-match interview on Friday night.
Clearly emotional, frustrated and upset after losing by a single point, and with his season over, JT told Tallis early in the interview, “I’m going to say something stupid . . . I’ll regret it.” He was also visibly trying to control himself, with his body language suggesting he’d rather just walk away and not talk.
Tallis then followed up with this question:“Kieran Foran, hand-of-God. Last year, seven tackles. Is there something against you guys?”
Thurston had just stated that he didn’t want to say anything he’d regret, and Tallis asks a question like that? Seriously? That’s disgraceful.
After 80 minutes of finals football, along with a devastating and controversial loss under dubious circumstances for the third year in a row, Thurston takes the time to be interviewed, shows enormous class and restraint considering the difficult circumstances, and overtly states that he’s worried about what he might say.
So Tallis baits him.
Poor question and poor form, Gordy. If you think there is ‘something’ against the Cowboys, as a member of the media, it’s your job to make a comment about it, rather than trying to entice Thurston into saying something that will get him into trouble.
Were the Dogs lucky?
A few people texted and tweeted me after the Manly versus Canterbury game on Saturday night, saying that the Dogs were lucky to win. Though the intent behind the messages was to wind me up, the truth is, anytime you win a game by one point in extra time, luck is going to play a part. But were the Dogs really all that lucky?
I’m not sure how it appeared on TV, but being at the game, it was Manly who were extremely lucky to only be trailing by 10 points at halftime. It honestly felt like every time the Dogs got within 40 metres of Manly’s line, they were going to score.
The Sea Eagles defence was a disorganised mess, and the simplest of attacking moves by the Dogs were resulting in overlaps and line breaks by the Dogs. A 30-0 halftime scoreline was not out of the question, and as it stood, the actual halftime scoreline of 16-6 not only flattered Manly, it ensured they were still well within striking distance.
Strike they did in the second half, bringing the score level on two separate occasions, before Trent Hodkinson’s field goal won the game in golden point.
Yet it was halves partner Josh Reynolds’ kick on the last tackle before that set that delivered the Dogs some important fortune. The five-eighth’s kick hit the referee, which resulted in a scrum feed to the Dogs, providing them with the crucial field position needed for Hodkinson to pot the game-winner.
Luck? Sure. However, the Dogs were the better side for the majority of the game anyway, and every team wins with a little bit of luck come this time of the year.
Would you have preferred your team had the week off, or played a tough finals game?
This type of question always surfaces during the finals, as we like to debate the merits of a week off, versus the advantage of playing a hard game of football and maintaining your momentum.
There is no correct answer to the question, and an informed response can only really be given after the following weekend, when the impact – either way – can be judged.
In September, players are tired and weary from a full season of football, and are no doubt also carrying a few niggling injuries, so a little bit of rest courtesy of a week off is always welcome. There’s also the obvious point that you can’t lose if you’re not playing, nor can players get suspended or injured from the game, so it’s difficult to ever proclaim that the week off isn’t the preferred outcome after Round 1 of the finals series.
Having said that, I’ve always been a strong proponent of momentum, and both the Roosters and the Bulldogs will be buoyed by their emotional wins on the weekend. That’s the excitement a last-minute win generates; it makes you feel invincible. It can make you believe that destiny is on your side, and that the football gods are smiling on you.
That’s the power of irrational thought. That’s the benefit of playing on the weekend.
Personally, I’d take the week off, but come this time next weekend, the Rabbitohs and Panthers might think differently.
Kepu
Guest
Realist The refs confected close finish - the H man is an expert - if you believe it was an accident well i feel sorry for you...
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
More of a Dogs man, than a cat fan, Joel. I didn't think the officialing was great on Friday night, but that should come as little surprise, as it's been poor all year. For all teams, not just the one you support. But as mentioned in the piece, the Cowboys certainly seem to cop their unfair share, especially in crucial matches. I don't think there is a conspiracy against them, but you're welcome to believe otherwise. I'm on record as saying I try not to take any notice of the individual referees - specifically their names - as it ruins my enjoyment of the game. Personal preference, no preaching here.
Joel
Guest
Guerra takes Morgan out late, to leave a gaping hole for Pearce to run through for the chickens first try, you forgot that one Freddy, ball to Topu for second try was forward, Penalty against Linnet was a 50/50 though awarded to Roosters, ball to SBW was forward at his attempt at the line, Matt scott should have played the ball because SBW let it go in the field of play, there was no strip. Late shot on Thurston late in the game by Guerra not called, late shot on Simms not called, 100 % shepard not called, Thurston scores advantage to attacking team, correct call from Hayne should have been Try though check for knock on ... mate I could seriously go on, what have you got again N(SW)RL Sydneycentric!
Joel
Guest
Cats got Ryan's tongue again ....
Joel
Guest
No matter how you play it James, the fact that it went to Vid Ref in that instance advantage should be given to the attacking side, Try, but check for knock on.
