A shocking bye week for Canberra, audio issues, do we have enough interchange and what happened to all that payback for the Warriors?
Here’s your week nine NRL midweek talking points.
Jack Rabbit decision a-OK
Canberra’s Dally M and Clive Churchill medallist Jack Wighton is to Souths for an olympiad, and good for him. Set aside all the hand wringing about the strong getting stronger and all that, this was a personal choice which very, very rarely comes around like this for a player of Wighton’s stature.
He’d earned the right to choose.
Wighton has shown in State of Origin and international games that he slots right in around the best of the best and right now, South Sydney is his shot at a premiership.
It’s a blow for the Raiders, but they’ll have some cash spare to lock away good young talent and maybe target a proven five eighth who can support Jamal Fogarty.
It’s great business for Souths, who intend to play Wighton in the centres where he can be a wrecking ball. It’s not really anything for the Dolphins, who had a crack but didn’t win the day.
The average NRL career is around 48 games. It’s an incredibly short time to make as much money as you can and win as much as you can if you’re lucky enough.
If you’re able to set yourself up for life while playing, all the better for you. I’ll never think badly of a player who makes a call like this for their career. None of us should.
Jack Wighton of the Raiders (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
New Zealand’s raw deal
Remember all the patronising talk about New Zealand as they spent two years living away from home, with everyone hailing their ‘sacrifice’ and lauding what they did to keep the competition alive during COVID-19, ruining their pathway teams and losing their women’s team in the process?
It’s time the NRL put their money where their mouth is and gave something back for what they did, because it’s really starting to look like head office is happier to move on with a brief ‘thanks for that’.
Many ideas were thrown around abut how the game could repay the Warriors – a season of home games, State of Origin in New Zealand, better scheduling or home games, an extra club cash allocation, you name it.
But New Zealand got a Round 1 home game for the first time in 25 years, and that seems to be that. They once again had to travel to Melbourne for the ANZAC Day match where surely that was a no-brainer to host across the ditch.
So what’s next? Anything? Or are we going to pretend nothing happened?
Marata Niukore and Shaun Johnson celebrate. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Do benches need to grow?
Last week your talking points wanted to solve extra time rules because of something that happens very rarely, this week we turn to the bench and substitution rules after New Zealand were left with no fit players for the last 15 minutes of their Tuesday game in Melbourne.
The Warriors lost Tohu Harris, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jazz Tevaga and Bayley Sironen and while they fought to the end, they were at an undeniable disadvantage.
Teams have four bench players and the substitute, who can’t be activated unless two players fail head injury assessments. An extended bench of five (including the sub) is announced before final selections are made.
Yes, what happened to the Warriors was incredibly rare, but teams are running shorthanded more and more with players going down. And yes, even if you extended the interchange bench, there’s always an outside chance you’ll run out of players.
But would it be a bad thing to just have a few more bench players? It couldn’t hurt…
Please stop shouting, Mat Thompson
Whether you liked him or not, one of the best things about watching a game called by a broadcaster like Ray Warren was his understanding of what was unfolding in front of him. The highlights, the key moments, all given the urgency and respect they deserved and run of the mill play was called straight down the line. It brought us along as viewers.
So it’s somewhat jarring to watch Mat Thompson go about it at full volume for 80 minutes, whether IT’S A PENALTY! in the eighth minute, or going ape about a team scoring to extend their lead to 18 with four minutes left.
Relax, Mat. I know you’re having a heap of fun, but if everything is worth shouting about, nothing is worth shouting about.
Good games this week
A lot of games with implications for finals jostling this weekend, starting tonight with Cronulla looking to put another nail in the Cowboys’ coffin. North Queensland are in real strife and need to claim a scalp.
Friday night has a couple of interesting games as Parramatta welcome the Knights in the early game, with the winner keeping touch with the top eight and the loser deep in the drama.
