Roar Pro
Joined December 2018
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With my list complete, tell me, what do you think of the players selected and who have I over looked? Click here to see…
These are the rookies to watch from the Warriors, Cowboys, Eels and Panthers in 2022. I covered the Broncos, Raiders, Bulldogs and Sharks in…
This is Part 2 of four articles about each club's rookie to watch in the 2022 NRL season. While I would like to see…
This is the first of four articles outlining who I believe will be the standout rookie for each club heading into the 2022 season.…
My series continues with four more young guns to watch in the NRL this season. South Sydney Rabbitohs - Keaon Koloamatangi The South Sydney…
This is the third instalment in this series on players to watch in the 2021 NRL season. You can read Part 1 here and…
This is the second instalment in this series on players to watch in the 2021 NRL season. Gold Coast Titans - Trey Spry After…
Welcome to the first instalment in this series on players to watch in the 2021 NRL season. Brisbane Broncos - Jordan Riki We all…
Throughout the season, it has struck me how many rules are assumed a part of rugby league despite not being found anywhere in the…
I've had several discussions regarding the grand final and specifically the penalty try. The prevailing sentiment seems to be that the type of goal-line…
After years of misery, 2019 was supposed to be the year Nathan Brown took his rebuilt Knights back to finals football. Instead, it proved…
After being a finals mainstay for much of the decade, 2019 was the second consecutive disappointing year for the Bulldogs. Salary cap problems after…
The New Zealand Warriors in 2019, much like almost every year in the history of the club, were consistently inconsistent. There doesn’t appear to…
Season 2019 continued the Cowboys' dramatic fall from grace after their 2015 premiership. The last four years were characterised by a pack that looked…
Despite what you may think of the coach, you can't blame him for the 2019 season. The Dragons' season was hijacked before it began…
I'm expecting the fast-approaching 2020 season to be one of the closest we've ever seen. The top teams all seem likely to regress. The…
There are many arguments against expansion. Diluting the talent pool. Grassroots needs the money before propping up an out of town team. I don't…
No they don’t claim them as local juniors. They cherry pick the best juniors (and good on them, that shows great talent recognition) and claim them as no names or rejects.
Smart Signings: The Storm have invested everything in the spine - but are the days of 'next man up' over?
The stats aren’t misleading. Tigers were able to build pressure through repeat sets. But it is as you say they were unable to execute any sort of attack.
I agree that Fogarty is nothing like Brooks. I however do not agree that Fogarty would improve the attack. He may be able to provide a little more direction than Brooks did but he himself is still not a running threat, nor has he shown an ability to create for his outside men.
A Fogarty would work in a team with an elite fullback and strike centres that can create their own attack eg Broncos, Knights and to a lesser extent Cowboys or Roosters. Tigers however do not have that.
I think resurrecting the Tigers might be too big a task for Luai also, however I’d certainly give him far more hope than Fogarty.
Smart Signings: Why the Tigers need to throw the keys to the team - and the cheque book - at Jarome Luai
Agree with the analysis Tony, however I predict Stuart to be the coach under the most pressure at the mid point of the season. Despite an incredible forward pack the Raiders just have noone to play off the back of it with arguably the worst spine in the comp. I think a number of their close wins this year will become close losses next year and they will quickly find themselves below the likes of Manly, Dolpins, Cowboys and struggling to stay above the like Tigers, Dogs and Dragons.
Wild speculation, genuine disappointment, or just wishful thinking? No NRL coach will be shown the door in 2024
Doueihi not expected to return until after the halfway point of next year.
Smart Signings: Why the Tigers need to throw the keys to the team - and the cheque book - at Jarome Luai
In my opinion Fogarty would be an awful option. Sure he kicks well but he offers absolutely nothing in attack. The already last tally in linebreaks would go further backwards. Tigers actually ranked 3rd for repeat sets so not sure building pressure is the problem.
Smart Signings: Why the Tigers need to throw the keys to the team - and the cheque book - at Jarome Luai
Doesn’t fill the leadership/experience void but I’d be chasing Tom Weaver to be Reynolds successor.
Smart Signings: The Broncos have a big call coming with Reynolds - but they might already know his replacement
Yep, and also that they would not have lost any of their other stars if they didn’t have the cash from the Reynolds-Ilias downgrade to spend elsewhere.
Reynolds to Broncos was the right call for Broncos. That doesn’t make it the wrong call for Souths.
Smart Signings: The Broncos have a big call coming with Reynolds - but they might already know his replacement
I know things can still change at any moment but Galvin was at Tigers training today.
Smart Signings: Should the Panthers cut ties with Luai - and could it set up a superstar return?
I spoke to a few people about this and doubt there is any truth. The reasoning given that Galvin signed to the club before Sheens arrival, hasn’t trained with 1sts yet (so not coached by Sheens) and would not have expected to be coached by Sheens given Marshall was always meant to take over in 25.
He may however be unhappy at the recruitment of Fainu and Sullivan and fair enough to any club looking to exploit that.
Conti I was aware of but was not concerned about given I rate Fainu, Galvin and at a younger age Large all better players than he.
Smart Signings: Should the Panthers cut ties with Luai - and could it set up a superstar return?
You could probably count on one hand the amount of players getting 6 figures from 3rd parties. It is not that simple nor that lucrative.
