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Joined January 2015
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After two rounds of the 2015 NRL season, rugby league is clearly in trouble. With a terrible on-field product, the NRL's finances in a…
Last week I wrote that I thought the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks would make the top eight. Well, if the Sharkies continue to play like they…
Following on from my article yesterday about the Rabbitohs' chances of going back to back this year, I thought it would be interesting to…
No team has won consecutive premierships since the NRL competition began in 1998 following the Super League war. Are the South Sydney Rabbitohs about…
After a horror season that ended with them 'winning' the dreaded wooden spoon, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks will be looking to turn it around in…
What are the various requirements for each position in rugby league - the ideal skills and attributes a coach looks for in his players…
Okay, okay, we've had this topic before on The Roar. And it was recently done for the cricket. But with the Auckland Nines whetting…
Hi Adam, as mentioned below, when talking about drugs in in society (in which footballers reside) there is no evidence whatsoever to support that legalising increases use.
Does rugby league have a drug problem or do drugs have a rugby league problem?
Yep it’s a complex one but I agree with you that dropping the official NRL testing wouldn’t result in a crazy increase in players getting on it. And in the whole debate of legalising certain drugs in society the evidence seems to supports this. What I’m basically saying is this: if society is shifting toward viewing certain drugs the same way as alcohol, and trying a different approach than the currently failing “war on drugs”, then perhaps at some stage the NRL should look at the very least look at doing the same.
Does rugby league have a drug problem or do drugs have a rugby league problem?
Hi Paul. I didn’t say the NRL says they don’t have to, I said let the clubs handle it. The NRL can make it mandatory the clubs do testing, but whether offences become public or not is up to the clubs. If there is a massive issue, as with an alcohol related incident or assault etc., the NRL can step in to ensure sanctions are handed out.
Does rugby league have a drug problem or do drugs have a rugby league problem?
Hi Adam. I believe the action outside the nightclub happened despite all these rules currently in place…
Does rugby league have a drug problem or do drugs have a rugby league problem?
Radical option, not sure it’s the correct one but an option nonetheless – the NRL stops testing for recreational drugs. Acknowledge drug use occurs, just like in society, hence no need to create headlines and drag the game down/impact sponsors for something done by lawyers, politicians, probably some NRL administrators. Let the clubs manage it internally and take action when required. Clubs handle testing and if a player clearly has a problem give them the help they need. If a player is turning up to training under the influence of drugs punish them, just like with players turning up under the influence of alcohol.
Does rugby league have a drug problem or do drugs have a rugby league problem?
Despite the Cowsboy’s injuries I think it will be fairly close, Sharks by 1-12 sounds on the money.
If the Sharks can put in a decent performance then the road to a GF rematch (probably all Sydney games) with the Storm will be looking achievable. The Eels will lose momentum with a loss to the Storm this week and the Sharks will fancy their chances, and the Roosters were looking so vulnerable at times that a week off might not be ideal for them.
Here’s hoping anyway! First things first as the Cows won’t easy beats.
Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys: The ultra definitive NRL elimination final stats preview
Yeah they may well, it feels like they give away a lot in the red zone at the other end through some numbskull plays though. But that might just be the frustrated supporter in me haha
Six contenders but the Storm, Sharks or Sea Eagles will win in 2017
As per my comment below, I doubt most of Maloney’s are in the red zone though, and if they are it’s incidental i.e. his preferred method of taking down a forward running at him by swinging for the sky!
Six contenders but the Storm, Sharks or Sea Eagles will win in 2017
Hi Tim, nice article! However, can’t help but feel youve unfairly linked Maloney, and to a lesser extent the Sharks, to the use of giving away penalties near the line. The vast majority of Maloney’s penalties I can think of, this year anyway, are from swinging arms/high shots? I’d love to see the penalties given mapped to locations on the field, I’d hazard a guess that the Sharks are all over the place, more related to boneheaded play than abusing the system!
Six contenders but the Storm, Sharks or Sea Eagles will win in 2017
Hate to say it, but in an Origin arena the backrow of Matt Gillett, Josh Papalii and Josh McGuire is more fearsome than Jackson, Cordner, and Frizell. Throw in Graham and maybe it evens out.