Joel
Guest
and then check it, check it, do you even read before you post?
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
"They win the comp because they are the best team noy because they got a week off". Where in my comment did I say that teams win the comp because they had a week off? I did not say that the premiership is always decided by who has the week off, and I would not be shocked at all to see any one of Penrith, Canterbury, Easts and Souths win the comp - regardless of who has the week off. I was merely making the point that playing 3 highly intense finals football games in the space of 3 weeks has the potential to hamper a team's performance - especially when up against a team who played only 2 of those games in the same time period (this is supported by the fact the last 5 teams to make the grand final, having not had a week off, lost). And as for the new finals system... what exactly would you like me to do about the fact that we have very limited data? I can only go off what I have, and what I have tells me that teams who make the grand final after having not had a week off, generally struggle.
James
Guest
He clearly says no try, maybe you should watch the video again
Joel
Guest
Where are the 50/50's to the Cows in the closing minutes to win the game? N(SW)RL, Sydneycentric!
Joel
Guest
Oh' yea and lets a forward pass 50/50 go to SBW in his attempt at the line?
Joel
Guest
Yea, but Don, if they are unsure and need to check, the correct ruling for that play is advantage to the attacking side, so the call should have been Try, though Vid Ref, check from a knock on. The call from Hayne was wrong? He missed a 100% sheppard, called a 50/50 penalty to the roosters against Linnet, The ball is relinquished from SBW to Matt Scott in the field of play should have been Scott play the ball another 50/50 to Roosters, Then calls a no try on a 50/50 against the attacking team which the Vid ref was unable to overturn through should have been called Try. But it seems he did the job for Sydney though.
Joel
Guest
No he didn't, he only said, knock on check it. The fact that he said check it means he was unsure, advantage to the attacking side, Try, but check for Knock on, vid ref comes back with 50/50 so call back to onfield Ref, Try to Thurston. If he was sure, he would convey this to the Main Ref and No Try, the fact that they went upstairs means they were unsure, if they are unsure, advantage to the attacking side should be played, Try but Vid Ref check for knock on, I don't know where you guys get confused with this? Once again, you must have a different rule book in Sydney somewhere ...
Joel
Guest
So you have herd no negative comments in regards to Hitlers performance on the night?
compo
Guest
and how many times has this happened in , say the last 20 years, no, maonce !! changing the rule now is farcical. UNLESS teams start targetting the Ref, do nothing. you dont change a rule because of the one incident... how many rules do you want to change? every year they review rules and Coaches get a say. the amount of knee-jerk reactions to every single thing that happens in this wonderful game is just unbelievable i'm surprised people dont want more players on the field cause the scores get too high.... ridiculous.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Correlation does not imply causation, you could just as easily argue that six of the last seven premiers have finished first or second so that is the defining factor rather than the week off. I would have more faith in a direct sample of twenty than an indirect sample of seven (indirect because in the Grand Final both teams have played the previous week.) in the preliminary final you have matches between teams that have had a fortnight off and those who have had a week off and 11 to 9 suggests it makes no difference whatsoever, Also there is a clear statistical bias at work here as far as the Grand final is concerned, it is usually won by teams that finish first and second because they are the best teams, and being the best teams they usually win in week one and get the week off .They win the comp because they are the best team noy because they got a week off. Also you have to consider there has been a quite radical change to the finals format... the old system was much more favourable to teams one and two who played teams seven and eight and usually won and got the week off.Now they have a much harder gig playing teams three and four to earn the week off, and we have so little data on the new finals system history may prove to be a poor guide because you are not comparing apples with apples.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I'd ask you what you're on about, but I don't want to encourage you!
Joel
Guest
Far more controversial, lol, your kidding lol, and yet you had Gus saying for a long long time in Rugby League, that'd be a knock back, and Lewis saying, that's a knock back, but it seems TahDan, knows something about League that Supercoash Gus Gould and King Wally Lewis don't.
Joel
Guest
lol, talk about disgraceful, no comment on sell out panthers Hitler's behaviour? oh' that's right, your N(SW)RL Sydneycentric arn't you, just like your Refs, yea spray tan, Mr Plastic, the one that gets suspended mid year for questionable refereeing tactics and finds himself refereeing in finals .... what the, how did that happen?
Freddy
Guest
all here have conveniently forgot the way forward dummy half pass before before the second cowboys try in the first- it was that forward it should have been penalised for a deliberate forward pass as called by the commentators. i am not 100% clear that Mini wasn't tackled in mid air either in the first cowboys try in the first half- The Roosters for some reason stopped playing at 30 - 0 put the cue in the cabinet and misplaced the key. all these conspiracy theories leave out other important facts that occured in the game.
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
But if golden point only applies in finals, then it becomes even more of a lucky dip because it's something that teams don't practice much during the year. Plus extra time only benefits the teams that don't have to play it. You'd have an absolutely knackered winner at the mercy of their next opponents. Leave it as it is. It's flawed, but fine, like the game itself.