Roar Guru
Joined November 2015
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Despite claiming a brilliant sporting career cut short by numerous injuries, the truth is best summed up by my cricket record: batted 11, never bowled...
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Every club has them. Champion blokes who embody everything that’s good through their character on and off the field. The jolly good chaps who…
I went to pick my young fellow up from after-school sport the other week. One of the other dads was there wearing a Canberra…
NSW threw game 1 away: leading and playing against 12 men with a dozen minutes to go, only to go down to a busted…
While it’s impossible to watch NRL these days without a barrage of gambling ads, it’s not just the mug punters who are taking a…
Round 9 of the NRL prompted much discussion about the handling of foul play. The Eels-Roosters clash on Friday night led to suspensions for…
Okay. Grab a seat everyone. Look, you know why you’re here. You’ve been nominated the most frustrating player for each of your respective clubs.…
The utility. Every club has them. The guy who will play anywhere. The bloke who will go on for an injury cover and play…
Every few years it comes up. Growing the game. Expanding into new markets. And hand-in-hand with the concept of expansion comes relocation. But we’re…
Yesterday we looked at the State of Origin player ratings for Queensland. Now it's the Blues turn. Again, the player ratings from the NRL.com…
State of Origin is over for another year and the usual post-mortems have begun. For Queensland the future looks bright – now having won…
It's halfway through the NRL season and that's a good time to look back at the big player movements for the 2017 season. Everyone…
Origin team speculation is almost a sport in its own right. Should incumbency be rewarded? When is it time to bring in new blood?…
It's that time of year. All around the country (well, the bits that play rugby league) NRL coaches, boards and support staff are sitting…
My young fellow played his first game of cricket on Saturday. A handful of parents were there to watch their kids play in the…
Many won't remember Willis Meehan, the promising forward the Roosters sacked in July 2015 after he was found guilty for a second time of…
You are waiting for the bus. It is late. Looking for something to occupy your time, you notice a book on the seat beside…
Over the years we have seen a number of positions evolve as the game of rugby league has changed. Centres, second rowers and halves…
For Roosters fans, accustomed to finishing at the top, the wrong end of the table is a sad and unfamiliar place. When your team…
I'll be frank. I'm not a Shaun Marsh fan. Over the last few years his selection has been a puzzle to me and I…
The NRL Rookie wrapped up last week, with 24-year-old Lou Goodwin winning a contract with the Canberra Raiders. While it was good to see…
I would have thought he’d wait to see how Topine’s case played out first.
'Everything got taken from me': Former Manly prop threatens legal action over excessive training techniques
Are the Ethans the new Super Macs?
Luke, Lachlan and Lewis: If NRL clubs can't find 7s, it’s because they created a lost generation of halfbacks
Been pondering. In every position there are blokes who go on to hundreds of games and blokes who only ever get a handful. For every Jesse Bromwich there’s a Sione Kite (for reference he debuted for the Storm same year as Jesse after 9 games in 2 years for the Bulldogs). For each Jordan Rapana there is a Jordan Atkins (both debuted for Titans in 2008).
I would think if you age profiled every position you’d find that there’s a dip in the same age brackets – because you don’t get to play beyond 30 unless you’re very good. If you’re 25 and middling you’ll lose your place in the squad to some kid with potential.
Why should we expect halves to be any different?
Luke, Lachlan and Lewis: If NRL clubs can't find 7s, it’s because they created a lost generation of halfbacks
Saw the headline and immediately thought Lachlan Lewis. Now there’s a blast from the recent past.
Luke, Lachlan and Lewis: If NRL clubs can't find 7s, it’s because they created a lost generation of halfbacks
Great to see Connor Watson in the 13 again for the Chooks. He was electric last week. So good to see him back and fit at last.
NRL Round 9 Team Lists: Broncos big guns back for Roosters clash, Ricky swings axe, Penrith boosted, Cowboys young gun back
Not sure why Ricky has retained Savage but dropped Schiller. One of them had a decent crack last week. And it wasn’t Savage.
NRL Round 9 Team Lists: Broncos big guns back for Roosters clash, Ricky swings axe, Penrith boosted, Cowboys young gun back
Eels without Gutho and Moses? Untippable for the foreseeable future.
NRL News: Huge blow for Parra as star forced into surgery, Souths set for Demetriou call as Ilias offered exit
To be fair Sivo’s act while cheap and grubby wasn’t potentially going to end up with someone in a wheelchair. Matterson should be suspended though. Shoulder direct to the head.
NRL Round 8 judiciary: Massive Manly blow as Haumole and DCE banned, Sivo charged for 'stupid' hit
😂
NRL Round 8 judiciary: Massive Manly blow as Haumole and DCE banned, Sivo charged for 'stupid' hit
I’d assume Brooks would go to 7, but who would play 6?
