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Joined November 2021
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The looming introduction of the Dolphins into the NRL has prompted me to ponder: what defines a club’s 'culture', and how does it differ,…
It’s almost sacrilege to say but “I think in attack, less would be more for Teddy”. Don’t get me wrong, I think Tedesco has been the heart and soul of the Chooks for the past 2 seasons. He’s single-handed hauled them across the line in numerous games before but, his “pinball” attacking style now seems to stifle the attacking brilliance the Chooks have in the outside backs. Also looks like the hooker, Keary and Walker are a bit too deferential to Tedesco in attack. With free flowing attacking weapons like Suaalii and Manu I think he’d be best served backing them up rather than trying to initiate the break. But anyway, what would I know, never been an NRL coach or player, just saying ….
ANALYSIS: Nicho dominates again, Victor and Cheese binned and more hip-drop drama
The Tigers have some talented individuals and that’s what got them close to the Eels yesterday. But their overall structure and general play was fairly abysmal. So many times the bloke with the ball didn’t know who to pass too, and/or there was no one ready to take the ball. Lots of looking around more in hope than expectation. The Tigers have gone from the grit and grind of Madge to the flamboyance of Sheens, Benji and Robbie. Perhaps a middle path might be more productive.
One other observation, for a ten year NRL halfback, Luke Brooks throws a lot of passes behind the support player stifling any momentum.
Hagan’s Round 6 Talking Points: Sin bin message loud and clear, Latrell a Lamb clone, Manly defence wafer thin, Tigers brave
Looking at 2022 as a complete data set: the Cows, Sharks and Eels went really well and had / have the oldest average age according to the numbers supplied. So it’s hard to see a correlation between age and ladder position / wnning.
Six-again rule changes add up to bad news for old players: How each NRL team stacks up for average age
The mean age over the 11 years is 26.9 years, the standard deviation is 1.11 year. So everything is within 1 std deviation, so not statistically significant.
Another interesting point is that age does not necessarily correlate with ladder position. Teams with oldest average are Sharks, Cows, Eels. They went OK in 2022.
Many years ago it was hard to find anyone over 30 playing league but advances in fitness, injury treatment have extended playing careers quite a lot.
Six-again rule changes add up to bad news for old players: How each NRL team stacks up for average age
Great work Dean. First time I’ve stumbled over these posts but I’ll keep an eye out for them each week.
Wow, Bob Katter, Sun Tzu, Harry and Meghan, Torvill and Dean references, all in one rugby league post! Great stuff.
NRL memorable moments meter – Round 3
Great analysis Mike. I wonder if teams alter their side-bias depending on whether it’s to “create” a break on an edge, or to “capitalize” on a break that has been made up the middle (ala the Phins on Sunday)? I could imagine teams might have a big bopper out wide on one side to bend the line and get the opposition back-peddling and then switch to the other to administer the coup de grace. After a break I would expect the dominant half with the loudest voice to go to their preferred side. And further, could defending teams be aware of the bias or is it just all hands on deck scrambling? I expect a limiting factor is how much info you can stuff into a footballers head (Anthony Seibold / Broncos – case in point).
Side effects: How Panthers' simple tactical flaw left Luai and Salmon arguing on the field
SM – thanks for adding “parapraxis” to my vocab. Ahh the things one learns on a rugby league chat site!
We got issues: The biggest problem facing every NRL team ahead of 2023's big kick-off
Herby to fullback and the Hammer to Centre
Bennett 'delighted' as Dolphins make big splash in player market by signing Broncos star on long-term deal
Mariner was impressive in the two trials and / or Cobbo could move one in.
Bennett 'delighted' as Dolphins make big splash in player market by signing Broncos star on long-term deal
Herbie’s a good one and sad to see him go, but I must question all this nonsense about “missing out on several high-profile signings targets over the past 12 months including Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga, Ryan Matterson, Dylan Brown, Harry Grant and Brandon Smith.” They signed the current NZ captain! but apparently that’s not “high profile” while someone like Ponga (who fails to consistently produce his best) and Ryan Matterson (no test and 1 SoO) are. Really? I’d even prefer Jesse over the cheese for consistency.
Bennett 'delighted' as Dolphins make big splash in player market by signing Broncos star on long-term deal
“No rusted on fans”? The Reddy Dolphins have been around for 76 years! They’re not some recently animated Frankenstein chimera like Wests / Tigers. They were a very popular team in the old BRL comp and they have a huge junior nursery. There’s also a fair bit of us (Redcliffe peninsula) versus them (Briz Vegas) mentality. The Phins will be fine as far as fans go with or without the wins.
Making a benchmark: To be a success in 2023, the Dolphins need to ignore results
Yes, but the amount of off-field “drama” is in large part media beat-up / click bait and only more often involves the Broncos ‘cos they’re a high profile club. No-one really writes much about Raiders, Knights, Titans ‘cos they don’t have a big following and so news editors aren’t interested unless it’s a big story. Much better to go with “Broncos in crisis” over a bit of push and shove. I don’t think Donaghy, who does the hiring and firing, really takes too much notice. I would have thought Holbrook is in a shakier position than Walters.
On the chopping block: The three NRL coaches most likely to face the axe in 2023
Yes, agree and I don’t expect them to win many in 2023. I just think that a couple of changes will significantly improve their right edge defence. Their attack looks very pedestrian.
