Roar Pro
Joined May 2010
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With so much of the Grand Final ticketing allocation going to corporate partners rather than supporters, fans need more ways to get close to…
They might just be footy jerseys but they’re some of the most valuable commodities in Australian sport. And I think it’s time we take…
What lessons can Channel Nine learn from other sports broadcasts to make their rugby-league product better? After watching game one of the State of…
The NRL should be absolutely fuming about the mini-exodus of Melbourne Storm players to England. Some of the brightest stars of the NRL are…
Watching Origin is like watching a Storm game because:
– Refs give QLD more time to lie around in the play the ball, as they do with Melbourne
– Refs bow to the pressure and constant natter natter natter of serial pest Cameron Smith
– It turns into WWE Wrestlemania
The script plays out so predictably every match.
State of Origin 2013: where’s the sledging?
But Pearce is good at tackling Thiaday…isn’t that enough for you? He tackles! He’s good!
Anyone?
*crickets*
Competition for Blues Origin spots heats up
I live in Melbourne and give it to Cam Smith whenever possible…
Can Smith sweep the big four in 2013?
Come on, mate…it’s sport. People who don’t follow your team will obviously see the worst traits in your players – just like you see the worst in the teams you dislike, You don’t need to know a player personally to have an opinion of them.
Or are you some sort of magical superfan that has no feelings whatsoever? Completely 100% objective? Come on. It’s sport, and it’s ok to have an opinion about the players.
PS. I think Smith is a grub too. Slows the ruck intentionally in defence, waves his arms like a madman towards the ref when he thinks the other team is doing the same. And the refs play along with him. Take your storm coloured specs off and you’ll see what others see.
Can Smith sweep the big four in 2013?
I’ll back you up on that one, DB. Seriously, at least Reynolds has SOMETHING!
On the other hand, Pearce doesn’t have a ‘thing’.
Shouldn’t Origin players be the best of the best? What is it that Pearce does so much better than his competitors that warrants his selection, year in year out? What is this magical talent that he has that the Blues simply cannot do without?
How many more series losses must we endure until he is dropped? Last season we came close – but I can’t fault anyone else on the field for effort or ability other than Pearce. The forwards played well, and arguably, dominated the series. The backs, too, played well when they were presented with opportunities. The black hole in the NSW team therefore, was in the halves and Pearce needs to take some responsibility.
Why is Mitchell Pearce guaranteed an Origin spot?
I reckon he should drop some of that bulk and play hooker. That’s right. Hooker.
He has a passing, kicking and a running game. Playing at hooker would force him to step outside of his comfort zone…which is what I think he needs.
Hey Sticky, play lazy Hayne at lock
In my mind, a captain should have at least the following three attributes:
1. Be a leader of men and commit to putting your mind and body to tasks that others won’t
2. Be an excellent ambassador for the club, and be outstanding with the spoken word – not just being able to share a message and a vision with the players, but also with the public via the media.
3. Be an outstanding performer on the field.
Hayne possesses none of these attributes at this present stage.
I would have said that a change of club and scenery would be the best thing for him – but he’s just signed again with the Eels.
Is Hayne ready to be captain?
In 2010, Ray Warren revealed that his gambling habits “cost him a better life.” I love Rabs, but he’s acknowledged he has a weakness.
It makes me utterly sick to see Warren on a post game ‘panel’ after Friday Night Footy, where they discuss more horse racing odds than football.
That the Channel 9 execs and Tom Waterhouse are happy to put their him through that is a tragedy.
$50M Waterhouse deal exaggerated: NRL
Who’s ever called him “traitor?”
Sure he’s a dog, but that nickname doesn’t make sense…
Storm fuming over Slater report
The Doggies were actually in control for the opening stanza of the game…when their big guns come back, they’ll be a force.
Storm pip Bulldogs in grand final rematch
Always playing the victim…I’m not sure what the Melbourne players wanted out of that situation.
Yes it’s illegal to tackle a man in the air, but the tackle never happened. The ref can’t penalise a player for what could have been.
I don’t think Slater will be banned for the incident, but the ref was right to put it on report. Cam Smith and Billy Slater need to get out of the ref’s ear and just get on with the footy.
Storm fuming over Slater report
The Storm seem to lie around in the ruck for ages…
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs: NRL live scores, blog
As usual…Slater and Smith in the ref’s ear like they’re the victims.
Dogs.
