Everyone accepts that 9 Teams is just too many for Sydney.
And that problem may well “solve itself” in 10 years time.
Why?????
The Roosters – Souths and Manly are all being kept afloat by a “White Knight”.
What if Nick Politis – Russell Crowe or the Penn Family are no longer able or willing to pour millions into the seemingly bottomless pit that their respective Clubs represent.????
Greenburg is already on the record stating that there’ll be no more financial bailouts.
Suddenly – 9 could become as little as 6.
A mate of mine is an avid Souths Fan – and reckons they’re REALLY building that new Stadium for the Bunnies – after they take over a financially destitute Roosters.
I’m thinking that doesn’t sound all that far fetched a scenario.

I like the idea of a “Captains Challenge” – as long as it’s properly implemented.
As a spectator of 50 years I know when my Team has had a “questionable decision” go against them – and I also know when the Referee has cost us by making an absolute “howler”.
And I’m sure on-field Captains are even more acutely of the “difference” between the two scenarios.
Add to that the fact each Captain only gets the one challenge – and I’m sure they’ll think carefully before challenging.
As for the rule change re:Trainers interfering with the play – the new rule doesn’t go nearly far enough.
If the Ball hits a Trainer -the Team he represents should cop a Penalty back on their 20 metre line – PLUS the offending Trainers Club should be whacked with a substantial Fine.
This might stop Trainers like Alan Langer at the Broncos – who currently spends more time on the field than most of his Players.
And finally – the new Rules do nothing to alleviate Fan disgust over “the most disgraceful decision I’ve seen by a Referee in any Game” – let alone a Grand Final.
It’s irrelevant whether the correct decision was made in the end – the fact is that under the Rules of the Game – Cummins had no right to change his decision “mid play”.
Since the Grand Final I’ve met a lot of angry & disillusioned Fans – and none of them even follow the Raiders.
It seems to me this Administration has lost all credibility with Fans – and should be replaced forthwith.

I have to disagree with Ronan that any criticism of Warner amounts to “mean spirited drivel”.
Putting aside the fact his actions when Vice Captain led to one of the darkest periods ever in Australian Cricket – making runs now against a second rate attack means nothing.
Pakistan either learnt nothing from the way Broad bowled to Warner – or – they did learn – but simply don’t have the ability to execute.
The New Zealanders though represent a whole different “kettle of fish”.
They have a quality fast bowling attack – and I expect them to do just what Broad did when bowling to Warner.
That is – they’ll come around the wicket – with the ball coming in to Warner – cramping him for room – and thus not letting him free up his arms.
Then give him the “sucker ball” – which either holds it’s line – or moves away slightly – and then we’ll see whether Warner has made the necessary improvements in his technique to counter it.
If he has – then all kudos to him – but if he hasn’t – then we can again expect Australia to be 2 for not many – as I also think Burns is very susceptible early to “nicking off” – early in his innings.

I agree with Tim’s assessment of 2019 – with the exception of the Roosters & the Raiders.
The Raiders were clearly the better side on Grand Final day – and if not for a couple of “diabolical” decisions from Officialdom – would almost certainly have lifted the Trophy.
If it weren’t for a number of injuries to key players – most notably – Turbo Tommy – I think Manly would have been good enough to beat both the Roosters & Raiders in the Grand Final.
Which is why I have them equal favourites with the Roosters to take out the 2020 title.
Of the others – apart from Papenhauzen – the Storm look just “oh so predictable” in attack these Days.
While I expect Parramatta – the Broncos – Newcastle – Warriors and Penrith to again run “hot & cold” next Season.
My Sharkies have too many highly paid “Crocks” on their Books – while Souths – the Dragons & Tigers all lack the firepower in attack to be a serious threat.
The Titans will again just be making up the numbers.
While the big improvers for mine could well be the Dogs & Cowboys – IF – Holmes can settle in quickly to the Fullback role – and IF Michael Morgan can regain his 2016 form – which saw him almost single handedly carry the Cows to the Grand Final.

Larry – I’ve always enjoyed watching Holmes play – and I’m sure his return to the Game will put a few “bums on seats” for the embattled Cowboys.
However – I don’t think it’s right that ANY player should be able to walk away from a legally binding Contract – then return to our Game – yet suffer no penalty at all for breaking said legal Contract.
However – on the positive side – the failure of both Hayne & Holmes to make it in the NFL will hopefully send a clear message to all NRL players with dreams of making it in the NFL.
Forget it – unless you’re prepared to endure at least a couple of Seasons in that Teams Practice Squad.
And I reiterate what I said in my article -Holmes has just had his lifelong dream to play NFL “shattered” – and so I’m not expecting him to set the world on fire for the Cowboys next Season – but only time will tell – won’t it.

