Roar Pro
Joined September 2014
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A Canberra boy and former junior Rugby League referee. Raiders and NSW fan. Also lifelong lover of Test cricket. Used to bowl kind of like a right-arm Paul Adams.
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In what should surprise absolutely nobody, the NRL's referees are in the spotlight following some controversial decisions in the first week of the finals.…
We've been through two thoroughly entertaining weeks of the Four Nations, and at this stage, absolutely nobody's position in the final is safe. Neither…
It's an argument as old as finals footy - is the week off in the finals a help or hindrance? Some will cite the…
We’re in luck John, the blockbuster Bulldogs v Cowboys clash is next week. And it’s on 9! Poor Fox got stuck with Canberra v Parramatta on Saturday night.
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 5
Says plenty about where this season is at when there’s only two tips different across the board (and who messed up Mithen’s pick at the bottom?) Can’t find a reason to agree with the majority on any. Hate to say, I don’t think the Raiders have enough points in them against the Panthers.
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 5
The concussion sub needs to be discussed, but given how we know NRL coaches will exploit any loophole.
Newcastle’s attitude is a problem. The loss yesterday isn’t the first time the Knights have lost against a team they should have beaten.
Eight talking points from NRL Round 3
I was sitting in the bay behind the Raiders bench yesterday. I saw Ricky having something to say to one of the commentators on the sideline. He was definitely not impressed.
Unless something else happened, I can only assume it was overheard and someone has made more of it than is warranted. We shall see what the video shows.
NRL investigating allegations Ricky Stuart swore at referee following loss to Warriors
Panthers with minimal confidence. The Papenhuyzen injury swings it, just.
Dragons at home because they’re both crap.
Roosters to take some measure of revenge for 60-8
Raiders in a dogfight against the Warriors.
Broncos at home, because they’re both crap
Parra at home, although the Sharks aren’t crap, Parra are still too good.
Knights also aren’t crap, but I’m not sure the Tigers are good enough to be called crap right now. Could be very very ugly.
Titans because the Cowboys are also rather excremental.
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 3
If he’s playing first grade regularly in 2021, Grant will have Cook’s Australian number 9 jersey at the World Cup (assuming it happens)
Grant's debut for the ages powers Maroons to memorable State of Origin series win
Qld were the better team by a country mile. If Holmes doesn’t butcher two tries the margin would have reflected it.
NSW will take a long time to recover from this.
Grant's debut for the ages powers Maroons to memorable State of Origin series win
I only opened this article to say exactly what you said Nat.
No surprise Gus wanted May to go unpunished given that he doesn’t like officials taking action against foul play…
The penalty try was wrong. Change my mind
To me, it felt more like 2001. A dominant young minor premier up against an experienced unit, falling way behind before coming back, but not enough. If the analogy holds (and it may not, of course) it doesn’t bode so well for the Panthers in 2021 and beyond.
The Storm's NRL stranglehold grows stronger, but Panthers are 2021 favourites
Tonight’s commentary was seriously the perfect ad for Fox or Kayo. Honestly kind of dreading having to listen to those gibberers for Origin.
Papenhuyzen wins Clive Churchill medal
Very well deserved. The judges got this one right.
Papenhuyzen wins Clive Churchill medal
Storm 26-14
Josh Mansour first try
Cameron Smith to win the Churchill medal he should have won in 2017.
Broncos to win the three-peat in the NRLW, finishing with more wins for the year than their men.
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Grand final
Raiders by 4
Panthers by 12
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Preliminary finals
And all eight teams scored at least 20 points. Quite contrary to the stereotypical finals defence.
Seven talking points from NRL Finals Week 1
Hopefully some accommodation can be made for the players’ families if they have to stay in Australia for 2021. The Warriors have genuinely surprised me with a level of grit and resilience that they haven’t been known for in the past.
I feel like the adversity of 2021 might be a turning point in the club’s history.
Warriors: What becomes of the broken-hearted?
Rabbits comfortably to finally end the Tigers’ mathematical chances
Manly because it’s the Dogs
Panthers because Parra aren’t all that good
Raiders to keep their faint top 4 hopes alive
Titans because the Broncos are a joke
Chooks because they’re a legit contender and the Knights aren’t.
Storm by heaps because they’re good and the Cowboys are not
Sharks because fairytales don’t happen.
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 18
If the Panthers were to go all the way to the Premiership without a loss, that would be 18 straight wins. Something only achieved once in Premiership history. It’s highly unlikely that they can pull it off. Something tells me that the Storm or Roosters will end it in heartbreak.
NRL finals: Who's a lock and who has the dreaded 'mathematical chance'?
Realistically the 8 has been decided for a couple of weeks. The bigger picture is that the top 4 is also all but decided after the weekend, the Raiders need one of the Roosters or Parramatta to lose twice which isn’t likely.
NRL finals: Who's a lock and who has the dreaded 'mathematical chance'?
Panthers by heaps because they’re good and the Broncos are awful
Knights at home to bounce back from embarrassment
Storm to show that they’re a contender and that the Bunnies are not
Titans because the Dogs are crap
Manly because they’re at home and the Tigers have nothing to play for
Raiders to win a classic against the SBW hype train
Parra to remind everyone that they’re a good team
Cowboys because the Dragons have nothing to play for and have to travel up and back on Sunday.
The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 17
The scale of that loss suddenly makes Parramatta dropping out of the top 4 a possibility. If the Raiders and Roosters do what everyone expects this weekend and beat the bottom two, those two teams will be a game behind Parra with better for and against (Or not far off if the Raiders don’t put too many on the Dogs).
Even if they do finish 3rd or 4th they look like cannon fodder for the Panthers or Storm in week 1, and would be in danger of going out in straight sets.
Timing is everything as Parramatta's premiership campaign goes up in smoke
Has any player ever done what Grant is threatening to do and win the Dally M in his rookie year?
Bradman in line for Dally M honours as the Best young talent in the NRL
Yes, yes I do.
I remember one guy near me at the stadium saying we had it won when the Titans knocked on. And I told him it wasn’t over until the siren went…
Joey Leilua the “worst signing by any club in the NRL era”? Hmm, he may well be
The Raiders signing a busted Matt Orford must be up there…
Joey Leilua the “worst signing by any club in the NRL era”? Hmm, he may well be
The Raiders fell away when Elliot Whitehead left the field. He is so very very important to us.
Eight talking points from NRL Round 8
Honestly, I think Moses was as good as he was allowed to be. He will rarely be given that much time and space to work in.
Big concerns for the Raiders. It was the sort of performance that makes you wonder whether something is seriously wrong with this team.
Eight talking points from NRL Round 6