Roar Guru
Joined June 2014
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James has a passion for writing, media and sport, so naturally he has been a long time reader and contributor of The Roar! Having retired from sports twice (apparently it takes three knee reconstructions to truly get the message) he has turned his hand to commentary and analysis instead. This has led to him hosting the 93.5 Eagle FM breakfast show, previously hosting a weekly program with respected sports broadcaster Dan Lonergan on EON Sports Radio in addition to stints with Macquarie Sports Radio, Sky Sports and the SCA Network. James has provided play by play commentary for a number of sports and most recently acted as a key caller for the Emerging Nations Rugby League World Championship.
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It’s not often a team can feature an Origin-winning five eighth, a modern legend who could come into immortal conversations, a current Queensland Origin…
Amid all the doom and gloom, it was wonderful to have a familiar distraction in the form of rugby league, but boy what a…
The prince, the king, the prodigal son will return home to the Tigers in 2018. Amidst the plethora of signings the Tigers have made…
2005 – that's the last time I actually saw a Blues side genuinely dominate the Maroons. If you cast your mind back, it was…
With State of Origin on the horizon, the first fragmented round of regular season footy is upon us and the absentee list makes for…
Round 8 was a torturous round for tippers with a mass of upset victories coming the way of Manly, the Titans and the Tigers…
After another eventful Easter weekend of football we are treated to a marathon round with games spread from Friday until Tuesday, and it's a…
From the terrible Tigers' triumph in Townsville amid turmoil to the Sharks weathering Storm in the wet, round six threw up some surprising results…
Last week's tips – 6/8, running tip total – 19/32 Fortunately, in Round 4 the focus was shifted away from the officiating and back…
From incorrect calls from the bunker, forward passes deciding the outcome, and players failing to be sent from the field, Round 3 was marred…
Round 2 was always going to be a difficult one for punters due to a series of surprising performances in Round 1. The plot…
The first week is done and dusted and the glorious game of rugby league has, as expected, tossed up a host of upsets and…
After what seems like an endless off-season the footy is officially back, which means Preston's previews are back for another season of the greatest…
Each Friday I will be taking you on a trip down memory lane to relive the careers of some of Australian rugby league's lesser…
There have been some absolute pearlers in this series, but it's not often I get to introduce one of the flashbacks as the infamous…
The ‘honest toiler' is a term synonymous with rugby league. They're the players who were perhaps not blessed with the skills of future Immortal…
Each Friday I will be taking you on a trip down memory lane to relive the careers of some of Australian rugby league’s lesser…
Each Friday I will be taking you on a trip down memory lane to relive the careers of some of Australian rugby league's lesser…
Better known for his brilliance in the Playstation 2 game rugby league than for his actual NRL performances, Joven holds a special place in…
Athletes are always hot property in the dating market. That became abundantly clear during the Rio Olympics earlier this year. Rio's record-breaking order of…
@Nathan – Thanks for the comment. List isn’t in order mate, just some key things that stood out for me during the match. Also not saying these are reasons as to why they lost, just things that need to be addressed moving forward and interesting take aways from the specific match.
Didn’t include a mention of Teddy cause it’s an obvious one, he is a phenomenal player. Whether fullback or on the wing I think he will be there come Origin time.
Back to reality: The key takeaways from the Tigers' loss to the Eels
I should clarify, by fringe first grader I am speaking more on his consistency than talent or potential. I do agree he has both talent and the potential to grow but he is and has been wildly inconsistent.
I stand by my point that he is the most undeserving Aus rep that I have seen, 7 good/great games at seasons end in a side with nothing to play for who resultantly toss the ball around and offer him a heap of chances to finish is not enough in my opinion for him to be selected. He let no one down during his test matches sure, but history will show he was part of a very unsuccessful test tour. There were players worse than him and better than him but based on prior performances of players in his position I would hardly say he belongs at that level.
Future origin player? Maybe. That term has been thrown around like currency. As for this season, it’s more than just a bolter, he shouldn’t be considered at all in my opinion. Throw him a country jersey and let him develop a bit more over the next few seasons. Same can be said of Alex Johnston.
