Roar Rookie
Joined November 2010
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Two grand final meetings, several other finals clashes and a game that saw an all-out brawl so infamous it is now simply referred to…
This Sunday, competition heavyweights the Sydney Roosters do battle with the Warriors in a game which will undoubtedly prove crucial at season’s end. The…
When fans think of the term ‘supercoach’ as it relates to the game of rugby league, the shortlist of names which immediately come to…
The Sydney Roosters have picked up right where they left off in 2018, defeating the Wigan Warriors 20-8 at DW Stadium to win the…
The St George Illawarra Dragons have retained Matt Dufty for a further two seasons, after the fullback signed a contract which will see him…
I’ve looked at the draw for the upcoming NRL season so many times now I’ve almost memorised it. Coming off a season full of…
In the annals of rugby league, there haven’t been too many players like Andrew Johns. One of the greatest players to have ever pulled…
A congested Road to WrestleMania pay-per-view schedule continues this Sunday (Monday 11:00am AEDT in Australia) as WWE presents its Elimination Chamber event from Houston,…
The 2019 World Club Challenge will see the most successful team in the history of the competition take on the side with the second-most…
Round 1 of the English Super League is in the books, so let's look over the first weekend of action. St. Helens down defending…
All these years later I still have the DVD. Picked up at a garage sale for the bargain price of $0.50, the NRL -…
It was a ‘gimme’. Round 1 of the inaugural National Rugby League season in 1998 could kick off no other way. Surely, there was…
Following one of the most controversial and eventful off-season perhaps in the game’s history, rugby league is in desperate need for some on-field action…
Patrick Mahomes has become the youngest winner of the NFL MVP award since Dan Marino in 1984, taking home the title by a landslide…
Oh great, an article about Johnathan Thurston’s retirement. Didn’t those become passé several months ago? I offer my sincerest apologies, for it was only…
Ever seen the Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind? Basically, it's about this guy undergoing some process whereby he attempts to erase a woman…
There aren't too many ‘fairytale' stories in rugby league similar to the Penrith Panthers' 2003 campaign. The Panthers' premiership triumph that year seems to…
It is just as true in sport as it is in movies – the hero is only as great as their villain. There are…
The latest pay-per-view offering from World Wrestling Entertainment, Money In The Bank will take place next Monday (10:00am AEST), and is an eagerly anticipated…
Fear not, Tigers fans. There is still light at the end of the tunnel that is the 2017 season, according to Wests Tigers CEO…
It is up to the NRL to promote the game more effectively through advertising campaigns. Their ‘That’s My Team’ campaign in the early-mid 2000’s did more to increase the game’s fanbase and playing numbers at the youth level than allowing increased media exposure. A lot of the players just don’t know how to handle the media very well, and that’s not a knock on them. Rugby League is in a very fortunate position in regards to it’s on-field product, and those in charge just need to take advantage of this. I do think the media and the game should have a more positive relationship going forward, but it isn’t up to the players to promote the game in any other way than through their on-field performances.
A Valentine’s Day ode to Rugby League: I love you but you are a dumb ----
Once again the Raiders are a bit of a dark horse going into this year’s comp. They could either be surprise packets or completely disappointing, but at the end of the day I think your prediction is pretty much spot on. Their off-season recruitment was pretty lacklustre, and has been for some time. They really need a big-name signing in the future not only to bolster their playing ranks, but also to entice marquee players to head to the nation’s capital as well. Marquee players just don’t seem too keen on heading to Canberra, and that needs to change if they want any chance of winning a Premiership in the future. They’ve also lost too many young guns in recent years. They really need to start focusing on the long-term. It’s amazing that they haven’t been fixtures at the bottom of the ladder.
NRL 2019 season preview: Canberra Raiders
I haven’t followed Super Rugby since last decade, but I’m intrigued by this year’s comp for some reason. Probably because the Six Nations whet my appetite for Rugby, which had been dormant for some time. Still, look forward to watching a few games!
It is here! Super Rugby 2019 you good thing
I think 2006 was the first season of the ‘new era’ in the NRL. Teams like Melbourne and Brisbane really began to introduce the more defense-orientated game plans we’ve been accustomed to, and the results became a little less unpredictable. Not that it’s a bad thing, just shows how much change the game underwent during that time.
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
In retrospect they didn’t really have the right team to go all the way. It’s a wonder they did so well in the first place. Still, they weren’t exactly the most dominant team to have ever won the minor premiership. They still lost 8 games, including a loss to the last-placed Knights late in the season.