QLD have done it again, as NSW have fallen hook, line and sinker with the Maroons somehow going in as underdogs. Even with the players missing, it’s at Suncorp! Plus with execution at key moments often being the difference in Origin, it may come down to Smith/Cronk vs Pearce/Peats.
History will repeat – QLD by 4.
State of Origin 1 preview: Where State of Origin 1 will be won and lost
Vaughan was unlucky, but at least gets a mention in plenty of pre-selection articles. Ryan James get’s totally left out of the conversation for some reason! I think the Blues are a big man short on the bench, I would’ve liked to have seen James or Vaughan there instead of J. Turbo.
Hello Laurie Daley, it's me, Paul Vaughan
Re: the Sharks, I’d say they’ve been in first gear most games, occasionally shifting into second for periods, with three gears to go!
They’re pretty well placed at the moment, a stack of improvement in them but still sitting equal second and somewhat flying under the radar. It’s a long season, no need to peak too early, especially as the premiers.
Ten talking points from NRL Round 11
One thing I do agree with is James Roberts. Daley will never pick him, but the guy looks dangerous every time he gets the ball and should be coming under more serious consideration if fit.
Andrew Fifita to be the next Paul Gallen in Origin
Ha! I was speaking geographically, but to your point most shire folk frequent the south coast regularly for hols, many migrate down there. Big shire presence at the Gong Uni too. No merger is perfect, but I think it would’ve worked better than the current ST GEORGE-illawarra model, where the basis for it seemed to be the colours and ST GEORGE tapping into illawarra’s junior nursery.
Steve Menzies has been denied his true career statistics
“Up, Up, Ceee Essss Ceee!”? haha. For Steelers fans, surely beats having no mention at all in Saints go Marching in.
Steel-Sharks? The jersey sponsor font in red has looked good in the past too!
Steve Menzies has been denied his true career statistics
Despite the colors not neatly matching, the Sharks and Illawarra merging to become the Cronulla-South Coast Sharks, playing out of Shark Park and WIN, might’ve been a goer. Sharks have a lot of support down south beyond the gong where a lot of people hate the Dragons. And it would’ve been a united region from the Shire down to Eden.
Steve Menzies has been denied his true career statistics
It’s essentially an exhibition match, can’t see why anyone would have a problem with this. Pretty sure the people of Mudgee would be happy for the biggest names possible to be running out.
Gallen approached for City-Country return
Absolutely! Great servant for the Sharks in tough times, and unlucky to get pushed out just before the premiership year.
The NRL's unsung heroes: The 'Meat and Potatoes 17'
Surely, surely (!!!) Loz has to go if they lose the series. No doubt it’s been a champion QLD team, but Loz has made some bizarre selections and seems bereft of ideas and a fresh game plan.
Nice article for debate, agree Loz probably won’t pick the team that should be picked, just not sure this is the team that should be picked. Some key selections for mine – Maloney and Reynolds in the halves. Peats at hooker if fit, otherwise I’d go with Wallace. Vaughn simply has to be there. If Hayne is fit, I’d throw him on the wing. I’d keep Brett Morris on the other wing, Josh’s time is up and BJ comes in for him. J. Bird as the utility from the bench.
The form Blues team (that won't be picked for Origin 1)
Yeah Graham was awesome, totally nullified Cronk. Plenty of agression in defence all round, Prior was particularly strong too.
Sharks keep Storm tryless in grand final rematch
Wow, the Sharks showed that when they turn up they are still very tough to beat. Keeping the Storm try-less at home showed some serious defensive resolve, even with the conditions. Not many are rating them a chance for the title, but I think they’ll still be there deep in September.
Sharks keep Storm tryless in grand final rematch
Not sure what time this was written, but surely the ambush from the Sharks to halt the Storm’s unbeaten run was one of the biggest talking points of the round! Just shows when they turn up they are tough to beat, and still very much a premiership threat. Seem to be flying under the radar at this stage though, which isn’t a bad thing.
Eight talking points from NRL Round 6
Agree, might even change to Storm close to kick off haha.
The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 6
Sharks will be filthy they nearly let the Knights get over them at home, and the Storm, no matter how good they are, are due for a loss. Upset of the round with the Sharks getting home by a field goal.
The Roar's NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 6
Check this out http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-19/why-australia-should-scrap-prohibiting-cannabis-and-start-tax/9671240
Does rugby league have a drug problem or do drugs have a rugby league problem?