Roar Rookie
Joined September 2020
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With the NRL season just over a week away, here's my predicted final ladder for the home-and-away season. 16. Canterbury Bulldogs The Dogs haven't…
But the standards in the NRL are by necessity different to those in the general community. It is a violent sport, a big reason why we love it, and things that are necessary to do to be successful in the NRL are simply illegal outside the NRL. Those “punishments” that you seem to dislike are part of a larger framework of actions that clubs use to instil toughness & discipline.
It was ever thus.
Topine vs Bulldogs an important case for NRL and players - wrestling punishment shouldn't be tolerated in a 'workplace'
He lacked discipline and respect for his club and his teammates, the club tried to instil some of that into him, which is absolutely necessary for success, he washed out. He rang the bell.
Topine vs Bulldogs an important case for NRL and players - wrestling punishment shouldn't be tolerated in a 'workplace'
100% agree
Topine vs Bulldogs an important case for NRL and players - wrestling punishment shouldn't be tolerated in a 'workplace'
You mentioned Gus, he talked about this on 100% Footy on Monday night, and he said Parramatta has never properly set up their pathways system to make use of the potential there.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
The damage was done well before Tesi Niu got the ball.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
Apples and oranges. They are NRL cities, Darwin is not.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
That happens to a lot of players. Jack Wighton immediately springs to mind.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
It’s not an excuse, but it’d be naive to say it’s not a factor. And it’s the humidity in Darwin, not the heat. Qld players play in the humidity all the time, you don’t get that in Sydney, certainly nothing like Qld or the NT.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
I disagree with that assessment of Penisini re doing the hard yards out of the back field, he’s one of the few in our team who does. If Sivo had his work ethic he’d be unstoppable. Will’s issues is his defence, particularly his positioning. He plays too tight to his half and often leaves it too late to “check & release”. His tackling technique is fine, and it’s been noticeable that his defence has really suffered with Moses out.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
He gives a 100%, but watch him closely, he’s frequently on his back at the bottom of the tackle and doesn’t get back into position. He’s not alone on that front, but it’s becoming increasingly obvious that defence isn’t his strong suit, but playing in the 13 jersey it has to be. I’m not suggesting BA drops him, but as a Blues fan I’m stoked if Billy Slater picks him.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
He’s safe as houses.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
He grew up a mad Dogs fan. It was the club he always wanted to play for. He also said the hardest thing he ever had to do was tell BA & his teammates he was leaving. So no, your last statement doesn’t ring true if we’re to believe what Reed said himself.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
Reed Mahoney grew up by a mad Bulldogs fan, once Gus sold him a rosy picture of life at Belmore we were never in the hunt. We were trillions.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
Carty has been outstanding, I’m rapidly falling out of love with Hopgood. His defensive deficiencies are getting more and more noticeable. Gutho, Moses & Brown are all world class and are not the part timers. Lane’s career peaked in 2022, as did Matterson. Lussick is a backup, his service is ordinary at the best of times, under fatigue it gets downright sloppy.
The demographics of Parramatta have changed somewhat, which means our juniors aren’t nearly as productive as many would assume them to be, however, there’s no question it massively underachieves. The problem is the club wants to rely purely on local juniors instead of scouring the planet for the best 15 year olds. Even Penrith don’t rely purely on locals.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
There are similarities, but there’s also some differences that I would say are uniquely Parramatta in nature.
We are a weird club, if you take a dispassionate look at our history, and most Eels simply cannot, we really haven’t been all that successful.
Founded in 1947, nine wooden spoons and just one winning season in our first 15 years, including a dreadful run of 6 consecutive spoons from 56-61. Then a bright period under Ken Kearney & Ken Thornett for four years, before another decade of failure before our golden era from 75-86. 11 finals appearances in 12 years, 7 GF’s, 4 titles, a team stacked with rep players.
Since then, a five year period of success under Brian Smith & 2019-2022 under BA.
Not exactly inspiring stuff.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
This is what happens when an ex liquidator is CEO and the board is made of banking employees, the only way they know to grow a business is to sell off your income producing assets.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
Well, he doesn’t get a pass from Eels fans, and Cartwright has been fantastic the last two seasons.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
Mahoney was never staying no matter how much we offered, Niukore had already informed the club early in 2022 that he was heading home to NZ because of his wife’s illness, which was very serious and still is, and Papa for all his attacking quality was, and still is, a poor defender, and there’s a fair argument that Bryce Cartwright has been an upgrade at right edge. We should’ve kept Ray Stone, Oregon Kaufusi & Tom Opacic. All three would’ve stayed on team friendly contracts.
BA needs to be held accountable for things like out of date tactics and some questionable selection decisions, but the rot goes much deeper, to blame BA alone is typically lazy, hack journalism.
The GM Mark O’Neill, who is ultimately responsible for all R&R somehow gets a pass, as does CEO Jim Sarantinos, a former liquidator who was parachuted into the job by Max Donnelly, not to mention the board made up of mid level career employee banker types or woke box ticking appointees who have the collective rugby league passion & IQ of a rock, in particular that dullard of a chairman Sean McElduff.
Members have little to no say over the direction of the club now, and to be fair, the biennial clown show that was Parramatta board elections made that change necessary, however that requires far greater transparency and communication from the clubs leadership and all we get is the occasional heavily sanitised email telling us everything is fine when Blind Freddie, (not the Fittler variety, or wait ….), can see it’s not.
Point is, if BA is out on his arse, so should the three stooges, McElduff, Sarantinos & O’Neill.
Darwin theory dictates only the strongest survive - Arthur on the rocks at Eels after embarrassing capitulation
What it has shown is the incredible value of Mitch Moses. He covers up a lot of shortcomings in this team.
'We gave up': Under pressure Arthur rages at 'part-time footy team' Parra as undermanned Dolphins run riot
Yep
'We gave up': Under pressure Arthur rages at 'part-time footy team' Parra as undermanned Dolphins run riot
I worry about the Celtics ball handling under playoff defensive pressure. I love Jrue, but his handle isn’t a whole lot better than Marcus Smart’s, neither is White’s, JT or JB’s for that matter. Jaylen Brown going left in traffic is still an adventure with no dependable outcome. That said, there’s no one in the East, except maybe the Knickerbockers, who can beat them four times.
The West is much deeper, but the Nuggets have played all season with the casual arrogance of a team that knows it’s just better than anyone in a best of seven. It’s starting five are perfect as a unit. The only other teams that I’ve seen play with such irritating confidence are the second three peat Bulls and the KD era Warriors, and maybe the 2012 Heat.
Denver to beat the C’s in six.
NBA playoffs preview and predictions: All signs point to Boston and Denver duking it out for the title
Players are pros, they know the business.
Brad and Bennett: Why Friday's clash with the Dolphins might be a tipping point for Arthur and the Eels
The Eels don’t get to choose who they play in Darwin.
Brad and Bennett: Why Friday's clash with the Dolphins might be a tipping point for Arthur and the Eels
Garbage, RCG & Junior are top shelf.
Brad and Bennett: Why Friday's clash with the Dolphins might be a tipping point for Arthur and the Eels
Well you can, but with the understanding as you say of the risks & standards involved with the job.
So if you were working in an office, the safety standards are much higher because the risks are very low, if you’re working in a warehouse around mobile plant, then the standards are somewhat lower because the risk profile is higher. If you’re manning a gunnery station in Fallujah, then the risk profile is off the charts. Death is an ever present risk.
The risk profile of an NRL player is somewhere between warehouse worker and Mogadishu.
Topine vs Bulldogs an important case for NRL and players - wrestling punishment shouldn't be tolerated in a 'workplace'