The primetime game is in Brisbane, unbelievably. The Broncos go head to head with the Bunnies, top against fourth in what promises to be a belter.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Saturday’s games are important for the plans of all involved as the Raiders and Dolphins play in Wagga Wagga, Manly and the Gold Coast play at Brookvale and Penrith host Wests Tigers in Bathurst. The Tigers are due a win, but it won’t be coming this week.
The week closes with the Warriors and Roosters which will be worth a watch then St George Illawarra and Canterbury, which with all respect to those involved probably will not be worth a watch.
Melbourne have the bye and the guaranteed two points, which will see them on the fringes of the top four or actually in the top four when the dancing is done.
Round nine random thoughts
– I spend quite a bit of time in the talking points reminding people not to overreact to premiership contenders who start seasons slowly, but goodness me the Roosters need to start getting themselves together…
– Big crowd in the hammering rain up in Darwin for Parramatta and the Broncos, with 11,864 packing TIO stadium, pushing capacity.
– A run of the mill win over the depleted Bulldogs has quietly put the Sharks back in contention for their top four spot.
– Good to see Kalyn Ponga return incident free for Newcastle against North Queensland. Played a good game too as the Knights fell agonisingly short of the win.
What’s got you talking ahead of this weekend, Roarers?
Warren Turner
Roar Rookie
PLEASE don't anyone bring back Ray Hadley!
Warren Turner
Roar Rookie
Don't understand all the Mat Thompson criticism. I find it very satisfying when he tells me my team can close-out the game if they can score with 5 minutes to go. Brilliant! I thought we were just about there considering we had a 85-0 lead so his comment was very reassuring.
The Barry
Roar Guru
A Queenslander complaining about the heat… never thought I’d see the day… I thought you blokes were acclimatised to it…? You can’t subject poor old soft Sydneysiders to those barbaric conditions Vicious heat, humidity, crocodiles, cassowaries, Queenslanders - I’m not sure human beings were supposed to live up there You’re going to have to hand back your hat with corks and double pluggers if you keep up like this
Nat
Roar Guru
I think Slater is the new Sterlo. He’ll tell you how a play happened and who caused it. By all reports he shows up to games with his own notes. I don’t mind Smith. Not the most engaging and tells his story with a “they should have known” tinge but it is generally astute. Cronk is good but mostly a half time reviewer. We’ve all got 20/20 hindsight.
Nat
Roar Guru
Agree he won't be carrying the team but if ever the perception he is not carrying his paycheque it will be a lot more intense at Redfern than Canberra.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Glad I haven’t heard Matt Thomson call since the GF.
johnno 2
Roar Rookie
I have never appreciated Mr Thompson's calls or the high pitched , over excited exaggerated claytons drama right from the 1st day of commentary Unfortunately , i have appreciated the likes of RAY W, Richie Benaud, Alan McGilvray and their style of delivery by far with a tolerant acceptance of many others eg Darryl Eastlake , Billy J Smith & co, Time to have a self listen to your vociferous over animated gabble Mr Thompson ,remembering you are putting yourself out there and the public either has to listen or turn off the volume / voice button
Worlds Biggest
Roar Pro
Agree regarding the lack of quality in the commentary ranks on 9 and Fox. Fortunately I have Fox so don’t have to put up with Thompson, Fittler and Johns. The latter two are dreadful, Johns in particular looks disinterested most of the time. Over at Fox it’s slightly better although Voss and Inane are tough to listen to. A fair bit of dross across the board.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Your last paragraph is exactly what I’m saying the culture is. I thought it was the national comp not the Sydney comp? The Cowboys will play Bulldogs, Roosters and Manly in Sydney in their only clash. Souths (Home team) have decided to take their game to Cairns. The Dragons will be the only Sydney team making a one off trip north? Maybe the NRL think the Dragons aren’t a premiership contender? I’m thinking Warriors, Raider, Knights, Dolphins, Titans all got the short straws playing the hottest games of the year in the north?
