Roar Rookie
Joined May 2022
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Newcastle based sports tragic with a thirst for away trips! Rugby League, Cricket, NBA and AFL lead the way for me but if its on the TV I'll watch it.
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Every year, the same debate rears its head in one form or another. This year, Nathan Cleary’s injury has sparked the conversation, but it’s…
When State of Origin teams are announced, the squads are always met with a hint of controversy, mystery and guile as coaches try to…
State of Origin sides are always met with a hint of controversy, mystery and guile as coaches try to pull the wool over each…
The Melbourne Storm have been the NRL gold standard for the best part of a decade, but that gold sheen is starting to fade…
Being promoted to Tier 1 and then having the chance to knock off top teams like Australia and New Zealand at the end of the year isn’t an incentive?
Stand-alone Origin is the only way forward
For years and years I always thought State of Origin was a great leveller as it allowed teams to catch up while the Origin stars are away, but with the comp as close as it is nowadays, it’s not necessary to punish clubs mid season for being successful. It’s even more dire for lower ranked teams that have their best player pulled away for 2 or 3 games mid year, Ben Hunt’s Dragons are probably the best example this year.
Stand-alone Origin is the only way forward
I think it needs to have some sort of structure though, it feels like at the moment they’ll just throw a couple of internationals on at the end of the season for the sake of it. If they have context and meaning around them, not only will it make them better games, it will encourage those eligible to play to play for their heritage. Tiers, perhaps not, but it’s still a better idea than just throwing in a couple of games for the sake of it.
Stand-alone Origin is the only way forward
As stated this article above has been a belief of mine for a few years now, more for the fact that it will breathe new life (and meaning) into the international game, and clear up some of the eligibility problems we have. The Cleary injury was just the catalyst for what has become an inevitable conversation each year.
Stand-alone Origin is the only way forward
Cleary’s injury isn’t the catalyst for this article but it’s been this years catalyst for the conversation around Origin scheduling. This way the players will at the very least get a 5 day break (if they play Origin Sunday and then their club team plays the first NRL game on the following Friday night).
The period when Origin was played at the end of the year was a strange period in the world, but as more people were wary of being out and about, and many were locked down, shouldn’t that have boosted viewership numbers?
Stand-alone Origin is the only way forward
I believe that’s what they’ve done but it’s still at the convenience of South’s which seems odd considering the offense occurred while playing for Souths.
Milne likely to miss just one NRL game for Rabbitohs for horror high shot after getting Cup counted
But the precedent has already been set. Not to mention the conflicts of interest at play. Say for example Cameron Ciraldo is coaching Italy and a Bulldogs player that he’s going to be coaching next year is eligible, but no chance of being picked. Of course he’s going to say “Yes we would have selected him” to ensure he doesn’t miss any time at the Bulldogs next year.
Milne likely to miss just one NRL game for Rabbitohs for horror high shot after getting Cup counted
The point being, if he’s truly serving a suspension, he should be named in the squad and then not able to be picked. Otherwise every single NRL player, even those that aren’t selected for international play, could put forward a case to the NRL that they’d like their upcoming suspensions for 2023 to be served through the World Cup, even if they were no chance of being picked
Milne likely to miss just one NRL game for Rabbitohs for horror high shot after getting Cup counted
If they’re taking on that burden though, the Bati should also only have a 23 man squad rather than 24.
Milne likely to miss just one NRL game for Rabbitohs for horror high shot after getting Cup counted
And eventually, players will begin to open up further to other numbers as we’ve seen in the NFL when the positional restrictions were lifted in the last couple of seasons. It’s not going to be perfect straight away but I’d have no problem with squad numbers in the NRL.
Number's up: The 13 reasons why NRL's 1-13 jersey system should be abolished
Well, you actually can monetise a highlight reel on social media.
Number's up: The 13 reasons why NRL's 1-13 jersey system should be abolished
Yes, I’ve always hated that. Some commentators try to say it’s more personable to call players by their name but familiarity breeds contempt. When the referee calls players by their number only it gives them an air of authority that isn’t the same as calling players by name.
Number's up: The 13 reasons why NRL's 1-13 jersey system should be abolished
Clarkey got 23 handed down to him from Warney
Number's up: The 13 reasons why NRL's 1-13 jersey system should be abolished
I will admit some of these ‘why nots’ were very difficult, especially when there’s no clear 2nd option
State of Origin whys and why nots: NSW Blues
The other thing about Luai is I don’t know if he would be picked if he didn’t play alongside Cleary. Cleary would be selected no matter who the 5/8 is, but Luai is a combination selection. No disrespect to him and his outstanding game, but he gains a lot from having Cleary by his side week to week.
State of Origin whys and why nots: NSW Blues
I’ll admit that it’s an old school mentality, in the sense that in the past, smaller players with big mouths knew to keep their mouths shut for fear of consequences.
As for Luai I think you’ve misunderstood me. It definitely has a place as far as a spectacle is concerned but he makes himself a target by carrying himself the way he does. Doesn’t mean I don’t love watching it!
State of Origin whys and why nots: NSW Blues
There’s no doubt he steps up for Origin in any case. He’s been part of 3 series wins in 4 years. Bird could argue the case that was a victim of the Blues rebuild because he was part of two series losses and the stink from that probably didn’t wash off as well as he would have liked.
State of Origin whys and why nots: NSW Blues
Cook’s been unreal in Origin, but having Api waiting in the wings is a huge blessing.
State of Origin whys and why nots: NSW Blues
I’m a Knights fan mate. He’s played some of his best footy at McDonald Jones Stadium, it’s just a shame it’s usually when he’s wearing a Dragons jersey.
State of Origin whys and why nots: NSW Blues
Rabbitohs are a different team without Reynolds. With Reynolds and Walker either side of the ruck their control over games was outstanding.
Both teams knew how to win when they get there (remembering the Roosters won 2 comps in a row before 2020), but the Roosters bounced out in straight sets because they were versing teams at the same level as them, and I think it’s the reason the Storm are looking shaky too. Sure, they’ll be there at the business end, but they won’t get to the big dance.
Passing Storm: Are Melbourne the 2020 Roosters reincarnate?
The slick run the Storm went on mirrors what the Roosters did in 2020. They gave a lot of the ‘bad’ teams in the comp a bath, including a 59 point spanking of the Broncos.
Passing Storm: Are Melbourne the 2020 Roosters reincarnate?
Not a bad position to be in when you can lose 2 players as good as Finucane and Hynes, and have a ‘mini-rebuild’ while maintaining a spot in the top 4, hey!?
Passing Storm: Are Melbourne the 2020 Roosters reincarnate?
Fair enough. I just think the signs are there that the Storm ain’t what they used to be. They pride themselves on their ‘next man up’ mentality, and even with Hughes and Paps out they flex one of the best sides in the NRL. As I’ve said in an earlier comment, they’re a victim of their own success as anything less than a premiership is dubbed a failure, but I fear for their premiership credentials come the business end of the season.
Passing Storm: Are Melbourne the 2020 Roosters reincarnate?
Thanks mate 🙂 plenty more terrible takes where this came from ????
Passing Storm: Are Melbourne the 2020 Roosters reincarnate?
The NRL will still have the same amount of games the season will just start a bit earlier. Including these fixtures it’ll just mean more footy for the broadcasters. Players union might have something to say about it. It’s wrong that TV dictates the scheduling of the game but it’s quite literally propping the game up so it’s a necessary evil.
Stand-alone Origin is the only way forward