Join The Roar
Become a member to join in Australia's biggest sporting debate, submit articles, receive updates straight to your inbox and keep up with your favourite teams and authors.
Oops! You must provide an email address to create a Roar account
When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address
By joining The Roar you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions
Login and get Roaring
Oops! You must provide an email address to create a Roar account
When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address
Roar Rookie
Joined September 2021
3.3k
Views
8
Published
137
Comments
Arcturan Mega Dragon, also known as David, is a Brisbane-based fan of dragon varieties - St. George, Catalans, Welsh and fictional - and an avid follower of Spanish football, cycling, cricket and Douglas Adams. He played rugby league and football as a kid before retiring due to being terrible. Cricket lasted a bit longer, before a knee injury (and a mild case of terribleness) ended dreams of a test team call-up. He remains a weekend warrior cyclist.
Published
Comments
The growth in fantasy gaming and online gambling in recent years, while not necessarily a good thing, has correlated with advances in statistical analysis and modelling in rugby league.
Much has been written about rugby league’s chequered history when it comes to expanding the top-level competition with news of the coming ascension of the Redcliffe Dolphins to the National Rugby League.
Here we are again. Another tedious international break.
There’s plenty to talk about on the domestic front but it’s hard to ignore what happened in the Champions League mid-week.
Early on Friday morning Catalans Dragons beat Hull Kingston Rovers 28-10 and qualified for their first Super League grand final.
Wednesday marks 25 years since St George lost the 1996 grand final to Manly at the old Sydney Football Stadium (SFS).
The La Liga table after match day seven looks much as anticipated.
This is the first of what I intend to be a regular column on Spanish football.
Yeah, it’s a failed state.
But for all the security issues, the health issues (not just COVID-19) and for all the corruption, I’d love to see PNG get a team in the NRL.
It’s a long way off, though.
Don’t be so sure about overseas players not wanting to move there.
The country is spectacular and once you’re outside Moresby (which is also spectacular), pretty safe.
I also think there might be some creative interpretations of salary cap rules should a PNG team ever be admitted.
'One of the game's heartlands': Matty Johns' surprising pick for 18th NRL team
I’ve been up to Moresby a few times over the last five years for work.
One of the people I was up there to meet – a DFAT official – was carjacked by raskols on his way to our meeting. He was ok, but it was obviously a terrifying experience.
DFAT told us in advance: don’t pull over for anybody, even if they are the police; don’t travel alone anywhere; ideally don’t leave the grounds of the guarded hotel complex.
The last time I was there, I happened to travel up with an AFP officer. Some of his colleagues stationed in Moresby met us at the airport and escorted us to the hotel. That put the mind at ease.
'One of the game's heartlands': Matty Johns' surprising pick for 18th NRL team
Like other Saints supporters I’m underwhelmed, to say the least.
But these signings are just depth; filling out the roster. Let’s just hope the likes of Moga don’t play unless one of the young-gun outside backs is unavailable.
Recruitment this time next year and in 2023 is going to be crucial.
Signing spree: Dragons land three more recruits for 2022
There’s been a lot of North Sydney content around here lately with all the talk about expansion.
Maybe it’s Norths fatigue.
South Queensland Crushers best team ever
The ’96 Crushers were also the worst attacking team in the ARL/NRL era, with 10.48 points per game.
There was a time this season when the Bulldogs looked like they might break the Crushers record. In the end the Dogs finished as the third worst, behind the Crushers and one of those awful Newcastle teams (can’t remember which year exactly).
Obviously, there were worse attacking teams back in the early years. The 1909 Magpies are the worst of all time with 4.2 points per game (5 PPG if you adjust for four point tries).
South Queensland Crushers best team ever
Just a shout out for inaugural Crusher and former Lismore Marist Brothers player and coach David Krause.
I can’t really make a case for him in your team – maybe as a winger ahead of Singin Ellis.
South Queensland Crushers best team ever
“Without a name it feels fake, hollow and soulless. It feels like a marketing committee has created a brand that targets as many people as possible.”
The Golgafrinchans hath spoken.
What's in a name like the Dolphins?
Yes, yes they do.
They’ve got white and black to work with. How do they keep getting it so wrong?
Rugby league’s fraught history of expansion: A fashion perspective
Great read, thanks for that Oliver.
I wasn’t planning on watching the T20 World Cup, but I think I’ll tune in now just to see a bit of PNG.
