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An avid supporter of the National Rugby League (NRL) and advocate for all things Rugby League, taking an expansionist view of the game - particularly the growth of the International game, English Super League, Oztag and reserve grade - in the effort to #growrugbyleague
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In 2010, the NRL adopted their own version of an all-stars concept which pitted a fan-voted squad involving at least one player per club…
In 2020, the restart to the NRL season on May 28 saw a raft of rule changes that shaped the game dramatically, notably the…
With just under six weeks out from the kick-off to the upcoming NRL season, I looked into the crystal ball for 2021 and conjured…
At the halfway point of the 2020 NRL season, I discussed who the most valuable player was for each club. My argument was that…
Another storm is brewing in the Victorian capital with the potential to prolong the club’s past decade of success and usher in another ten-year…
For years, rugby league fans always wondered if State of Origin would work better if it was played in the NRL’s postseason rather than…
Due to the COVID-affected sporting calendar, the NRL made the unprecedented decision to move the State of Origin series to the post-season and have…
There has been plenty of conjecture each year the Dally M award ceremony has been held, mainly surrounding the current process in which the…
Everyone loves an underdog, and that sentiment cannot be expressed stronger than the displays of the proud and passionate New Zealand Warriors club in…
State of Origin was born in 1980, pitting New South Wales against Queensland, in a three-game series played under residential eligibility rules. After two…
Prior to COVID, it was exciting that ANZ and Allianz stadiums were to receive some much-needed upgrading, with the NSW government pledging $1.8 billion…
The recent signing of Sonny Bill Williams to the Sydney Roosters has sparked an outcry of unfairness and controversy among supporters of the game.…
After looking at the bottom eight teams yesterday, let's move on to the MVPs for the top eight clubs. Manly Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic…
The following is a list of most valuable players (MVPs) for each NRL club currently languishing in the bottom eight of the ladder. The…
The prospect of a second COVID-19 wave across Australia is feeling more and more like a matter of when, not if, the further we…
On March 10, the NRL suspended Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera indefinitely for their role in an act of consensual sex…
The third and final article for my post-COVID rugby league vision will be rapid-firing a range of topics surrounding the game. If you missed…
I hope everybody reading this article is praising our new rugby league god, Peter V’landys - the messiah who prevailed through all the adversity…
For the past 27 years I have been a supporter of my beloved Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, although last night’s 42-6 drubbing at the hands of…
The recommencement of the NRL season saw the introduction of the new set-restart rule giving teams a fresh set of six for ruck infringements…
100% agree with this article. PVL has been great since he has become chairman, but this attempt to lower the minimum age to play NRL is a hiccup to day the least
Joseph Suaalii playing NRL before he turns 18 is literally a matter of life and death
RKO, I think it is a bit too early to throw luke thompson in the equation, he is only three games in – yes he does set a platform and lifts the boys but remains to be seen how great he can be (hopefully youre right). But I dont mind your other suggestions, they are also reasonable – some teams have multiple mvps, some have one.
The MVP each club needs to win the 2020 premiership: The bottom eight
Titans building solid, tonumapea was another decent signing as well as herman for 2021. I do like corey thompson but Arguably, fotuiaka is titans best. If Aj brimson wasnt injured all year he wouldve been in the conversation.
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Cookie for the rabbitohs hasnt been as great as what ppl believed with the 6again rule change but i still think he is their best. Latrell remains to be seen, i hope youre right that he cones good toward the backend of the season – like teddy at roosters in his first season.
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And harry grant is a weapon. His service is next to none and is a gun to watch. Ive repeated myself a few times now, but he is australia’s future hooker
The MVP each club needs to win the 2020 premiership: The bottom eight
Lomax as well as Matt dufty they are in redhot form. But McInnes is the most solid imo, very consistent
The MVP each club needs to win the 2020 premiership: The bottom eight
The rumour wont go away that Tigers doing everything they can to keep Grant – and to be fair I don’t blame them one bit he is a champion player – but I am sure that’s what Melbourne want too.. problem is they probably can’t stockpile Cameron Smith (greatest hooker ever), Brandon Smith (NZ hooker – another gun), and Grant (future Aus hooker)
The MVP each club needs to win the 2020 premiership: The bottom eight
Cheers monorchid. A factor for the wolfpack withdrawing was being unable to play in canada but they yielded when they learnt they would lose millions for each week they played in the comp – being an intercontinental club during covid is a predicament, but Super League couldnt and wouldnt do much to assist them either.. unlike the NRL and the Warriors.
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PreCovid I was loving the amounts of $ being thrown at sport (ie stadiums, centres of excellence, facilities etc) but I just cant see the govt prioritising that during this pandemic, nor could i see them assisting in the aftermath of it – not in the midst of a recession.
