Chopping block rant: Return from annual break

Ray and I took a short hiatus up to Lake Crackenbackensack and unfortunately a trip up Charlotte’s Pass resulted in us being snowed in for the week in a cabin – not unlike the one in Tarrantino’s latest flop, The Hateful 8.

Amazingly John Jarrett was also present during our week long stay.

He almost turned into his character from Wolf Creek after Ray harassed him mercilessly into performing that laugh his character depicted in the film. John was respectful of the two young German backpackers stuck with us who shouted what sounded like obscenities at John all week.

Back to the footy, and while we got to view the Roosters versus Eels clash – we both fell asleep after one too many shots of Fireball cinnamon whiskey – we did get to marvel at the Corey Norman show, in getting the Eels over the line against all odds. The Sharks continue to win against a disappointing Penrith outfit and first stop for this week’s edition is the man with the clipboard at the foot of the mountains.

Anthony ‘Hook’ Griffin
Ivan Cleary was sacked by the great man Gus ‘Mecurio’ Gould last season after a lacklustre finish, just avoiding the spoon in the final round. The injury toll far outweighed those wounded in Saving Private Ryan. This season the Panthers have suffered some injuries, but nothing close to what they did in 2015.

Releasing Segayaro and Soward showed how vulnerable they were in the loss to the Sharks. They lack leaders, which was clearly evident once they fell behind on the scoreboard.

The buck stops with the coach making the decisions to play an overrated Englishman at fullback the week before against the Wests Tigers and continuing to run Bryce Cartwright as a No.6. Sure his Super Coach stats are impressive, but lumping a rookie in Nathan Cleary to steer his side around the park is fraught with danger.

If the Panthers miss the eight, the last fortnight will be a turning point. They played two games they should have won, taking nothing away from their opponents. Wallace has done well in the No.9 but he doesn’t offer the running game Segayaro possessed. Good kicking and passing game, but lacks pace and vision around the ruck. Have Penrith really improved under Griffin?

They have James Tamou on board next season and a wealth of promising kids ready to develop, but you can’t buy experience. The clear out 100-plus game first graders in Elijah Taylor, Jamie Soward and James Segayaro will not catapult them into overnight top four contenders.

Will Gus pull the trigger if they miss the eight this season and get off to a sluggish start in 2017?

Andrew Johns
Expert commentators need to think before they speak. During last night’s Origin clash the referee clearly said to Cameron Smith, “that’s six penalties in a row, the next one will be taking a spell…” That next one was Cooper Cronk, clearly holding back Wade Graham.

That was the reason he was sin binned. For once the referee did the right thing and we have to listen to the half intoxicated immortal bang on about a shocking decision.

Again he and his cohorts took aim at Andrew Fifita for causing a melee without watching the actions of Gavin Cooper slamming the ball in Matty Moylan’s head after he scored.

Sure Fifita tried to rip Cooper’s head off his shoulders, but surely something would have triggered his reaction, had you bothered to watch what millions of viewers witnessed.

While Freddy Fittler usually offers sideline comments with as much substance as a Pauline Hanson budget speech, he got it right pointing out the bleeding obvious for Fifita’s alleged brain snap.

He stuck up for his little mate who was bullied and disrespected by Cooper.

Ray and I are still filthy for G-Train Gallen punching Myles in the melon years back and banning the ‘no punch’ rule. Watching Gagai, Boyd and co. push and shove blokes like Klemmer and Fifita is not on. Ten minutes in the bin and on report for punching, should be bought back.

The world is worried about the effect it will have on kids and the bad example it sets.

So when little 20kg Johnny Dubbo pushes and pokes 45 kg Frank Dapto on the football field in the Under 8s grand final at Henson Park and cops a flogging for his troubles, imitating his NRL heroes who don’t punch, what have they learnt?

Zilch.

And to change the make-up of our weekly rant, we are adding players who shone in the weekly wrap up to add some positive vibes to our reports. We had a chat to Matt ‘Zen’ Elliott, our spiritual advisor, who stated we need to find a balance.

We’ll afford a paragraph at best, as we are both new to the game of showering praise and positivity, so here goes.

Tyson Frizell
Two Origin games, two massive performances. A try in each game, should have been two on debut. What is clear now is how he was over looked for the likes of Ryan Hoffman, Greg Bird and Co. for so long.

The guy is made for Origin, big motor, runs like he is trying to smash through a brick wall, rugged defender. He should have been awarded the man of the match last night, but Ray and I predicted his lack of minutes would count against him and it did.

How James Tedesco wasn’t next cab off the rank with over 200 metres on debut also blew us both away. Which lunatics decide on these gongs? David Barnhill and Billy Moore?

Fa’amanu Brown
This kid showed against the Panthers he deserves a regular gig in first grade. It’s clear he won’t be granted that at the Sharks while Maloney, Townsend, Jack Bird, Benny Barba and Co. are fit and firing, yet St George Illawarra, here is your playmaker at a bargain basement price you should be pursuing.

Ditto Mr Nathan Brown up in the Hunter! The Sharks didn’t miss a beat minus James Maloney with the 21-year-old displaying patience and poise, something his opposite lacked. With playmaking talent either overpriced, overhyped or threadbare, this kid should be a prime target.

So over to you readers, who made your list over the last fortnight, either bad or good?