Gutho fumes at 'stupid' Sivo as Parra throw away lead to lose AGAIN - but should Manly worry about Haumole?
I was thinking of the Morrin tackle too. If Morrin got two weeks then Hamoule should be 3 at least. At first glance I thought send off, but I accept the refs explanation that DCE had a role in the tackle. But given the wet lettuces the judiciary have been using lately I’d be surprised if he gets more than a week.
Gutho fumes at 'stupid' Sivo as Parra throw away lead to lose AGAIN - but should Manly worry about Haumole?
Absolutely
NRL News: 'Happens every day' - Anasta defends Dogs as $4M lawsuit looms over former player's training punishment
How to fix it? Get everyone to watch a video montage of Jake Trbojevic tackling.
NRL News: Ferguson's marquee deal terminated by semi-pro team, Benji happy with Tigers' CEO call
Thanks Christo. It’s a fascinating case from the outside.
You’re right that nurses and security guards etc wouldn’t be subjected to a physical punishment. They would, potentially, receive punishment that might include additional duties in line with their existing duties. (Working in healthcare I can tell you the nurse would probably be talked at in a meeting instead, but anyway).
Was the Topine subjected to corporal punishment or was he instructed to do additional tasks consistent with his core responsibilities? I would think the club position is clear.
Were those additional tasks fair, proportionate and reasonable? I think Topine’s position is also clear.
I suspect the judicial position will be somewhat nuanced, when most onlookers will want a black and white ruling. That is, if it makes it that far and isn’t settled out of court.
4 million looks ambitious as a settlement but if you want a kitten, start by asking for a pony.
Interesting times.
Topine vs Bulldogs an important case for NRL and players - wrestling punishment shouldn't be tolerated in a 'workplace'
Walker’s performance underscores the fact that Keary is not a halfback. The difference in attack compared to the last couple of weeks is striking.
A walk in the park: Super Sam shows Roosters what they've been missing in 60-point Anzac smash-up
Great article. Thanks Connor
IndyCar cheating scandal: Season opening violations come back to sting Scott McLaughlin's Team Penske
They could use him
Des breaks his duck after epic final stand sees Titans pull off Anzac boilover to stun Warriors in Auckland
Happy for the Titans. Brimson is their best option at 1. He was electric. Not sure where that leaves Campbell but AJ has to stay there.
Des breaks his duck after epic final stand sees Titans pull off Anzac boilover to stun Warriors in Auckland
😂 😁
Blues Origin predicted team: NRL could step in if Latrell withdraws from selection as Maguire looks to overhaul squad
Fair point. Really relying on Murray, Yeo, Hamoule being 80 minute players barring injury
Blues Origin predicted team: NRL could step in if Latrell withdraws from selection as Maguire looks to overhaul squad
Thanks Cam. My thought was that Martin is used in the middle or an edge in rep games, so gives NSW two middles, with Robson hooker cover and able to run on at lock if needed. Burton covers halves, centres or even second row at a pinch with his size. Any wing or fullback issue is covered by bringing Burton into the centres and moving Crichton or Turbo.
I was thinking with To’o on one wing a taller option needed on the other.
Agree though – plenty of possibilities
Blues Origin predicted team: NRL could step in if Latrell withdraws from selection as Maguire looks to overhaul squad
I was wondering what was happening with this situation. Other things that were “normal” in the 80s, 90s or earlier (e.g. sorting out on field differences behind the sheds after the game, packing a loose arm in the scrum so you can make the cattledog call, smoking in the change rooms, casual or overt racism) aren’t acceptable now. Be interesting to see if the court sees this in the same light.
NRL News: Warriors sign rookie Jett, Topine sues Dogs for $4m over 'psychiatric injury' from wrestling punishment
Mike I’d be interested in the data of head on head contact what the proportion is of tackler on ball carrier as opposed to two tacklers having a head clash with each other. Not trying to downplay the argument you’re making, just wondering how the data breaks down.
Tackle it head on: Finucane and Lewis can teach the NRL why concussion rules have to change immediately
Ok, I’ll play.
1 Dylan Edwards
2 Brian To’o
3 Tom Trbojevic
4 Stephen Crichton
5 Zac Lomax
6 Nicho Hynes
7 Nathan Cleary
8 Payne Haas
9 Api Koroisau
10 Jake Trbojevic
11 Cameron Murray
12 Haumole Olakau’atu
13 Isaah Yeo
14 Matt Burton
15 Reece Robson
16 Liam Martin
17 Mitch Barnett
18 Ryan Papenhuyzen
Blues Origin predicted team: NRL could step in if Latrell withdraws from selection as Maguire looks to overhaul squad
I would assume professional 18th man Jake Arthur would come in.
Judiciary hands down surprise DCE verdict after controversial charge for dangerous throw