People should remember that Holmes’s “courageous” decision to try his hand in the NFL involved him walking out on the final Year of his Contract with the Sharks.
And if the Hayne “experience” taught us anything – it’s that Cowboys Fans shouldn’t expect too much from Holmes in his first Season back in the NRL.
Holmes still has a lot to work on if he ever hopes to be compared to the Games top Fullbacks – most notably his passing Game.
I took particular note of a recent comment his former Captain Gallen made – when asked for his opinion of Holmes as a Fullback – “I think he’s a very good Winger”…..
And at this stage of the guys development – I can’t help but concur with Gallen’s assessment of Holmes.

I agree the upcoming Series against the Kiwi’s should be a beauty – with both Teams possessing great Bowling attacks – though somewhat “suspect” Batting lineups.
Joe Burns could well have been out twice early on in his Innings – while the Paki’s learnt nothing from Chris Broad – and bowled poorly to Warner.
The Kiwi’s won’t make that mistake.
The last Ashes Series produced some of the most closely fought – “edge of your seat” Test Cricket I can remember – and I’ve got a feeling this upcoming against the Black Ferns will be just as close and exciting.

I agree with Steve that the Burgess situation will provide an important Test Case for Greenberg and the NRL Medicos.
If Souths get their dispensation – then I see a dangerous precedent being set.
But if Souths claim of a “new injury” is eventually rejected – who’s going to then pay Burgess the $3.6 million dollars in Contract money he’s been promised??

I understand Souths are also interested in signing Latrell Mitchell – but as Damien Cooke says – it all depends on whether Souths are granted a Salary Cap dispensation for Burgess.
In order to be granted any sort of dispensation & subsequent Salary Cap relief – Souths have to prove Burgess’s early retirement was brought on by a “new injury” – and not just a reoccurrence of his Shoulder injury.
Burgess suffered an infection after yet another Operation on the Shoulder – and this infection forms the basis of Souths “new injury” claim.
I’m no Medical expert – but it all sounds a bit “dodgy” to me – for surely any complication arising out of an Operation to fix an existing medical problem doesn’t qualify as a “new injury”.?????
I remember Manly tried unsuccessfully to claim something similar when Steve Mattai’s Shoulder forced him into retirement.

Both are excellent Coaches – but my Vote would have to go to Trent Robinson.
Three Premierships in 7 years is no mean feat – and if his Team receives the same degree of “assistance” from the Match Officials – there’s no reason Robinson can’t make it four from eight next Season.
Adding fuel to the argument that Robinson is the best Coach – you only have to look at the way the Roosters have been able to retain the best Roster in the Competition – year in and year out.
According to Uncle Nick Politis – that’s because – “players are prepared to play for less to play for the Roosters”……..
If that’s true – then surely part of the reason for that is their Coach.

Careful what you wish for Tigers Fans.
To be worth anything like the sort of money ???? they’re talking about – Mitchell would have to make a “significant contribution” to the result of every Game.
Something which he’s failed to do for the Roosters – and when selected to play for his State.
As well – my “mail” is that Mitchell would rather play for Wayne Bennett & Souths IF they can get a full Salary Cap Dispensation for Burgess.

I have to agree with Roar Guru JGK that Langer remains “unproven” as Australian Coach.
Some of his Selection decisions on the recent Ashes Tour beggared belief for mine.
His selection of fellow West Australian Bancroft for one – who’s technique against fast Bowlers is so flawed that he looked like getting out every Ball he faced.
Then there was his decision to play Siddle ahead of Starc.
Yes – Siddle is the more accurate of the two – & was unlucky not to have picked up a few more Wickets – however we struggled to wrap up the Tail in the Series – something Starc is renowned for doing.
And if you asked the English Tail which of the two they’d rather face – my guess is that without hesitation they’d all say “Pop Gun Pete”.
And finally – Langer’s decision to stick with Warner – despite recently admitting that Broad had “clearly gotten into his Head”…
Gee!! – D’Ya Think????
I would have thought that fact was glaringly obvious for all to see after just the Second Test.
So – for mine – it’s definitely a “make or break” Season ahead for both Langer and Warner.
Langer needs to oversee convincing Series Wins against Pakistan & New Zealand – while Warner needs to overcome the flaws in his technique that Broad so ruthlessly exposed.