Dolphins in dire straits: Alarm bells ringing after newbies thrashed by Titans in final trial before NRL debut
I don’t think it’s quite as dire as depicted. A couple of changes to the outside backs could significantly improve the edge defence. I would replace Bostock and Brenko Lee with Isaako and Aitken. Wayne loves a good defensive centre (Chris Johns, Michael Devere) and Aitken is in the same mould. Isaako has more experience and physical presence that young Bostock. Most of the Titans’ attack was aimed at that side.
My real concern for the Dolphins is that their pack is too slow in defence. Tom Gilbert and Ray Stone are the only youngsters.
Dolphins in dire straits: Alarm bells ringing after newbies thrashed by Titans in final trial before NRL debut
Nice analysis. Thanks Mike.
Smart Signings: Cowboys were surprise of 2022, but can they overcome spine issues to giddy up higher?
I think the loss of Api will be the critical factor. He was soooo dangerous out .f dummy half. He not only created for the forwards but gave Cleary a lot more time as a half to organise. It’s unlikely that whoever replaces Api will be up to his level in 2023. So, opposition teams can concentrate more on Cleary as the point of attack. Panthers are still a great side but I think they’ll miss Api a lot!
The Panthers can make history in 2023
One other rule change I’d like to see implemented: “The ARL chairman is forbidden from making unilateral changes to the rules. Even if in receipt of an email, text, dm, private conversation with or from a fan, relative, or front bar regular.”
Don't call them rule changes but NRL makes major 'amendments' to offside, Bunker and concussion protocols
Probably a bit of a “Chicken and Egg” topic. But here are some counterpoints to your argument:
(i) A Champion team (well coached) will (almost) always beat a team of champions
(ii) The players don’t necessarily make the coach (exhibit A NSW SoO teams under Fittler as coach). Even as a Qlder I admit, NSW have better individual talent in nearly all positions. But it wasn’t enough in 2 of the past 3 years
(iii) Craig Bellamy: takes Q cuppers and turns them into NRL players / stars
(iv) Defence wins premierships and this is something that definitely does not rely on individual talent but well coached systems. Panthers defence in the finals series in 2021 won it for them. This is a big one. Every successful coach says get defence in order first and the points will come later.
(v) For every “I predicted … to be a star..” article I can name 5 times as many “this kid is going to be the next Andrew Johns”. Joey retired in 2007.
(vi) I would contend that the Panthers are a prime example of a well-coached unit but not overly burdened with super talented individuals. To’o, Luai, Crichton have talent you can’t coach but the rest are just good very players playing at their absolute best. I wouldn’t swap Dylan Edwards for nearly any other fullback. But he ain’t super talented like Latrell, Tedesco, Manu.
Anyhow, just some thoughts for consideration.
Smart Signings: Warriors boxed clever with their coach but no amount of recruitment can fix them for 2023
Yeah, but one of the coaches jobs is to unearth talent / cattle. A very similar article could have been written 12 months ago about the Cowboys. Who’d heard of Cotter or Nanai, Neame, Tom Gilbert in January 2022? But then Todd Payten sprinkled some magic dust (or more likely forced it down their throats) and the coach suddenly had the “cattle”. Fitzy at the Sharks in 2022 resurrected Wade Graham and Moylan and put a big unit in at centre. Same cattle different cattle prod! So, let’s see what Webster brings, not ‘cos he’s been in a “good system” but because he might be a cattle whisperer.
Smart Signings: Warriors boxed clever with their coach but no amount of recruitment can fix them for 2023
Yep, feel sorry for the young man. No 23 year old needs that sort of attention.
Smart Signings: Kevvie needs to give Haas a break for Broncos to make top eight in 2023
Good analysis Mike. And while I agree with your main point that Haas needs to be rested more, I don’t think it’s all Kevvie’s fault. In 2022 Flegler and Carrigan missed big chunks of the season through injuries and suspensions, throwing even more work onto Haas. I would also suggest another solution (especially to their defensive woes) would be to play Kobe Hetherington at 13 for the full 80 minutes and just get him to tackle anything that moves. I see him as an 80 minute player in the mould of Trevor Gillimeister or Keven Campion. Walters used him off the bench in 2022 and he is not an impact player. His hit-ups, whilst enthusiastic, hardly bent the line. And with Haas, Carrigan and Flegler there is enough attacking / offloading ability to get the Broncs down field.
Smart Signings: Kevvie needs to give Haas a break for Broncos to make top eight in 2023
Will be interesting to see how Talaki goes in the centres now other teams have had a look at him. Very strong runner but somewhat one-dimensional. And I wonder how well he can defend laterally and also if his turn and chase speed is up to NRL standard. Good luck to him but will be interesting to watch.
Round 1 Predicted Teams - Sharks: Fullback depth takes double hit with Miller gone, young gun tearing ACL
Have to admire the way the Roosters manage their list. Always a good mix of youth and experience and overlap in key positions. I know they cop a lot of grief about the salary cap but many of their stars they got young / cheap and have developed. I still don’t like ’em but I do admire them as a very well run organisation.
Round 1 Predicted Teams - Roosters: Crichton takes leave, Watson hobbled, Smith gets shot at hooker
Kiwis have JWH, JFH, NAS versus Tino …..
Kangaroos World Cup squad named: Edwards snubbed, Tedesco captain, 13 debutants chosen
I’ve always hated GP. The only hope of having it removed is convincing the betting companies about how much money they could make by including “Draw” as a betting option. Imagine the odds and desperate punters needing to win back big would throw heaps of money at the option. The way to PVLs heart (or whatever pumps the blood around his body) is through the betting $$$.
Golden point is pointless - it's a solution to a problem that never existed and should be scrapped