Josh Mansour is the only (eligible) winger thus far who I would definitely offer a spot to. With B Moz injured he is obviously ineligibile, Radradra would be my other winger if eligible and depending on what is done at fullback I would select Tedeso on the wing also ahead of Matu’utai, probably not Dugan though as he has been tried and failed at wing (centre I thought he was quite good at), Tom Trbojevic is also ahead of Sione for mine.
Biggest bolters for this year's State of Origin
@James Kirkby – I see you’re a Knights supporter but even you can’t be that blinded to suggest Sione Mat’utai is an origin player. He is the most undeserving Australian representative of all time, the fact he has done absolutely nothing since gaining this representation is testament to the fact that he is a developing player as opposed to a legitimate star – fringe first grader at the moment.
Biggest bolters for this year's State of Origin
@up in the north, well called mate! Can’t believe how incredibly awful Souths were. As for the Dogs, boy they started well!
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 4
@Richard, thanks mate – spewing about some of these nail bitters though! Tough start to the season.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 4
Amended good sir – I don’t see it as taking an extra half point more so indicating that the were a draw during the round, hence mastermind and Riley’s scores also reflected as such.
What do you think the score will be in Souths v Dogs?
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 4
I was in for a promising season after the first two weeks, this one has been a disaster haha. In my defence I haven’t seen quite as many upsets in a looooong time :'(
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 3
Cheers X! Wow that is a surprise – on form should definitely not be the case, they must have come to a similar conclusion.
What tips are you going for this week?
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 3
5/8 for this week lads! Very happy with the Tigers tip – some similar risky but high reward tips in the Round 3 edition!
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2
Well said, Sam Kasiano is exhibit A for this theory. He has slimmed down significantly since last season!
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2
@Ray, thanks mate – tend to agree, both the Tigers and Dragons are 50/50 prospects but hey heres hoping!
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2
Not sure any of the injuries have been directly related to fatigue yet Walter…
Sezer – impact
Austin -reasonably early in match (80 minute player anyway)
Kahu – injured first half
Norman – impact and is back this week
A Reynolds – impact, broken jaw
Sutton – awkward tackle
Segeyaro – impact, broken arm
Most of those players are quite small in the context of the NRL and most are direct impact injuries – fatigue has very little to do with them. Reduced interchange, the shot clocks and external bunker are all excellent additions to the NRL.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2
I’d say he’s been ‘basic’ for years as opposed to awful, last week however, just eugh
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2
Definitely a tough pick, I think it will go down to the wire. Sam Williams is a quality player but I’m not sure if he’s quite good enough to steer them to a win with a rookie 5-8.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2
Agree 100%, yet to see him play a bad game. He was excellent for Manly the last few seasons, I was surprised they decided not to retain him and use him as their first grade 5-8. Even last week playing out of position at hooker he was very good, he would be an excellent bench player in the mould of Tom Humble, just better.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 2
@3 Hats – Quite simply Souths player losses/absentee’s were not as important as those of the Rooster’s. Glenn Stewart, Tom Burgess, John Olive and Shane Millard barely played in 2015 nor did they have much of an impact when they did, Tim Grant due to his limited minutes also counts in that equation.
Isaac Luke is a loss but Damien Cook is an enormous gain – he offers more spark than Luke does. Cody Walker is also superior to a very over rated Luke Keary and the addition of Sam Burgess and return from injury (after being fully healed) of Kyle Turner offsets the loss of Chris McQueen and Dylan Walker.
Further more, given it was Round 1 it was important to note the difference in the squads from their last competitive matches in which case yes the Roosters were indeed missing those 6 players and regardless, the conclusion remained the same and provded correct – Souths to win.
Preston’s previews: NRL Round 1
I see what you mean about not making it compulsory, by no means should it be considered as something that ruins the fun, its more just a way to get more legends involved, as we have seen in the past a lot of former players have been very interested in having a run but clubs don’t consider them. Having 1 or 2 in each team within a rotating squad of 18 really isn’t a big ask nor is it going to be hugely detrimental to the youngsters that get a crack during the tournament.