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs: NRL live scores, blog
Fair penalty. Smith cries poor as usual, but the tackle in the air wasn’t completed…the ref can’t penalise the bulldogs for what MIGHT have happened.
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs: NRL live scores, blog
A lot of public comment I read in blogs and hear on the radio follow a similar sentiment: “I don’t mind a little bet here and there, but…”
Is there anyone out thee that is totally morally opposed to gambling in all it’s forms? Maybe these voices need to be heard more. Not the Christisn Lobby, or similar wowsers…but real sports fans that hate gambling and what it does.
Waterhouse won't be watered down by ACMA
Soward is playing surprisingly well this season – he takes on the line and is kicking well. The dragons are struggling on the other side of the field…Nathan Fien is having an Annus Horribilis.
The last thing the Reynolds boys need is State of Origin
The storm players take 2-3 steps forward when they play the ball (when they have an opportunity).
Gee that’s annoying.
Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs: NRL live scores, blog
I think the word ‘patriotism’ stirs up different feelings in Australia and NZ.
In Aus, the word conjures images of white bogan teens with southern cross tatts, wearing the Australian flag as superman capes. It’s embarrassing.
In NZ, the acceptance of the indigenous Maori culture on the other hand is quite inspiring. Whites and Maoris seem pretty united when it comes to sport. Heck, even the new New Zealanders embrace the native culture…I know a Sri Lankan guy and a few Chinese 2nd generation New Zealanders that get in with the Maori boys and perform the haka whenever they can.
Who is more patriotic: Australia or New Zealand?
Other clubs do breach the salary cap, and are duly punished with sanctions such as fines. The difference with the Storm case was the magnitude of the cap rorting and the efforts they went to in order to hide it
You make it sound like you’re the victim of some horrible misdeed. Put yourself in the shoes of a Parra supporter, finding out your team went down in a GF to a cheating team.
Your arguments will be enhanced if you take into account the points of view of others.
The 2012 redemption of the Melbourne Storm
The “Melbourne didn’t poach their players” argument simply doesn’t wash. Every now and then, clubs have to release their best talent because of salary cap constraints – Melbourne ignored these constraints for all those years that they were winning.
Also, I’m not entirely sure how you can claim that the Storm have the best team over the last 4-5 years, when for a majority of those years their achievements have been marked with a massive asterisk.
I admit, the Storm’s rise to the top in 2012 is a nice story…but how do you reconcile the situation for a Parramatta fan, whose team was beaten in the 09 GF by an illegally assembled side?
I can see that you don’t want this debate opened up again, but the article has been written and the fans are entitled to respond.
The 2012 redemption of the Melbourne Storm
Two premierships in 13 years is not a dynasty.
The 2012 redemption of the Melbourne Storm
The players that come into Origin are already the best of the best. They don’t need “coaching” per se.
They need to be inspired and work as a unit. They need to live and breathe Origin for those few weeks in camp, and truly aspire to earn Blue jerseys when they’re playing for their clubs – no auto-selections or favouritism, everything should be awarded on merit (think Kurt Gidley).
We don’t know what Daley is capable of. He could be a master strategist. He could be a real leader of men. He could be a wonderful delegator. All unknown, we’ll find out as the months unfold.
Queensland's Origin demise begins now
we have an absolute embarrassment of riches in the back row – absolutely top shelf…Ricky was onto something with his “foot speed” strategy in 2011, and I think if Daley builds on what has been left behind, we’re in with a shot.
Even our prop stocks are looking very respectable, and the Morris brothers showed in Game 3 that they are world class in the back line.
The only place that NSW falls down is in the halves. IMHO, Daley should take a risk and throw one or both of the Reynolds boys in there. They are genuine organisers who will be much better off with their finals’ experiences last season.
Queensland's Origin demise begins now
There’s a theme emerging here and I agree…Gallen was essential to the NSW cause when Ricky was rebuilding the team after the Bellamy debacle. We needed a player who would bleed blue. We needed a guy on the field who hated QLD as much as we fans did.
Gallen achieved that and was rightly awarded captaincy, but during his tenure, he has inspired playing group who have just as much desire as he does. I have 100% confidence in in the Blues forward line – blokes like Tamou, Bird and Watmough give their all every match. We have a zippy, speedy back line too. Even if Brett Morris is out, guys like Merritt and Uate can step in and have just as much impact.
We just need some halves that can steer, dominate and win.
NSW Blues are next to no chance without Paul Gallen