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…
Thanks for the read. Must’ve been a nervous 80 minutes for a Penrith supporter. They had a lot going against them that night, but everyone stepped up to the plate. One of my favourite Grand Finals to go back and watch.
From worst to first: The story of the 2003 Penrith Panthers
Thanks for reading! Yeah, the entire Penrith backline was dangerous, although I did leave out Girdler there’s no doubt he too played an integral part in their success that year.
From worst to first: The story of the 2003 Penrith Panthers
Probably wasn’t alone in that prediction I’d imagine!
From worst to first: The story of the 2003 Penrith Panthers
Look, it’s great to have a star-studded line up and easy to blame the results on player performances, but it comes down to more than that. The problem affecting the dogs is culture, and it’ll have a negative impact on them regardless of who they have in their side.
Time for desperate Dogs to demonstrate their famous resolve
Thanks. I agree in regards to the culture. They’re no longer the ‘Family Club’ and this has really hurt them I believe. Regardless of which players they had in their side, the one thing they had in their advantage was the close knit community at the Bulldogs. That’s gone by the wayside in recent years, due to several personnel and other changes. They have to regain that kind of culture in order to be successful.
Time for desperate Dogs to demonstrate their famous resolve
At the end of the day, it’s all up to personal morales and judgment. I grew up watching and obsessing over Rugby League, a game well known for it’s drinking culture and love of gambling. Sponsorship were everywhere. But because I knew the downfalls associated with both of those vices I wasn’t tempted. People can blame outside influences as much as possible, but at the end of the day it’s down to the individual, and also the environment in which they grow up more than the sport they watch. Granted, this line can be somewhat blurry for some but I truly believe everybody must be responsible for their own decisions when it comes to indulging in gambling and alcohol, because they’ll always be around. The various Australian sports would be broke if they weren’t.
The demon drink and cricket sponsorship
As much as this would most likely destroy him personally and financially, I must say that he’s reaping what he sowed. It’d be more of a travesty if he did not face such tremendous penalties for his actions, other than the severe public backlash.
Lance Armstrong to face $100 million suit
Every time I watch him play, it reminds me just how privileged I’ve been to have lived in an era dominated by Roger Federer. It also amazes me that I’ve seen headlines such as this for over a decade now, when many other sporting icons have come and gone over the same period, and not just in tennis.
The unstoppable Federer express
I’m not sure even this team would have a chance of making the Finals. Quality players, sure, but I’m not a big fan of how Australian Rugby is being coached at the moment.
The Super XV: Australian team of the week, Round 5
I love that in 2017 the fighting world is still capable of being able to promote such a monumental clash, even if it’s not yet been confirmed.
Dana White won't stand in the way of a Mayweather-McGregor fight
What happened to Mark Hunt’s lawsuit? First he fights Overeem after saying he would gladly not fight due to the legal case, and now he’s announced for another fight. Oh well, I’m happy he’s getting a few good paydays before riding off into the sunset. Still hits hard, and it’ll be a career highlight to fight in front of a hometown crowd to boot. Would probably be the final nail in his coffin should he lose though.
Mark Hunt and Daniel Kelly both set for UFC bouts in Auckland
If they perform like they did against Iraq then I don’t even want them to be in the World Cup. It was painful to watch.
Cahill confident of World Cup berth
GWS have a long way to go before they can really justify being Premiership favourites.
Crows crush disappointing Giants 147-91
Penrith are once again a Premiership threat
Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog
It’s not just the Brumbies that are in serious peril but Australian Rugby overall. Something needs to be done other than relocating a Super Rugby franchise.
Five into four doesn't go: Move the Brumbies to Melbourne
Despite the best efforts of everyone trying to crack down and eradicate them from sport, unfortunately drugs will never be completely eliminated.
KATE LUNDY: The frustrations of facts with drugs in sport
Aaron Woods just doesn’t stand out as a leader to me. Too often I see him in the in-goal with his teammates following an opposition try, not even attempting to fire his teammates up or rally them to follow his lead. It’s admirable that he’s so enthusiastic about representing the club during a troubled period, but every player in the team should do that. It takes more than a good performance and willingness to keep performing when the going gets tough to be a good captain.
Woods embracing leadership challenges at the Tigers
I completely agree Tom. Clearly deserves more,. After helping to rebuild Penrith, Cleary shouldn’t be thrown into that kind of situation again, particularly when the board/administration are not nearly as good as the systems in place at the Panthers. The problems at the Wests Tigers run deeper than the coach.
Tiger by the tail: Ivan Cleary shouldn't go to Wests
Well Aaron Woods and Tedesco would be great buys for any team, and I really think Brooks and Moses have a lot of good football in them. Even though it’s all just speculation, signing all four players at once would be massive for the ‘Dogs.
Are Brooks, Moses, Tedesco and Woods off to the Bulldogs?
Fair enough. Just thought it was an idea worth speculating over.
Are Brooks, Moses, Tedesco and Woods off to the Bulldogs?
Well deserved. Still think he’s one of the most underrated players in the comp. Out of sight, out of mind it seems. Rarely comes up in the regular discussions about best forwards in the NRL, but he’s up there.
Mannering set to be highest-capped NZ Warrior, overtaking Jones
Thurston strikes again.
Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys: NRL live scores, blog, highlights
I truly believe that if the season was shortened it would have detrimental effects across the league. The fact of the matter is that the low attendance figures have more to do with the simple economics of attending a game than its appeal. If you currently or have ever lived in Sydney, you’d know that ANZ Stadium in Homebush is the last place you’d want to travel on a Thursday night. Furthermore, due to the unfortunate economic realities of 2017, the NRL has to price the tickets at such a rate that it is often too expensive for fans too attend. For many codes the hike in prices isn’t too bad, but rugby league is a game with strong blue collar roots, and as a result their fans are the same. For important games, yes, it is worth paying the price for a lot of people, but turning up in the wet weather simply isn’t enticing enough.
I’m not sure what number of rounds you’d propose to shorten the competition to, but let’s say it’s 16. With 16 rounds of the NRL, the game would lose a lot more money in the long run. Each round brings in additional revenue for the both the NRL and the clubs, particularly those playing at ANZ Stadium, where they receive a guaranteed sum of money per game from the Stadium Trust. This is in addition to merchandise revenue and ticket prices.
The NRL and NFL can’t realistically operate by the same standards. The NRL must fight off competition from other codes in a country with a much smaller population, and their brand isn’t even on the same planet as the NFL in terms of value. It is common for tourists to travel from around the globe to the USA with an NFL game among the first activities on their itinerary. Most people haven’t even heard of the NRL. Because of this they must make money where they can.
The NRL must look to the NFL for solutions
Yeah, the Sharks had a memorable run to their first Premiership in 2016, but it didn’t seem as unlikely at the time as Penrith in 2003. A remarkable story nonetheless, and I’m sure it’s a great memory for Sharks supporters.
From worst to first: The story of the 2003 Penrith Panthers