Smart Signings: Should the Panthers cut ties with Luai - and could it set up a superstar return?
When did this happen? I thought Galvin was at the club til end of 25.
Smart Signings: Should the Panthers cut ties with Luai - and could it set up a superstar return?
Is it truly worth it? Sure the game might develop some more playing talent but the real question is will that talent create extra viewership and extra revenue? I’m not so sure.
World Rugby just shafted Samoa and Tonga - now is the time for the NRL to strike
It seemed to be leaning into a country kid that plays centre and 6 to make the comparison rather than talk about ability/playing style.
Eddie Jones joked about signing Nathan Cleary - but he might be the only man who can save the Wallabies
I skimmed it. It was calling Cole Burton 2.0. Also made mention of Geyer, Henry and the McLeans.
Eddie Jones joked about signing Nathan Cleary - but he might be the only man who can save the Wallabies
Unless the Dogs can get more out of their forwards it doesn’t matter where the likes of Burton and Crichton play.
ANALYSIS: Kiwis fire Kangaroos warning shot as Fisher-Harris raises half century in Samoa smash up
The Maori singing the NZ anthem has little to do with how Aboriginal people should feel about our anthem. First as you say NZ has done much more for reconciliation and the God defend New Zealand has both a Maori verse and no racial undertones.
Advance Australia Fair however has racial undertones. Fair has the multiple meaning of fitting/appropriate, lightness in colour as well as equitable. Given the song was written at the height of political advocation of a white Australia it is highly likely that the song was written as a deliberate play on the word fair. This is supported with all the pro-British rhetoric in the additional verses.
Why would an Aboriginal person want to sing it?
Don't blame Latrell for picking the Koori Knockout over the Kangaroos - ask why the Roos brand is so devalued
2005 aside its Not like they can talk about the good times the joint venture has had. If they’d been successful the last 25 years there would be more chat about the accomplishments of the Wests Tigers rather than Wests and Tigers.
The last thing the Wests Tigers need is another stadium - so why are they trying to build one in Liverpool?
This Liverpool idea is nothing more than one guys thought bubble. It is not a board recommendation and shouldnt be given any air time.
It is not the Balmain faction that has any power. The owners are Wests Ashfield. They are 4ks from Leichardt. It is in their interest to maintain the Balmain connection. The leagues club at Campbelltown puts very little into the club. There is no financial incentive to move there permanently.
The last thing the Wests Tigers need is another stadium - so why are they trying to build one in Liverpool?
You don’t think it is possible to both have pride in your country and feel the anthem racially vilifies Indigenous people?
Why must the two things be mutually exclusive?
Don't blame Latrell for picking the Koori Knockout over the Kangaroos - ask why the Roos brand is so devalued
Agreed. That and no hard carries is why I’ve got him clearly behind Tedesco and Ponga.
Outfoxxed: Addo-Carr stood down from Kangaroos after Knockout brawl, Edwards finally gets rep chance
Tedesco would be my first choice. I think he has been surpassed by Ponga but other factors play a role (namely incumbency). Ponga my second. I think these 2 are the clear best two all round fullbacks.
I think you then need to consider what style of football you want to play and who else is in your side. Are yoy selecting for the future etc.
However with DCE and Munster as the halves I would definitely be selecting Walsh 3rd and probably Gutherson 4th. If Cleary was to be the 7 I’d probably have had Edwards 3rd and knock the other two back one.
Outfoxxed: Addo-Carr stood down from Kangaroos after Knockout brawl, Edwards finally gets rep chance
One poor game out of position? That is my point. He looked out of position at centre. He hasn’t looked comfortable any time I’ve seen him play there and he was given at least half a dozen games there.
Outfoxxed: Addo-Carr stood down from Kangaroos after Knockout brawl, Edwards finally gets rep chance
I said I doubt he’d be top 10 for try assists. I just looked. He is equal 10th with Sloan and Mitchell who both played less games. So 12th out of 17 first choice fullbacks. If we look at try assists per game he drops slightly further. Having about 2/3rds of the comps fullbacks ahead of you is hardly “not to bad”. Especially when you have the advantage of being in the best team in the comp.
You are absolutely correct in that he has plenty to offer the fullback position at any level. However creativity isn’t something he offers. Tedesco has demonstrated very good creativity (perhaps not consistently this year, but certainly in past seasons) and has maintained a high workrate. Thus is a more rounded fullback than Edwards and selected ahead of Edwards in rep teams.
GB said he was trying to workout why Edwards has been snubbed citing his running metres. My simple answer is Tedesco brings more to a team.
Outfoxxed: Addo-Carr stood down from Kangaroos after Knockout brawl, Edwards finally gets rep chance
100% agree saying “anyone could have coached them to a grand final” is absurd.
“when you look at the role they play in overseeing recruitment, retention, development, training, sports science, strategy, tactics, man management, motivation, staffing and probably dozens of other things” I think you are crediting the coach with far to much here.
Tactics, man management, motivation I’d suggest is primarily the coach. Most the other stuff I’d suggest the coach is only one of many voices and in most cases far from the loudest voice.
The Coach is King: How to understand the NRL’s biggest tactical trend of 2023
Chevy Stewart will be the fullback by the end of next year, if not from round 1.
Smart Signings: Ricky's Raiders were right to let Wighton go - but they might not see the benefit for a while