I think you could find some decent people for it, you would get hundreds of members applying – within the application field they would be able to put down height, weight, perceived fitness and skill level then a few training sessions with the group and you pick an appropriate candidate and they’d be well enough to survive and enjoy themselves haha. And hey conversely, imagine getting pole axed by Kane Evans… a great tale to tell 😉
Club legends should be mandatory at Auckland Nines
Agreed, pathetic legal system in general and a soft approach on just about all indiscretions from the NRL as a governing body. Perhaps this will change for the better now that Smith has departed.
The NRL must protect its product and deregister Mitchell Pearce
Pearce situation doesn’t diminish that at all – I still think its ridiculous that Inglis and Robert Lui are allowed to play the game, especially the women in league round. I think the reason more people are focussing on Pearce is because of the lunacy of his acts whereas domestic violence is just outright abhorrent and the only consensus is that it is indeed abhorrent. As for me personally, AFL does not interest me so you are my news source on this matter Elton.
The NRL must protect its product and deregister Mitchell Pearce
@ross – I fail to see how this is a PC piece and in fact if you were to take a look at my other articles you would quickly realise I am probably the least pro PC writer who contributes to The Roar, in fact, two of my previous articles include in the title “political correctness gone mad” and “David Warner is not to blame, political correctness is.” What about this article is PC? Pearce is an absolute grub and doesn’t deserve to be a representative of a multi million dollar club and code, his behaviour goes beyond what is considered PC or not, he pissed on a couch and dry humped a dog, or is that a standard occurrence for you when someone get’s drunk?
The NRL must protect its product and deregister Mitchell Pearce
I’m really not trying to paint him as a victim – I thought the initial punishment was sufficient (immediate criticism that it was inappropriate, a fine and an apology) and that should of been the end of it but here we are over a week later discussing it.
I don’t know where you think I have made that assumption? That said we do live in a society in which people are innocent until proven guilty. I won’t comment on the merits of his innocence or guilt until evidence emerges either way. It’s just unbelievable to me though that a simple poorly handled interview has led to so much fall out and you being someone with a successful media career would know surely that it has been propelled by the big media outlets, Fairfax in particular milking the issue for extra clicks and subsequent revenue – whatever damage no matter how disproportionate to the original indiscretion that occurs won’t concern them, I think that is wrong. And as I’ve iterated I also think Gayle’s comments were wrong, but it still remains disproportionate.
Completely respect your opinion about the article perhaps not offering anything in the way of a solution, in all honestly that wasn’t really my aim, moreso it was to draw attention to the media circus itself and state that IMO it is an overblown farce that similarly has offered no constructive conversation about the overarching issue of attitudes towards women.
Demonising of Chris Gayle is political correctness gone mad
@no one in particular:
“Let me make this very clear from the outset. Chris Gayle’s comments were inappropriate and unprofessional, and yes, they can certainly be deemed sexist.
Mel McLaughlin handled the situation professionally and I sympathise with her for the awkward predicament that unfolded.
But that is where things should have finished.
McLaughlin chose not to pursue the issue beyond iterating to her employer her displeasure of the incident and being the intelligent professional woman she is continued with her job during the match.
She expressed her desire to put the issue behind her thereafter and that is a credit to her.”
At no point I have suggested how McLaughlin should feel or act, as stated I think she handled herself brilliantly and has continued to handle herself brilliantly throughout – conversely Gayle was a moron and I have called him out for his behaviour several times in the piece.
He’s not a victim, he deserves scrutiny. The media circus has been completely disproportionate though.
I would view global news coverage and criticism and the very likely scenario of him being banned from the competition and subsequently an end to his career as a rather bleak outlook….
Demonising of Chris Gayle is political correctness gone mad
@Elton, thanks for your comment. I WISH that was what the media reaction were about, if it were, this article would have never been written, but it has instead focused on bashing Gayle which is the point of my whole analysis. There HAS been some discussion relating to the issue of changing attitudes towards women but the vast majority of pieces have centred squarely on Gayle and how sexist he is without offering any constructive points on moving forward with equality.
I completely agree with you about what it should be but IMO it hasn’t played out that way.
Demonising of Chris Gayle is political correctness gone mad
@Will – 100% regarding Josh Aloiai, fantastic signature, controlled aggression all throughout his game whether in defence or attack.
Back to reality: The key takeaways from the Tigers' loss to the Eels