I’d love to see Newcastle again become a serious contender in this Competition.
For one thing – they have the best & most loyal Fans in the Competition.
Week after week – through thick and thin – there’ve kept turning up.
However – from what I’m hearing – certain high profile players now having a major say in matters which players should have no say in at all.
If indeed that is the case – then their new Coach faces an uphill battle to get the Knights back in Track.

Tim – did you REALLY think your article would help Referee Cummins????
A good Bloke he may be – but a great Referee he is not.
I’ve been watching Grand Finals for over 50 years – and Referee Cummins “Not Six Again” ranks among the three worst Grand Final “Howlers” that I’ve seen.
The first of these occurred in the Grand Final of 1978 – when Referee Greg Hartley – by his own admission – didn’t give the Cronulla Sharks a potentially match winning Penalty because – “I didn’t want the result decided by a Penalty”.
The second “Howler” occurred in the 2012 Finals Series – when EVERY Australian – save the Referee & Referees Boss Harragon CLEARLY saw the Manly player knock the ball on.
And now we’ve had Sunday Nights –
“Travesty Of Justice”.
And the REALLY sad thing for our great Game is that in 10 years time Fans won’t remember 2019 as the year the Roosters went “back to back” – rather as the year the Raiders were “robbed” of the Title.

I wasn’t the slightest bit surprised by the events of Sunday Night.
Before a Ball was even kicked in anger I told “all and sundry” that the Match Officials would do everything in their power to ensure a Roosters victory.
But I have to say that even I never expected their actions to be SO BLATANTLY BIAS.
So now we’ll have a “Review” – but be assured Cummins & the other Officials will ALL be back officiating next Season.
And you don’t have to be “Nostradamus” to predict that.

Firstly Scott – you say Warea Hargreaves will be OUT of next Weeks Game suspended – but it was my understanding he only received a one week suspension – which means he’ll be free to face the Storm next week????
After their defeat by the Raiders – the Storm were accused of being “one trick ponies” in attack -“ie.Papenhausen – but certainly put that notion to rest in last nights Game – using the full width of the field in attack – despite the conditions.
Whilst the Roosters certainly deserve favouritism for next weeks Game – if their players don’t turn up “100% switched on” – this Storm team will beat them.
As for Parramatta – one the positive side – they didn’t finish with the Spoon – but on the negative side – many of their performances away from Bankwest Stadium we’re in a word – “appalling”.
For mine – there exists a real “attitude problem” within their playing group that needs to be addressed before they can hope to match it with the top Teams.
That “attitude” starts with their Halfback – for Moses showed again last night that he’s a great player when you give him lots of latitude – like the Broncos did – but the moment a Team really takes it to him physically- as the Storm did – his Game falls apart.

Parramatta are clearly not the same side away from Bankwest – but even more disturbing for Parramatta Fans is the fact that when a Team like Melbourne really took it to them physically – Parramatta were found well and truly wanting.
I’m a Fan of the 8 Team Semi Final format – but this Year – of the 4 Teams eliminated – Manly are the only one’s who offered any sort of contest to the top Teams.

I agree the first two Sin Bins were correctly adjudicated – but as for the Troboyovich “incident” – NO WAY was that a Sin Bin Offence – and I’m not even a Manly Fan.
If you watch closely Scott – you’ll see that Troboyovich ONLY had eyes for the Ball – and his contact with the opposition player was “accidental – and minimal at best”.
It was just one of those “incidents” that happens in EVERY Game EVERY Week.
As for your comment that we all need to “grow up” for having the temerity to question the decisions made by our Games Officials – I say you need to wake up and smell the Roses Scotty Boy – for if you think the Officiating of our Game is “up to standard” – then you’re way out of step with your average Fan my friend.

Yes – without question – the sin binning of Troboyovich cost Manly their Season.
Souths were well and truly “GONE” at that stage – but thanks to the Officials they were able to limp home against 12 Men.
I’m a dyed in the wool Sharkies Fan – and thus hate Manly with a vengeance – but even I could see there was no way Troboyovich deserved to go to the Bin – indeed the incident didn’t even warrant a Penalty.
It’s a testament to what a great Game Rugby League is – that it can continue to prosper – despite being run by a bunch of Incompetents.

I can’t believe the Dragons have been stupid enough to employ Phil Gould to carry out a review of their Football Operations.
Haven’t you people got enough problems?????
Gould didn’t just fail to deliver at the Panthers – he failed spectacularly.
And now you Dragons people want him to show you we’re you’re going wrong??
Good luck with that.

We know that Greg Norman is this Nations No.1. “Individual Choker” – and now SURELY this Australian Test Cricket Team can lay claim to being our No.1. “Team Of Chokers”.
Anyone care to disagree with that???
Anyone????????