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
Sorry about that mistake, thought it was 2015 for a second! In all seriousness I’ll be sure to avoid such errors in the future, thanks for pointing it out.
Super League Round 1: The wrap
If he’s not stood down at club level, I hope that he’s omitted from representative football at the very least.
Stand Jack de Belin down until his case is resolved
I don’t really have a problem with how other people choose to raise their children, for it’s their responsibility, but I’m not a fan of people shoving their beliefs down people’s throats, particularly if they go against existing medical advice.
Titans give thumbs up to Cartwight's anti-vax stance
I think the NRL trials are a great way to get rid of the cobwebs built up over the off season, and try out some new combinations and blood new players without any stakes on the line in an environment where there’s no pressure. Without the trials I don’t think the opening rounds of the actual competition would be too exciting.
Is there any point to NRL trial matches?
Ridiculous premise for an article. Firstly, I’ve never heard it referred to as the ‘National Rigged League’. Sounds like you’ve come up with a headline which you thought would garner attention, without having anything of merit to back it up.
Is the game dying or already dead?
Michael Monaghan had a real breakthrough year in ’05, and played a big part in Manly’s run to the finals that year. It was a shame he wasn’t able to stick around for their Premiership triumph in 2008.
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
I remember feeling really sorry for Blues halfback Brett Kimmorley when he threw that intercepted pass. He’d had a pretty forgettable game until that point.
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
The Knights were great there toward the end, although I don’t think they would’ve gone too far in the finals. They simply didn’t have the depth. Although they did beat eventual minor premiers Parramatta in Round 20 so who knows.
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
Unfortunately for the Tigers, one of their key strategies that they used to great success in 2005 was nullified due to rule changes and the introduction of the ‘surrender’ tackle. They had one of, if not the lightest packs in the comp, which allowed their forwards to get to their feet really quickly after a hit up. So while they didn’t really gain a lot of yardage through their hit-ups, they would go down pretty much immediately in a tackle, and then the quick play the balls allowed their speed men like Prince, Marshall and Hodgson to catch their opponents on the back foot. I remember they utilised this to great effect against Brisbane in the semi-final en route to a 34-6 victory. The Broncos had a bigger pack and their time was full of rep players, but by the end of it they were just too tired to keep up with the speed of the Tigers.
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
Thanks Matt, glad you enjoyed the read.
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
The high crowd averages that year was a mixture of a number of different factors. The unpredictability and amount of upsets had a lot to do with it, but the fact the Tigers were in form and played a majority of their home games at Telstra (now ANZ) Stadium also played it’s part. The great thing about teams in Sydney’s west achieving success is their fan base always shows their support. I think as well in general fans were just more enthusiastic about going to the football then. Even Brisbane, who have always had a generous crowd average, have seen a downturn in their live attendance figures. Maybe television has made it too easy to justify staying in and watching from home?
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
On the subject of betting, I remember a story about a guy who put a bet on both the Swans and Tigers to win the AFL and NRL Premierships, with the Tigers at 150-1 odds. Amazing.
2005: A brief look back at one of rugby league's greatest seasons
All in all, an impressive display by England.
Predictable Ireland bore themselves into a shock defeat by England
While it was a dour game at times, I thought it was a pretty good battle. Patriots emerge with yet another Super Bowl trophy.
Patriots win lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history over Rams
Yes, there was a mix-up on my end. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for such mistakes in my future articles. You make a good point about the absences in the Wigan team, which really highlights one of the flaws about the World Club Challenge; the team that plays in the match often isn’t the same side that won a Premiership the previous year. Still shapes as an interesting contest though.
History of the World Club Challenge
Yep sorry, got that one wrong. Pretty memorable game to have attended live, would’ve been a great atmosphere I’d imagine!
History of the World Club Challenge
Thanks Jackson. I thought it would be a change of pace from the everyday rugby league pre-season news. The history of the game is always interesting and worthwhile to revisit. Glad you enjoyed the read.
Knights vs Broncos: The grand final that never was
Thanks for reading. I agree, that would’ve been a very memorable Grand Final contest, shame it didn’t happen.
Knights vs Broncos: The grand final that never was
I don’t really think it matters about your personality so much as what kind of ‘football brain’ you have.
Is John Morris too nice to coach the Sharks?
I think it’s a smart acquisition by the Raiders. Hopefully Ennis can introduce a little bit of mongrel to the side. Somewhat ironic though given the uproar a couple of years ago after he took the piss out of their supporters. But anything can happen in rugby league!
Michael Ennis will make the Green Machine mean and clever