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Joined January 2014
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Big fan of cricket and rugby league. Studying Post Grad in Sports Media at UTS.
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With fellow bookend Addin Fonua-Blake already parked up for the evening and the sound of Des Hasler’s halftime explosion still ringing in his ears, the last thing Marty Taupau needed was lights out from a friendless loanee.
Cronulla were cooked long before Charlie Staines found his range at Kogarah, but with the sticks split after the Forbes tearaway’s third, Nathan Cleary had effectively put the statistical dagger through the Sharks’ season.
A quick lap of Hurstville Oval’s hedge-square perfect gardens is all it takes to lift the lid on the prestigious St George District Cricket Club. Now a regular host of state and WBBL matches, the boutique ground is flush with tributes to over a century of club success.
With the gates locked to fans and players alike, here’s a team to tackle the elephant in the room.
You don’t have to be Brad Arthur to know what lies around the corner. Hell, you don’t even have to be Craig Bellamy. Anyone with half a footy brain knows that Melbourne’s finals strategy is locked into their DNA.
The cover of last week’s Big League magazine screamed ‘1,000 not out’. The image of 400-gamer Cameron Smith stood at the forefront of triple centurions Benji Marshall and the understated Gavin Cooper.
Busted bunkers, cross-eyed referees and unlucky eye gougers. We’ve heard it all and had a sook.
Last Saturday night in Newcastle, Mitchell Pearce found himself friendless in no-man’s land.
In my Steeden-esque world, the countdown to this season’s opening round was shaping up like any other.
As the preseason rolls into February even some of the biggest names pause to assess the tailgating talent.
Aussie Test cricket fans might be hurting but plenty have shown the heart to keep the turnstiles spinning. If only Justin Langer could say the same about his fragile top order.
Melbourne Cricket Ground curator Matthew Page was on a hiding to nothing despite his positive spin leading into day one of the Boxing Day Test.
David Morrow had lost his lollies; my tiny Corolla speakers throbbed on life support in tune with his booming venom. It was 2010 and Steve Matai had just smeared Michael Ennis across the Brookvale turf with a callous high-shot.
The frustration in Matt Nable’s voice said it all, “this is rubbish”.
As a global collective all red-heads reckon they have more fun. And, if you’re like me, then who’s to argue? I’ll drop anything to watch red-heads for fun.
Imagine if rugby league hall of fame nomination was based on attributes aligned to the game’s head-down, bum-up blue-collar building blocks.
No one wears their heart on their sleeve better than Sam Burgess. And mixed with adrenaline-fuelled mayhem, there’s none more explosive.
How do you reckon you would have gone at Allianz Stadium last Thursday night trying to convince a rugby league novice the Rabbitohs vs Roosters match they were about to witness is the NRL’s oldest and most bitter rivalry?
Do you reckon he had the excuse in his kitbag before kickoff?
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
Handy bloke to have waiting in the wings.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
Yeah, the Panthers game is part of the suspension.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
I see your point Baz, just not sure it fits the crime assuming a send off is warranted. It’s not uncommon for coaches to finish a game without using the #17, so question whether it’s a light tax.
On the other hand, in the past few years plenty of teams have out scored the opposition despite having a man in the bin.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
I like the theory but in practice it’s another can of worms. Cheap shot merchants selected to sacrifice themselves for the scalp of a key opponent. Even if that sounds fanciful there will always be uncomfortable elements of doubt and rage.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
Happy golfing, kk. As souvalis points out below, Marty is certainly no angel but what struck me about Friday nights shot was how deliberate it looked. In real time from the Arko stand it looked premeditated right to giving himself up. Subsequent replays do little to sway my opinion.
Hetherington’s a cracking player but he should’ve continued up the tunnel and onto the bus last Friday night.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
Yep, kinda feel for Perenara, mixed messages making his job harder. All comes back to confusion by unnecessary buzz words and terms like ‘inside shoulder’, ‘professional foul’. Let the guys call it as they see it, even if it’s through the eyes of the bunker.
There’s always going to be mistakes, only makes it worse when Annersely rubs our faces in it.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
Good fella is Ray – I was at Bankwest that night. Rugby League thrives on a pay back – fair play souvalis.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
Thanks Phil. I don’t disagree, Bennett’s punishment deserved. I’m just saying there’s a disconnect, Hetherington dodged a bullet that Taupau couldn’t.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
My bad Baz, put it down to a late night submission …that doesn’t help either, does it.
Who will tell Marty Taupau that biosecurity hits harder than Jack Hetherington?
Welcome Dane. Nice wrap mate. Hope you’re right about the Sea Eagles.
Tips and predictions for NRL Round 12
You’ve seen your share, kk. No doubting this end.
Smith remains the game’s best player because Tedesco disappears in big moments
This year for sure, it’ll be part of Dessie’s plan against Parra.
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
Ha. No different to gibberers like us on here then. There’s hope for us all, well most anyway.
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
Yep, agree. Still away to go before they have the consist resolve of the usual front runners. But if windows are a thing then the Panthers are close. Plenty of names on the rise, just like their pay demands as the wins mount, be interesting to see how many are still on the books after another 2-3 years.
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
Even though Api already has a premiership ring, he could be just the Priddis the Panthers need.
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
Is the Manly merge in the current 50 year cycle, I’m up for anything. Moylan and Turbo in a battle for the front row seat.
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
If Kent, Hoops and Hitch are stumped for words, narrative is the filler. Surely kk, of all the busted years, the Storm/Easts narrative is dead. Battle of the west makes sense so long as it’s not branded the narrative we had to have.
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
Form hides everything hey, what the Sea Eagles would do for a win.
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
Did Gus eventually settle on 5 years, is that now or are we getting ahead of ourselves?
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
Tend to agree. Looks like a four horse race but with 11 rounds to go anything can happen.
Dark horse? Penrith might just be the only certainty of 2020
Sounds like I could do with your help, what’s the topic?
Top-eight twists will be a formality as warp-speed fallout takes hold
Just because Robbo didn’t know doesn’t mean another in a Roosters tie dealt facts that you don’t care about.
Top-eight twists will be a formality as warp-speed fallout takes hold
Cheers OCSB, feedback appreciated.
The disconnect tugging at Sydney cricket's grassroots