I imagine the weather up there is a bit of a challenge as well.
Having spent a little time in Port Moresby during the summer months, when it’s not raining it’s brutally hot and humid – even worse that far north Qld.
Hotel fires, machetes and second-hand kit: The incredible story of T20 World Cup's ultimate minnows
Thanks Andrew,
While I’d love to see the Bears come back, the phrase flogging a dead horse springs to mind.
I’m sure there is residual support for Norths – maybe lots of it as you argue.
I don’t think that translates into the sort of financial base or revenue raising capacity that would get them re-admitted. If they’d been assessed against the three Brisbane bids, I think they come fourth and by some distance.
It’s sad and as you point out it’s part of the game’s heritage cast-aside – but not lost entirely.
Heritage vs Expansion: Full time for the Bears or one final chance?
There should be a fashion sub-committee of the ARLC, comprised of artists, graphic designers and Shayna Blaze.
I call dibs on the Chair.
Rugby league’s fraught history of expansion: A fashion perspective
At least you’re taking some of them out of circulation, Brooky. 🙂
Rugby league’s fraught history of expansion: A fashion perspective
I’m not surprised Illawarra supporters get annoyed at the joint venture, especially when they insist on wearing that ugly knock-off Wigan number, rather than a Steelers jersey.
I mean, WTAF!
Rugby league’s fraught history of expansion: A fashion perspective
I heard that too, Matth.
It’s better than washed out yellow (see Titans), but still.
Why, Dolphins?
Rugby league’s fraught history of expansion: A fashion perspective
That year the Wests Tigers often wore grey with orange trim – hideous!
I actually didn’t mind the Broncos’ diamonds. At least it was thoughtful in the otherwise banal wasteland of Broncos jerseys.
I’ve obviously expunged the Warriors tablecloth from memory. With good reason. Hopefully that was a one game gimmick.
Rugby league’s fraught history of expansion: A fashion perspective
I must admit I didn’t mind the Broncos court jester number. Maybe it was me not minding see them look ridiculous.
The Crushers probably deserve a nomination. I own a replica Crushers jersey and often wear it while walking the dogs to keep swooping birds away.
Rugby league’s fraught history of expansion: A fashion perspective
A very sad day.
Vale, Mr Provan.
Forever an Immortal: rugby league icon Norm Provan dies aged 88
That’s a really niche market, Tony.
Humpy Bong Esplanade will be pleased, though.
Dolphins in, Redcliffe out and Wayne Bennett to coach
Is it, though.
My average commute to the CBD from the western suburbs is about 50 minutes.
How many thousands come in from Springfield, Logan, Ipswich and the peninsula?
Most do it on public transport.
Dolphins in, Redcliffe out and Wayne Bennett to coach
St. George and Penrith both existed for a few years before ascending to the NSWRL.
Dolphins in, Redcliffe out and Wayne Bennett to coach
Many bulldogs would have a natural aversion to thunder storms.
The self-styled Norse Viking Raiders against the ancient Greek Gods (Titans).
Then it comes down to a clash of culinary delights – purveyors of rabbit vs connoisseurs of eel (I imagine there are a few in the Parramatta river).
Dolphins in, Redcliffe out and Wayne Bennett to coach
Word is it’ll be Moreton Bay. TBC. Unofficial nickname: the Bugs. ????
Dolphins in, Redcliffe out and Wayne Bennett to coach
You can get a train direct from Kippa-Ring (Redcliffe) to Milton (Suncorp Stadium). It takes about one hour.
I imagine they’ll play games likely to draw fewer supporters at Redcliffe
Dolphins in, Redcliffe out and Wayne Bennett to coach
Thanks for that flano.
I’ve often compared 1996 and 2010 in my head.
2010 was brilliant. It was the first time any of the teams I follow had won anything. I watched the game with mates, one of whom supports the Roosters. We had a happy, boozy night. It was great.
But 1996 is something else. It was so unexpected. I was a kid – 13 years old at the time, living near Lismore in northern NSW. I couldn’t be at the games, but I was fixated. It was so unexpected – is this really happening sort of stuff.
I agree about Kevin Campion. He improved every team he went to. And there were a few.
Thanks again for the kind words. I really enjoyed writing it and going down memory lane.
Of mousetraps, the Man and David Manson: St George’s unlikely run to the 1996 grand final