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In relation to a vaccine, I am just hopeful one is discovered and distributed asap so we can return to some sort of precovid normality. Whoever makes that discovery deserves to have a statue erected in their honour in every country hahaha
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
Hi WB, pre-covid is my definition of normal
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
100%.. each code just code the rep pathways in order and now they are jeopardised.. imo, the biggest losers will be grassroots (mens and womens) So hopefully each rep level can be salvaged
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
Brilliant idea – any club that complains would be kidding themselves. Only hurdle we would have with this proposal though is if borders are still shut / no exemptions for Australian-based clubs…
How to repay the Warriors in 2021? Stretch the gratitude into 2022 as well
Pacific Islands would defs be in the equation. Would be great for league and union: further opposition for internationals
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
Hi Rick, will still take years unfortunately for things to return to normal..
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
100%.. at the least we want to see the pro leagues continue to be displayed weekly.. my biggest worry is if reserve grade down to community sport level is ceased for extended periods of time, resulting in constant season cancellations… definitely a hindrance on future growth!
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
Hi Lionheart, the interstate movement is mentioned and unfortunately as we stand, that is a pretty prevalent problem in Australia. With this being the case, I couldnt imagine international travel being smooth sailing… As for tv deals, 100% the domestic and international tv rights need to be a lot more accessible to the public And cheaper!
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
Cheers RK, I have written a few optimistic Covid articles – and as annoying as covid is, it isnt going anywhere anytime soon – but being such an advocate sport supporter (mainly league), and also enjoying all international footy codes it really dawned upon me that realistically there will be a new norm: the one this article suggests unfortunately…
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
Cheers moaman. From a selfish sports point of view, its a shame that NZ wont allow pro teams in (under the proviso they go direct to and from stadium + same day flying back to Aus), but understandable that they dont want their country jeopardised.
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But international tournaments in all these codes, post 14-day quarantine, should be playing in NZ 100% – a rare and beautiful sight to see full crowds
Australian football codes have no option but to focus on their own backyard
And to Adam’s point, the latest incident is morally wrong, particularly okunbor, for using a position of authority to meet a girl he never would have if he wasnt promoting the game at a school.
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
That’s right kersed, but just as youve pointed out, to this day the dogs have this negative reputation as a result from that alleged incident. The media imo have historically been unfriendly to the dogs, so by the club getting on the front foot with the okunbor/chn incident it wouldve likely mitigated the perception that the dogs tried to cover-up what would have been twisted into coffs harbour 2.0..
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
Hi TB, it is definitely convoluted isnt it.
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I can’t fault the club or NRL for deregistering them. The appeals committee finalised the outcome to what it is and tbh, considering the moral dilemma as well as the PR travesty resulting in a 2mil+ sponsorship loss, the punishment seems light.
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Then on the other hand, criminally charged players after being found guilty for their crime cop less.
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Overall, i am glad the NRL have ensured CHN and Okunbor return to the dogs – the club either retain them or swap em for money ir a new player so the club doesnt lose out.
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This is how matters should be dealt with from hereon in.
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And to your point about players realising any negative actions affect their pay. It is 100% on the money, it is just unfortunate that it takes less than a handful to ruin it. Particularly when player behaviour hasnt relli been a prevalent issue since the ‘summer from hell’
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
It is a longer road for misbehaving players than criminally offending ones it seems too.. pearce is a great example.. i just feel for the future onward that if players re-register then it should be with the club they were last contracted with.. i truly appreciate that you have seen the impartiality portrayed for this issue, because it is truly a convoluted issue
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
Cheers TSB, so much back and forth with this issue – clubs faced with it are damned if they do, damned if they dont really
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
I think youre right in that a lot of incidents would be swept to avoid this dilemma. Clubs would be reluctant to lose a player, particularly a good one, for non-criminal misbehaviour. The difference here, and the way forward is if the NRL deregisters these players and the player serves their time then they should return to the club they were last signed to (if their contract is still valid after the suspension period).
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Another element here is we are currently sweeping out the old regime and ushering in a new NRL – with PVL and co at hand, we may see some change in that regard
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
It’s a tough one isnt it. So many reasons for and against reinstating these players in the blue and white
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
In relation to the dogs players, seeing as this is the first time an appeal decision has worked in favour of the player, they are still rightfully contracted to the club – so what happens from here is up to each party. Bottom line – the dogs will either get a payout or a player or two for CHN and/or Okunbor if they leave or get the flick
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
Canberra players of the past (carney, fergo, dugan, monaghan etc) that got the sack shouldve resulted in some sort of compensation for the club, except the moral decision to uphold values gave them nothing but pride. Good for the club culture, but they deserved more than just that.
The curious case of Okunbor, Harawira-Naera and player misbehaviour
Hi GH, I mention in the article positions will factor into pricing – i think there is merit in it factoring into the PPS as well.
The player point system needs to replace the salary cap