The Barry
Roar Guru
What are you complaining about now? That the NRL doesn’t schedule enough games in your backyard? You live where you choose to live. If attending live NRL matches is that important to you, you can move closer… come to Sydney, we’ll go to Belmore Oval and I'll buy you a few beers :stoked: Geez - you join a Sydney comp and then complain there’s too many games in Sydney, then complain there’s too many games in Brisbane which is too close to Sydney :silly:
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It was interesting to watch Saints fire up in the second half and get stuck into JWH. He's been very good this season but at some stage in his career he'll start getting dominated. That time might come sooner than later. Manly were smashing teams in the late 90's but I clearly remember beating the Knights in a game in 97 but it was a major turning point because it felt like they got on top in the forward battle and a couple of our forwards were getting long in the tooth , same as JWH.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I think Jack will be a perfect fit for the Bunnies in the centres. Nowhere near as much pressure as he was under trying to carry the Raiders around on his back at 6. He will dominate with his cuz Latrell. A scary prospect for opposition defences. Very smart move by both Souths and Jack for mine.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
The Sharks are a long way from where they need to be. They let in 20 against a vastly understrenght Dogs. Not good enough - as usual. Also not good enough - the commentators. I cringe every time I turn the TV on and Steve Roach's less than dulcet tones are heard. But he's only one of many not up to it. Peter Sterling was the best - with daylight second. The Benaud of rugby league commentary. He told us not just what we were seeing but also why. He also had a fine sense of humour and enormous credibility based on so many decades in the game. Almost cried when he retired - partly due to nostalgia but also knowing what was left to do the job. The Footy Show is dismal these days - Johns and Fittler really aren't up to it. Such basic stuff and then they're unleashed on the game coverage too. As for Fox, slim picking there too - though Cooper Cronk provides something approaching Sterlo. I have hopes for him. Ennis has good tactical knowledge as does Parker - the latter is willing to have a crack at players and coaches - he's solid. The rest - Tallis? If he uses the "fight over a bone" line one more time I'll scream. No thanks. Pity - the game is spectacular these days - it's a shame it's not matched by the quality in commentary.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
fully agree, i was a big fan of Ryan. remembered him from his capt/coach days here with Wests Red Devils. i like Moore, Lewis & Gibbsy too. i find Mat Thompson's commentary appalling, the constant interruptions with WOW!! WHAT A TACKLE!! is cringe worthy. Ch9 very hard going now Sterlo is gone.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
ouch!! geez, that would be a pain in the ......
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
This is probably unPC but I miss listening to David Morrow and Warren Ryan on ABC Radio. David for the excitement he puts in to his calls and Wok for his insights. Also loved how David Morrow would turn on his beloved Dragons when they started misfiring. Don't hear "butchered a try" enough these days. Andrew Moore is doing a pretty good job currently on the ABC along with Luke Lewis.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't object to the bench having as many players as you like, subject to only 8 replacements/interchanges being made. Even reducing the number of interchanges to 6 in exchange for the increased flexibility of having all positions covered.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
And there are people who keep repeating the bs that these guys are over played. They wouldn't go to work with a stubbed toe.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yep, and another reason.. if you read between the lines.. for the speed in getting Dolphins on board. Contract with broadcast partners is for 16 teams as far as I know, has it been upgraded?? Don't believe so. In that case, if there is another drama it's goodbye Warriors and possibly why the NRL couldn't really be bothered doing something special for them. Certainly didn't in the game V Melbourne..... Dodgy sin bin, dodgy call and dodgy try.....
NQR
Roar Rookie
Why not Barry. Take Magic round to WA for all i care. It’s easier and cheaper for you to enjoy magic round at Suncorp than myself( a Queenslander). If you support a Sydney team you have a good chance of going to a live game even if you’re living in Brisbane. You have zero idea because you’re Sydney spoiled.